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A Celebration in Three Acts
The Nativity Triptych comes to Carnegie Hall
El Niño Countertenors
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A triptych is typically a set of three paintings, produced by the painter to create three separate artistic statements, as well as exploring an overall theme. The triptych is especially useful when attempting to examine one subject matter through the transition of time or space. The Nativity Triptych at Carnegie Hall uses this method of three-work-tie-together to celebrate the sacred holiday music created throughout history to commemorate the birth of Christ.
The Triptych, which runs for an entire weekend in December (December 11–13), utilizes the musical perspectives of three very different composers in order to offer a cohesive look at musical choral perspective of the holiday. First, on the evening of December 11, is a presentation of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. The piece positions the nativity within the larger context of Jesus’ life. On Saturday December 12, Carnegie Hall will feature Johan Sebastian Bach’s 1735 Christmas Oratorio. Bach’s piece contains six cantatas, each with a featured chorale, all depicting the birth of Jesus. Both of these pieces will feature acclaimed chamber orchestra Les Violons du Roy, choir La Chapelle de Québec, and Music Director Bernard Labadie, together with soprano Rosemary Joshua, countertenor David Daniels, tenor Jan Kobow, baritone Joshua Hopkins, and bass-baritone Andrew Foster-Williams.
The last of the chorale pieces, presented on Sunday December 13 is a modern piece by John Adams. The nativity oratorio entitled El Niño draws on English, Spanish, and Latin sources ranging from pre-Christian prophets, Martin Luther’s Christmas Sermon, passages from the Gospel of Luke, several gnostic gospels from the Apocrypha, and mid-20th century Hispanic women writers including Rosario Castellanos. El Niño will be performed by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, conductor John Adams, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir.
All chorales are presented at 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.carnegiehall.org.