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Boston-based world music vocal ensemble The Halalisa Singers led by artistic director Mary Cunningham presents Season of Light featuring Conrad Susa’s exquisite “Carols and Lullabies of the Southwest” accompanied by harp, guitar, and marimba. The holiday program is part of a season revisiting past repertoire in honor of Cunningham’s twentieth year leading the chorus in diverse, uplifting music from around the world. Joining the singers are pianist Trevor Berens, guitarist Berit Strong, harpist Li Shan Tan, and marimbist Sylvie Zakarian.∙ Saturday, December 7 at First Parish of Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA. Concert at 7:30 p.m.
∙ Sunday, December 8 at First Parish Church, 19 Foster St., Littleton. Concert at 4 p.m.
Tickets for each performance are $25. For more info visit www.halalisa.org or email [email protected].
Season of Light highlights celebratory music from around the world, showcasing Conrad Susa’s gorgeous “Carols and Lullabies of the Southwest” sung in English, Spanish, and Catalonian. The piece, which was commissioned by and dedicated to Philip Brunelle and the Plymouth Music Series of Minnesota, premiered in 1992 and has become a beloved holiday favorite. Written as a companion to Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols,” Susa organized a collection of traditional Spanish carols into a familiar Christmas narrative with a few surprises, for example the bawling baby in the final bars of the engaging carol “Chiquirriquitín.” From the touching “A La Nanita Nana” to the joyous “Alegria,” Susa’s masterful settings shine with beautiful solos, lush harmonies, exquisite harp, sparkling marimba, and lithe guitar work.
Also on the program are star-themed American spirituals, the Nigerian carol “Betelehemu,” choral composer extraordinaire Eric Whitacre’s “Glow,” the baroque era Spanish tune “Oy Es Dia de Placer,” and a rollicking version of the Chanukah favorite “Ocho Kandelikas” arranged by Zamir Chorale director Joshua Jacobson.
“I feel incredibly grateful to have been able to lead this chorus for the past 20 years,” says artistic director Cunningham. “Our past performance of ‘Carols and Lullabies’ was one of the highlights of my time with the ensemble. Now felt like the perfect time to sing these beautiful light, hope, and joy-filled pieces again.”
Season of Light reflects the mission and vision of Halalisa Singers, which embraces music as a powerful universal language. Boisterously joyful, warmly inclusive, and richly artistic, the concert promises an inspiring, celebratory audience experience that will open eyes, ears, and hearts.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington, MA, 630 Massachusetts Ave,Arlington,MA,United States
