WAYNE, PA — In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the Wayne Oratorio Society is set to delight music lovers with two unprecedented performances. For the first time, the society will present “The Canticle of the Sun” by Amy Beach and “St. Cecilia Mass” by Charles Gounod. These exquisite works will be brought to life under the baton of conductor John Grecia, who will lead the 140-voice choir, a professional 40-piece orchestra, and three soloists. The performances are scheduled for 7:30 PM on Saturday, April 13, and Sunday, April 14, at the Wayne Presbyterian Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
Grecia promises an unforgettable experience, stating, “In this program, the audience will hear works that express the most beautiful, soaring, and harmonically rich music imaginable.” The concert, which is open to the public, begins with a free-will offering, with doors opening at 6:30 PM.
Amy Beach’s “The Canticle of the Sun,” composed in 1924, is a testament to her innovative approach to music. This American composer was one of the first female composers to earn international acclaim. Her composition celebrates God and all His creations through a rich, lush, and expressive setting of Saint Francis of Assisi’s translated thirteenth-century text. Grecia describes Beach’s music as bridging the romanticism of the late nineteenth century with the modernist, expressionist movement of the twentieth century.
The second work, Charles Gounod’s “St. Cecilia Mass,” astounded audiences when it premiered in 1854. Gounod, famous for his operas “Faust” and “Romeo and Juliet,” was a significant figure in French music culture during his lifetime. His mass setting blends captivating melodies with rich choral and orchestral timbres, drawing influences from Gregorian chant to opera.
The Wayne Presbyterian Church, located in downtown Wayne, offers convenient access by SEPTA or car, with free surface parking available in the surrounding SEPTA-designated areas. The church is adjacent to the SEPTA Wayne station.
The Wayne Oratorio Society has a rich history of performing major sacred choral works since 1948. Currently led by John Grecia, the society involves singers from the church and community who share a love for major sacred choral works. Over the past three decades, the choir has performed 112 major works in 162 concerts, earning high praise for its musical signature created by the 140 singers, full orchestra, and outstanding soloists.
In commemoration of the society’s 75-year history, a grant was given to renowned U.S. composer Dan Forrest to create an original musical work. His composition, “Creation,” premiered last November at the Wayne Presbyterian Church and will be performed this year by choral groups in New York City and London.
The Wayne Oratorio Society performances occur three weekends annually in the fall, holiday, and spring. Each concert starts at 7:30 PM in the church’s sanctuary. The society has been offering free concerts to the public since 1954.
As the Wayne Oratorio Society celebrates its milestone anniversary, these performances promise to be a tribute to the society’s history and its commitment to bringing world-class choral works to the community. Join us in this joyous celebration and experience an evening of sublime music that promises to be as enriching as it is entertaining.
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