The Monadnock Chorus, under the direction of Matthew Leese, is excited to announce their upcoming holiday concert: Rossini’s exhilarating Petite Messe Solennelle. For those unfamiliar with the work, the ninety-minute Mass is one of the operatic composer’s final works, full of dramatic fireworks, sincere beauty and even some humor. The virtuoso accompaniment will be provided by Virginia Eskin on piano and Mary Ann Fleming on harmonium. Our guest vocal soloists are tenor Charles Blandy, whom many will remember from his recent appearance with the chorus as Evangelist in the Johannespassion, soprano Kathryn McKellar, mezzo-soprano Amy V. Mitchell, and baritone Paul Max Tipton, all of whom are young masters of their craft. The chorus is joined by 6 SING! participants, Paulina Allen, Eli Budet, Allison Daniel, Austin Davis, Lucy Phillips, and Nate Weddle. These young people applied for and were awarded the opportunity to sing with the chorus via the Monadnock Chorus SING! program, which was introduced in fall of 2015 to support young people in our region who wish to perform large choral works at a high level. Concerts dates for Petite Messe Solennelle are Saturday, December 10th, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 11th, at 3:00 p.m. Both concerts will be at the Peterborough Town House. Concert tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 for students. Tickets are available at Steeles, Toadstool in Peterborough and online at www.monadnock-chorus.org
Monadnock Chorus provides singers the opportunity to perform outstanding choral works, and presents collaborative choral engagement and education programs for all communities within the Monadnock region. Key to our long-term success is the promotion of choral singing as an art form amongst residents of all ages. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings, 7-9 p.m. For information about singing with us, or about upcoming events, please check our website or LIKE us on Facebook.
The Monadnock Chorus is supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts.
Stephanie Henry says
One of my favorites from the days when a student colleague did his PhD diss on the work. Good luck, and enjoy.