Pacific Baroque Orchestra (PBO) and Marc Destrubé will make their annual journey to Powell River to perform Biber’s Requiem with the Academy Chamber Choir and soloists, 8 pm Tuesday, February 8.
Vancouver-based PBO is recognized as one of Canada’s most exciting and innovative ensembles performing “early music for modern ears.” As the only professional period-instrument orchestra west of Toronto, this group of 11 professional musicians brings the music of the past up to date by performing with cutting-edge style and enthusiasm.
The first half of the concert, including Biber’s Battalia and Schmelzer’s The Fencing School, represents works that would have been performed at the summer residences of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg and the Prince-Bishop of Olmutz.
Academy Chamber Choir, conducted by Don James, will join PBO for the second half of the program performing Biber’s Requiem. Soloists include: Megan Skidmore, Pam Wadden, Ildiko Kelly, Jessica Colasanto, Janet May, Kim Stokes, Janice Gunn, Walter Martella, Doug Lanigan, Stephen Craigen, Pierre DuPlessis, Greg Reif, Lee Coulter, David May and Dave Donnelly.
PBO regularly features both Canadian and international guest artists. To reach new audiences, the orchestra has toured BC, Northern United States and across Canada as far as the East Coast. Relationships formed over the last 18 years have established PBO as an integral part of the artistic community in Vancouver while providing ongoing collaborative opportunities. Recent collaborations have included baroque dance specialists Thomas Baird and Paige Whitley-Bauguess, fencing master Bac Tau and the Squamish Nation Eagle Song Dancers.
This is the fifth concert in the 2010-2011 Powell River Academy of Music concert series. Next in the series features cellist Elizabeth Dolin, April 11, the Academy Chamber Choir and Chor Musica Men’s Choir May 14 and Richard Margison, tenor May 31. Tickets are now on sale for the Academy Cabaret April 29.
Tickets for the baroque concert are $20 available at academy box office, 7280 Kemano Street, open 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Thursday or by calling 604.485.9633, and at the door. Students 18 and under are free. The concert takes place at academy concert hall.
