Combined college choruses to join forces for Mozart Mass

Three Vermont collegiate choirs will combine forces later this month to sing one of the great masterworks of the choral literature, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Coronation Mass. Composed in 1779 for the Cathedral of Salzburg, Mozart’s hometown, the setting of the Roman Catholic Mass features all the characteristics of the composer’s mature music: memorable melodies, stirring choral writing, and brilliant use of the orchestra.

Collaborating on this exciting program are Castleton University Chamber Singers, directed by Sherrill Blodget; the Saint Michael’s College Chorale, directed by Nathaniel G. Lew; and the University of Vermont Concert Choir, directed by David Neiweem. Local professional soloists Allison Mills, Lindsey Warren, Cameron Steinmetz, and Zebulun McLellan, will join the choirs, along with a chamber orchestra of local professionals.

The Coronation Mass performances mark the sixth collaboration among Vermont collegiate choral programs, following exciting performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Solemn Vespers, Jose María Vitier’s Misa Cubana, and a program of Magnificat settings.

The 80 singers of the combined ensembles will perform the work two times:

• Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel on the Saint Michael’s College Campus in Colchester, VT.
• Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m.  at the Casella Theater of the Fine Arts Center at Castleton University in Castleton, VT

In addition to performing the Mozart Mass, the ensembles will sing several works separately. Admission to the Colchester concerts is free, but donations will be appreciated and will help further collaborations. Information is available by calling (802) 654-2284. Admission to the Castleton concert is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free with Castleton student ID. Tickets are available at the box office or by calling (802) 468-1119.