We are presenting a powerful performance of overtures, arias, and choruses from five of the great masters of opera: Verdi, Mascagni, Puccini, Rossini, and Mozart. An Evening at the Opera is taking place in the Sagebrush Theatre on Saturday, January 11 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, January 12 at 2:00 pm.
At its core opera is theatre, telling dramatic, tragic, and comedic stories, with all the emotions enhanced by the power of music. An Evening at the Opera presents the full gamut of these experiences, including moments of heart-wrenching tragedy, tales of infidelity, betrayal, and revenge in a romance gone awry, a group of entertainers appearing as colourful matadors singing a rousing love song, and a braggart exaggerating his resume to be hired by a count. The concert concludes with arguably the most famous opera chorus, “Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate,” (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Verdi’s Nabucco, which had virtually attained the status of second Italian national anthem by the time of his death in 1901. A crowd of 300,000 sang this chorus outside his memorial.
Though not 300,000 singers strong (they wouldn’t fit in Sagebrush Theatre anyway), the KSO Chorus will be joining the orchestra for several moving moments in this concert. Led by chorus master Tomas Bijok, the chorus consists of approximately 100 local singers, many of whom sing in a number of other local choirs.
Joining the orchestra to perform the stirring arias of the program is baritone Micah Schroeder. He is a graduate of the Vancouver Opera Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program, as well as The Banff Centre of Arts and Creativity. Mr. Schroeder recently completed a Diploma in Operatic Performance from the University of Toronto and holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Opera from the University of British Columbia. He has been praised for his smooth-as-glass lyrical contours and captivating voice and has performed roles in numerous operas as well as solo recitals.
Audience members can get a special “behind-the-scenes” look at the orchestra, chorus, and soloist preparing for the performance at the Open Dress Rehearsal at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 11. This dress rehearsal is open to the public at no charge, sponsored by BDO.
Experience the power and emotion of the beautiful music. Tickets are $45, $42 Seniors, $10 Youth (under 19), $15 KSOundcheck Members, and can be purchased from Kamloops Live! Box Office at 250-374-5483 or www.kamloopslive.ca.
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