Past Performances

Messiah

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra
Leif Bjaland, conductor

December 10, 2022, Naugatuck Valley Community College

Black History Month: The Music of David Hurd & Margaret Bonds

with members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Harlem Chamber Players
Jack Anthony Pott, conductor

February 24, 2023, Belding Theater, The Bushnell

King of Instruments: Music of the Masses

Jack Anthony Pott, Conductor
Stephen Scarlato, Organ
James Barry, Orgue de Choeur

May 13, 2023, Immanuel Congregational Church

Hurd and Bonds concert information

Hartford Chorale Celebrates 50 Years

Performed with members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Featuring the premiere of the anniversary’s commissioned work Alive Poems: Stories of our American Heritage by Scott Perkins.

May 20, 2022

Belding Theater, The Bushnell, Hartford
Richard Coffey and Jack Anthony Pott, Conductors

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Adam Boyles conducting
June 10-12, 2022
Belding Theater, The Bushnell, Hartford

Christmas in the Americas
Richard Coffey conducting
December 21, 2019
Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford

Mozart Requiem
Performed with Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, Leif Bjaland conducting
March 1, 2020
Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center, Waterbury

cover of Christmas in the Americas program

Bernstein, Barber, and Brahms
Performed with members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Richard Coffey conducting
October 18, 2018
Mortensen Hall, The Bushnell

Handel’s Messiah
Performed with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, Leif Bjaland conducting
December 1, 2018
St. Anthony of Padua Church, Litchfield
December 2, 2018
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury

Vaughan Williams, Dona Nobis Pacem, & Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 2, “Lobgesang”
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Carolyn Kuan conducting
April 12-14, 2019

Beethoven, Symphony no.9
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Edward Cumming conducting
October 13, 2017
Belding Theater, The Bushnell

Handel, Messiah
Performed with members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Richard Coffey conducting
December 20, 2017
Belding Theater, The Bushnell

Music of John Rutter
Richard Coffey conducting
March 10, 2018
Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford

Carmina Burana, Festival of Fate
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Carolyn Kuan conducting
June 8-10, 2018
Belding Theater, The Bushnell

Rutter concert program

Grand and Glorious Opera Choruses
Performed with Opera Theater of Connecticut (OTC), Richard Coffey conducting,
Alan Mann narrating
November 19 – 20, 2016
Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford and the New Morgan School, Clinton

Verdi Requiem
Performed with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, William Boughton conducting
March 2, 2017
Woolsey Hall, New Haven

Letter From Italy, 1944 A soldier’s story told in music
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Greater Middletown Chorale
Joseph D’Eugenio conducting
May 4, 2017
Mortensen Hall
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

HSO Masterworks IX
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra; Adam K. Boyles conducting
June 9-11, 2017
Belding Theater
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Letter from Italy 1944 program cover

The Men of Hartford Chorale
Jack Anthony Pott and Richard Coffey conducting
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Asylum Hill Congregational Church

Faure, Requiem, and Handel, Messiah (excerpts)
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Carolyn Kuan conducting.
December 3-6, 2015
Belding Theater
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Mendelssohn Elijah
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Richard Coffey conducting.
April 14, 2016
Mortensen Hall
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Program from Elijah

Gershwin, Porgy and Bess, arr. Robert Russell Bennett
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Carolyn Kuan conducting.
October 16-19, 2014
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Handel Messiah
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Richard Coffey conducting.
December 10, 2014
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Great Music of France
Richard Coffey conducting, with guest organist Larry Allen
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford

Bernstein, Chichester Psalms
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Carolyn Kuan conducting.
May 7-10, 2015
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

photo of Chorale members singing

Handel, Messiah
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Carolyn Kuan conducting.
December 7, 2013
Mortensen Hall
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Mozart, Requiem
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Carolyn Kuan conducting.
April 10-13, 2014
Belding Theater
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

“Do You Hear the People Sing?”
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Mortensen Hall
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Xian Xinghai’s The Yellow River Cantata
Performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Carolyn Kuan conducting.
October 11, 12, 13, 14
Belding Theater
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Christmas with the Hartford Chorale
Richard Coffey and Colin Britt, conducting
In association with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, December 8
Immanuel Church, Hartford

Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius
Performed with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, William Boughton conducting
May 2-3, 2013
Woolsey Hall, New Haven
Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford

