Napa Valley Chorale presents ‘Spirit of Light’ on World Day of Singing
By Register Staff
Wednesday, December 09, 2009

The Napa Valley Chorale joins choruses around the world that are presenting special concerts on Dec. 13 to celebrate the World Day of Choral Singing.

Jan Lanterman leads the Napa Valley Chorale as it performs Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Christmas Oratorio,” a joyous retelling of the Christmas Story, and Morten Lauridsen’s lush “Lux Aeterna” (“Light Eternal”) at the annual holiday concert Sunday. Accompanied by pianist Ellen Patterson and organist Tom Flesher, the chorale will present two performances at Napa’s First United Methodist Church, 625 Randolph St.

Featured concert soloists, all members of the Napa Valley Chorale, are mezzo-sopranos Elizabeth Dreyer and Melia Pavloff; soprano Lauren Seva; alto Courtney McAllister; tenor Frank Hernandez, and baritones Kevin Brackett and Steve Cairns.

  • The concert opens with the sparkling “Toccata” from Fifth Symphony, Op. 42, No. 1 by Charles Widor (1844-1937).
  • In five movements, sung and played without pause, the second piece on the program is “Lux Aeterna” which was dedicated to the Los Angeles Master Chorale and premiered in April 1997. Its texts are taken from sacred Latin sources, each containing references to light.

    A recipient of numerous grants, prizes and commissions, Lauridsen teaches composition at USC in Los Angeles.
  • The final piece on the program is “Christmas Oratorio,” Op. 12. Composed in 1863, it was Saint-Saëns’ first major choral work. The text is taken from various scriptural sources, ranging from the Gospel of St. Luke to the Psalms to Old Testament prophecies. The final movement of the piece, which follows the model of old French Christmas songs, is a hymn of praise of all creation in the presence of God.

    • Spirit of Light: Napa Valley Chorale’s holiday concert