In his last semester as director of the University Chorus, Barry Torres has chosen the theme Something Old, Something New. The "old" refers both to beloved repertoire that the University Chorus has sung in the past and the time period from which it is taken—Romantic-era part songs, parlor songs, and popular hymns from the nineteenth century. The "new" is both more modern and new to the University Chorus under Torres' direction—Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb.
Britten refers to this piece as a “festival cantata”: it was dedicated to “the Rev. Walter Hussey and the choir of St. Matthew’s Church in Northampton on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the consecration of their church, September 21st 1943.” The following is from notes in the score written by Rev. Hussey.
“The words of the Cantata – “Rejoice in the Lamb” - are taken from a long poem of the same name. The writer was Christopher Smart, an eighteenth century poet, deeply religious, but of a strange and unbalanced mind.
“Rejoice in the Lamb” was written while Smart was in an asylum, and is chaotic in form but contains flashes of genius. It is a few of the finest passages that Benjamin Britten has chosen to set to music. The main theme of the poem, and that of the Cantata, is the worship of God, by all created beings and things, each in its own way.”
Music of Felix Mendelssohn, Johannes Brahms, Joseph Barnby and Stephen Foster will be sung along with parlor song gems such as “Listen to the Mockingbird” and “Home, Sweet Home.” Members of University Chorus chose the hymns that will open the program, such as “Be thou my vision”, “Wondrous Love”, “O God our help in ages past”, “All things bright and beautiful” and “For the beauty of the earth.”
Soloists for the concert will include current UC members Rebecca MacDougall, Jennifer Blewett and Don Scheussler, guest artist Nate Strock and former UC member Kate Forbes, daughter of retiring director Torres.
The concert is free, open to the public, and in-person, with live streaming. Watch the Livestream.