December 16, 2018 - Gloria, by Antonio Vivaldi + Stories of Sanctuary

First Universalist Choir, directed by Dr. Randal Buikema, lead this worship service with a performance of Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi, with "Stories of Sanctuary" in between movements.

Hidden inside this seasonal classic is a story of sanctuary. Vivaldi wrote Gloria for Ospedale della Pieta’, a charitable institution established in the 14th century to house and care for orphaned and abandoned children. To support its mission of providing sanctuary for children, the Pieta’ formed a girls orchestra and choir, which became well known throughout Europe. Their most famous teacher and concert master was Vivaldi. You might say that he wrote Gloria to provide sanctuary for forgotten children.