2007-2008 Emmanuel Concert Series ...

Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 3:00 pm

Those Virtuous and Valiant Victorians!

Queen Victoria (1819-1901) was the first English monarch to see her name given to the period of her reign while still living. The Victorian Era was characterized by rapid change and developments in every sphere – from advances in medical, scientific and technical knowledge, to changes in population growth and location. Today we associate the late 19th Century with the Protestant work ethic, family values, religious observation and institutional faith.

The growing Victorian middle class enthusiastically supported public concerts of any kind, sang in choral societies, and were delighted to welcome the “new” upright grand piano into their homes. The upright piano, which easily fit into smaller parlors, became for the Victorians, the focus of family entertainment, in much the same way as the television did in the 20th Century.

It was not uncommon for family and friends to gather around the piano on a Sunday afternoon to sing the latest “ditties”, hear the latest tunes, and oftentimes perform excerpts from some of their favorite music-hall operettas.

This program of music from the Victorian Era, revisited those long ago days of “gathering ‘round the piano” to hear once again some of the favorites from this era: The Lost Chord, The Palms, Jeannie with the Light-Brown Hair, O Divine Redeemer, to name just a few, as well as excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, and more!

Presented by the Emmanuel choirs and friends, violinist Dale Elkiss, and the members of the Seated Light Opera Theatre of Hanover (S.L.O.T.H.).

Contact us if you would like to obtain a recording of this concert.