"Mass for the Homeless" presented by GMChorale in Middletown, CT

The GMChorale presents the Connecticut Premiere of Henry Mollicone's "The Beatitude Mass" on May 3, at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, 200 LaRosa  Lane, Middletown, CT.   Additional selections include works by Beethoven, Bach, Brahms and Vaughan Williams.  Artistic Director Joseph D'Eugenio will conduct the ensemble and chamber orchestra with Allan Conway accompanying.

Mollicone's choral work, first performed in 2006, will be presented in partnership with and recognition of the Middletown missions of St. Vincent de Paul and the Amazing Grace Food Pantry.  The Mass is a moving, beautiful work that juxtaposes the traditional language of the Latin Mass with English texts taken from interviews with people living in homeless shelters  According to one reviewer, "...the Beatitude Mass draws on his exceptional musical gifts of melody and harmony to exalt the simple, anguished words of homeless people into haunting and moving expressions."

This concert will be part of an inspiring weekend event to raise awareness and give voice to an issue important to the entire community.  In addition to the GMChorale performance, a preconcert lecture by Composer Henry Mollicone and a gallery showing of St. Vincent de Paul Middletown patron portraits by artist Abby Carter.  The weekend will culminate with the Walk Against Hunger on Sunday, May 4th in Hartford.