New Haven Chorale presents “Music of Comfort for Challenging Times”
Battell Chapel
New Haven
June 7, 2026
Wailing sirens outside tried their damnedest, but they could not compete with the New Haven Chorale on Sunday afternoon.
The Chorale’s voices soared to the vaulted ceiling of Battell Chapel, melding with the rich orchestral music. The beautiful notes washed over the audience like a wave, pulling us under and leaving us suspended in a meditative trance. Momentarily, we escaped the boisterous sounds of the city.
Thus, New Haven Chorale’s show Music of Comfort for Challenging Times lived up to its title.
Battell Chapel was packed like I’ve never seen before. At the start of the show, people even lingered in the entryway looking to gain access.
Much of the crowd likely came in support of the New Haven Chorale’s artistic director, Dr. Edward Bolkovac, as this was his final show before retiring after 23 years. As the conductor led the Chorale in song one last time, the love and respect he had for them was evident in every gentle, yet expansive gesture.
The afternoon’s closing song “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes” proved luminous. Backed by the Chorale, tenor Albert Lee sang his solo with every bit of emotion he had in his body. His positioning amongst the pews, rather than elevated with the Chorale, made the performance that much more intimate and palpable. The audience and performers carried a collective emotional weight.
Written by composer Adolphus Hailstork, “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes’” title comes from Psalms 121: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help/My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. In addition to Psalms 121, the cantata is also based off of Psalms 13 and 23. The titles of its three parts are “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes,” “How Long?,” and “The Lord Is My Shepherd, Alleluia.”
“I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes” sounded like a classic chorale but with the added expressive flair of Black sacred music. The influence was especially vivid during sublime moments of call-and-response between Lee and the Chorale.
As Lee sang, it appeared like he was appealing to a higher power. He would sing a phrase, then the Chorale would join him in a resonant echo. Each time, the feeling of praise and supplication gained more and more strength. Members of the orchestra leaned into each musical phrase; the brass section, drums and cymbals added pomp.
“Technically, this work requires all of my vocal skill. I really love singing this piece because it’s so rich but it is always a challenge,” said Lee, noting that the difficulty lies in the fact that Hailstork organizes his phrases in an irregular albeit beautiful manner.
Nearing the end of part one, Bolkovac held his hand up, waving his fingers to coax the final transcendent notes out of the Chorale. The ending was met with thunderous approval. An audience is meant to hold their applause until after the entire cantata is complete, but we couldn’t help ourselves.
Part two began with spare, searching musical phrases fitting for the title of “How Long?” as the notes evoked a creeping unease or sense of despair. The orchestra was given time to let their instruments sing before the Chorale softly came in, their voices sounding haunted. Then Lee’s powerful tenor cut in, intensifying the beseeching feeling.
“The Lord Is My Shepherd, Alleluia” was markedly triumphant. I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, sang the Chorale, their voices continually ascending. A feeling of hope filled the room. The energy kept rising and rising, reaching a fever pitch as they began singing a chorus of Alleluias so gorgeous even an atheist would have been tempted to repeat the exultation.
The New Haven Chorale’s technical prowess and emotional conviction throughout their show made for a spellbinding communal experience. The experience was a testament to the beauty that helps us endure turbulent times.
“It has been a joy to work with the New Haven Chorale for 23 years,” said Bolkovac. “It is a community of people from diverse backgrounds who not only love to sing, but who need to sing because singing also has a deeper spiritual component for them.”
With his final concert, Bolkovac left the New Haven Chorale not only on a high note, but in full, radiant voice.
For more on New Haven Chorale, visit their website.
