Mass Appeal

Leonard Bernstein wrote his Mass: A Theater Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers in 1971 to open the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Its premiere involved 200 performers, including the Berkshire Boy Choir and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Moravian will feature a reduction for chamber orchestra with an expanded percussion battery, to accompany the Moravian College Choir, Women’s Chorus (in place of the boys), dancers, and soloists, who include Noah Rachels ’00 as the Celebrant and Matthew Bailey ’06 as the Preacher.

The Mass reflects Bernstein’s strong social concerns. Written at the height of the Vietnam War, it features a chorus of street people who reshape the Mass to protest violence, greed, and oppression. A folksinger in jeans steps forward to become the Celebrant, realizes that he cannot solve the world’s problems by administering bread and wine, and eventually goes mad, killing himself to become the sacrificial Eucharist.

Paula Ring Zerkle conducts the production, which is performed at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, April 17, and 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 18, in Foy Hall. Tickets are $12, $6 students/seniors. Ext. 1650.