14 UCW OCTOBER 9-15, 2019
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
Cumberland Choral Arts presents 'A Night at the Opera'
by PRUDENCE MAINOR
EVENT
The recently rebranded
Cumberland Choral
Arts, formerly known as
Cumberland Oratorio Sing-
ers, is set to debut its 2019-
2020 concert season with "A
Night at the Opera" Friday,
Oct. 18, at Holy Trinity
Episcopal Church, located
at 1601 Raeford Road. The
concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
"A Night at the Opera,"
featuring opera choruses
both familiar and obscure,
will be the latest of CCA's
more diversified musical
programming. Among the more familiar pieces
will be a "Porgy and Bess" medley performed by
guest soloist, Dr. Denise Payton of Fayetteville
State University. Selections from Gilbert and Sul-
livan operettas and the chorus popularly known
as the "Can-Can" from Offenbach's operetta will
also be among the featured performances of the
evening. Less familiar choruses scheduled to be
performed are "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves"
from the Verdi opera "Nabucco" and "Chorus of
the Servants" from "Don Pasquale" by Donizetti.
Since CCA Director, Jason Britt, took a leave
of absence during this season's first quarter
due to health reasons, Ryan Pagels, director of
music at St. John's Episcopal Church, is filling in
as interim artistic director. "I am very humbled
to be conducting this concert, especially one pro-
grammed with such special music," said Pagels.
"It is no secret that some of the most iconic and
memorable melodies in opera come from the
choruses. is program is very much a celebra-
tion of the art form, and full of melodies that
will stick with you as you leave the concert. I am
especially excited to feature Dr. Denise Payton
from FSU as a guest soloist, as well as some of the
members of the CCA."
In addition to the CCA choir, there will be
performances by the Cross Creek Chorale and the
Campbellton Youth Chorus. A pianist will provide
the only instrumental accom-
paniment of the evening.
Sponsors for "A Night
at the Opera" include Arts
Council of Fayetteville/
Cumberland County,
Cumberland Community
Foundation, Cumulus Me-
dia, Up & Coming Weekly
and many others who will
be listed in the program.
"I cannot speak highly
enough of this ensemble's
dedication to creating
beautiful, moving music,
said Pagels. "They are a
delightful group of people, and you will not be
disappointed."
Tickets for this concert may be purchased at
the door for $15. Also available for purchase at
the door will be $45 season tickets, which will
cover the four regular-season concerts. Visit
www.facebook.com/CumberlandChoralArts for
additional information.
In addition to the CCA choir, there will be performances by the Cross Creek Chorale and the Campbellton Youth Chorus.
PRUDENCE MAINOR, Contributing
Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom-
ingweekly.com 910-484-6200.
FTCC
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