St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Carols by Candlelight concert on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m., will feature soloists, lesson readers, the St. Stephen’s Festival Choir, and chamber orchestra. Derrick Goff, St. Stephen’s Minister of Music, will conduct the ensemble. The concert takes place in the church sanctuary at 353 Main Street.
A celebration of Advent and Christmas, the concert opens with “Once in Royal David’s City,” featuring Millie Altopp, a Ridgefield High School eleventh grader. Baritone Thomas Carr is soloist in the Spanish lullaby “Alegria” (Joy), and, back by popular demand, is soprano Lydia Toperzer in a rendering of “O Holy Night.”
First selectman Rudy Marconi will read a lesson from Luke that is traditionally reserved for the mayor of the City of Cambridge (U.K.) at the Kings College Lessons and Carols. Readers also include the Rev. Whitney Altopp, rector of St. Stephen’s, and parishioners Eve Mencher and Kevin Kingman.
Among the musical highlights of the concert will be “And the glory of the Lord”, from Handel’s “Messiah, which tells of the coming of the promised Messiah. The audience will be invited to join in singing traditional Christmas carols.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and admission is by a suggested donation of $20; more generous donations are always welcome.
Caption: Soprano soloist Lydia Toperzer
R