Music on Norway Pond presents “Angel Spirits: Music of World War I” on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Hancock Congregational Church.
In recognition of the centenary of World War I, baritone David McFerrin (last year’s John P. Wintergreen) and soprano Deborah Selig, with Clifton J. Noble, piano, will offer a recital of songs written during and inspired by that era. The eclectic program is in parts beautiful, haunting, lighthearted, and poignant, and captures sentiments and reflections from many different perspectives during this climactic period of history. Composers include George Butterworth, André Caplet, Claude Debussy, Ivor Gurney, Charles Ives, Francis Poulenc, and Rudi Stefan.
The concert will feature the premiere performance of songs by Boston composer Gregory Zavracky, with texts by three female World War I poets, as well as a number of popular songs, including selections by Irving Berlin and Jim Europe, director of the 369th Infantry “Harlem Hellfighters” Jazz Band.
Based in Boston, Selig and McFerrin have each established nationally acclaimed careers in opera, oratorio and recital repertoire. Their collective credits include Santa Fe Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Central City Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Boston Pops, and the Ravinia, Tanglewood and Marlboro Music Festivals.
Tickets are $20 at the door, or purchase a season ticket on the website www.musiconnorwaypond.org. As always, students are free.