SAVE THE DATE: May 25
Vancouver Cantata Singers
WHAT’S UP?
The Vancouver Cantata Singers are performing Scandinavian Treasures: Songs of the North at the Scandinavian Cultural Centre (6540 Thomas St.) in Burnaby.
WHEN?
The concert, the final one of the singers’ season, is coming up on Saturday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m.
WHAT WILL I HEAR?
A write-up about the show says the choir will take its audience on a Nordic journey, exploring choral music from Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. It will feature works by Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, Mia Makaroff, Gisli Magnason, Per Nørgård, and a premiere performance of Metsä, by Vancouver composer Alan Matheson, set to Riina Tamm’s poem Woods.
WHY SHOULD I GO?
This is a great chance for Burnaby audiences to hear one of Vancouver’s top choirs right here at home. The Vancouver Cantata Singers, founded in 1957, have become one of Canada’s top choral ensembles; the group has been award the Canada Council’s top prize in choral singing, the Healey Willan Grand Prize, more than any other choir in Canada.
The choir, under the direction of Paula Kremer, is also recognized for commissioning new works from critically acclaimed composers, which have led to successful collaborations with a variety of regional and international artists and ensembles.
Plus, attendees get to enjoy a glass of wine and take in a pre-concert talk with composer Alan Matheson before the show.
BUT WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL MAY?
Good news for choral fans who don’t mind a bit of a drive: although the May concert is the only one in Burnaby, the Vancouver Cantata Singers have a couple of concerts coming up before that.
The choir is performing Musica Universalis: Music of the Spheres at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. – a unique concert experience that will include a choral arrangement of Cosmogony, by Icelandic artist Björk, by local composer Kristopher Fulton.
Then, on Sunday, April 14, the choir will perform Handel’s Coronation Anthems in an Early Music Vancouver presentation at the Chan Centre.
See the choir’s website (www.vancouvercantatasingers.com) for more on all the performances.
HOW DO I GET TICKETS?
Tickets for the Burnaby concert are $35 regular, $15 for students with ID, and $10 for youth (under 18). You can buy online through www.eventbrite.com or see www.vancouvercantatasingers.com for information.
