In a few weeks, CONCORA will begin it 46th season. The theme for this season was inspired by the title of one of Artistic Director Chris Shepard’s favorite books, Jared Diamond’s immensely popular 1997 Guns, Germs & Steel. In his book, Diamond delved into the ways in which the deployment of these three powerful elements allowed Eurasian culture and might to spread across the globe. In CONCORA’s six concerts this season, we explore how Ivory, Wood & Steel—materials fundamental to the production of so many different instruments—have inspired composers to write choral music with varied and fascinating accompaniments. The season spans three centuries, from the Bach Mass in B Minor to a new work commissioned by CONCORA from CONCORA singer Andrey Stolyarov.
The season consists of the following concerts. Tickets are available at the door the day of each concert, or in advance online at concora.org. See the website for special early bird pricing.
Rossini, Petite Messe Solennelle
Sunday, October 13th at 4:00 pm
South Congregational Church, New Britain, CT
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Gioachino Rossini had given up writing operas for nearly thirty years by the time he wrote his Petite Messe Solennelle, which he called “the last of the sins of my old age.” Others have observed that, despite its title, this Mass setting is neither “small” nor particularly “solemn!” The scale is intimate though, as it was written for a choir of sixteen with a quartet of soloists. It is scored for piano and harmonium (a small home organ), the perfect accompaniment for a piece that was designed to be performed in the home of the couple to whom the work was dedicated.
CONCORA on Broadway: Duos by Duos
Saturday, November 9th at 7:30 pm
Trinity-on-Main, New Britain, CT
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Following on the success of last year’s Broadway concert, we return to New Britain’s wonderful Trinity-on-Main to present another cabaret-style evening with Chris Shepard at the piano. We pay homage to the many wonderful composer-lyricist duos from the Broadway repertoire—giants like Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Bock & Harnick, and others. We welcome back singers from the Bushnell’s Ensign-Darling vocal fellowship high school program, who will perform with us on the program.
Handel, Messiah
Sunday, December 8th at 4:00 pm
St. James’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford, CT
CONCORA will be joined again this year by a professional chamber orchestra for a full performance of Handel’s perennial favorite—a new annual Hartford tradition that we hope will become an important part of your Christmas season. Soloists from the choir will perform the arias, showcasing the individual talents of a number of our wonderful singers.
Choral Music of Maurice Duruflé
Sunday, February 16th at 4:00 pm
Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, CT
It is a particular thrill this season to welcome CONCORA founding artistic director Richard Coffey back to the podium. Maestro Coffey has a special affinity for the music of Maurice Duruflé, including the centerpiece of the program—the Requiem. Accompanying the performance is local favorite, organist Larry Allen, who returns to Hartford for this concert.
Bach, Mass in B Minor, BWV232
Sunday, March 22nd at 4:00 pm
St. James’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford
One of the greatest artistic achievements in western art, Bach’s B Minor Mass surveys all of the musical forms known in the 18th Century, from ancient Gregorian chant to the modern style galant of Bach’s sons. Along with a professional chamber orchestra, CONCORA returns to this touchstone of the choral repertoire for the first time since Richard Coffey’s standing-room-only farewell performance—let’s pack the house this time as well! This concert is made possible in large part by the generous support of members of CONCORA's Friends of Bach. To become a member and support the performance of the great works of Bach, please go to http://www.concora.org/join-th...
Ivory, Wood & Steel: Music for Choir & Percussion
Sunday, April 26th at 4:00 pm
First Church of Christ, Congregational, New Britain, CT
The “building materials” of the season’s theme come together in this spectacular concert of modern works for choir with piano and percussion. We present a new work commissioned by CONCORA from CONCORA bass Andrey Stolyarov, who recently completed his doctorate in composition from the Hartt School. Another featured piece on the program is British composer Jonathan Dove’s Passing of the Year, a thrilling multi-movement work that combines a beautiful lyricism with the rhythmic drive of minimalism.
CONCORA’s 2019-2020 season is made possible through the generous gifts of many individual donors, foundations and institutions, including CONCORA’s Friends of Bach, the American Savings Foundation, the Greater Hartford Arts Council, supported in part by the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s United Arts Campaign with major support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the J. Walton Bissell Foundation, the Andrew J. Sloper Music Fund, the Helen M. Saunders Charitable Foundation, The Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation, the Ensworth Charitable Fund, the Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, The Connecticut Endowment Fund, The William and Alice Mortensen Foundation, the City of New Britain Commission on the Arts, the Robert C. Vance Foundation. the Marjorie Jolidon Fund - American Guild of Organists, The Musical Club of Hartford, Inc., and The Weld Fund - Community Foundation of Greater New Britain.
