Two Minneapolis-based performing groups — all-male chorus Cantus and Theater Latté Da — present a true story from World War I in All is Calm, the Christmas Truce of 1914 at DU’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts on Dec 10.
The story is about a young German soldier who sang “Stille Nacht (Silent Night)” in the middle of a battlefield, which caused thousands of troops on both sides to put down their weapons and leave their trenches to meet their enemies.
“Cantus was with us in our very first season, and it’s an honor to have them back,” says Stephen Seifert, executive director of the Newman Center. “This ensemble is among the best a cappella vocal ensembles in the country.”
The All is Calm production is presented as a radio-style musical drama, using only music and text. The music ranges from trench songs to patriotic and sentimental tunes, as well as Christmas music from the participating countries. The text is taken from letters, journals, official war documents, poetry and grave stone inscriptions — even an old radio broadcast.
“Cantus always tried to put its music into a bigger emotional context,” says Cantus Artistic Director Erick Lichte. “All is Calm allows us to sing Christmas carols everyone knows and loves but, set in the context of war, they take on new importance and meaning.”
Cantus will perform at the Newman Center at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. Tickets range from $28–$48. Parking is free. A free Behind the Curtain lecture will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the Newman Center and TicketMaster. For more information, call 303-871-7720 or visitwww.newmancenterpresents.com.