March 6, 2020 (Boston, MA) — It is with the deepest regret, that Coro Allegro learned this evening that Harvard University had cancelled all events in Sanders Theatre effective immediately through April 30, due to public health concerns. As a result we have no choice but to cancel our concert Shofar: In Memoriam, which was to take place on Sunday, March 8, at 3pm in Sanders Theatre.

We are devastated to share this news. This concert, honoring the memory of beloved artists Robert Stern, Sanford Sylvan, and Donald Wilkinson, meant so much to us and our community. Coro Allegro and our guest artists, New England Classical Singers are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.

As recently as this afternoon, we were told that the concert could likely proceed.  However, this situation evolved rapidly, and we must honor and respect Harvard University’s decision and stand committed to do our part to help protect our audience, musicians and the community.

As Artistic Director David Hodgkins said to the musicians:

Together we have been exploring repertoire that delves into the painful process of what occurs when covenants are broken through Rober Stern's beautiful oratorio Shofar. As it turns out, we are experiencing the metaphor of the piece's journey in a more immediately real and painful way...But if Shofar has taught us anything, it is that the brokenness can and will become whole again. In the words of Catherine Madsen’s libretto, "we make the world together - there is no other labor.

Somehow we will “begin again,” as Shofar calls us to, and make this concert whole once more. We ask for your understanding and patience as we try to gather the pieces together once again and bring this magnificent music to our audience.

We are exploring options to reschedule the event and will be in touch soon. Please be on the lookout for updates as we have them. 

In the meantime, we thank our audience and sponsors for their support of this project, Coro Allegro and NECS singers and staff, the orchestra, soloists, and all of our partners in the community with whom it has been an honor to build bridges, — the Jewish Arts Collaborative, Keshet, the Zamir Chorale of Boston, Koleinu, Boston’s Jewish Community Chorus, A Besere Velt of the Boston’s Worker’s Circle, the Terezin Music Foundation, JewishBoston.com, and the Jewish Advocate. 

Coro Allegro’s season is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.