“Magnificat: Lifting up the lowly”

Sunday, November 16, 2025

Leighton Concert Hall

“Magnificat: Lifting up the lowly”

Single Tickets Available July 28

Presenting Series


Magnificat: Lifting Up the Lowly is a concert program weaving together the sacred and secular in response to human suffering and oppression. Framed by the canticle, the Song of Mary, it speaks of God who has scattered the proud, brought down the powerful, lifted up the lowly, and filled the hungry with good things. The concert features the glorious Magnificat by J.S. Bach, performed by students and faculty from the Program in Sacred Music at Notre Dame.

From the secular realm, Dmitri Shostakovich's intensely personal Chamber Symphony (from his Eighth String Quartet) bears witness to 20th-century suffering. Dedicated to victims of war and fascism everywhere, the work is said to be autobiographical even as it references pogroms against Jews and a patriotic song set as a lament.

The program also includes Joaquin Rodrigos exquisite Fantasía para un gentilhombre (Fantasia for a Gentleman), performed by the acclaimed Italian guitarist Nicolò Spera. Rodrigo, who was blind, crafted this lovely work on 17th-century Spanish Baroque dances, creating a beautiful musical connection to Bach's era.

Discover + Engage
Join us for a pre-concert talk exploring the Magnificat program's spiritual and musical richness.

Artists
Concordia Vocal Ensemble
Soloists to be announced
Nicolò Spera, guitarist
South Bend Symphony Orchestra

Cynthia Katsarelis, conductor



Made possible by the Marjorie O'Malley Sacred Music Series. Co-presented by Sacred Music at Notre Dame.

Event Dates

Sunday, November 16, 2025 - 4:00 PM

Single Tickets Available July 28

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