If you can’t make it to the coronation of King Charles III on Sunday in London, the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church is presenting an immersive musical experience that night to celebrate the historic royal event in Minneapolis.
The concert, “I Was Glad! Four Centuries of Coronation Music,” will feature a choir of 60 singers and a vocal quartet, the Mirandola Ensemble. Conductor Matthew Mehaffey will be directing, accompanied by Chris Ganza on the organ and the University of Minnesota School of Music Brass Ensemble.
Mehaffey is director of music at the University of School Music and is the director of two other choral ensembles, the Oratorio Society of Minnesota and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. He is known for his pedagogical style, which is perfect for this concert because it aims to keep that kind of music alive with an educational aspect and comical nature.
The script, which guides the audience through the coronation process and history, isn’t stuffy, Mehaffey say; it’s meant to be a fun way to combine classical music and popular culture.
“Whether you are a devoted anglophile, follow the royals only on the Today show, or just can’t get enough of the Harry and Meghan saga, this concert will delight you with its opulent music and modern look at the traditions of the British monarchy,” he says. “If you watch the coronation on TV on the morning of May 6, you’ll be able to come to hear many of the same musical pieces live in person in Minneapolis.”
The event is 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
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