Camerata d'Amici Presents: Sing We Now of Christmas

Camerata d’Amici presents “Sing We Now of Christmas: A Christmas Concert,” December 6, 2015

Camerata d’Amici is proud to present “Sing We Now of Christmas” on December 6^th at 4 pm in the South Salem Presbyterian Church, located at 111 Spring Street, South Salem, NY. The choir, now in its tenth season, is excited to welcome everyone to its annual celebration of the Christmas season. Dr. Kristin Sponheim, Artistic Director, has crafted a program that includes a broad range of repertoire, from Renaissance to the present day that celebrates Christmas.

The program begins with the Latin invocation,“Veni, creator Spiritus.” Anthony Bernarducci’s setting of this traditional Gregorian chant is anything but traditional. The driving, irregular rhythms, accompanied by percussionist Matt Bronson, provide a contemporary context for this venerable ninth-century text.

The mystery of Christ’s birth is expressed in an ethereal setting by Francis Poulenc of the 12^th century Latin text “O Magnum Mysterium.” Poulenc’s 20^th century rendition of this medieval text portrays the wonder and awe of the speaker through a haunting melody and equally haunting harmony. Thomas Carr, baritone soloist, will sing Vaughan Williams’ “Infant Joy,” with text by William Blake, and accompaniment by solo oboe, played by Oliver Homann.

The program also includes several pieces based on Marian texts, such as Tomás Luis de Victoria’s “Ave Maria,” sung by the Camerata chamber ensemble, and Z. Randall Stroope’s “There is No Rose,” sung by the women of Camerata. Juliet Pratt, soprano soloist, concludes this section of the program with Bob Chilcott’s “The Time of Snow”.

The men of Camerata bring the first half of the program to a close with the rousing French carol, “Sing We Now of Christmas,” accompanied by piano and percussion.

The second half of the program features a number of carols: the men of Camerata open with “Once in Royal David’s City” (arr. Marvin) followed by “The Huron Carol” (arr. Henderson) sung by the women of Camerata, and accompanied by Margarita Nuller, piano. “In the Bleak Midwinter” (Caldwell), a solo by bass Michael Forbes, is followed by Camerata’s chamber ensemble singing, “We Three Kings” (arr. Culloton), which features Doug Planker (tenor), Thomas Carr (baritone), and Michael Forbes (bass), with oboe adding an Oriental flair to the piece.

The concert concludes with a set of traditional and favorite carols, with the audience invited to join in singing with the choir.

For more information on purchasing tickets, Camerata d’Amici invites you to visit their website at cameratadamici.org. Season and single concert tickets are also available via check payable to Camerata d’Amici, P.O. Box 74, Ridgefield, CT 06877. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults (or $20 in advance), and $10 for children 12 and under.