by Dr. Gil Gigliotti
On Sunday, December 18th, at 4 PM at the Buckingham Congregational Church in Glastonbury, the Classical Association of Connecticut once again hosted its Annual Latin Carol Sing after a two-year Covid-induced hiatus.
Emceed by ClassConn board member and Glastonbury High School Latin teacher Arlette deKoning, with musical accompaniment (on both piano and organ) by Rich Prario, the hour-long event featured Latin readings, both Biblical and classical, recounting the Christmas story, as well as Latin carols and songs—with brief historical introductions for context.
Assisting Ms. de Koning in the seven lectiones were Glastonbury High School senior Hunter Lawrence; Cecilia Gigliotti, visiting from Berlin, Germany; and Gil Gigliotti, ClassConn Immediate Past President and CCSU professor of English and Latin.
After a beautiful piano postlude by Mr. Prario, the participants and audience members adjourned downstairs for a reception with cider, baked goods, fruit, and good conversation.
The audience, most of whom had not attended such an event previously, said they’d return next year for the 6th Annual Latin Carol Sing.
And so, ‘til next year, “Io Saturnalia!”