The Northern Berkshire Chorale’s March 15th concert The Soul’s Longing will feature works by Brahms, Verdi, Rossini and Handel. The program will be held at 8 PM in Chapin Hall on the Williams College Campus in Williamstown. Suggested donations are $10, $5 for students. 

In a message from Artistic Director Andrew Burger he states: “When planning my first season with the Northern Berkshire Chorale as Artistic Director I had not planned on each concert having such a historical narrative, but as the fall flew by it seemed that it was inevitable. Moving past the formidable legacy left by the composers we explored in the classical period, we turn to the romantic, which in choral music is highlighted by the two composers featured in this upcoming March 15 concert. 

Johannes Brahms and Giuseppe Verdi represent two national icons of a vast romantic choral library which is filled with very personal perspectives on death, the afterlife, and the human experience. The music itself not so morbid, rather the composers show very contrasting and dynamic attitudes towards the subjects. The two works that will be highlighted in our concert are the Brahms Nänie composed in 1881 and the Verdi Stabat Mater completed in 1897 (the last piece completed by Verdi). These pieces will be paired with other works by Brahms, Rossini, and Handel, as well as a work by living composer Ola Gjeilo, The Ground, which will return on our May concert in its chamber orchestra version.”