NVCC Chorus To Offer Holiday Concerts Dec. 17-18

WATERBURY — The public is invited to join Naugatuck Valley Community College Chorus for its holiday performances, featuring Bach’s Magnificat and the U.S. premiere of “Por que llorax,” a Sephardic piece from Israel, on Saturday and Sunday, December 17-18.

Both performances will be on the Mainstage at NVCC’s Fine Arts Center, located on its main campus at 750 Chase Parkway.

Saturday evening’s show will begin at 8, and Sunday’s matinee will begin at 3. A $10 donation is suggested at the door.

Magnificat, one of Bach’s best-loved pieces, was written for the Christmas of 1723 and, as such, has long been a holiday favorite. It includes several solos, which will be performed by chorus members.

“Por que llorax,” or “Why Are You Crying?” was written for a Tel Aviv choir conducted by an acquaintance of NVCC Chorus Director Richard Gard. The chorus raised money to have the music engraved in printed form to bring it to the United States for the first time.

A folk song from the Sephards, Jews who were expelled from Spain and Portugal in 1492, “Por que llorax” is a dialogue between a weeping young woman and a wandering knight whom she later discovers is her husband thought lost in battle. Like Magnificat, its performance will feature an accompanying orchestra, but it will also feature costumed NVCC dancers. Chorus member Jacquie Boutote will be the featured soloist.

The concerts will also include Christmas music from Australia by Colin Brumby.

For more information, call 203-575-8049. For directions, visit www.nvcc.commnet.edu and click on Welcome.