Program cover - Christmas with the Hartford Chorale

Vaughn Williams’ Hodie
Richard Coffey, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
December 1, 2, 3 and 4, 2011
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Requiem by Verdi
Edward Bolkovac, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
March 16, 2012
St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Orff’s Carmina Burana
Carolyn Kuan, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
May 31, 2012
June 1, 2 and 3, 2012
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Handel’s Messiah
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
December 10, 2010
December 11, 2010
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Holiday Pops!
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
December 18, 2010 (Two performances)
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Montague’s Requiem
Berlioz’s Te Deum
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
June 4, 2011
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
October 24, 2009
October 25, 2009
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Brahm’sRequiem
Constantine Kitsopoulos, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
November 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2009
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Holiday Pops!
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
December 20, 2009
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Britten’s War Requiem
Christopher Zimmerman, Conductor  with the Hartt Symphony  Orchestra
May 2, 2010
St. Joseph’s Cathedral

 Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor
William Boughton, Conductor with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra
May 13, 2010
Woolsey Hall, Yale University

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
October 24, 2008
October 25, 2008
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Harvest Song
Richard Coffey, Conductor
November 22, 2008
Immanuel Congregational Church

Holiday Pops!
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
December 20, 2008
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Requiem by Verdi
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
April 3, 2009
April 4, 2009
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Handel’s Messiah
Richard Coffey, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
December 1, 2007
December 2, 2007
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Holiday Pops!
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
December 15, 2007 (Two performances)
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Beethoven’sMissaSolemnis
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
May 16, 2008
May 17, 2008
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts

Olympic Cultural Festival
Beijing and Qingdao, China
June 10-20, 2008

  • Itaipu by Glass
  • Da Hai, Chinese Folk Song
  • Yellow River Cantata, Chinese Patriotic Song
  • The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein
  • Symphony 9 in D minor by Beethoven

Poulenc’s Gloria
Edward Cumming, Conductorwith the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Amanda Forsythe, soprano soloist
October 17, 2006
October 18, 2006
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, Mortensen Hall

Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
Cantatas IV, V, and VI with CONCORA and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Richard Coffey

Cherie Caluda, Soprano
Lorraine DiSimone, Mezzo-soprano
Bryan Register, Tenor
Charles Mays, Jr., Bass-baritone
Jack Anthony Pott, Tenor/evangelist
December 2, 2006
December 3, 2006
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, Belding Theater

Winter Song
Conducted by Richard Coffey
Malcolm Morrison, Dean of the HARTT School, Narrator
February 3, 2007
February 4, 2007
The SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium, Manchester Community College, Manchester CT

Carmina Burana
Edward Cumming, Conductor with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
May 4, 2007
May 5, 2007
The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, Mortensen Hall

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
Edward Cumming, Conductor  with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Angela Simpson, Soprano
Janine Hawley, Mezzo Soprano
Steven Tharp, Tenor
Morgan Smith, Baritone

March 3 and 4, 2006
Mortensen Hall, Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford
March 12, 2006
Woolsey Hall, Yale University, New Haven

I Have A Dream
The Seventh Annual Concert Celebrating the Life and
Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Edward Cumming, Conductor  with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

James Carter, saxophones
Kaila Potts, viola

January 15 and 17, 2006
at The First Cathedral, Bloomfield

Handel’s Messiah
with The Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Edward Cumming, Music Director
Conducted by Richard Coffey, Interim Music Director

Jolie Rocke-Brown, Soprano
Emily Hoskin, Mezzo Soprano
Scott Williamson, Tenor
Charles Mays, Jr., Baritone

December 3 and 4, 2005
Mortensen Hall, Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford

Celebrate America!
with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Simsbury Light Opera Chorus
Gerald Steichen, Conductor

July 1 and 2, 2005
Under the Stars at the new Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows

An American Choral Collection
Frank Nemhauser, Conductor
Selections from Reincarnations by Samuel Barber, Old American Songs by Aaron Copland, O Nata Lux by Morten Lauridsen, Broadway show tunes by Stephen Sondheim, and the world premier of Proud Music of the Storm for double chorus and organ, by Raphael Fusco.

May 7, 2005
At Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford

Debussy’s Nocturnes and Holst’s Planets
featuring the women of the Hartford Chorale
Edward Cumming, Conductor  with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Part of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra Masterworks Series
March 1 and 2, 2005
At Mortensen Hall, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford

I Have a Dream
The Sixth Annual Concert Celebrating the Life and
Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Edward Cumming, Conductor  with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
with Connecticut Children’s Chorus and a community-wide gospel choir

Adina Aaron, Soprano
Trevor Ochieng, Violin
Rev. Alvan Johnson, Narrator

January 16, 2005
at The First Cathedral, Bloomfield

Sing-along Messiah
a First Night Celebration
Frank Nemhauser, Conductor
December 31, 2004
at Center Church, Hartford

Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Part I
with CONCORA and The Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Richard Coffey, Conductor
December 11 and 12, 2004
At Belding Theater, Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings Symphony
for Orchestra, Chorus and Visuals
Conducted by Allistair Willis, Resident Conductor, Seattle Symphony
September 18 and 19, 2004
At the Bushnell with The Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Connecticut Children’s Chorus

