The Collegiate Chorale, led by new music director James Bagwell, announces its 68th season, including The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, a concert performed live to the film on October 9 and 10, 2009 at 7:30pm at Radio City Music Hall; a Gala Evening, A Jubilant Song, on December 1, 2009 at 7pm at Carnegie Hall; the World Premiere Two Act Concert Version of Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie's rendering of The Grapes of Wrath on March 22, 2010 at 8pm at Carnegie Hall; and George Frideric Handel's Israel in Egypt, conducted by James Bagwell, on May 12, 2010 at 8pm at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York University.
"To be a part of one of the nation's leading arts groups is an honor. I am thrilled to begin to work with such a dynamic organization. This season is about journeys - of The Chorale, my own journey, and of the characters whose stories unfold in our programming. First, we will be part of a hobbit's journey as we perform the soundtrack to The Fellowship of the Ring, the first of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, while the film is shown in high definition at Radio City Music Hall. At our gala, I will begin my conducting journey with The Chorale as we celebrate this exceptional organization's journey from its beginning until now and as we move forward together. In December, we will present a world premiere rendering of the epic American journey, The Grapes of Wrath. We will conclude the season in May with the biblical journey of the Exodus, singing Handel's Israel in Egypt. This performance will take our Chorale journey to a beautiful new venue, the Skirball Center Theater. This season promises to be an exciting one and I look forward to leading The Chorale forward," said James Bagwell, music director of The Collegiate Chorale.
This fall, a once-in-a-lifetime experience comes to New York as Howard Shore's Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning score for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring comes to life at the world-famous Radio City Music Hall on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10, 2009. Beneath an immense 60-foot screen, Mr. Shore's complete original score will be performed live to Peter Jackson's award-winning epic. The music of Middle-earth will be brought to life by more than 300 musicians: Switzerland's 21st Century Symphony Orchestra, the internationally-acclaimed The Collegiate Chorale, the Grammy Award®-winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus and renowned soprano Kaitlyn Lusk, all under the direction of celebrated Maestro Ludwig Wicki. Tickets are $54-$150 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4111 or (800) 745-3000 or online at www.radiocity.com/events/lord-of-the-rings-1009.html. This event is presented by CAMI Music and New York Comic Con in association with The New York Renaissance Faire, The One Ring.Net and The Angel Orensanz Foundation. Swiss International Air Lines is the official sponsor.
On December 1, 2009 at 7pm at Carnegie Hall, join James Bagwell, Roger Rees and many well-known friends as they lead A Jubilant Song, a celebration of The Collegiate Chorale's remarkable history of exceptional conductors, noteworthy commissions and premieres, and multi-faceted choral programming. As the new Music Director, Mr. Bagwell gives tribute to his predecessors and ushers in a new era of The Collegiate Chorale. Works to be performed include the Beethoven Choral Fantasy, Verdi arias, A Jubilant Song by Dello Joio, and excerpts from Bernstein's A White House Cantata. Featuring Salvatore Licitra, tenor; Emily Pulley, soprano; Anita Johnson, soprano; Robert Mack, tenor; Erin Morley, soprano; Jenny Lin, piano; and Roger Rees, emcee. A benefit dinner with Mr. Bagwell and guest artists at Carnegie Hall's Rohatyn Room will follow the concert. Tickets are $25-$125 and will be available at 646-202-9623 or www.collegiatechorale.org.
