NO MORTAL BUSINESS
Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 7:30 pm
Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria - St. Catharines, ON
WORLD PREMIERE
No Mortal Business
Chorus Niagara, conducted by Artistic Director Robert Cooper,
in collaboration with The Orpheus Choir of Toronto,
presents the world premiere of
No Mortal Business
by Canadian composer Allan Bevan
and
Ludwig Van Beethoven's Mass in C Major
Saturday March 3rd at 7:30pm
The Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria,
67 Church St., St. Catharines
Please join us for an enlightening Pre-Concert Chat at 6:45 p.m. with composer
Allan Bevan and Artistic Director Robert Cooper in conversation about this unique new work.
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The Tempest by Rembrandt |
No Mortal Business, an original Canadian work commissioned by Chorus Niagara, is inspired by William Shakespeare's final play The Tempest. It blends majestic fanfares, military drums, Gregorian chant, dramatic narration, organ and mass choir into a lyrical multi-dimentional creation rich in allusion and meaning. Some of The Tempest's best known songs and prose have been set by Bevan in richly imaginative choral and orchestral arrangements. Veteran classical stage actor Geraint Wyn Davies, evokes Prospero's search for life's inner truth in this wonderfully theatrical and powerful choral experience. Audiences will recognize Wyn Davies from his many roles at the Stratford and Shaw Festivals. |
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Beethoven's Mass in C Major was a major commissioned piece first performed in 1807. It was written while the composer was experiencing profound hearing loss and the threat it posed to his musical and personal life. Both the Mass in C Major and No Mortal Business plumb the depths of humankind's search for meaning in the face of physical deterioration and eventual death. These two masterful works consider the mortality each of us face and seek to resolve in peaceful resignation and acceptance. The 160-voice combined choir will be joined by Orpheus Choir's Sidgwick Scholar soloists, featuring soprano Johane Ansell. The Talisker Players and organist Lynne Honsberger provide rich orchestral accompaniment. TWO great Choirs, TWO magnificent works......ONE GREAT CONCERT! This concert is generously sponsored by Peter and Janet Partridge Tickets are available from: Brock University Box Office in St. Catharines 905-688-5550 ext. 3257 toll free 1-866-617-3257 or from any chorus member. |
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Chorus Niagara's Mission is to entertain, educate and inspire through the performance of fine choral music |
