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OSULS invites you to its special Christmas Concert with Bach's Magnificat
The program has an exciting selection of works by great composers in our history, in addition to the participation of outstanding choral voices and the direction of Natalia Salinas.
One of the most anticipated events for families is coming to the region: Christmas concerts. That is why the musicians of the University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra, together with the ULS Symphony Choir - led by the academic and director Valeska Cabrera - and outstanding voices from the country, are preparing a great evening full of surprises and great emotions; all under the general direction of the guest teacher, Natalia Salinas.
The end of the year proposal will have great lyrical soloists from the region and the country on stage, such as Patricia Cifuentes (soprano I) and Carolina Guede (soprano II - ULS Choir), Gloria Rojas (contralto), Felipe Gutierrez (tenor) and Sergio Gallardo (bass baritone), who will accompany this special repertoire along with the Overture 'La Clemenza di Tito' and 'Exultate, Jubilate', for soprano and orchestra by WA Mozart; to end with 'The Magnificat' by JSBach.
“This special show will have more than 90 musicians on stage and will have 'The Magnificat' as its main work. Bach composed the setting for this work in 1973 for the evening of his first Christmas Day in Leipzig as director of the churches of this city (...) The Magnificat opens with a brilliant festive chorus and a confident soprano solo , in addition to other traditional and popularly recognized works, inviting us to enhance the true spirit of Christmas,” explained the executive producer, Cristian Monreal.
The Magnificat is also known as the Canticle of Mary, it is a Latin translation of the Greek text of the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, where it represents a proclamation of praise by a pregnant Mary during her visit to her cousin Elizabeth. “The concert you will hear is a work that shows great contrasts, loaded with symbolism in the music in relation to the text. Choral movements require a total display of interpretive forces and very concise numbers. The solo numbers, some virtuoso, others on the contrary, intimate, of total tenderness and simplicity. Despite his brilliance and greatness, the Magnificat Bach is a relatively short work. However, it is packed with countless fascinating details. Bach invites us to a world of totally diverse sounds and timbres and contrasts. A party, without a doubt. And we hope to have the presence of the entire community. We are preparing to receive them,” said the Argentine baton, Natalia Salinas.
The program will also feature works by Mozart such as the 'Clemenza di Tito' overture and 'Exultate, Jubilate', for soprano and orchestra. The guest teacher explains that when Mozart was sixteen years old, he visited Milan with his father to attend the premiere of his opera Lucia Silla, K.135, being impressed by the castrato of Venanzio Rauzzini, who played the title role of Cecilio: "He sang like an angel," said Mozart. Three weeks later he composed the Exult, Jubilate to showcase Rauzzini's talent and premiered in January 1773 in the church of San Antonio in Milan, while Lucio Silla's production continued to be performed: “This motet is, without a doubt, a brilliant and virtuoso work, and includes the famous Alleluia ending, which is often used as a concert aria.”
The Christmas Concert will be held for the only time next Friday, December 22, at 20:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of La Serena (Gregorio Cordovez #327, corner of Los Carrera). Entry is free and without withdrawal of invitations. It is only suggested to arrive early and choose your seat to enjoy this last show of the year by the professional cast.
The special event has the valuable support of the University of La Serena and the Archdiocese of La Serena, in addition to financing from the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage.
Source: OSULS
