Elgin Choral Union concert features beloved opera choruses

On Saturday, Nov. 22, the 110-voice Elgin Choral Union presents a concert of choruses from the most beloved operas of Wagner, Verdi, Puccini and others at 7 p.m. in Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive. They will be accompanied by members of the renowned Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

They will be joined by tenor Oscar Menoyo and soprano Melissa Pagano with accompanist Jon Warfel.

The concert of the "World's Best-Loved Opera Choruses" will feature the overture from Beethoven's "Fidelio," Mozart's "Voyagers' Chorus" from "Idomeneo," Puccini's "Nessun dorma" from "Turandot" and Bizet's "March of the Toreadors" from "Carmen."

It also will highlight five pieces from Verdi, including the "Anvil chorus" from "Il Trovatore," "Brindisi" from "La Traviata," the "Triumphal scene" from "Aida," the overture from Act III of "Lohengrin," and the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" from "Nabucco."

The chorus also will perform five works by Wagner, including the "Sailors' chorus" from "Der fliegende Hollander," "Pilgrim's Chorus" from "Tannhäuser," the procession and chorale from "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg," the "Spinning Chorus" from "Der fliegende Hollander," and the "Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin."

The oldest classical singing ensemble in the state of Illinois, Elgin Choral Union was founded in 1947 by C. Dean Chipman to form a chorus large enough to perform the Brahms' "A German Requiem." Initially, 15 existing church choirs formed a "union" and participated in the premiere performance on May 7, 1948, at the First Congregational Church of Elgin. Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1966, ECU has been an ensemble-in-residence at Elgin Community College since 1978. In addition to performing as the primary chorus for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, ECU presents three annual public performances at the Blizzard Theatre as well as numerous free community events in the Fox River Valley.

Performing major choral works of diverse styles and sizes, ECU membership consists of volunteers, singing to professional standards, ranging in age from 17-70. Audience members and singers come from Elgin and over 30 surrounding communities. ECU has distinguished itself through its ambitious programming of masterworks and contemporary compositions, and by commissioning and performing several world premieres. Most recently it commissioned and performed the world premiere of Robert Hanson's "Hiawatha," commissioned for ECU's 2006-07 60th Anniversary Season.

Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors, $15 for students, and $5 for children under 10 if accompanied by a paying adult. Group rates are also available. Tickets may be purchased by calling (847) 622- 0300 or in person from the ECC box office in the Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

The Elgin Choral Union is an in-residence ensemble at the Elgin Community College Performing Arts Center, and is partially supported by grants from the City of Elgin, Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Seigle Family Foundation, Grand Victoria Foundation, Palmer Foundation, Target and others.

The season will continue at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, with "Christmas Splendor" with the Gaudete Brass Quintet at Elgin Community College Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. In addition to performing variations on "Adeste fidelis," they will sing "Once in Royal David's City," "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "In the Bleak Midwinter," "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "Christmas Cantata," "Still, Still, Still," "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern," "In dulci jubilo," "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," "Unto Us Is Born a Son," "The First Nowell," and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

The season will wrap up at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 9 with Mendelssohn's oratorio "St. Paul" at Elgin Community College Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. For information, call the Elgin Choral Union at (847) 214-7225.