Lost 17th century oratoria to be performed by WFU choir and guests

By Rachel Cook
336.758.5237
March 18, 2003

The Wake Forest University Concert Choir will present Daniel Bollius’ oratorio “Harmonic Representation of the Conception and Birth of St. John the Baptist” April 4 at 8 p.m. in Brendle Recital Hall of Wake Forest’s Scales Fine Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.

The performance is a signature event of the Conference of the Society for 17th Century Music, hosted by Wake Forest. The conference will bring 60 scholars of 17th century music from around the world to campus April 3-6.

Bollius, chapel master at the court of the prince-archbishop of Mainz, wrote the oratorio as a celebration of his patron around 1620. The Wake Forest performance will be the first complete performance of the piece since the 17th century.

The oratorio was not printed in Bollius’ lifetime and the manuscript was kept in obscurity for centuries in the university library in the German city of Breslau. The Breslau manuscript collection, including “Harmonic Representation,” disappeared during World War II.

In the fall of 1999, Wake Forest music professor Stewart Carter rediscovered the oratorio with the help of British musicologist Tim Crawford in the City Library of Berlin. Carter obtained a copy of the work and prepared a performing edition.

The Concert Choir, directed by Wake Forest associate professor of music Brian Gorelick, will be joined by soloists in the roles of those present at the birth of John the Baptist. An ensemble orchestra will feature 17th century instruments, including violins, cornettos, recorders, a dulcian, a viola da gamba, a theorbo and an organ. Wake Forest Associate Professor of Music Richard Heard, a tenor, will perform the role of the evangelist Luke; music lecturer Lorraine DiSimone, a mezzo soprano, will sing the part of the archangel Gabriel; senior Daryn Bunce, a soprano, will perform the part of Elisabeth; senior Allison Jones, a soprano, will sing the role of John the Baptist; music adjunct Ricardo Gomez, a tenor, will perform the role of the prophet Isaiah; Susan Shimp, a soprano, will sing the part of the Virgin Mary; and William Munster, a bass, will perform the part of Zacharias.

For more information, contact the Wake Forest music department at 336-758-5364 or for information on the conference or to register, contact Carter at 336-758-5106.

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