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02/08/2023 04:25 PMThe First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Lane, presents the concert “Let the Heavens Ring,” a recital of songs for voice and organ, on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church. Admission is a $20 recommended donation at the door.
Performed by bass-baritone Christopher Grundy and organist Nathan J. Bayreuther, the program offers a rare opportunity to listen to lesser-known works by Antonín Dvořák, Othmar Schoeck, and Paul Hindemith, as well as Connecticut-based composer Neely Bruce’s newest song cycle, “A Garland of Sacred Song.”
Praised by Opera News as “the likable baritone,” Grundy has performed a diverse repertoire of opera, oratorio and art song to critical acclaim throughout North America and Europe in opera, oratorio and recital. He has been popular soloist with many arts ensembles in the local area, including Con Brio, Cappella Cantorum, Orchestra New England, the Fairfield County Chorale, Connecticut Lyric Opera, the Stamford Chorale, and the Yale Glee Club.
Labeled “a rare jewel whose performances are both awe-filled and stirring” (Arts on the Edge, Wolfeboro, NH), Bayreuther has received numerous accolades, awards and scholarships, including the Roberta Bitgood Organ Scholarship and the Cynthia Wheeler Carr Scholarship. He was awarded the Colleague Certification from the American Guild of Organists and has served on the executive boards of its New London and New Haven County Chapters. In 2014, he was signed to the Arabesque Records music label in New York, and in 2015 and again in 2021 he performed solo organ recitals at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Other performance venues have included Yale University’s Woolsey Hall and St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hartford.