OLD LYME – The Con Brio Choral Society will honor the retirement of its music director and associate music director with a pair of concerts this month.
The farewell concerts will bring together the Con Brio Festival Orchestra and Con Brio Chorus at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme.
Music Director Stephen Bruce of Groton retires in July after 28 years as the society’s founding music director, according to the organization. He will remain with Con Brio, where he will hold the title of music director emeritus, in the bass section.
Chris Shepard of Clinton will replace Bruce as music director in August. Shepard is described by the Con Brio Board of Directors as a renowned choral conductor, voice coach, arts ambassador, pianist, organist, and distinguished Bach scholar.
Associate Music Director Susan Saltus of Essex will also retire in July. She has served in the role since 2009.
Con Brio will revisit some of Bruce’s favorites including pieces from Giacomo Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria,” Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor, George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” as well as several rousing spirituals.
Con Brio’s 75 singers will perform with the 30-piece Con Brio Festival Orchestra and soloists Ransom Bruce and Bill Sorensen. The group will also introduce Shepard, who will conduct the chorus in Movement 5 of Benjamin Britten’s “Saint Nicholas.”
Tickets are $40, or $15 for students. To purchase tickets, visit the Con Brio website or call the box office at 860.526.5399.
This report has been updated.