Christine Brewer will perform with Bach Society
World-renowned soprano Christine Brewer, of Lebanon, will join the Bach Society of St. Louis Chorus and Orchestra to sing “The Announcement of Christ’s Birth” from Handel’s “Messiah” in a Christmas Candlelight Concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Powell Hall in St. Louis.
They will also perform a new setting of “O Holy Night.”
The St. Louis Children’s Choirs will participate in the candlelight procession, a cornerstone of this concert, followed by traditional carols of the season. The concert, with A. Dennis Sparger conducting, has been a St. Louis favorite for decades.
Tickets are $30-$75; call 314-534-1700 or go to www.bachsociety.org.
Vintage holiday play
The Brass Rail Players will take you back to the radio days of 1946 with their production of “It's a Wonderful Life, The Radio Play,” based on the beloved Jimmy Stewart movie. It’s the classic story of George Bailey, his family, and his hometown of Bedford Falls. Clarence, the angel who hopes to finally get his wings, shows George the impact of his wonderful life.
In this play, local actors perform as 1946 actors reading the script on live radio, with vintage organ music for scene changes and actors supplying humorous on-stage sound effects.
While setting up the sound props, vintage microphones, and chairs for our actors, the Brass Rail Players discovered a treasure at The Turkey Hill Grange: a “fire curtain,” which in theaters is hung, out of sight, in front of the main curtain to protect the audience from fire. This curtain is painted with a pastoral scene and advertising from Belleville’s historic past. The curtain will be displayed at the beginning of our show. As part of the 1940’s radio tribute, spoken advertising for local merchants also will be featured.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Turkey Hill Grange auditorium, 1375 E. State Route 15, Belleville. Tickets are $10 for all adults, and $5 for children in 8th grade or younger. Reservations may be made by calling 618-767-6016.
This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 5:23 AM with the headline "Christine Brewer will perform with Bach Society."