Concerts and Events Calendar

Thursday, May 4, 2017

GMChorale

Hartford Premiere of "Letter from Italy, 1944" at The Bushnell on May 4

The Hartford Premiere of "Letter from Italy, 1944," will be presented on May 4, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. at The Bushnell.

A new American Masterwork, "Letter from Italy, 1944" — a soldier’s story told in music — is indeed most timely as our nation strives to understand and address our veterans’ struggles with the emotional consequences of war, known as PTSD. This oratorio explores the national problem and its effect on families by examining the true story of one soldier through music, art and theater. The Hartford Premiere of "Letter from Italy, 1944," will be presented on May 4, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. at The Bushnell.

The story of Dr. John K. Meneely, a WWII combat medic in the Army’s fabled 10th Mountain Division, who returned home suffering from what is now termed PTSD, inspired "Letter from Italy, 1944." Dr. Meneely spent the next 18 years dealing with the haunting memories of his war experience until he ended his struggle. Commissioned by GMChorale and created by his daughters, composer Sarah Meneely-Kyder and librettist Nancy Fitz-Hugh Meneely, the moving and powerful oratorio was first performed to a sold-out audience in Middletown in 2013. A documentary about this project, “Letter from Italy, 1944: A New American Oratorio,” narrated by Meryl Streep, won a 2016 Emmy Award for filmmaker Karyl Evans.

The Hartford Premiere of the work, conducted by GMChorale Artistic Director, Joseph D’Eugenio, will feature the combined voices of the GMChorale and the Hartford Chorale (Artistic Director Richard Coffey), accompanied by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (Artistic Director Carolyn Kuan). The Artistic Director of the Opera Theater of Connecticut, Alan Mann, is the production’s Staging Director.

Tenor Jack Anthony Pott, who sang the role of Dr. John K. Meneely in the 2013 world premiere of this dramatic oratorio, will be reprising that role in Hartford. The role of Delia, wife of John Meneely, will be sung by soprano Sheri Hammerstrom, who portrayed their daughter Nancy in the first performance. Singing the roles of the three daughters of Delia and John will be soprano Christi McLain as Nancy, soprano Megan Weikleenget as Sarah and mezzo-soprano Lindsay Cabaniss as Dorothea. Spencer Hamlin will appear as “Boppi,” the father of Dr. Meneely.

It is hoped that through the multi-faceted lens of "Letter from Italy, 1944," its music and accompanying discussions will open doors to understanding and healing. In the words of Jack Anthony Pott, “If this story touches one person, it has done its work.”

Please visit www.gmchorale.org for further information and www.bushnell.org for tickets.

Venue: The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford, CT

Tickets: $25-$60
Visit www.bushnell.org for tickets

Contact: marcia.bliven@gmchorale.org

Website: www.gmchorale.org

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Fairfield County Chorale

Fairfield County Chorale Spring Concert of Peace & Hope

Fauré and Vaughan Williams

Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) close the Fairfield County Chorale’s 2016-2017 season on Saturday, May 13th, 7:30pm at Norwalk Concert Hall. The pairing of these two highly emotional works welcomes spring with a message of hope. The concert will be conducted by the Chorale’s Music Director, David Rosenmeyer and features soloists Larisa Martinez, soprano and Philip Kalmanovitch, baritone.

Of all the sacred works of the late 19th century, none is more beloved that Fauré’s Requiem.

It is revered for the beauty of its harmonic language, based on plainchant and modal writing, and the gentleness in the shimmering “Sanctus” and the cradle-like rocking of the “Pie Jesu” and “In Paradisum.” Fauré’s gentle Requiem feels like a new kind of liturgy.

The composer himself wrote, “I have instinctively sought to escape from what is thought right and proper… I wanted to write something different.”

Written in 1888, it is speculated that Fauré’s brief yet devastating experience of active service in the Franco-Prussian War influenced the work. Fauré’s God is forgiving; the feeling of mercy is expressed through the impressionistic music. It was the words “qui pius es” (for thou art merciful) that meant the most to the composer, according to Fauré’s son, Philippe Fauré-Fremiet.

“In 1936, Vaughan Williams took even more liberties with the requiem form,” said David Rosenmeyer.

“The phrase ‘dona nobis pacem’ (grant us peace), is taken from the ‘Agnus Dei’ portion of the Catholic Mass. This litany usually comes at the end of the ordinary Mass. Vaughan Williams takes the phrase out of context and uses it as a recurring refrain for emphasis in this harmonious work,” continues Rosenmeyer.

Vaughan Williams wrote “Dona Nobis Pacem” in 1936 when memories of the loss of a generation of young men were fresh in everyone’s minds amid fears of a new war. And like Fauré, Vaughan Williams saw firsthand the destructive nature of war and believed music was a means to preserve civilization. Vaughan Williams’ texts were taken from the Mass, three poems by Walt Whitman, written after Whitman experienced the carnage of the American Civil war, a political speech, and selections of the Bible.

The cantata opens with a soprano solo, quickly joined by the chorus in a fervent cry for peace. The answer: distant drums – a harbinger of war.

“Repetitions of the phrase ‘and on earth peace, good will toward men’ ring with celebratory optimism. In the last movement, Vaughan Williams compiles a number of wise biblical sayings urging communal action for peace. Only the soprano soloists’ ‘dona nobis pacem’ floating hauntingly overhead sounds a warning that we must heed, lest we revert and again sacrifice righteousness and peace to war.” *

With Dona Nobis Pacem, Vaughan Williams universalizes a heartrending plea for peace.

Venue: Norwalk Concert Hall
125 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851

Tickets: Single tickets $35 ($30 in advance). Student tickets are $5 at the door. Seats are General Admission. www.fairfieldcountychorale.org

Contact: http://fairfieldcountychorale.org/contact-us/

Website: www.fairfieldcountychorale.org

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Mendelssohn Choir of CT

Mahler Symphony #2 - Resurrection

with The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Yates, Conductor - 77th season finale

Venue: 8:00 PM
Norwalk Concert Hall
Norwalk, CT

Tickets: 203 956-6771

Website: www.mendelssohnchoir.com

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Stamford Chorale

Canciones del Pueblo

Latin American Choral Music Concert

The music you will hear tonight is born out of the fusion between the Iberian and Indigenous Latin American cultures. Colonial and Indigenous New World composers created new forms of musical expression by incorporating Creole, Mestizo, Indian, and African melodies. These forms also spawned many new rhythms and harmonies.

Our program features folk music from many of the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America highlighting this rich fusion. In the music you will hear the echoes of the soul of the people, their plight, learn about their land, and reminisce in their moments of love, life and struggles that they have set to music. Our journey tonight gives an understanding of the beauty of the Latin American culture and history through song.

Venue: St. John's Lutheran Church, Stamford, CT

Tickets: Tickets $20, available at door.

Contact: For more information call (203) 359-0659 or email thestamfordchorale@gmail.com

Website: thestamfordchorale.org