CHARLESTON—Daniel J. Sansone, director of music and liturgy for the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and the Diocese of Charleston is hosting a new annual concert series. The inaugural event is April 24 at 7:30 p.m. with Bishop Robert E. Gugliemone as honored guest.
The Cathedral choir and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and chorus, conducted by Robert Taylor, will perform Franz Josef Hayden’s “Lord Nelson Mass” and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Sonata in C Major” (K 278), one of the composer’s 17 church sonatas.
The Bishop’s Gala Concert series 2015 will also include a performance of George Frederic Handel’s “Messiah” with the CSO and chorus, a Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols by the Cathedral choir, a performance of Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols” by the Cathedral women and girls’ choirs, performance of sacred music by the Charleston Renaissance Ensemble, and various performances during Piccolo Spoleto.
Sansone, who has a master’s in organ performance and literature from the University of Notre Dame, was impressed by the Cathedral’s acoustics and artwork and wanted to build on the historic tradition of cathedrals as centers for the arts.
“In the Bishop’s concert series we have an opportunity to establish a Cathedral Arts Series, where we will be able to feature the best musical offerings in a sacred setting,” he said.
Tickets for the April 24 concert are $15, available at the Cathedral Center, 120 Broad Street, or call 843-724-8395.
