St. Stephen’s Carols by Candlelight Streams This Saturday

St. Stephen’s beloved annual Carols by Candlelight – virtual by necessity in 2020, thanks to Covid – will stream this Saturday at 7:30. A celebration of Advent and Christmas, the concert will feature the St. Stephen’s Choir, soloists, and a small professional orchestra. Alcee Chriss III, who conceived and arranged the virtual production, will direct and provide organ accompaniment. Viewing the concert requires registering on Eventbrite using the link https://carols-by-candlelight-st-stephens.eventbrite.com .       

Dr. Chriss has put in countless hours, gathering the musicians, rehearsing, recording and mixing so that Carols by Candlelight can go on, even though not quite as usual. As Jack Herr, a choir member and concert soloist, put it: “I am sure I speak for the entire choir when I say that Alcee’s devotion, the excellence of his execution, and his sheer will to make this happen is beyond what any of us could have hoped for or expected.”                            

Mr. Herr will sing “Zion Hears the Watchmen’s Voices” – also known by the German “Wachet Auf” – from J.S Bach’s Cantata 140. Thomas Carr will perform the recitative and aria "The People That Walked in Darkness,” from Handel’s Messiah. Lydia Toperzer will reprise her popular performance of “O Holy Night”. The fourth soloist, Kathleen Haaversen, will be joined by Vivian, Beatrice and Millicent Altopp, daughters of the Rev. Whitney Altopp, rector of St. Stephen’s, and her husband, Michael.                  

A $20 donation is suggested. More generous sponsorships are always welcome.

Caption Photo 1: Carols by Candlelight is this Saturday

Caption Photo 2: Alcee Chriss III