Master Chorale To Reprise Rutter Masterpiece For This Weekend’s Concert

The Connecticut Master Ch­­orale, under the direction of Tina Johns Heidrich, will present its winter concert on Sunday, March 14, at 3 pm, at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road in Newtown. Featured on the program will be Magnificat by John Rutter and Great Hymns of Praise by Mack Wilberg.

John Rutter is regarded by many as the world’s greatest living composer and conductor of choral music, and Magnificat is often considered to be his most significant contribution to choral literature. The glorious and uplifting work is beautifully written, superbly orchestrated and a wonderful example of just why the composer is so popular with singers and audience alike.

Magnificat was written in 1990 and was the centerpiece of the Master Chorale’s inaugural concert in November 1999. The Chorale was thrilled to sing it with John Rutter himself conducting at Carnegie Hall on Easter 2002, and looks forward to performing it once again.

Mack Wilber’s Great Hymns collection reflects the depth and variety of his craftsmanship from the seldom heard anthem of 19th Century Mormon pioneers “Come, Come, Ye Saints” and the African-American spiritual “Peace Like a River” to compelling treatments of more familiar hymns such as “Be Thou My Vision” and “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.”

The Chorale will be joined by soprano soloist Louise Fauteux and accompanied by the Connecticut Master Chorale Orchestra, with Joseph Jacovino, Jr on organ.

The Connecticut Master Chorale is an ensemble of 55 vocalists in their 11th year of singing in western Connecticut. Newtown residents in the Chorale are Judy Bolduc, Ginnie Carey, Lisa Cedergren, David Jurman, Karen Orzechowski, Nancy Raymond, Pastor Greg Wismar, and Dan Yee.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Call 203-743-0473 for ticket purchase and visit CMChorale.org for more information.