NEWBURYPORT — The Newburyport Choral Society will perform its spring concert “The Mendelssohn Connection: the Music of Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn!” under the direction of music director Dr. Minji Kim on Friday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 3, at 4 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 42 Green St.
This concert will explore the romantic choral work of two remarkable siblings: Felix Mendelssohn and his older sister, Fanny Mendelssohn.
Felix Mendelssohn’s dramatic oratorio “Elijah,” written in English, is considered one of the most thrilling large-scale works in the choral repertoire and has long been a beloved favorite of choral groups.
The Choral Society was set to perform “Elijah” in spring 2020 when COVID-19 shut down choral rehearsals and concerts for the next two years.
It is a story of faith and hope, with four soloists and a large chorus of more than 100 members, representing the people who reflect on a prophet sent into exile for his singular belief in a just God. This concert features the New England premiere of the chamber orchestra version by Joachim Linkelmann, designed to create a transparent sound and a wide dynamic range for the singers.
Felix’s older sister, Fanny, was also a remarkable musician and composer but, because she was a woman, she was unable to publish her compositions during her lifetime.
This program will feature several of her lyrical secular pieces about springtime, love, and the joy of singing, performed by the full chorus and by a smaller chamber ensemble. Hsing Ming Ting, a soprano member of the choral society, will also sing a solo lieder piece, and Kirsten Helgeland, the choral society’s collaborative pianist, will share a piano piece by Fanny.
The Choral Society is a nonauditioned chorus whose mission is to perform outstanding choral music for the cultural enrichment and education of Greater Newburyport.
For more information and tickets, visit www.newburyportchoralsociety.org/events.