The Knox Music Series presents St. Nicolas, a cantata by Benjamin Britten on Sunday, December 14, at 2:00pm at Knox Presbyterian Church, Michigan and Observatory Avenues in Hyde Park.
The concert is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be collected.
Benjamin Britten’s cantata St. Nicolas, is a dramatic summary of the saint’s life and works. Active in the 4th century AD, St. Nicolas’s miracles and good deeds inspire the young and young-at-heart even in the present day. Featuring the Knox Choir, chamber orchestra, guest choirs, members of the Cincinnati Boychoir, and CCM Professor of Voice Daniel Weeks as St. Nicolas; Interim Director of Music Matthew Swanson conducts. Admission is free.
The program also includes Vivaldi’s vibrant Magnificat, featuring soloists from the Knox Choir, and John Rutter’s beloved carol “What Sweeter Music” on a text of Robert Herrick.
About Matthew Swanson
In addition to serving at Interim Director of Music at Knox Presbyterian, Matthew Swanson is Director of Choruses for the Cincinnati May Festival, a cornerstone of the Cincinnati arts community since its founding in 1873. He is the artistic head of the May Festival’s choral ensembles — the May Festival Chorus, May Festival Chamber Choir, May Festival Youth Chorus and Cincinnati Boychoir — and collaborates with the annually appointed Festival Director to craft programming for the May Festival. He conducts and prepares the May Festival Chorus — the core artistic element of the Cincinnati May Festival and the official Chorus of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra — for their performances at historic Music Hall and beyond.
About Daniel Weeks
Acclaimed American tenor Daniel Weeks is Professor of Voice at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He maintains an active performance career in operas, concert work, solo recitals, and recordings, and he is in demand as a masterclass clinician and guest artist.
The Knox Music Series
The Knox Music Series is a community outreach program of Knox Church. Recognized for its outstanding contributions to the quality of life in Cincinnati, Knox Music has been cited by “Cincinnati Magazine” as the “Best Church Music” in Cincinnati. Contributions to support the Knox Music Series may be made online at knox.org/give.
Knox is ADA accessible.
Admission is FREE.
First come first serve. Please no holding seats for others.