Songs Strings & Steps presents
Handel’s ‘Messiah’
Vancouver Bach Choir
Alison Nystrom, Soprano; Ingrid Mapson, Alto
John Bacon, Tenor; Chad Louwerse, Bass
Conductor: Calvin Dyck
Saturday, December 6, 7 p.m.
Gateway Community Church
2884 Abby/Mission Highway, Abbotsford BC
The Messiah – Miraculous, Masterful, Majestic, Magnificent
Handel’s
‘Messiah’ comes to AbbotsfordBy Rosemary Phillips
Abbotsford’s
popular and much-loved musical director Calvin Dyck can’t help but be excited.
“It is a dream come true,” he exclaims passionately, “to conduct Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in Abbotsford with some of the
best professional talent available, for the greatest oratorio ever written!”
On Saturday,
December 6 at 7 p.m. at the new Gateway Community Church on the
Abbotsford-Mission Highway, Calvin will be directing the Vancouver Bach Choir and
professional soloists from near and far: Alison Nystrom, soprano; Ingrid
Mapson, alto; John Bacon, tenor from England; and Chat
Louwerse, bass.
“We also have
a professional orchestra of colleagues of mine from Vancouver,” continues
Calvin. “I’m thrilled with the quality of the musicianship. I’ve had a chance
to rehearse with the Vancouver Bach Choir and it’s like driving a Cadillac.
They are so experienced and have sung the ‘Messiah’
many times.”
Miraculous music: Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is a translation of text into beautiful choral and
orchestral sounds. It was written in just 18 days, at a time when Handel was at
the peak of his musical powers. He was in a state of deep depression and yet
his miraculous composition is a celebration of life and spirit; it is about
prophesy and fulfilment, suffering and death, resurrection and redemption.
Over the last
260 years the ‘Messiah’ has become a
tradition, an important part of the Christmas season around the world, holding
an extraordinary grip on musicians and audience members alike.
Masterful
musicians: Calvin Dyck, a
prominent violinist, teacher, adjudicator and director, is well-known in
Abbotsford for his popular Songs Strings & Steps shows. The Vancouver Bach Choir, one of the largest choral
organizations in Canada, has been performing since 1930 and offers concerts in
Vancouver and throughout the Lower Mainland. Alison Nystrom, soprano, is noted for her expressiveness and has
performed across North America and Europe. She currently teaches voice at
Trinity Western University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Langley. Ingrid Mapson, mezzo soprano, has toured
with groups in Western Canada, the US and Bahamas, played roles with Theatre
Under the Stars, and was recently selected as a finalist for Canada’s Got
Talent. UK-based Canadian tenor John
Bacon has established himself as a singer of exceptional musicianship,
warmth, style and character. He has performed throughout Europe, North America
and Australasia. Canadian bass-baritone Chad
Louwerse is an active oratorio singer and recitalist who made his European
operatic debut with L’Opéra National du Rhin in Strasbourg.
Majestic: Hallelujah! The passion, power and
emotion of this chorus traditionally draws the audience out of their seats and
onto their feet, just like it did for His Majesty, King George II of England
during a performance in London. In those days, if the king stood, everyone
stood – and so it has been ever since.
Adds
Calvin, “Handel’s famous musical telling of the timeless
message of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection, continues to move audiences
with such majestic songs as For Unto Us a
Son is Given, the Hallelujah, and
I Know that my Redeemer Liveth.”
Magnificent:
Come celebrate the
true meaning of Christmas and all its splendour in this most magnificent
concert. Tickets are $29 for adults, $25 for seniors, $15 for students, plus
tax and fee, and are available at House of James and King’s Music.
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