Conductor Matthew Glandorf leads an all new Choral Arts Society program joined by The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and the Bryn Mawr Boy and Girl Choirs on two consecutive days, Saturday in Philadelphia, and Sunday in Bryn Mawr.
On Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 7pm in the magnificent Philadelphia Cathedral on 38th and Chestnut Streets, and again on Sunday, December 12 at 4pm at the Church of the Redeemer, 250 Pennswood Road in Bryn Mawr, the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia (CASP) presents The Legend of St. Nicolas in a holiday blend of medieval carols and a cantata that weaves the historical and legendary story of the real figure who actually lived in the 4th Century and is known today as St. Nicolas.
The concert is a collaborative effort with the renowned Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and, singing with CASP for the first time, will be the Bryn Mawr Boy and Girl Choirs under the direction of Daniel Moriarty. With fine orchestral accompaniment, close to 150 voices will rise together to bring special meaning to a season that many believe has lost its context in the present day.
After opening with an anonymous three-voice piece from the Middle Ages that sets a sacred tone, the concert steps lively into a Fantasia on Christmas Carols composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1912. The tunes in the "Fantasia" explore themes that come from the popular imaginations of the era. The traditional flavor of carolers warming the cold night with song will take the audience back to a time when the holidays celebrated our shared experiences.
The featured selection for the evening is Benjamin Britten’s dramatic cantata St. Nicolas. Composed in 1948, the piece is based on the legends that surround this historical figure who lived in 4th century Turkey. The work was specifically written for strings, piano duet, organ, percussion, large choir, small choir, tenor soloist and congregation. In these performances, guest soloist, David Price, will sing the tenor role of St. Nicolas.
The orchestra and choirs will take the audience on a journey that begins with the birth of St. Nicolas and loosely follows his life, his devotions, his works, and finally, his death. These events interweave the factual events with popular legends we have come to know over the centuries. At two points in the Cantata, the audience is invited to join in song with the performers. And in keeping with this seasonal legend, it is rumored that the "good" may be rewarded with a treat, while the "naughty" may be left with only a lump of coal.
Saturday, December 11th performance begins at 7:00pm. Sunday, December 12th concert performance in Bryn Mawr starts at 4pm. Tickets for The Legend of St. Nicolas are $18 - $30 and can be purchased by calling 215-545-8634, online at www.choralarts.com or at the door on the nights of the performances.
The Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, national winner of Chorus America’s Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, is recognized for performing choral music designed to enrich, engage, educate and inspire large and diverse audiences. Dedicated to artistic excellence and fiscal responsibility, Choral Arts includes a 90-member symphonic chorus with a 16-voice professional chamber choir. Founded in 1982, they have performed nearly 200 works by close to 100 composers in many languages, and have presented audiences with numerous Philadelphia and world premieres.
