Saturday, March 22 at 2:30 pm
Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 2:30 pm
Pre-Concert Lecture with Herb Adams at 2:00 pm

Told from the perspective of a soldier returning home from the Civil War, the oratorio begins with the celebration of  Portland’s second post-war Independence Day, soon shattered by the catastrophic blaze accidentally sparked by fireworks. Through words and music, we are carried beyond  the fire’s destruction and into its eerie aftermath. Emerging from the ashes is the powerful and defiant message of Resurgam – Portland’s motto, “I shall rise again” – for the real story is not the devastation of the fire, but the speed and tenacity with which the people of Portland rebuilt their great city.

ChoralArt has commissioned this major choral work and instrumental accompaniment from New England composer Travis M. Ramsey.

George Frederick Morse’s “Painting of Great Fire, Portland, 1866” is portrayed as viewed from Commercial Street near the Head of Richardson’s Wharf. Used with permission; Collections of Maine Historical Society, MaineMemory.net, item 42791.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Credomesse (Mass in C major, K. 257) rounds out this stunning concert.

Enhance your experience for our upcoming FIRE! performances with our FIRE! Enrichment Activities. For more information, please visit choralart.org.