This Sunday, the San Antonio Choral Society performs a concert at Our Lady of Atonement Catholic Church that aims to tell "the true story of Santa Claus," according to the group's Artistic Director, Jennifer Seighman.
"It really begins with Nicolas," Seighman continues. “Some of the miracles associated with him, some of the legends, are what evolved into the story that we know of Santa Claus.”
This performance isn’t just an accumulation of holiday carols. As Ms. Seighman points out, Benjamin Britten's "St. Nicolas Cantata" involves multiple forces. "We have interaction between the Choral Society, which is the main chorus, and then there’s a second gallery chorus in the choir loft, which is the boy’s choir from Our Lady of Atonement, and then we have a dramatic tenor soloist—it’s a very operatic part that he sings…orchestra, and even the audience is even joining us in singing two very moving hymns that are part of the cantata.”
“Britten is one of those composers who really knows how to write exciting music for choirs," Seighman adds.
We asked Seighman an obvious question--is it fun to perform?
“It’s incredibly fun. I think it’s going to be incredibly exciting, and a stunning performance.”
The choirs will be accompanied by a fifteen-piece chamber orchestra for this performance, including a full string section and lots of percussion.
“There's a little bit of everything in this concert.”
Tickets for the 3PM Sunday concert can be purchased online, or at the door.
