Two Opportunities To See CT Choral Society’s Holiday Concert

Connecticut Choral Society (CCS), directed by Eric Dale Knapp, will perform its annual Candlelight and Carols Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 8, at 8 pm, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown, and again on Sunday, December 9, at 3 pm, at the North Congregational Church in Woodbury.

“Magnificat,” the theme of this performance, will commemorate the 300th anniversary of the death of Dietrich Buxtehude. The first half of the program will feature his works, the second will showcase favorite carols of the season.

CCS will be accompanied by a chamber ensemble of two violins, cello, harpsichord and organ.

Buxtehude, a Baroque master, is considered one of the greatest Danish composers. His career spread over Denmark, southern Sweden and northern Germany, but he considered himself a Dane. Johann Sebastian Bach is said to have walked 250 miles to hear Buxtehude perform on the organ and to study with him. Bach was crucially influenced by the elder composer as also was George Frederich Handel.

Some of the chorus will sing in 2008 before the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Beijing with an international chorus of over 600 singers under Maestro Knapp’s direction. CCS is supported in part by funding from the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism and also from the Connecticut Community Foundation, grants and underwriting from our loyal supporters, and  business and financial institutions in the region.

There will be a reception and opportunity to meet the artists after the concert in Woodbury.

Tickets for either performance are $20 and can be purchased in advance at Villarina’s Pasta & More, in Newtown at 187 South Main Street and in Southbury at 22 Poverty Road; at More Good Books, Barclay Square in Woodbury, and also at Woodbury Drug, 238 Main Street also in Woodbury.

Trinity Episcopal Church is at 36 Main Street in Newtown (near the flagpole). North Congregational Church is at the corner of Main Street/Route 6 and Route 67.

For additional information call 203-206-7186 or visit CTChoralSociety.org.