Onion River Chorus, at 40, throws a gala

The Onion River Chorus is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a gala concert, reception and silent auction on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 130 Main St.

The concert features soloists and instrumentalists who have joined the Onion River Chorus at many prior concerts.

Highlights include solos and duets by Monteverdi, sung by Sophie Michaux and Lindsey Warren, and Monteverdi’s dramatic “Altri Canti di Marte,” in which Michaux and Warren will be joined by Carolyn Dickinson, Adam Jacob Simon, Wheaton Squire and Larry Gordon, with accompanying instruments.

Baroque works by Telemann and Boismortier will be performed by the Cameo Baroque ensemble, Corsican and South African songs by the Northern Harmony nonet, and two Monteverdi madrigals by members of the Onion River Chorus led by Michaux.

Founded in 1978, the chorus is open to any dedicated singers.

The chorus will present another ambitious and challenging program in December with baroque works by Bohemian composer Jan Dismas Zelenka and French composer Marc Antoine Charpentier and featuring an orchestra of Baroque period instruments.

Admission at the door is $40. All proceeds will support the two 40th anniversary programs with full orchestra. Tickets are also available prior to the concert from Onion River Chorus singers or at 802-552-0105.