Handel’s Messiah
with The Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Frank Nemhauser, Conductor
December 8, 2003

I Have a Dream
The Fifth Annual Concert Celebrating the Life and
Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Presented by ING U.S. Financial Services
Edward Cumming, Conductor  with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Adina Aaron, Soprano
Melissa White, Violin
Praises of Zion gospel choir, Marlowe Smith, Minister of Music and the Alfred E. White Chorale

January 18, 2004
at The First Cathedral, Bloomfield

Hector Berlioz’ Romeo & Juliet
Edward Cumming, Conductor  with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
February 13 and 14, 2004
Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford

Antonin Dvorak’s Stabat Mater
with The Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Frank Nemhauser, Conductor

Rachel Rosales, Soprano
Lorraine DiSimeone, Mezzo-soprano
James Archie Worley, Tenor
Eric Jordan, Bass

April 24, 2004
Belding Theater, Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

Beethoven’s Mass in C
Edward Cumming, Conductor  with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
November 1 and 2, 2002
Mortensen Hall, Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford

Handel’s Messiah
with The Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Frank Nemhauser, Conductor
December 6, 2002
Mortensen Hall, Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford

I Have a Dream
The Fourth Annual Concert Celebrating the Life
and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Presented by ING U.S. Financial Services
Edward Cumming, Conductor  with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Cellist Patricia Jackson 2001 Chevron-Texaco-Sphinx Competition Winner
Praises of Zion Choir, Marlowe Smith, Minister of Music

January 19, 2003
at The First Cathedral, 1151 Blue Hills Avenue, Bloomfield

The Hartford Chorale 30th Anniversary Concert
Handel’s Dixit Dominus and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass
Frank Nemhauser, Conducting
with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Erica Row, Soprano
Jennifer Hsiung, Mezzo-Soprano
Scott Williamson, Tenor
Morgan Smith, Baritone

May 3, 2003
at The Bushnell’s new Belding Theater

Mozart’s Requiem
The Hartford Chorale, The Hartford Symphony Orchestra & the University of
Connecticut Festival Chorus and Orchestra
Peter Bagley, conductor

September 15, 2001 – First Cathedral, 1151 Blue Hills Ave., Bloomfield, CT
September 16, 2001 – Jorgensen Auditorium, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
September 16, 2001 – Palace Theater, Stamford, CT

Performed in memory of those killed and lost in the tragedies of September 11, 2001. Admission was free. These concerts raised over $30,000 for the benefit of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and a fund benefiting the families of firefighters killed during rescue efforts in New York.

Requiem aeternamdonaeis, Domine; et lux perpetualuceateis.
Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine on them.

Handel’s Messiah
Willie Anthony Waters, Connecticut Opera, guest conductor
December 8, 2001
at The Bushnell’s Mortensen Hall  with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Pops!
Peter John Sacco, guest conductor
December 15 and 16, 2001
at the Bushnell (Mortensen Hall) with the Hartford Symphony
and the Connecticut Children’s Chorus

I Have a Dream
A Concert Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Willie Anthony Waters, Connecticut Opera, guest conductor
IlmarGavilan, 2001 Texaco-Sphinx Competition Winner, violin
Praises of Zion Choir, Marlowe Smith, Minister of Music
and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

January 21, 2002
at The First Cathedral, Bloomfield

Verdi’s Requiem
with the Hartford Symphony and the CCSU Chorale and University Singers
Joseph Flummerfelt,  guest conductor

February 19 and 20, 2002 – The Bushnell, Mortensen Hall
February 26, 2002 – Jorgensen Auditorium, University of Connecticut, Storrs
February 27, 2002 – Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts

Music in a Gothic Space
Frank Nemhauser, Conductor
James R. Barry, Organist
April 20, 2002
at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford

Aaron Copland: The American Composer
November 17 and 18, 2000
at the Bushnell with the Hartford Symphony

Handel’s Messiah
December 2, 2000
At the Bushnell with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Hartford Holiday Pops!
December 16 and 17, 2001
at the Bushnell with the Hartford Symphony and the Connecticut Children’s Chorus

Mozart Sings!
at the Bushnell with the Hartford Symphony

Regina Coeli
Ave
Verum Corpus
LaudateDominum
Dixit Dominus

and the Great C Minor Mass
March 3, 2001

Voices in a Gothic Space
with The Connecticut Children’s Chorus

Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms
Selections by Aaron Copland
Songs from The Sound of Music
Traditional Spirituals
and other selections from the Hartford Chorale’s summer 2001 tour to China

