Welcome to Ars Musica Chorale’s 55th season!
Our theme is Revolutionaries, and we’ll be presenting four stunning concerts of music that challenged the conventions of their time.
We begin with a performance of arguably the first example of opera in English. Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas recounts the famous tale of Dido, the Queen of Carthage falling for the Trojan hero, Aeneas. It will be paired with one of George Frideric Handel’s Coronation Anthems and accompanied by a Baroque instrumental ensemble using historical instruments that Purcell and Handel would have recognized. Our signature holiday concert will bring together the spectacular forces of voices, brass, organ, percussion, and the angelic voices of the New Jersey State Children’s Chorus in an evening of seasonal music and cheer.
The Jewish tradition of music is one of the richest of our era. In our concert, Hariu l’Adonai, we’ll hear music by Mendelssohn as well as Jewish composers such as Aaron Copland, Salamone Rossi, Max Janowski, and traditional chants. The final concert features two titans of the Romantic era who celebrate anniversaries during the course of the season: the 150th anniversary of Hector Berlioz’ death in 2019 and the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth in 2020. The feature of the program, accompanied by the award-winning Adelphi Orchestra, is Berlioz’ spectacular showpiece, the Messe Solennelle.
The arts have stood for centuries not only as forms of entertainment but also as ways of exploring ourselves and others towards a greater common good. Music allows us to gather in a singular space to enjoy timeless works that enable audience members and performers alike to transcend the clamor of everyday life. We look forward to welcoming you as we present these remarkable, revolutionary works.
DIDO & AENEAS
The glory of baroque music includes Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (1689), one of the first operas in English, paired with Let thy hand be strengthened, one of George Frideric Handel’s Coronation Anthems (1727).
Ars Musica Chorale
Encore Young Artists
Baroque Instrumental Ensemble
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019, 7PM
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ridgewood, New Jersey
AN ARS MUSICA HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
There is no better way to start the holiday season than with our signature holiday concert, featuring music for Christmas, Hanukkah, and carols for all to sing.
Ars Musica Chorale
New Jersey State Children’s Chorus
Encore Young Artists
Holiday Ensemble
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2019, 7PM
West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, New Jersey
HARIU L’ADONAI: MENDELSSOHN & MORE
The Jewish tradition of music is one of the richest of our time as highlighted by soulful melodies and stunning choral music by Felix Mendelssohn, Salamone Rossi, Aaron Copland, Max Janovsky, and others.
Ars Musica Chorale
Encore Young Artists
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020, 4PM
West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, New Jersey
ROMANTIC REVOLUTIONARIES: BEETHOVEN & BERLIOZ
Masterworks for chorus and orchestra including Beethoven’s Choral
Masterworks for chorus and orchestra including Ludwig van Beethoven’s Calm Sea & Prosperous Voyage (1814-15) & Hector Berlioz’ Messe Solennelle (1824).
Ars Musica Chorale
Encore Young Artists
Adelphi Orchestra
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2020, 7PM
West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, New Jersey
