NEW WORK ON AZTEC GOD TO OPEN CHORALE SERIES

The Master Chorale of Orange County will open a five-concert 1987-88 subscription series with a premiere of a commissioned work based on the legend of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl.

Also on the season will be a first performance of a commissioned work by John Rutter and Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis.”

Music director Maurice Allard will lead the 140-member chorale in a partially staged version of the Quetzalcoatl (Feathered Serpent) legend on Oct. 10 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

The composer of the work will be announced later, Allard said Thursday, because negotiations have not yet been made final.

However, the work will uusei sets, costumes and approximately 15 dancers, Allard said. Choreography will be by Norbert Vesah.

The date and location for the Beethoven performance will be announced later.

The season:

-- Dec. 20: Christmas program: traditional holiday music, with premiere of work by Rutter (text and title to be announced).

-- April 24, 1988: Program to be announced.

-- June 4 and 5, 1988: Pops program.

Other non-subscription series events will include:

-- A partially staged version of Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” in early December at St. Andrews Church in Newport Beach. (The Chorale will present a bilingual, Spanish-English touring version of “Amahl” in local public high schools.)

-- A Sing-Along Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 23 at the Performing Arts Center.

-- An abendmusik concert--vesper service followed by one of Bach’s cantatas--at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. Date to be announced.

For further information, call the Master Chorale office at (714) 556-6262.