New Haven, CT (November 4, 2013): The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) welcomes the Christmas season with festive performances of Benjamin Britten’s St. Nicolas on Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm at Trinity Church on the New Haven Green, on Friday, December 6 at 7:30pm at Sacred Heart University, and on December 7 at 7:30pm at the First Congregational Church of Madison.
The program, featuring the talents of the Trinity Church Choirs, will immediately follow the annual tree lighting on the New Haven Green. In the spirit of the season, proceeds from the concert will benefit ‘R Kids CT, a New Haven non-profit committed to providing specialized, high-quality services to children in out-of-home care.
St. Nicolas, composed by Benjamin Britten in 1948, explores the myths and legends that gradually evolved the Bishop of Smyrna into the much-loved figure of Santa Claus. The wild tales bring to mind the medieval exaggerations of Carmina Burana: three purses of gold secretly tossed through a cottage window rescue three girls from prostitution. St. Nicolas rescues three sailors from drowning (making him the patron saint of sailors). He miraculously restores the lives of three small boys who, at a time of dreadful famine, had been pickled in brine by a wicked butcher. From this macabre tale emerged the practice of giving presents to deserving children. The unlikely score features mixed and children’s choruses, a tenor soloist in the role of St. Nicolas, and musical accompaniment on piano, organ, percussion, and strings. There is even an opportunity for the congregation to join in the singing.
Continuing in the vein of including child performers in music that will surely delight children, Britten composed the Ceremony of Carols for children’s chorus, child soloists and solo harp. The music is inspired by an anthology of medieval English poetry and draws from the tradition of English folk music. Both are well-loved pieces that capture the glory and joy of the holiday season.
THE TRINITY CHURCH CHOIR is comprised of two vocal groups. The Choir of Men and Boys is the oldest choir in the parish, having been founded in 1885, and is the seventh oldest such choir in America. The Men and Boys sing at weekly services and other special occasions, including Evensongs. The Choir of Men and Girls was founded in the fall of 2003 and includes girls from grades 5-10, who form the soprano section of the choir, accompanied by adult altos, tenors, and basses.
Tickets ($35, $45) for the performances at Trinity Church in New Haven and the First Congregational Church in Madison can be purchased at through the NHSO Box Office at 203.865.0831 x10 or www.NewHavenSymphony.org.
Student tickets are always $10. KidTix are free for kids ages 6-17, with a paying adult. Blue Star tickets are free for the families of active duty military.
To purchase tickets ($35) for the performance at Sacred Heart’s Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts, visit www.edgertoncenter.org/special_events.
Season Media Sponsor: New Haven Register. Madison Media Co-Sponsor: Shore Publishing.
