Yuletide Harmonies
The Fairfield County Chorale (FCC) will present a joyous program of holiday music on December 15 at Norwalk Concert Hall. The Chorale launches its 62nd season with an intriguing program reaching from the Baroque to the 20th century. Similarly, the musical selections were composed in countries across the western world – from Germany to Hungary to the UK. Music Director David Rosenmeyer will conduct.
The Magnificat by Johann Sebastian Bach will be the centerpiece of the concert. This exuberant composition is one of Bach’s most popular choral works. After Bach premiered the Magnificat in Leipzig on Christmas Day 1723, the piece became a regular feature of holiday services. With this landmark work, the concert audience in Norwalk will also hear four rarely performed Christmas hymns – or laudes – composed by Bach.
The works of Benjamin Britten and Gustav Holst, considered two of the greatest English composers of the 20th century, will also be featured. These include Britten’s moving Te Deum in C, and Holst’s interpretations of traditional Christmas carols. The Chorale will perform pieces by two other composers famous for their Christmas carols, RR Terry and John Mathias. In addition, singers will join in an a cappella version of Veni, Veni Emmanuel, from an 18th century French missal, arranged by groundbreaking Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály.
Distinguished soloists include Samarie Alicea soprano, Claire Coven mezzo soprano, David Freides tenor and Gustavo Feulien baritone.
The Norwalk Concert Hall, renowned for its exceptional acoustics and elegant ambiance, serves as the perfect venue for this extraordinary evening. Located at 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT, the hall offers a comfortable and immersive concert experience for all music enthusiasts.
Tickets – available on FCC’s website, by phone, or by mail – are $35 in advance, $40 at the door, $5 for students. Group rates are available on request. To purchase tickets online, and for more information, visit the Chorale’s website at fairfieldcountychorale.org.
About the Fairfield County Chorale:
Founded in 1965, The Fairfield County Chorale is a distinguished choir based in southern Connecticut. It’s mission is to champion the appreciation of excellence in choral literature, performing a broad range of choral music for the benefit of the community. The Chorale is comprised of 80+ voices, and every concert is presented with professional musicians and soloists. The FCC has presented a number of U.S. and world premieres and has performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.