Naperville, Downers Grove groups join for 'Elijah'
Fifty years ago, the late Thelma Roe Milnes co-founded the Downers Grove Choral Society.
These days, the all-volunteer, 60-member group honors her memory with a continued commitment to music and performance.
The society celebrates its half-century milestone anniversary Saturday by collaborating with the Naperville Chorus for a performance of Mendelssohn's "Elijah" at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall.
Directing the concert will be internationally acclaimed opera star Sherrill Milnes, Thelma Milnes son.
"He's a great choral conductor and really brings out the emotion of the piece," said Jim Stahulak, vice president of marketing for the Downers Grove Choral Society and first tenor with the group.
Milnes, born and raised in Downers Grove, attended North Central College for a time.
With the world-renowned baritone's ties to both towns, it seemed a natural choice to bring the two choral groups together, Stahulak said.
"Sherrill Milnes has attachments to both Downers Grove and Naperville. The two (choral) groups are similar in terms of demographics and the kind of things we do," said Nancy Sigel, president of the Naperville Chorus, a 33-year-old organization that has a current membership of about 100.
The choice of "Elijah," Stahulak said, is also an homage to Milnes' mother and to the Downers Grove group's roots.
"The 'Elijah' piece is one of (Milnes') mother's favorite pieces of all time," Stahulak said. "I've never sung it before. It's a very powerful piece of music. The harmonies, the intensity of the piece is just phenomenal. It definitely will take your breath away."
The oratorio, sung in English, will feature several soloists, including Paul Grizzell as Elijah, soprano Natalie Mann, mezzo-soprano Denise Gamez, tenor Oscar Menoyo and 12-year-old soprano Luke Frees.
"We've done 'Elijah' before," Sigel said. "It's a pretty piece of music if you like classical."
The concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Wentz Hall will be followed by a cocktail reception. Tickets to the reception are $25 and include wine, punch and hors d'oeuvres.
A second performance is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove and will be followed by a dinner reception, Sigel said. To order tickets to that performance, call (630) 515-0030.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Mendelssohn's "Elijah" performed by Downers Grove Choral Society and Naperville Chorus, directed by Sherrill Milnes</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 </p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville</p> <p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> $20</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 637-7469, <a href="http://www.northcentralcollege.edu" target="new">northcentralcollege.edu</a> or <a href="http://www.elijahconcert.org" target="new">elijahconcert.org</a></p>