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LCPC to present opera’s sacred elements

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The sacred elements of operas, featuring the compositions of Puccini, Verdi, Wagner, Rossini and Mascagni, will be presented by the La Cañada Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir and Orchestra in a special concert on Palm Sunday, March 29. The performance will take place at 2 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

“Finding the Sacred in Opera,” will feature soprano Lori Stinson, contralto Diane Wallace, tenor Matthew Thomas and bass Gregory Geiger. The combined choir and orchestra total 100 members. The organist/pianist is Kemp Smeal.

“You’ll hear the story that is told in the music of opera, and how the sacred influences the plot, sets the scene, adds drama or provides insight into the main characters,” said Jack Lantz, who will conduct the orchestra and choir.

The concert will include “Evening Prayer” from Humperdink’s “Hansel and Gretel,” Elsa’s “Procession Into the Cathedral” and the familiar “Wedding March” from Wagner’s “Lohengrin,” the celebratory “Regina Coeli and Easter Anthem” from Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and the passionate “Va Pensiero” (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Verdi’s “Nabucco,” among other works.

“Opera, famously known for its lyrical melodies, sumptuous and complex plots, and love-death climaxes, surprisingly contains some sacred moments, and we will seek to decipher them in the complex stories,” Lantz said. “Even if you don’t know much about opera or aren’t sure it appeals to you, this concert is sure to win you over.”

Tickets are $15 general, $20 reserved, and are available in advance at the church office. They also may be purchased at the door on March 29. La Cañada Presbyterian is located at 626 Foothill Blvd. For more details, call (818) 790-6708 or visit lacanadapc.org.

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