UUCF Music and Arts and the Rockville Unitarian Universalist Church presents
Magnificat
Vivaldi
UUCF Community Chorale Rockville Unitarian Universalist Choir
Mark Wanich, Baritone Sarah Jebian, Soprano Ben Whelan-Morin, Tenor Allison Hughes, Mezzo
Conductor: Laura Weiss
Orchestra Members Cellist Kristen Jones Violin 2-Chelle Fulk, Carol Bartholomew Violas-Devan Costello Mays, Nicholas Black Violin 1-Winston Davis, Heather Wong Voorhees Organ- Justin Furnia Oboes-Amanda Dusold, Mark Christianson
The Magnificat — also known as the Song of Mary or the Canticle of Mary — is a canticle frequently sung liturgically in Christian church services. It is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian hymn. Its name comes from the first word of the Latin version of the canticle's text. The text of the canticle is taken directly from the Gospel of Luke where it is spoken by the Virgin Mary upon the occasion of her Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth. In the narrative, after Mary greets Elizabeth, who is pregnant with the future John the Baptist, the child moves within Elizabeth's womb. When Elizabeth praises Mary for her faith, Mary sings what is now known as the Magnificat in response. Within Christianity, the Magnificat is most frequently recited within the Liturgy of the Hours. In Western Christianity, the Magnificat is most often sung or recited during the main evening prayer service: Vespers within Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism, and Evening Prayer within Anglicanism. In Eastern Christianity, the Magnificat is usually sung at Sunday Matins. Among Protestant groups, the Magnificat may also be sung during worship services.