“Jolly old St. Nicholas, lean your ear this way.”

That could be a line in the opera entitled, “St. Nicholas,” which will be performed by special guest performers along with the Community Chorus at this year’s Christmas concert.

With music by English composer Richard Shephard, plus a story and libretto by Mark Schweizer, you know “St. Nicholas” is going to be thoroughly enjoyable. Add narration by Chris Tinkler, accompaniment by percussion, strings, flute, piano and celeste, and you have something delightful.

While the opera bears absolutely no resemblance to any historical figure, St. Nicholas or otherwise, this touching, funny, ultimately spiritual tale is loosely based on one of the oldest of the legends about the jolly old elf, “St. Nicholas and the Three Maidens.” It is also a story about love and contentment.