On Sat., May 9, CONCORA and the Farmington Valley Chorale partner to present two works jointly for the first time in the Hartford area – Bach’s Easter Oratorio (BWV 249) and Ascension Oratorio (BWV 11). Soprano Jennifer Ferrand-Kelly, mezzo soprano Megan Roth, tenors Michael McAvaney and Justin McArthur, and bass Jermaine Woodard, Jr. will be the CONCORA soloists, with Chorale singers performing choral movements; Violinist and CONCORA Board President Andrew Smith will lead the orchestra; Chorale Director and CONCORA singer Ellen Gilson Voth will conduct.

In Ellen’s words: “Our arts community in greater Hartford is bursting with organizations that promote choral music and aim to share it as widely as possible. Whenever two of them perform together, we become a part of the success of the other. A concert like this also brings these musical gems to fresh ears today. In this music, Bach does more than retell familiar religious stories; he draws us into the human experience of joy and suffering, of hope and questioning and resilience. We can’t capture the scope of this music with words alone; you have to hear it firsthand.” The concert on May 9 starts at 4:00 pm, at St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Tickets are available on our Facebook event, with limited tickets also available at the door.

Join us, and spread the word!