The Greenbrier Valley Chorale is renowned for its concerts at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg. But on June 8, ten members of the ensemble will be performing at the other Carnegie Hall – you know, that one in New York.
Chorale President Brian Stewart explained that the chorale was contacted by Manhattan Concert Productions (MCP) after they presented the West Virginia premiere of Elaine Hagenberg’s lluminare in last year’s spring concert.
MCP presents an annual Masterwork Series at Carnegie Hall. Qualified ensembles collaborate on major choral works alongside a renowned guest conductor, the New York City Chamber Orchestra and professional soloists, offering an immersive deep dive into major works with full orchestrations.
The Masterwork Series was preparing to present Illuminare in June of this year, and when they heard of the GVC performance they invited the chorale to participate, contingent on approval based on a review of a recording of their performance of the work. The Greenbrier Valley Chorale members will join representatives of several other choirs to perform a full-scale production of the piece.
“Illuminare is at once lovely and dramatic, poignant and joyous. I am thrilled that some of our singers will have an opportunity to perform this magnificent work in this storied hall,” said GVC Artistic Director Barbara Lutz, who will be among those performing.
In addition to Lutz, the New York delegation will include Brian Stewart, Brenda Patterson, Eric Fritzius, Martha Fleshman, Janet Miller, Bob and Mary Thompson, and Michelle and Gregory Hughes. The group will travel by train from Charlottesville. In addition to participating in three rehearsals prior to the performance, they also will have time to see the Broadway musical Chicago. A number of family members will be traveling with the group to cheer them during the performance.
The performance will be at 8 p.m. on the Perleman Stage in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium. Tickets start at $25 and are available through (the other) Carnegie Hall’s website, in case you plan to be in the area at that time.
