Nov. 26, 2024
Contact James Wilson at 608-796-3771 or jewilson@viterbo.edu
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH A VITERBO CHRISTMAS: STAR OF WONDER DEC. 7
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Celebrate the holiday season with the outstanding singers of the Viterbo University choirs as they present A Viterbo Christmas: Star of Wonder at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.
Performing will be the Viterbo Concert Choir, 9th Street Singers, and Viterbo Choral Arts under the direction of university music faculty member James Wilson. The choirs will be accompanied by a professional orchestra of local musicians. Each choral ensemble will sing a set of pieces interspersed with sing-along carols arranged by Sir David Willcocks, who was known as “England’s choir master” and was famous for his choral arrangements of Christmas carols.
“The music we have selected for the concert strives to paint the picture of Christ’s nativity through sound,” Wilson said. “The music, the nativity scene, and the company of friends and family will create a truly moving experience.”
The theme Star of Wonder comes from the program’s opening segment in which the Magi, as depicted in the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, travel through the desert, following the star of Bethlehem. This segues into a bright and rousing rendition of the carol We Three Kings.
A Viterbo Christmas: Star of Wonder will also feature classic carols such as O Holy Night, Hark! The Herald Angles Sing!, The First Nowell, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and other renowned Christmas music.
“In keeping with our tradition, we end the program with Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah,” Wilson said.
A portion of the performance will be broadcast Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on WXOW Channel 19.
A Viterbo Christmas: Star of Wonder is presented by the Viterbo University Conservatory for the Performing Arts. It is sponsored by WXOW News 19 and Dairyland Power Cooperative.
Tickets are $25 for main floor and lower balcony, and $19 for upper balcony seating, plus taxes and fees. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.
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Photo: The Viterbo Concert Choir.