The Faire Starre is the latest “Welcome Christmas” commission of VocalEssence, following wonderful pieces by Libby Larsen, Conrad Susa and many others. Nico Muhly is one of the ‘bright lights’ in the world of choral composers – his most recent success was his opera, Marnie, premiered at the Metropolitan Opera a month ago.
The Faire Starre is a nativity cantata, 20 minutes in length, some of it sung in medieval English (think Chaucer). It is a beautiful re-telling of the Christmas story, this time with the baby Jesus telling his mother what his life will be, and all of it surrounded by a lovely lullaby.
17th century metaphysical often used images and descriptions like this to tell the Christmas story. And Nico Muhly uses an orchestra of strings, oboes, piano and percussion to evoke rich sounds to back up the Ensemble Singers as they relate this story. The cantata ends with the thought by Thomas Traherne that we should look down to the Christ child on Mary’s lap.
Join us at one of our four Welcome Christmas concerts this December to hear the premiere of this beautiful piece!
Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 7:30-9:30 PM
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley
Friday, December 7, 2018 at 7:30-9:30 PM
Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville
Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 4-6 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis
Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 4-6 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis