It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Vancouver Bach Choir's 80th Anniversary Season and my first as Music Director. I hope that you are as thrilled as I am with our many offerings this season, which include traditional favourites like the Christmas with the Bach Choir and the Sing-Along Messiah.

Our first concert will be the Verdi Requiem presented by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in mid November. A work which encompasses the most earth shattering effects to the most ethereal and delicate sonorities, this powerful work will leave you in awe.

In December, we add our own presentation of the Messiah, the most celebrated choral work of all time, to our traditional concert calendar with four outstanding young Canadian soloists. Then, to ring in the New Year we join forces again with the VSO to perform Beethoven's iconic Symphony No. 9.

In March we present Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil (Vespers), a stunning unaccompanied work that is considered one of Russia's greatest musical achievements. In an unusual juxtaposition, we will perform works by Vancouver composers Jordan Nobles, Iman Habibi and the world premiere of a specially commissioned work by Owen Underhill.

Even with all of these wonderful concerts, I believe that we are truly saving the best for last! In April our season closes with a rare performance of The Damnation of Faust by Hector Berlioz.
One of the most innovative composers of the 19th century, Berlioz created a new genre with this astonishing piece, operatic in conception and effect, but intended for the concert stage. Our soloists include Paul Groves (Faust) and John Relyea (Mephistopheles) who have sung this work on the greatest stages of the world. An evening not to be missed and a perfect way to round out a most impressive season!

I look forward to seeing you at the shows!

Sincerely,

Leslie Dala Vancouver Bach Choir Music Director

 

Go to the 2010/2011 Season Concerts page

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