Caritas Chamber Chorale, directed by Barbara Sanderman, will present two concerts of a cappella Christmas music, entitled “Born to Set Thy People Free,” for the benefit of Adorno Fathers’ African Mission.
The concerts will be held:
Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church, Middlesex
Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., at Blessed Sacrament Church, Martinsville
Through the music, “Born to Set Thy People Free” recounts the birth of Christ — considering the anticipation of his coming, pondering the fiat of his mother, and commemorating his birth.
It also presents celebratory perspectives of the birth of Christ from around the world.
In addition to classics like Hassler’s “Ave Maris Stella” and Victoria’s “O magnum mysterium,” the program includes works such as Todd Smith’s “Noel” in the African Kituba dialect; the “Huron Carol,” with text by St. Jean de Brébeuf, and the 16th century Spanish carol “Ríu, Ríu, Chíu” (a Caritas favorite).
Arrangements of familiar carols will be performed
The concerts are free and open to the public. The entirety of a freewill offering will benefit the Pierluigi Fabbiani Nursery School, the Gianni Diurni Primary School and the Foyer de l’Enfance Paolo Di Nardo Orphanage, run by the Adorno Fathers’ St. Francis Caracciolo Mission in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa.
In addition to the concerts listed above, Caritas will present “Born to Set Thy People Free” for the Sisters of Christian Charity, Mendham, Dec. 11.
For the health and safety of the sisters, this concert is not open to the public.
Caritas Chamber Chorale is dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor through the art of sacred music. Since its founding in 2005, the Chorale has sung for the benefit of the Adorno Fathers’ St. Francis Caracciolo Mission in DRC, Africa.
For more information, visit www.caritaschamberchorale.org or call (732) 718-0775.