Matthew Culloton welcomes alto Jess Bandelin to share reflections on how art intersects with life – and in particular, she recalls performing in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012. One of the musical balms came through the poetry of e.e. Cummings (“little tree”), captured so poignantly by Steve Heitzig, painting the image of children holding hands and dancing around the Christmas tree – a sad reminder of those lost, but also a hopeful reminder that love conquers all. A world premiere performance is shared from Bob Sieving based on Shakespeare’s text from Hamlet, “So hallowed and so gracious is the time.” Program repertoire includes:
Frank Ferko: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (from A Festival of Carols)
Holst/Abbie Betinis, arr.: In the Bleakmidwinter
Steve Heitzig: little tree
Bob Sieving: So hallowed and so gracious is the time (world premiere performance)
Stephen Paulus, arr.: The First Noel
Incidental music by Aaron David Miller
All music recorded live in concert and performed by The Singers, Matthew Culloton, conductor.
Learn more at www.singersmca.org.
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