Our next Fairfield by Marriott Signature performance features Mozart's monumental final work, his Requiem. Filled with all the drama and humanity of his stage masterworks, it grapples with the mystery of death in the same way his operas grapple with the beauty and complexity of being alive. A masterpiece shrouded in mystery, audiences can experience one of the most captivating and powerful works ever composed when the we present Gordon Gerrard Conducts Mozart’s Requiem in Sagebrush Theatre. There are two opportunities to witness this magnificent music coming to life: Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, April 28 at 2:00 pm.
As the name of the concert suggests, the Orchestra will be led by guest conductor Gordon Gerrard. Gordon is a highly respected figure in the new generation of Canadian musicians, with a passion and dedication to producing thrilling musical experiences, endearing him to his fellow musicians and audiences alike. He has been the Music Director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra since 2016, has led the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in over one hundred performances, and held the position of Resident Conductor and Repetiteur for Calgary Opera for four seasons.
Joining the Orchestra on stage for this stirring concert are four outstanding soloists: soprano Melody Courage, mezzo soprano Stephanie Tritchew, tenor Tomas Bijok, and bass Neil Craighead, plus our own KSO Chorus.
Métis soprano Melody Courage gained national attention as The Native Girl “played with ethereal grace” in the 2017 world premiere of Marie Clements and Brian Current’s opera Missing, coproduced by City Opera Vancouver and Pacific Opera Victoria. Missing gives voice, in English and Gitxsan, to the story of Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women. Melody debuted with Anchorage Opera in the US premiere of Missing in 2023.
Canadian mezzo soprano Stephanie Tritchew is a steadily rising young singer, at home in the realms of both contemporary and standard repertoire. She has been named “one of six Canadian women making the future bright for the art form” by The Globe and Mail. Stephanie’s recent work includes diverse repertoire with companies including Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Vancouver Opera, Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, as well as a host of independent companies and projects.
Kamloops tenor Tomas Bijok’s journey in music began at an early age. Tomas began his formal vocal training at Canadian University College. He then studied for two Years at the University of British Columbia, after which he auditioned for the Prague Academy of Performing Arts. In Prague he completed his B.A and M.A. in Vocal Performance. Bijok has since sung in theaters in the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Japan and France. Bijok has currently relocated to his hometown of Kamloops. Dedicating more time to teaching, he continues to spread the secrets of Bel Canto in his private studio.
Neil Craighead is a professional bass-baritone opera singer based in Vancouver, Canada. He has been a journeyman of the Canadian operatic scene since his time in the Canadian Opera Company's prestigious Ensemble Studio. His deep, powerful voice has been heard from coast to coast in operatic and concert repertoire of all kinds. Since 2019, Mr. Craighead has expanded his passion to include teaching and returned to his Alma mater, the University of British Columbia to pursue a doctorate in opera performance. He continues to be in demand as both a performer and a pedagogue. Neil is a proud father and devoted husband who enjoys collecting vinyl records, fishing, and carpentry in his spare time.
Also on the program are works by Canadian composers, including Sri Lankan-Canadian composer Dinuk Wijeratne whose Tabla Concerto was a huge hit with the Kamloops audience in April of 2022, and Marjan Mozetich whose work Postcards from the Sky was featured in one of the our online concerts in 2021 during the COVID shutdown and will be performed again in this concert.
This concert was originally titled Mozart Meets Margit Sky, but following the unfortunate passing of local music icon Rod “Little Sky” Bandura in January, The Margit Sky Project will no longer be performing at this concert. A short performance will occur at both performances in memory of Rod.
Tickets for Gordon Gerrard Conducts Mozart’s Requiem start at $25 for the KSO Up Close Seats (the front three rows of Sagebrush Theatre), with Tier Two Seats (the upper seating area) starting at $31.49 and Tier One Seats (the lower seating area) starting at $46.76. KSOundcheck members (age 19-34) can get $15 tickets, and Youth (under 19) tickets are only $10. All ticket sales are through Kamloops Live Box Office at 250-374-5483 or kamloopslive.ca.