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Event
Parables
BENNINGTON COUNTY CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS
Aldridges PARABLES
BENNINGTON, Vt. The Bennington County Choral Society concludes its 2018/19 Season with Parables, a relatively new work by Robert Aldridge. The performances are on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 pm with a preconcert talk at 6:45 pm and Saturday, May 11 at 3pm with a preconcert talk at 2:15 pm. Both performances will be held at OldCastle Theatre Company.
Tickets are $15 in advance from choristers or $20 at the door and on-line at www.brownpapertickets.com and through our website. Special Premier Seating for $40 is available in advance from chorus members only. Contact us via email; bccssingers@gmail.com for more information. Concert venue is wheel chair accessible.
ABOUT THE CONCERT PROGRAM
Parables, a seven-movement interfaith oratorio, was commissioned by the Topeka Symphony and made its debut in May 2010. Drawing stories from the Bible, Koran and Torah, Parables was originally intended as a reconciliation of the religions, to combine various religious traditions dealing with the themes of tolerance and universality, but instead begs the audience to ask the questions. In deciding to pull from the 3 Abrahamic/ monotheistic religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, this timely piece is sung in English, Hebrew, Arabic and Greek. The soloists embody a particular faith while the chorus asks the questions.
Aldridges intent is to tell the story about the intertwining of religious beliefs, not to presume reconciliation. Parables tries to convey the beauty, power, vitality, and commonality as well as the complications, flaws, complications, and misunderstandings in all religious faiths.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
The BCCS will be accompanied by two pianists, Matt Edwards and Ken Olsson, and four soloists.
Helen Lyons, soprano
Williston native Helen Lyons holds a BA in Music from Wellesley College and Artist Diplomas from the Royal Academy of Music in London, and College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. She has performed in Germany with the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Mainz Staatstheater, and Landestheater Coburg, as well as in the US, China, and the Philippines.
Julie Olsson, soprano
Julie Olsson, soprano, began her professional career at the age of 17, performing the role of Mrs. Hopkins in the American Musical Theater production of My Fair Lady. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. After moving on to study voice the International Institute of Vocal Arts, Ms. Olsson began her graduate degree studies in Vocal Performance at the University of MissouriKansas City. Upon returning to the East Coast, Julie embarked on a well-received career in jazz and blues/rock.
Ms. Olssons most recent endeavors include: a G&S production of H.M.S. Pinafore at the Main Street Arts in Saxons River, VT; Don Giovanni with the Keene, NH based Raylynmor Opera company; and relocating to Southern Vermont with her new husband (and best friend from college), Ken Olsson and their beautiful and talented three children.
Joshua Collier, tenor
American tenor, Joshua Collier, praised for his thrilling high range and passionate commitment to character, was hailed as a great Italian tenor on the make by Bostons Classical Scene in his June 2016 role debut as Roméo in Roméo et Juliette.
A graduate of The New England Conservatory (Masters in Music - Vocal Performance), he has performed throughout New England and beyond. In addition to the lyric stage, Mr. Collier has performed the tenor solos in much of the symphonic and oratorio repertoire including Requiem by both Verdi and Mozart, Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings (op.31), Rejoice in the Lamb, Abraham and Isaac - All by Benjamin Britten, Elijah and Paulus of Mendelssohn, Handels Messiah, as well as Beethoven's 9th Symphony and the Coronation Mass of Mozart. Mr. Collier founded the Bostonian opera company, Opera Brittenica, championing the works of Benjamin Britten, in 2013, and is currently is the Artistic Director of BARN OPERA based in Brandon, Vermont, and is represented world-wide by Berger Artist Management.
Nicholas Tocci, baritone
Nicholas Tocci is a baritone, native to New Hampshire and is currently based out of Boston. Mr. Tocci is a graduate of Keene State College and New England Conservatory, and is a former student of Dr. Carroll Lehman.
While studying in New Hampshire, he performed with many local groups including the Monadnock Chorus, Keene Chorale, Raylynmor Opera, and the River Theatre Company. While working on his graduate studies at The New England Conservatory, he performed in several productions as Nardo in Mozarts La finta giardiniera, Manuel in De Fallas La vida breve, Pallante in Handels Agrippina, The Priest/Badger in Janaceks The Cunning Little Vixen, Maestro Spinelloccio/The Notary in Gianni Schicchi, and Don Magnifico in Rossinis La Cenerentola. Recently, Mr.Tocci has made appearance with several New England opera companies, as Escamillo in Bizets Carmen with Raylynmor Opera, Guglielmo in Mozarts Cosi fan tutte with BARN OPERA, Dottore Grenvil in Verdis La traviata with Southern Vermont Lyric Theatre, and The Bonze/Yamadori in Puccinis Madama Butterfly with BARN OPERA.
ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
Cailin Marcel Manson concurrently serves as director of the Germantown Institute for the Vocal Arts, artistic director and conductor of the Germantown Concert Chorus and the Germantown Choral Festival and director of music at The Putney School.
The baritone and conductor is a Philadelphia native who has toured major concert venues throughout the United States, Europe and Asia with many organizations as a performer and master teacher. Manson studied vocal performance at Temple University, then opera performance and orchestral conducting at the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg. Manson has held positions as artistic director and conductor of the Montgomery County Youth Orchestra, music director of the Vorarlberger Musikfest, music director and conductor laureate of the Chamber Symphony of Atlantic City, chairman of vocal studies at the Hazleton Conservatory for the Performing Arts and as a member of the voice faculty of both the Napoli School of Music and Dance and the Performing Arts Institute of Wyoming Seminary. He is a member of the National Association of Negro Musicians and the Conductors Guild.
ABOUT THE BCCS
The Bennington County Choral Society is a mixed adult chorus of voices drawn from southern Vermont and nearby New York and Massachusetts communities. Its aims to foster an environment in which chorus members coalesce as a group and develop as an ensemble, with the goal of growing musically through weekly rehearsals and performances that are a source of pride and pleasure.
The Choral Society is open to all ages and singing/reading abilities and performs two concerts each year. Auditions are not required to join. Members are expected to bring a love of singing and are asked to pay dues of $35 per concert or $60 per season. Information: www.bccssingers.wixsite/bccsmusic
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LocationOldcastle Theatre Company (View)
331 Main Street
Bennington, VT 05201
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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