Albany Pro Musica performs “The Many Moods of Christmas” on Dec. 17

Albany Pro Musica is scheduled to perform their annual “The Many Moods of Christmas” concert at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.

“The Many Moods of Christmas” concert is a sold-out event yearly, according to the artistic director, José Daniel Flores-Caraballo. This year, however, the concert will feature a special guest tenor, Rafael Davila. 

“What is different this year is we are bringing a wonderful tenor with an international career, and he’s actually performing at the [Metropolitan Opera] and they gave him permission to come for this concert,” Flores-Caraballo said. “We are very excited to have Rafael collaborate with Albany Pro Musica because he really is an outstanding world class performer and soloist.”

In addition to the soloist, the Albany Pro Musica concert chorus is made up of 64 auditioned volunteer singers. The group expands to more than 100 singers as the Albany Pro Musica Masterworks Chorus and is often joined by the instrumentalists of Orchestra Pro Musica for larger concerts. They offer four series concerts each season, including “Artist Series” concerts which bring world-renowned artists and ensembles to share the stage, “Masterworks Series” performances of oratorios and other large-scale choral works with orchestra, and an annual Christmas program. 

This Christmas concert will include both the chorus and the orchestra. 

“In this case, ‘The Many Moods of Christmas’ is our audience’s favorite program,” he said. “One reason it’s so popular is because it features choir music, choir and orchestra music, and just orchestra music alone, so there’s a wide variety of styles of music.”

The concert also features three audience engagement songs: “Carol: Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Jingle Bells” and “White Christmas.” But instead of a singalong, they are part of the program. When the audience joins in, they will sing with the chorus on the conductor’s cue. 

While the concert celebrates the holiday, the artistic director said when he plans a program like this, he is mindful of how the holidays might be different for everyone.

“For some people, Christmas is not always a happy time; there are people who are struggling. This program offers an opportunity for people regardless of where they are to have a moment of deep reflection, while at the same time, being part of an experience that is a great celebration.”

The concert will feature 20 pieces with different climactic points, keeping people on the edge of their seats and engaged. 

As the concert is part of Albany Pro Musica’s subscription concerts, everyone is welcome to attend but are encouraged to get tickets early as they sell out fast. 

Tickets for “The Many Moods of Christmas” concert are available online or by calling the Box Office at 518-273-0038.