Oratorio Society of Minnesota adds a second performance of The Music of Downton Abbey
Contact: Matthew Mehaffey
Artistic Director
612-432-7398
DUE TO HIGH TICKET DEMAND, ORATORIO SOCIETY OF MINNESOTA ADDS A SECOND PERFORMANCE OF THE MUSIC OF DOWNTON ABBEY, TO EASE THE WITHDRAWAL SUFFERED BY DOWNTON ABBEY VIEWERS
Minneapolis, March 8, 2014 -- Downton Abbey has some of the most dedicated fans in television, and each spring they go into withdrawal when the season ends. To help curb the pain, the Oratorio Society of Minnesota proudly announces second performance of THE MUSIC OF DOWNTON ABBEY. The beautiful acoustic of St. Marks Cathedral in Minneapolis will serve as the backdrop for this concert of English music inspired by the popular PBS television drama, Downton Abbey.
The combined choral and orchestral forces of over 100 musicians will guide attendees through a musical tour of post-Edwardian England by pairing musical selections with memorable events from the story line of the Downton Abbey Series. In addition to the performance of several well-known gems of this era, like Parrys I Was Glad, the concert will feature one world premiere, and two U.S. premieres, of recently rediscovered works from this time. Actress Marsha Smith, who will be playing the role of a fictional visitor to Downton Abbey, will dramatically convey the history of each piece to the audience. Sections of the concert will be linked by instrumental music from the Downton Abbey soundtrack. The audience will even have a chance to get in on the action when they are invited to sing three of the most iconic British hymns.
Repertoire
John Lunn Downton Abbey Suite and other selections
C.H.H. Parry (1848-1918) - I Was Glad
Patrick Hadley (1899-1973) - Nightfall (U.S. Premiere)
Benjamin Dale (1885-1943) - Crossing the Bar (World Premiere)
Parry - My Soul, There is a Country
Edward Elgar (1857-1934) - As Torrents in Summer
Elgar - The Snow
Sydney Nicholson (1875-1947) - Beloved, Let us Love (US Premiere)
G.F. Handel (1685-1759) - Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline (selections)
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) - Lord, Thou hast been our Refuge
Hymns to be sung by chorus and audience
Parry- Jersualem
Holst - I Vow to Thee My Country (THAXTED)
Arne - Rule, Britannia!
This concert will feature the Oratorio Society Chorus, a professional chamber orchestra, PHILIP ZAWISZA, baritone; MARSHA SMITH, actress; and HELEN JENSEN, organist. The concert will be conducted by Oratorio Society of Minnesota Artistic Director, MATTHEW MEHAFFEY.
Who: Oratorio Society of Minnesota Chorus, Professional Chamber Orchestra, Helen Jensen, Philip Zawisza, actress Marsha Smith. Conducted by Matthew Mehaffey
What: The Music of Downton Abbey. Choral and Orchestral Music post-Edwardian England (1911-1925), and music of John Lunn, the Emmy Award winning composer of the Downton Abbey Soundtrack.
Where: St. Marks Cathedral. 519 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis
When: Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $30 reserved, $20 adult general admission, $10 student general admission; available at oratorio.org or by calling 1-866-811-4111
For more information, please call the Oratorio Society at 612-432-7398
This project is funded, in part, by appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the States general fund, and its arts and cultural heritage fund that was created by a vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
The Oratorio Society of Minnesota is an auditioned 80-voice choral ensemble based in the Twin Cities. Celebrating its 34th year, OSM challenges and delights its audiences through dynamic and diverse choral music performed with skill and passion. Society members are of all ages and from all walks of life and have considerable choral singing experience. Its civic engagement and educational programs foster lifelong choral singing. More information at oratorio.org.
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