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The Wellesley Choral Society will present its fall concert, “Magnificent Magnificats,” on Sunday, November 11, at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Wellesley Hills. The chorus, led by Music Director Edward Whalen and accompanied by a professional string quartet, continuo, and soloists, will perform eight versions of the Magnificat.
The Magnificat is one of the earliest Christian hymns. In the text, Mary both rejoices in the privilege of giving birth to the Messiah and celebrates her faith in God. This concert highlights the diverse ways that composers from the 16th to the 20th centuries, and from three different Christian traditions (Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox), have set the text of this famous hymn. The centerpiece of this concert will be Vivaldi’s Magnificat RV (610/611); the Magnificats of Palestrina, Monteverdi, Scheidt, Charpentier, Vaughn Williams, Rachmaninoff, and Ireland will frame the Vivaldi.
A reception will follow the concert, to which the entire audience is invited.
The Wellesley Choral Society has donated a limited number of free tickets to Wellesley seniors, who may pick them up at the Council on Aging at the Tolles-Parson Senior Center, located on 500 Washington St. Call (781-235-3961) to see if tickets are still available.
The church is handicapped accessible and there is ample free parking in the church lot and on the street. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $20 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors (children under 12 are free).
This concert is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, through its Cultural Investment Portfolio Program.
Further information is available at www.wellesleychoralsociety.org.
