Nov. 20, 2008
Contact Jean Saladino at 608-796-3771 or jesaladino@viterbo.edu
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A VITERBO CHRISTMAS AT VITERBO UNIVERSITY DECEMBER 6–7
LA CROSSE, Wis.– Celebrate the joy and beauty that is Christmas as Viterbo University presents its annual holiday performance, A Viterbo Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.
A Viterbo Christmas will span the centuries in music. The Viterbo Concert Choir will begin with a cantata written for the advent season by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1714, Now Come, the Savior of Mankind. The cantata, scored for chorus, soloists and chamber orchestra, is based on familiar hymn tunes by Martin Luther and narrates the story of looking forward to Christ’s birth.
It will be followed by Daniel Pinkham’s joyful Christmas Cantata, for chorus and brass composed in 1957. This three movement cantata begins with the proclamation of the angel’s voices announcing Christ’s birth. The second movement expresses the mystery of Christ’s birth in the stable. The work ends with a dance-like celebration of the true meaning of the season—peace on Earth and good will to all.
The second half of A Viterbo Christmas will feature performances by Viterbo’s Concert Choir and 9th Street Singers performing both sacred and secular Christmas music and an audience sing along.
A Viterbo Christmas is sponsored by Fox 25-48. Tickets are $17 for main floor, $16 for lower balcony, and $13 for upper balcony seating. For more information, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or www.viterbo.edu/finearts1.aspx.