A CONCERT: To commemorate Blessed Pope John Paul II, and to honor Mary, the love of his life, California Catholic Women’s Forum presents Tota Pulchra, a concert drawing from 1700 years of music celebrating what Mary means to Christianity: true beauty, unconditional love, vast wisdom, joyful hope and peace.

 

With songs from Mexico, Spain, Vietnam, France, Portugal, Italy, England, America, and Germany, all sung in their original language; Tota Pulchra takes the audience on a journey around the most important events of of Mary's life. The concert includes pieces from throughout the Christian era with Tota Pulchra Es, a poem from the 300's, along the road to Santiago de Compostela in the Middles Ages, ending in our era with songs such as Mary, Did You Know? Meditation Meeting Mary by Christine Watkins.

Performed by well known local and international artists such as Liliane Cromer, Anna Maria Mendieta, Frances Peterson, Dana Couey, Elizabeth Campisi, Doug and James Harmon, Victor Flaviani … pieces with harp, organ and more.

 

Principal harpist with the Sacramento Philharmonic, she has performed as a soloist and as a member of many symphony orchestras and chamber music groups across the country. With international recognition as "an exceptional soloist" by the American League of Symphony Orchestras, Anna Maria Mendieta had the honor to perform for the King and Queen of Spain and other international dignitaries including President Bill Clinton, President Gorbachev, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Secretary of State George Schultz. She has performed in concerts with celebrity entertainers, including opera singer Frederica von Stade, Olivia Newton John, Josh Groban, among others.