Warwick Valley Chorale performs at St. Stephen Church

On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 15, the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr at 75 Sanfordville Road, was filled to capacity for a Christmastime concert performed by the Warwick Valley Chorale.

The final performance of its 79th annual winter concerts was led by conductor Stanley Curtis and accompanied by Gail Johnson.

And special guest conductor was noted composer Henry Mollicone, who composed and conducted the season’s featured cantata, A Christmas Celebration, which was the highlight of the performance.

Mollicone is best known for his one-act operas as well as full-length operas, television and film works.

As a composer, conductor and accompanist, he has worked with famous actors, writers, singers and conductors like Leonard Bernstein.

Mollicone had traveled with his wife, Kathy, from Santa Clara, California, specifically for this performance.

His Christmas Celebration is an eight-movement work combining narration and singing with text taken from the Bible and poetry from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Also featured on the program were arrangements of four Christmas gospels, a twelve-selection medley of seasonal favorites and traditional carols.

Although admission was free, donations were accepted.

The Warwick Valley Chorale, the oldest continuously operating community chorus in Orange County, is a federally designated 501©3 not-for-profit corporation.

New members are welcome and rehearsals for the 2020 spring concerts begin in January.

For additional information about the Warwick Valley Chorale visit www.WarwickValleyChorale.org or Facebook.

- Roger Gavan