This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
LJS&C Press Releases
Berlioz' Christmas Oratorio Offers Magic of the Season
La Jolla, Calif. (November 14, 2007) — The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus (LJS&C) presents its second concert of the 53rd season in December. Choral Director David Chase takes the podium to lead the orchestra, chorus, and guest artists in the magical L'Enfance du Christ (The Childhood of Christ) by Hector Berlioz, a Christmas oratorio that tells the story of the flight into Egypt by Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus.
Joining the orchestra and chorus for this concert are soloists Elda Peralta as Mary, Nicholas Hartley as Joseph, and Christopher Stephens as Herod. Philip Larson will be heard in the role of The Father. The Narrator is performed by Chad Frisque.
"It's remarkable how seldom this work has been heard in San Diego, especially considering how beautiful the music is," says David Chase. "Even Berlioz's detractors fell in love with it...at least until they found out that it was Berlioz! It's lovely and a unique seasonal piece."
L'Enfance du Christ was not conceived from the start as one complete work, but grew from fragments over time. The complete work was first performed in Paris in December 1854. The composition is said to draw on childhood memories of the composer, from a first musical impression when Berlioz took his first communion as a boy, and memories of an admired teacher, Lesueur, who introduced him to oratorios on biblical subjects. The work is delicate, full of character, suggestion, and subtle nuances. From a street in Jerusalem at night, Berlioz evokes the hope of something amazing yet to come.
The performances take place December 8–9, 2007 in Mandeville Auditorium at UCSD. Concert times are 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Individual tickets are $26 general, $22 senior, and $15 student. Group discounts are available. Parking is free. A pre-concert lecture is offered one hour prior to concert times. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the LJS&C office at (858) 534-4637 or visit www.lajollasymphony.com.
The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, San Diego's oldest and largest community orchestra and chorus, is a non-profit musical performing group dedicated to inspiring San Diego with the joy of music. Its 110-person orchestra and 130-person chorus perform groundbreaking orchestral and choral music along with traditional favorites from the classical repertoire. During the 53rd season, David Chase shares the podium with Music Director Steven Schick, performing works by Philip Glass, Dvorak, Stravinsky, Varese, Beethoven, John Luther Adams, and more.
