The Cape Symphony presents Holiday on the Cape on Friday, December 2 (4:00 PM & 8:00 PM), Saturday, December 3 (3:00 PM & 7:30 PM) and Sunday, December 4 (1:00 PM & 5:00 PM) at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center.
Guest Artists
ViVA Trio, Vocals
Chatham Chorale, Joseph Marchio, Music Director
Cape Symphony Dance Company, Michelle Poirier-Chwastiak, Director of Dance
Download a printable version of the Show Notes.
Table of Contents
Program
A JOYFUL NOEL
Andrew Wainwright
WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS from MAME
Jerry Herman
CHANUKAH FESTIVAL OVERTURE
Calvin Custer
SOMEWHERE IN MY MEMORY and MERRY CHRISTMAS, MERRY CHRISTMAS! from HOME ALONE and HOME ALONE 2
John Williams
THE NUTCRACKER
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Intermission
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
Traditional, arr. Sam Cordon, orch. Dmitry Konovalov
WINTER SPIRITS
Dmitry Konovalov
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Traditional, arr. Dmitry Konovalov
A CHRISTMAS SCHERZO
Don Sebesky
CAROL OF THE BELLS (UKRAINIAN BELL SONG)
Mykola Leontovych and Peter J. Wilhousky, arr. Bogdan Kryvopust
HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Traditional, arr. Dmitry Konovalov
O HOLY NIGHT
Traditional, arr. Dmitry Konovalov
JOYFUL MEDLEY (JOY TO THE WORLD/ODE TO JOY/DECK THE HALLS)
Arr. Dmitry Konovalov
About Today’s Program
The orchestra will open the performance with “A Joyful Noel” by Andrew Wainwright. This spectacular work opens with a majestic brass fanfare, before breaking in a Celtic-style dance which builds to a dramatic conclusion.
The Cape’s own Chatham Chorale, directed by Joe Marchio, will perform “We Need a Little Christmas,” a popular song from the 1966 Broadway musical Mame, with music and lyrics by the legendary Jerry Herman (who also wrote Hello, Dolly! and La Cage Aux Folles). Originally performed on Broadway by the wonderful Angela Lansbury in the title role, Lucille Ball replaced her in the 1974 film version. Mame was Lucy’s final film appearance.
We’ll perform “Chanukah Festival Overture,” a wonderful medley that includes many beloved folk songs that create a festive musical montage honoring the spirit and traditions of Chanukah. Composer and arranger Calvin Custer studied at Carnegie Mellon and Syracuse University, and spent much of his career in association with the Syracuse Symphony, performing in multiple sections of the orchestra and serving in conducting roles.
The Chatham Chorale will also perform “Somewhere in My Memory” and “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!” Written by renowned composer John Williams with lyricist Leslie Bricusse for the 1990 movie Home Alone, “Somewhere in My Memory” earned Grammy and Oscar nominations. “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!”, also written by Williams and Bricusse, is from the sequel, Home Alone 2, released in 1992, and Bette Midler performed “Somewhere in My Memory” on that soundtrack.
The new Cape Symphony Dance Company, led by Director of Dance Michelle Poirier-Chwastiak, will make their debut on the Cape Symphony stage performing scenes from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky, choreographed by Poirier-Chwastiak. The dancers range in age from four to 13. Miya Henderson and Annika Waynen will alternate as Clara and the Snow Fairy. For these performances, the Company will be joined by dance majors from Dean College: Hyannis native Christopher Luz Rouque as the Snow King, Chiara Salzillo as the Snow Queen, Elisha Lesure as the Flower Fairy, and McKenna Talbot as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The Nutcracker presentation includes the Party Scene, Waltz of the Snowflakes, the Enchanted Palace, a duet to the Waltz of the Flowers, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Apotheosis. Learn more about Cape Symphony's The Nutcracker.
In the second half of the program, our special guests ViVA Trio will take the stage, joining the Chatham Chorale for a beautiful orchestration of “Angels We Have Heard On High.” The traditional song is orchestrated by Dmitry Konovalov; Dmitry is ViVA Trio’s orchestral arranger and composer, and is also a conductor, concert pianist, and producer.
ViVA has a new concept album coming out in December called Winter Legends, featuring a storyline and characters based on Russian and Danish folklore. At Holiday on the Cape, they will perform their ethereal new single "Winter Spirits," written by Dmitry.
No doubt you know the traditional carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” a classic example of a cumulative song in which each new verse is added to so that it’s longer than the verse before. In the hands of Jung-Ho, ViVA Trio, and Dmitry, the song will be a new experience!
The Cape Symphony will shine in their performance of “Christmas Scherzo,” arranged by Don Sebesky. This beautiful medley includes familiar tunes “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella,” “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” “The Holly and the Ivy,” “I Saw Three Ships,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” and “O Tannenbaum.”
Holiday on the Cape will also feature a special presentation of “Carol of the Bells,” a Ukrainian carol based on traditional folk chants, conducted by Marika Kuzma, a noted Ukrainian-American conductor who is generously volunteering her services as a show of support for her mother country. Katya Tchoubar, the leader of ViVA Trio, is from Ukraine and will sing a verse in Ukrainian, followed by the Chatham Chorale singing the English lyrics. The song’s original name was “Shchedryk” which translates as “The Little Swallow,” and it was intended as a song for the New Year. In 1936, Peter Wilhousky wrote English lyrics, creating an iconic Christmas song.
ViVA Trio and Chatham Chorale will perform two other classic holiday songs: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “O Holy Night.” The festivities come to an end with “Joyful Medley,” which includes “Joy to the World,” “Ode to Joy,” and “Deck the Halls.” Jung-Ho will welcome a very special guest to the stage to close our Holiday celebration!
Enjoy “Holiday on the Cape”
Join the Cape Symphony for Holiday on the Cape on Friday, December 2 (4:00 PM & 8:00 PM), Saturday, December 3 (3:00 PM & 7:30 PM) and Sunday, December 4 (1:00 PM & 5:00 PM) at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center, 744 West Main Street, Hyannis MA 02601. Seats are limited for the Saturday and Sunday matinee performances. Great seats are available for the other performances; don't miss out! We hope you'll join us for this heartwarming, joyous experience!
To purchase tickets for Holiday on the Cape, visit capesymphony.org, call the Box Office at 508-362-1111, email
With thanks to Wikipedia and jwpepper.com.
