By Sergio Berrueta
A chorus of sopranos, tenors and baritones enchanted the night at the Annual Christmas Choral Concert on Dec. 8 at the S2 Recital Hall.
Conducted by professor Dr. Anthony Lupica and accompanied on piano by Dr. Lucy Nargizyan, the East Los Angeles College Choir and Chamber Chorale delighted the audience in a sentimental night of classical arrangements.
The ELAC College Choir began the night with two songs by Johannes Brahms, “In Stiller Nacht (In the Still of Night)” and “Wie Lieblich Sind Deine Wohnungen (How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings).”
These two set the quiet and somber mood for the beginning of the choir’s set.
ELAC’s Chamber Chorale helped to make the sober mood ever present later on.
In its performance of “Prayer,” the Chamber Chorale delivered a sadness upon the concert.
Composer Morten Lauridsen wrote the song after his infant son died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The piece asked for the Lord to watch over the child as he laid to rest with the chorale reflecting it by seeming to fade away altogether by the song’s end.
Soprano Bianca Galicia performed a solo of “Laudamus Te” without a flaw. She wowed the crowd, hitting high octaves that thrilled those in attendance with precision.
The concert also took dives into the songs focus on being lighter and carefree with the Choir’s performances of “What Is This Lovely Fragrance?” and “Jubilate Deo Omnis Terra, Op. 40b”
The Chamber Chorale followed suit on the first song of their set “Ubi Caritas.” The Chorale sang about the graces of God above with the sopranos excelling during the number.
With “Three Madrigals,” the chorale tackled the pains of falling in love, falling out of it and getting back into it with baritones getting time in the spotlight to showcase their voices.
The college choir and Chamber Chorale came together in the end to perform two Christmas carols arranged by conductor Sir David Wilcocks “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
These two brought the concert to a cheerful and joyful end compared to the soft and still performances featured.