[Classifieds] Solstice Singers presents “The Holly and the Ivy”

[MBL Classifieds]

Solstice Singers presents “The Holly and the Ivy,” a pageant of carols and songs, instrumental music, drama, and dance in the style of the Renaissance. Performed in colorful, period costumes, the program is a celebration of Christmas and the winter Solstice, woven around the ancient symbols of holly and ivy, both associated with rebirth and the coming of the new year.

Solstice Singers will be joined by Ensemble Passacaglia performing on authentic period instruments, the Vineyard Swordfish longsword dance team, and the children’s chorus Les Enfants du Soleil. “The Holly and the Ivy” will be performed at the Woods Hole Community Hall at 68 Water Street in Woods Hole on Saturday December 17 at 4 pm and 7 pm, and Sunday December 18 at 3 pm. The hall is accessible to people with disabilities.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Solstice Singers, and Music Director Lore Loftfield De Bower of Woods Hole is thrilled to be back in Woods Hole with a full complement of performers for the first time since 2019. “Our 28th anniversary was entirely online, and our 29th anniversary program required extraordinary measures to protect ourselves and our audiences from Covid transmission. Our 30th anniversary is a tribute to persistence. The program includes instrumental and sung music from the Middle Ages through the Twenty-First Century. In all, close to 40 performers and volunteers work to make this program possible.”

To reconnect with its audience, Solstice Singers will be performing many of its “classics,” including The Boar’s Head Carol, Lord of the Dance, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Well-loved selections that are heard less often include In Dulci Jubilo, The Holly and the Ivy, and Quem Pastores. A new mummers’ play, written in the traditional style, will add a note of both comedy and drama to the proceedings.

In addition to the 14-member Solstice Singers, the performance will include the Solstice Singers’ children’s chorus—Les Enfants du Soleil. The group of ten children, ranging in age from 5 to 16, includes several sets of siblings. All of the Enfants will participate in singing, dancing, and general revelry, while three “graduates” of Les Enfants will perform a morris dance complete with bells and handkerchiefs.

The instrumental group Passacaglia performs period music on authentic strings, winds, and percussion. Group members include Jan Elliott, Lisa Esperson, and Tom Hanna. A few highlights of their repertoire include Les Quatres Branles by Tielman Susato, Wexford Carol (Traditional Irish), and Tourdion by Pierre Attaignant. Passacaglia also accompanies many of the songs and dances performed in the show.

Solstice Singers also welcomes back the Vineyard Swordfish longsword dancers. Longsword is an ancient linked sword dance tradition from the Yorkshire region of northern England. The Vineyard Swordfish will perform a longsword dance of their own invention, "Woods'le," named for their maritime home and featuring a unique “cock's comb" sword lock.

Admission is $25, $10 for children under 12. Tickets are available online at www.solsticesingers.org<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.solsticesingers.org%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cmsulanowska%40whoi.edu%7C1da5b436967f4d13c92f08dadacc1d47%7Cd44c5cc6d18c46cc8abd4fdf5b6e5944%7C0%7C0%7C638062867472105126%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=CmA6zdSfy%2BXDXYba0O990l%2B2K%2Frsle5EDtJvDrGzfyY%3D&reserved=0> and at the door. Due to COVID restrictions in the Community Hall, seats will be limited, so advance purchase is recommended.

Solstice Singers is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to provide community enrichment by performing music in the style of the Renaissance. The singers come from Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.mbl.edu/pipermail/classifieds/attachments/20221211/ce2178c2/attachment.html