A Cappella group Hilliard Ensemble in concert February 17, 2009

For 35 years, the Hilliard Ensemble has set the gold standard for male a cappella singing. San Francisco Performances is proud to present the quartet in a program that examines love and loss, "Love Among the Ruins."

Named after British miniaturist painter Nicholas Hilliard, the Ensemble has built its formidable reputation performing works both old and new. The members are countertenor David James, tenor Steven Harrold, tenor Rogers Covey-Crump and baritone Gordon Jones.

"Love Among the Ruins," reflects upon the joys and sorrows of love as interpreted by composers and poets spanning six centuries and two continents. Included are works are by Gavin Bryars, Rudolf Kelterborn, William Cornish, Henry VIII, Cipriano Da Rore, Claudio Merulo and others.

Founded in 1974, the Hilliard established its early-music reputation with a series of highly successful recordings for EMI (many re-released on the Virgin label). But from the start, the group has paid attention to new music as well: Its 1988 recording of Arvo Part's "Passio" began a fruitful relationship with both the composer and ECM Records that has continued with over 20 discs.

Recent projects include a collaboration with German composer Heiner Goebbels on a theater piece entitled "I went to the house but did not enter," which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival in 2008 and is touring Europe and the United States this season. In 2009-10, the Hilliard will work with the Arditti Quartet, the Chilingirian String Quartet and others.

$42/$32.

Official Website: http://www.performances.org