LEWISTON – Christine Letcher of Leeds will be a featured soloist Thursday, Dec. 18, in a concert by St. Mary Schola, an early music ensemble of 14 singers and instrumentalists directed by Bruce Fithian.

Letcher will sing an enchanting trio from Maine’s Sabbathday Lake Shaker community at the 7:30 p.m. performance at the Franco-American Heritage Center. The piece, titled “Learned of Angel,” shows how the simplicity of Shaker harmonies is close to the medieval music also featured in the program.

The concert, titled “Noé, Noé,” features many works from French heritage, such as a medieval conductus, a mystical chant by Beauvais from the “Messe des fous” (fool’s mass) and a haunting setting of “Esprits divins” by Claude Goudimel. The program is filled with many contrasts of sublime music – medieval processions, Gregorian chant and double choir motets by William Byrd, Morales, Victoria and Heinrich Schütz.

Music director Bruce Fithian is professor of music at the University of Southern Maine, where he teaches voice.

Tickets to the seasonal concert, $15, will be sold at the door. The Franco center is at 46 Cedar St.

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