Many aspects of our lives have changed as a result of COVID-19, so it is comforting that one of the highlights of the season — the Festival Chorus Concerts at Old North Church this Saturday and Sunday — will feel reassuringly familiar as the adult chorus performs a full program.
Highlights of this year’s concerts include: “Magnificat in D” and “Christus, Part 1,” by Felix Mendelssohn; “Fantasia on Christmas Carols,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams; “World of Joy,” by Gary Fry; “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” arranged by Dan Forrest; and arrangements of seasonal music for chorus and orchestra with audience participation.
Featured soloists include: Holly Cameron, soprano; Gabriela Fagen, mezzo-soprano; Kevin Hayden, tenor; Andrew Scoglio, baritone; and Michael Galvin, bass.
The Old North Festival Orchestra, soloists and 90-voice chorus will be led by the incomparable Maria van Kalken, minister of music at Old North Church, who celebrates her 35th season as director of the Festival Chorus!
Through 10 weeks of rehearsals, Maria has patiently worked with the chorus — which is unauditioned and represents a wide range of experience — to create the sound that amazes and delights audiences year after year.
Tickets are available in advance at Crosby’s Marketplace and Arnould Gallery, online at onchurch.org/festivalchorus, or at the door.
Remember to get there early to allow time to park.
Andrew Oliver
One Essex Street
