The Guelph Chamber Choir will continue its tradition of presenting choral music to stir the spirit with a series of five evenings of choral music.
Conductor Gerald Neufeld presents a season of choral music. He said, “The sound of human voices blended together in harmony creates magical bonds among performers and listeners. We hope you will be able to join us for some or all of our concerts in the coming year.”
The Guelph Chamber Choir’s season opens at St. George’s Anglican Church with a screening of the 1923 silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame with live music for choir and organ. Guest conductor Robert Cooper has selected a mélange of music to portray Quasimodo’s turbulent emotional struggles during the Paris revolution.
Edward Moroney’s improvisations at the organ are to heighten the drama of the classic film. It runs one night only, on Oct. 29 at 8 pm.
Voices of Light: an Advent festival of music and poetry follows on Nov. 261 at 8pm. Voices, organ and brass herald Christmas, along with seasonal readings. Joining the Guelph Chamber Choir will be organist Christopher Dawes and Musica Viva Brass.
Handel’s Messiah is presented on Dec. 17, at 8pm at the River Run Centre. Soloists are soprano Jennie Such, mezzo-soprano Carolynne Godin, tenor Chris Fischer and bass Jason Nedecky. Musica Viva Orchestra will provide accompaniment on period instruments.
Near spring, Remember. A special feature of that concert is music chosen by the singers, with personal memories for them as well. That concert will be presented at Harcourt Memorial United Church on March 3 at 8pm.
The final performance of the year is Bach’s Mass in B minor. At the very peak of his creative powers, Bach wrote a work of genius. Whether encountering it for the first or 50th time, it remains an experience evoking awe and wonder.
The GCC will be joined by soprano Virginia Hatfield, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Enns Modolo, tenor Willis Bote and baritone Michael Adair. Bach’s Mass in B minor will be presented on April 28 at the River Run Centre at 8pm.
PodiumTalks from 7 to 7:30pm precede The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Mass in B minor, providing insight into each evening’s performance.
Series tickets are available for $100 for all five concerts. Purchasing the full series gives first choice of seats for Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Mass in B minor while providing sustaining support to the organization. Series and single tickets are available through the River Run Centre by calling 519-763-3000 or online at riverrun.ca.
For more information visit www.guelphchamberchoir.ca or call 519-836-5103.
