Fall Choral Fest Features Unusual Poem

“A Fall Festival of Choral Music” will be presented by the Westmont choirs 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at San Roque Catholic Church in Santa Barbara.

The festival will feature the Westmont College Choir, directed by Steven R. Hodson, and Vox Lumina Women’s Chorale, directed by Laura Brinton, singing Benjamin Britten’s cantata for choir and soloists: “Rejoice in the Lamb.”

“Rejoice in the Lamb” is a work for a small four-part choir, four soloists, and pipe organ. It is based on extracts from the poem “Jubilate Agno” by Christopher Smart (1722-1771). It was commissioned for the 50th Anniversary of St. Matthew's Church, Northampton, by its vicar, Matthew Hussey, who was a well-known patron of the arts.

Smart’s poem was written during his incarceration in an asylum. He was said to suffer from "religious mania," and his work reflects his unusual, mystical beliefs.

Whether describing how flowers battle the devil, or how cats worship God by their movements, the normal Christian concepts of his day are absent. Britten revels in this material, bringing out its unsettling nature and beautiful visions.

For more information on the concert, contact the music department at (805) 565-6240.