Hello Neighbors,

Green shoots are poking through the soil. The sun is getting stronger. Birds are singing, and so is the Burlington Choral Society – getting ready to present a Schubert Mass and more on Saturday, April 23, 7:30 p.m., at spacious Elley-Long Music Center in Fort Ethan Allen, Colchester, VT.

I invite you to hear artistic director Richard Riley lead the chorus, with an orchestra of strings, winds, brass and timpani, in Franz Schubert's dramatic Mass in E-flat Major. It was written in 1828, shortly before Schubert died at age 31. Beginning with the pleading Kyrie (Lord, have mercy), it moves through the colorful Gloria, Credo and Sanctus. The final movement, Agnus Dei, is a passionate prayer that ends with Dona nobis pacem (Grant us peace).

Richard Riley says, "This final Schubert Mass is a big work, at times haunting and at times exuberant. We are eager to surround our audience with this glorious masterpiece."

Also on the program are two short instrumental works. The evening will begin with Tchaikovsky's Andante Cantabile from the String Quartet Op. 11, arranged for string orchestra. The second half will begin with pianist Jenny Bower performing Schubert's Impromptu Op. 90.

Tickets are at www.SevenDaysTickets.com. More information, including COVID policy, is available at http://www.bcsvermont.org/events.

Hoping to see you in the audience,

Ann