Portsmouth Pro Musica

05/13/2026

Portsmouth Pro Musica and Manchester Choral Society are proud to present a historic collaboration:
Schubert: “Mass in E flat”
Mendelssohn: “Psalm 42”
With soloists and full orchestra
May 16 at 7:30 pm, St Marie Parish, Manchester
May 17 at 3:00 pm, Oyster River Middle School
Our exceptional soloists include Maggie Finnegan, Christina DeMaio, Andrew Sokol, Cody McDonnell, David McFerrin, and Neil Ferreira
Tickets: https://portsmouthpromusica.org/concert-may-2026/

05/11/2026

Join us this weekend as Portsmouth Pro Musica combines with the Manchester Choral Society to perform "A Romantic Spring". The program will feature Schubert's "Mass in Eb Major" and Mendelssohn's "Psalm 42". The performance will feature nearly 100 singers, a half-dozen soloists, and a 30-piece orchestra.

Performances will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Ste. Marie Parish, 378 Notre Dame Avenue, Manchester, NH, and Sunday, May 17, at 3 p.m. at Oyster River Middle School, 1 Coe Drive, Durham, NH.

Tickets: $30 for adults,$25 for seniors/military, and free to students K-undergraduate. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.ppmnh.org or www.mcsnh.org Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

04/19/2026

Portsmouth Pro Musica and Manchester Choral Society are proud to present a historic collaboration:
Schubert: “Mass in E flat”
Mendelssohn: “Psalm 42”
With soloists and full orchestra
May 16 at 7:30 pm, St Marie Parish, Manchester
May 17 at 3:00 pm, Oyster River Middle School
Our exceptional soloists include Maggie Finnegan, Christina DeMaio, Andrew Sokol, Cody McDonnell, David McFerrin, and Neil Ferreira
Tickets: https://portsmouthpromusica.org/concert-may-2026/

03/25/2026

Please visit our concert page to purchase tickets!
https://portsmouthpromusica.org/concert-may-2026/

12/10/2025

Portsmouth Pro Musica presents “Christmas Music from Northern Europe”

Music by Praetorius, Handl, Grieg, Gjeilo and others
With piano, organ, violin, cello and French horn

December 12, 2025, 7:30pm, St Mary Church, Dover
December 13, 2025, 7:30pm, Immaculate Conception, Portsmouth

For tickets, visit PortsmouthProMusica.org

12/09/2025

Join Portsmouth Pro Musica this weekend as we kick off our 41st season. PPM is directed by Priscilla Stevens French and will be joined in the performance by accompanist Adelyn Nelson, plus Nicholas So on violin, Gary Hodges on cello, and Hannah Messenger on French horn.

The program offers a luminous journey through the rich tapestry of Northern European Christmas music across the centuries. From the elegant early Baroque counterpoint of Jacob Handl and Michael Praetorius to the expressive warmth of modern composers like John Rutter, Kim André Arnesen, and Ola Gjeilo, the program celebrates both tradition and innovation in sacred song. Familiar carols such as “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” appear in contrasting settings—by Heinrich von Herzogenberg and Shawn Kirchner—revealing how timeless melodies can be reimagined for new generations. With works that range from joyous proclamation to serene reflection, the concert invites audiences to rejoice in the enduring beauty and spiritual depth of the Christmas season.

Performances will be held on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 25 Chestnut Street, Dover, NH, and Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 98 Summer Street, Portsmouth, NH.

Tickets: $25 for adults and $15 for students/seniors. All tickets are general admission and are accepted at either performance. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.ppmnh.org.

“The Creation” by Franz Josef Haydn Artistic Director: Priscilla Stevens French Accompanist: Fred MacArthur 17-piece orchestra See below to read Priscilla’s notes and to get to know our soloists.       PURCHASE CONCERT TICKETS Tickets for the April 23 concert are no longer available for adv...

11/10/2025

“Christmas Music from Northern Europe”
Music by Praetorius, Handl, Grieg, Gjeilo and others
With piano, organ, violin, cello and French horn
December 12 at St Mary Church, Dover
December 13 at Immaculate Conception, Portsmouth
Both concerts at 7:30 pm
For tickets, visit PortsmouthProMusica.org

04/01/2025

This April, Portsmouth Pro Musica, under the artistic direction of Priscilla Stevens French, will conclude the group’s 40th anniversary season by performing Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. PPM will be joined in the performance by accompanists Adelyn Nelson and Kathy Fink, a percussion ensemble, and dancers from the Safe Haven Ballet. The three solo parts will be performed by soloists Maggie Finnegan, Neal Ferreira, and Will Prapestis.

Carmina Burana is a thrilling exploration of life's triumphs, tragedies, and the relentless force of fate. With its iconic opening "O Fortuna" setting the stage for a dynamic performance, this masterpiece features a powerful blend of soaring choral arrangements, vibrant percussion, and passionate soloists. From the raucous revelry of "In the Tavern" to the joyous celebration of "Spring," Carmina Burana pulses with raw emotion and exhilarating energy. A monumental feast for the senses, this performance promises to captivate and move audiences with its unforgettable musical drama.

Tickets: $20 for adults and $15 for students/seniors. All tickets are general admission and can be used at either performance. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.ppmnh.org.

Join us for a special performance of “Carmina Burana” April 5, 7:30 pm, at Portsmouth High School Auditorium — Buy Tickets! April 6, 3:00 pm, at Exeter High School Auditorium — Buy Tickets! Priscilla Stevens French, ConductorAdelyn Nelson and Kathy Fink, pianoPortsmouth High School percussio...

03/27/2025

Those of you who attended our Spring 2024 concert had the pleasure of seeing tenor Neal Ferreira perform. On April 5th and 6th, we will be honored once again to feature him as the tenor soloist in "Carmina Burana." Follow this link to purchase tickets: https://portsmouthpromusica.org/concert-april-2025/

Here is a bit about Neal and his tremendous accomplishments:

Neal Ferreira is a nationally recognized lyric tenor known for his dynamic stage presence and cultivated vocalism. Dubbed a “Boston mainstay” by the Boston Globe, he recently appeared with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project as the French Ambassador/Kruger in their Gershwin double bill Of Thee I Sing/Let ‘Em Eat Cake and with Boston Lyric Opera as Loud Stone in Matthew Aucoin’s Eurydice, conducted by the composer. The tenor regularly sings with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and returned in January 2025 as Gaston in Die tote Stadt. This summer, he will sing Spoletta in Tosca with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, under the baton of Maestro Andris Nelsons.

Mr. Ferreira’s theatrical engagements in the 2024-25 season have included Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Il Conte di Lerma in Don Carlo with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Alpheus/Ares in Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata with Odyssey Opera. On the concert stage, Ferreira appeared as the tenor soloist in Elijah with the Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Carmina Burana with Portsmouth Pro Musica & Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Boston Civic Symphony.

In a professional career spanning two decades, Ferreira has appeared with an array of companies including Florida Grand Opera, the Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Colorado, Virginia Opera, Anchorage Opera, Syracuse Opera, American Repertory Theatre, Handel and Haydn Society, Emmanuel Music, and Guerilla Opera. He is a proud student of internationally renowned tenor, Frank Lopardo. In addition to performing, Mr. Ferreira serves on the Voice faculty at Berklee College of Music.