June 16th, 2001
Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford

Handel’s Messiah
Conducted by Henley Denmead

Julianne Borg, Soprano
Jane Dutton, Mezzo-soprano
Ryan MacPherson, Tenor
Robert Gardner, Bass

December 6, 1999 at The Bushnell

Symphony on Ice
December 11, 2000 at The Hartford Civic Center

Home for the Holidays
Bruce Hangen, Conductor
John McDonough, Narrator
Jamie Baer, Soprano

December 17 and 18, 1999
At The Bushnell with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra,
the Connecticut Children’s Chorus and Pilgrim Youth Laudate Handbell Choir

Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius
Conducted by Henley Denmead

Steven Tharp, Tenor as Gerontius and The Soul
Jane Dutton, Mezzo-soprano as The Angel
Robert Gardner, Bass-baritone as The Priest and The Angel of the Agony

March 5, 2000
at The Bushnell with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major Symphony of a Thousand
Conducted by Michael Lankester

The Hartford Chorale, Henley Denmead, Music Director
Connecticut Children’s Chorus,SallieFerrebee, Music Director
Elm City Girls’ Choir, Thomas Brand, Music Director
University of Connecticut Festival Chorus, Henley Denmead, Music Director
Yale Camerata, Margreet Brooks, Music Director

Jane Thorngren, Soprano
Bridgett Hooks, Soprano
Mary Ellen Callahan, Soprano
Anna Maria Silvestri, Alto
Monica Zerbe, Alto
Mark Nicholson, Tenor
Thomas Woodman, Baritone
Harry Dworchak, Bass

April 4 and 5, 2000 at the Bushnell
April 27, 2000 at Jorgenson Auditorium, University of Connecticut, Storrs
April 28, 2000 at Woolsey Hall, Yale University, New Haven

Free First Thursday Performance
Mozart’s VesparaeSolennes de Confessore
Vivaldi’s Gloria (selections)
Da Viadana’s ExultateJusti in Domino
Palestrina’s SicutCervus
Bruckner’s Locus Iste
Alice Parker’s Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal

June 1, 2000
Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford

Symphony on Ice
December 5, 1998
The Hartford Civic Center

Handel’s Messiah

Julianne Borg, Soprano
Jane Dutton, Mezzo-soprano
Ryan MacPherson, Tenor
Robert Gardner, Bass

December 6, 1998 at The Bushnell

World Premiere: Frederick Tillis’ A Symphony of Songs
and
Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony
On commission
 from The Hartford Chorale, African-American composer Dr. Frederick Tillis composed A Symphony of Songs. The work is based on the poetry of Hartford Pulitzer-prize-winner Wallace Stevens. Continuing the poetry theme, the second piece was Vaughan Williams’ The Sea Symphony, a haunting, evocative setting of Walt Whitman’s poetry.

March 9, 1999
At the Bushnell with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Mozart’s Constanze Speaks
April 22 and 23, 1999
At the Bushnell with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana
with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, CONCORA, and the Connecticut Children’s Chorus

Jane Thorngren, Soprano
John Mack, Tenor
Theodore Baerg, Baritone

May 4 and 5, 1999
At the Bushnell

Greater Hartford Arts Council’s
First Thursday Free Concert

June 3, 1999

Handel’s Messiah
with the Hartford Symphony Chamber Orchestra
December 6, 1997
The Bushnell

A Holiday Concert
with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
December 20, 1997
The Bushnell, Hartford, Connecticut

Alice Parker’s “And Sing Eternally
February 7, 1998
Choral Directors’ Convention, Providence, Rhode Island

Bach’s Magnificat and Mozart’s Requiem
with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
March 10, 1998
The Bushnell, Hartford, Connecticut

Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky
with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (part of the Classical Conversations Series)
April 16 and 17, 1998
The Bushnell, Hartford, Connecticut

Berlioz’ Requiem
Michael Lankester, Conductor
Curtis Ryan, Tenor
May 13 and 14, 1997

Made in America
Henley Denmead, Conductor
Tenor Christopher Dukes, Soloist
March 23, 1997

A special program featuring works by four living American composers: Dave Brubeck’s Joy in the Morning, Frederick Tillis’s In the Spirit and the Flesh, Edward Diemente’s My Heart is Ready and the world premiere of Alice Parker’s New England Hymnody, commissioned by The Hartford Chorale for its 25th anniversary season.

Brahm’s A German Requiem
Henley Denmead, Conductor
Julianne Borg, Soprano
Robert Gardner, Bass-Baritone
February 1, 1997

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
Michael Lankester, Conductor
May 7 and 8, 1996

Verdi’s Requiem
March 19, 1996

Handel’s Messiah 
Henley Denmead, Conductor
December 2, 1995

Program cover - Bach Mass in B Minor