NEWCASTLE — Down East Singers, directed by Anthony Antolini, will perform “Noël Français,” a musical tribute to Maine’s French cultural heritage,
One concert begins at 7:30 p. m. today at the Franco- American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar St., Lewiston.
A second show is scheduled to commence at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St., Camden.
Tickets cost $15. Admission is free to students 18 years of age and younger. Tickets can be purchased by calling 236- 8328, from members of the group or at the door.
The repertoire will include Christmas carols, all sung in French, from Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and France, some for audience sing-along.
The featured work will be Francis Poulenc’s rollicking and mesmerizing “Gloria,” with soprano soloist Christina Astrachan, written in 1959 and premiered in Boston.
“At first considered scandalous and irreverent, it has become the most performed French concert work, second only to Ravel’s ‘ Bolero,’” a release about the concert states.
On Sunday, Down East Singers will share the stage with Maine’s folk group, Ti’Acadie, performing Acadian, Cajun and French-Canadian Christmas tunes and accompanying the choir on various Christmas carols.
The concerts will also include Down East’s Core Choir, a 16-voice auditioned group, accompanied by pianist Jennifer McIvor, now in her second season as the ensemble’s accompanist.
For more information, visit www.downeastsingers.org or call 236-8328.
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