Chorale plans Vesper, opera performances this holiday season

The Davis Chorale will be busy during December.

The choir will present a Vesper at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, composed of Christmas choral music and carol singing by the audience at Davis Community Church, 412 C St. Highlights of the hourlong program will be the Christmas Story, a short oratorio by Heinrich Schuetz, Jan Pieter Sweelinck’s glorious “Hodie Christus Natus Est” and Herbert Howells’ “A Spotless Rose.”

Janie Howard-Knudsen, the newly appointed director of the Davis Children’s Chorale, will join the adult singers in “Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn” by John Ferguson. This performance be conducted by Rachel Kessler, director emeritus of the Davis Chorale.
Admission is free, but a free-will donation will be accepted with gratitude.

The Chorale will repeat large portions of the Vesper when it presents a noon concert in the Capitol Rotunda in Sacramento on Monday, Dec. 17.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, Handel enthusiasts are invited to a Messiah Sing-Along at DCC. The community volunteers will be supported by members of the Davis Chorale, an orchestra and guest conductors.

Early in the new year, Kessler will conduct a fully staged and costumed performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Carlo Menotti at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, in the Brunelle Performance Hall at Davis High School, 315 W. 14th St. Howard-Knudsen will sing the role of Mother and Ben Cross will be Amahl. Members of the Davis Chorale and the Children’s Chorale will be singing as shepherds.

Admission to the opera is $20 for adults, $10 for students/children. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Watermelon Music, 207 E St. in downtown Davis, or they’ll be available at the door on the day of the performance.