“The Choral,” starring Ralph Fiennes, on Saturday and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

The Cinema Series continues at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center with screenings of “The Choral,” starring Ralph Fiennes, on Saturday and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The Tuesday night screening will be shown with captions visible on the screen.

It’s 1916, and as war rages on the Western Front, the Choral Society in Ramsden, Yorkshire, has lost most of its men to the army. The Choral’s committee decides to recruit local young males to swell their ranks and engage a new chorus master – Dr. Henry Guthrie (Fiennes). While the young boys grapple with their impending conscription into the army, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together.

leonardmaltin.com calls the film “beautifully crafted and performed. The music is glorious. What more could one ask for?” The Christian Science Monitor calls it “old-fashioned in the best sense. The period details are lovingly applied; the script, by the great Alan Bennett, is beautifully crafted; and the performances, led by the marvelous Ralph Fiennes as the town’s reluctant choirmaster, are all standout.” Rated R for some language, and sexual content, “The Choral” runs one hour, 48 minutes.

Tickets are available at the door for $7 (adults), $6.50 (seniors & Opera House members) and $5 (students) the night of each screening. The Opera House is equipped with assistive listening headsets for the hearing-impaired. Simply request one from any usher or staff member. The Opera House Cinema Series is generously sponsored by Lake Shore Bank.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high-quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.