Three choirs to perform ‘Saint Nicholas’ cantata

BANGOR – Three area choirs will combine their talents to perform “Saint Nicolas,” a cantata by Benjamin Britten, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 225 French St.

The University of Maine Oratorio Society, the Orono Community Children’s Chorus and the Boys and Girls Choirs of St. John’s Episcopal Church will present the composition on St. Nicholas’ Feast Day.

“Saint Nicolas” is about the life of the fourth-century bishop who became St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children and who, in contemporary times, became better known as St. Nick.

Ludlow Hallman, a University of Maine music professor, will conduct the production. He became familiar with the work as a child when he sang the part of Boy Nicolas.

“The piece made an impression on me then, and it still does,” said Hallman. “One of the most delightful aspects is to take works of this kind and share them with the community and, in particular, children,” he said.

Soloists will be Francis Vogt as Saint Nicolas and Stuart Bost as Boy Nicolas. Instrumental accompaniment will include a string quintet, piano, percussion and organ.