Saturday, November 17, 2012

Concerts, CD release events and more coming up in Niagara

I was heading to the market in downtown St. Catharines this morning and ran into an old friend of mine who was rather displeased with the fact two concerts are scheduled tomorrow at the same time, and he can only be at one.  It is a common problem, especially at this time of year with so much going on.  But I am sure the conflict is not intentional; probably just an oversight as scheduling was worked out for a particular concert.  Still, as this person said today, they are all chasing the same audience, so why compete directly with each other?

Well, I can't do much about that, but I can bring you news of a few events coming up this week and next that might catch your attention as you plan your late November outings.  One of the concerts my friend was lamenting not being able to attend tomorrow afternoon is with the fine musical group Mercredi Musique, who will perform at Knox Presbyterian Church in downtown St. Catharines at 3 pm.  The local string ensemble will perform music by Bach (Orchestral Suite No. 1 and Concerto for 2 Violins) and two pieces by Mozart, the adagio from the Clarinet Concerto and his celebrated Symphony No. 40.  Tickets are available at the door or if you need information in advance, email them at mercredimusique@hotmail.com.

We have a couple of CD release events coming up this week as well.  The first is tonight, as the Avanti Chamber Singers under the direction of Harris Loewen present a concert titled Magnificat, featuring quite literally Magnificat settings by the likes of Vivaldi, Schutz and Tremain as well as works for St. Cecelia's Day by Purcell and Gero.  So a nice musical mix with two local composers represented in Ronald Tremain and Eric Gero.  The concert is at the acoustically perfect St. Barnabas Anglican Church on Queenston Street this evening at 7:30, and will feature the release of their debut CD as well. Once again, tickets are available at the door, and the CD presumably will be as well.

The second CD release event comes up on Thursday of this week, November 22nd, at Stella's Dining Lounge from 7:30 to 10:30 pm, and features the talents of local double-bass virtuoso Duncan Hopkins. He will be joined by Perry White on tenor sax and Reg Schwager on guitar, as they play music from Duncan's new release, Bleak Midwinter.  Admission is only $ 5 at the door, by the way, and you should be able to get the CD there as well, or by going to www.duncanhopkins.com.  I am going to see if I can get a supply to sell on my website as well, at www.finemusic.ca.  If you are interested drop me a line at music@vaxxine.com and I will reserve a copy for you.

Next weekend we have a trio of holiday-themed performances as the season fast approaches.  Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects opens their holiday show It's a Wonderful Life, a stage version of the classic movie, at the Seneca Queen Theatre in downtown Niagara Falls.   I attended a media preview at the theatre Friday morning and it looks like a sure-fire winner.  Local director Barbara Worthy handles directorial duties here, and music is provided by John Hogg.  The cast includes many Shaw Festival regulars, including Jeff Meadows, Patty Jamieson, Ric Reid, Jenny L. Wright as well as Jon Osbaldeston in a live stage adaptation of Frank Capra's much-loved Christmas classic.  I hope to write more about the show in the coming week or so after I have a chance to see the whole show, but if you want tickets in the meantime, go to www.lyndesfarnetheatreprojects.com or call 905-374-SHOW for tickets and information.

Also next weekend, both sides of the border have productions of Menotti's classic children's opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors scheduled.  On this side of the border, Primavera Concerts of St. Catharines will present a version with the acclaimed Elora Festival Singers conducted by Noel Edison on Friday night, November 23rd at Mountainview Christian Reformed Church in Grimsby, and on Saturday night at the lovely Ridley College Chapel here in St. Catharines.  For tickets, go to www.primaveraconcerts.ca or call 905-736-2150.

Across the border, Nickel City Opera returns with their version of the Menotti classic with full sets, chorus and dancers accompanied by the 'Mighty Wurlitzer' played by Ivan Docenko at The Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, New York, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of next weekend.  The complete opera only runs about an hour, so you can easily catch dinner before the show and still be home with plenty of time to curl up on the couch and watch a good movie!  For tickets, go to www.nickelcityopera.net or www.rivieratheatre.org, or call 1-716-692-2413.

I remember picking up an original RCA LP of the original television production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, which first aired in 1950.  Yes, in those early days of television you could actually see a live opera premiere on television.  Not taped, mind you, performed live!  That LP made it to CD years ago but last time I checked it was no longer available, unfortunately.  Amahl is a simple and enchanting holiday classic, which I saw performed live by the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble years ago in Toronto.

So there you go - lots to see and do in the coming week, and none are going to break the bank before Christmas arrives.  Enjoy!

November 17th, 2012.

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