Description

Portsmouth Pro Musica (PPM), will kick off the group’s 39th season, with a holiday program featuring Margaret Bonds’ cantata, “The Ballad of the Brown King.” PPM will be joined in the performance by accompanist Adelyn Nelson, soloist Fred VanNess, Jr., and strings.

In addition to the Ballad, selections include versions of “Away in a Manager” and “The Rose” by Ola Gjello, “Sure on this Shining Night” by Morten Lauridsen, and “Brightest and Best” by Shawn Kirchner. The PPM women will also perform “Solstice Carol” by Kim Barulyk. “The Ballad of the Brown King” focuses on Balthazar, one of the three kings from the nativity story. The text of the cantata was written by poet Langston Hughes. It was first performed in New York in 1954 and was televised by CBS in 1960.

Margaret Bonds is one of the most famous black composers in America. Tenor Fred C. VanNess, Jr., performs a wide variety of repertoire on stages across New England. Praised for his "superb talent" and "gorgeous vocals", VanNess has appeared as Paris in Boston Lyric Opera's production of “Romeo and Juliette”, Russell Davenport in Dan Shore's acclaimed opera “Freedom Ride” presented in a co-production by MASSOpera and Chicago Opera Theater, and numerous other productions throughout New England.

Advance tickets can be purchased at www.ppmnh.org. Advance: $15; Student/Seniors $13. At the door: $20; Students/Seniors $15.