After COVID shortened one season and erased another, the Augusta Choral Society planned a grand comeback.
“We felt like this season was the one to do major works,” said Carolyn Dolen, executive director.
On Saturday, the ensemble will present Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater at 7:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Cultural Center.
Stabat Mater is a 13th century Roman Catholic poem based on the suffering of Mary, the mother of Jesus, during the crucifixion, according to the composer’s notes found at Boosey and Hawkes website. Boosey and Hawkes is a classical music publisher based in England.
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As such, Dolen said it’s the perfect type of choral offering for the Lenten timeframe.
Over the years, many composers have created works based upon the piece.
The choral society performed it several years ago, and it was well-received, she said.
It’s a difficult work with a unique sound. Songs are sung in several different languages including English, Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic, but the program will contain the translations, she said.
Also, it has a variety of non-typical percussion instruments to give it a Middle Eastern sound. Among the instruments played during the Stabat Mater are the darbuka drum and the riq, which is a type of tambourine.
Sawyer Branham, mezzo-soprano, is the soloist for the concert. The Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Ryan Kho, concertmaster, will provide the music.
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Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $15 for students and military and are available at the Choral Society’s office at Sacred Heart, online at augustacs.org and at the door.
Dolen said this year has gone well and that the last concert Handel’s “Messiah,” performed in December at Saint Paul’s Church was the best the group has ever done.
It was dedicated to the memory of Emily Remington, who founded the choir. It was fitting, Dolen said, because “Messiah” was the first concert the Choral Society ever performed.
The choral society will round out its season with “A Concert in a Time of War” on May 24.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
