Concord Chorale and The Keene Chorale will collaborate for two performances of Dvorak’s epic Stabat Mater under the baton of Keene Chorale Music Director Cailin Marcel Manson, joined by the New England Repertory Orchestra and four outstanding soloists, one of whom will be Concord Chorale Director Jenny Cooper.

The June 10 performance will be at Keene State’s Zorn Dining Commons in Keene at 3 p.m., and on June 11 at Bow High School in Bow at 3 p.m. This is the first collaboration by the two Chorales, whose combined members hail from no less than 40 towns across New Hampshire, as well as from Vermont and Massachusetts.

The Stabat Mater, composed by Dvorak after the death of three of his children, has been described as a profound meditation on loss and faith. The text is drawn from a thirteenth-century Christian hymn to Mary, the title coming from the first line “Stabat Mater dolorosa” (the sorrowful mother was standing).

Established in 1969, Concord Chorale is an auditioned vocal ensemble dedicated to excellence in the performance of choral music for the cultural enrichment and enjoyment of its audience and its members. The Keene Chorale is a non-auditioned community chorus of mixed voices founded in 1979. Members come from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont, accompanied by great soloists and instrumentalists, to present unique repertoire to local communities.

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