One of Canada’s most exciting and innovative ensembles will be on stage Tuesday, February 26 at Powell River Academy of Music hall as part of the academy’s concert series.
The Pacific Baroque Orchestra (PBO) is recognized as performing “early music for modern ears.” As the only professional period-instrument orchestra west of Toronto, this group of 11 musicians brings the past up to date by performing with cutting edge style and enthusiasm.
Formed in 1990 by a group of dedicated musicians who shared a passion for performing baroque and early classical music, the PBO invited prominent early music violinist Marc Destrubé to lead the ensemble from 1992 to 2007.
The Orchestra quickly established itself as a force in Vancouver’s burgeoning music scene. To reach new audiences, the orchestra has toured BC, northern United States and across Canada from coast to coast.
Relationships formed over the last 18 years have established the orchestra 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.
The concert at the academy will be a collaboration of PBO and Academy Chamber Choir. The choir consists of 36 singers from a wide variety of backgrounds and professions. It is an amateur choir that, since its inception in 1994, has developed into one of Canada’s dynamic chamber choirs.
The choir specializes in a cappella music from the Middle Ages to the 20th century and regularly commissions new works by Canadian composers. Under the direction of Don James, the choir has toured in Venezuela, the Czech Republic, Canada, Mexico, Spain and France. The concert is entitled For Kings and Gods, anthems and theatre music by Henry Purcell and Matthew Locke.
It begins at 7:30 pm and tickets are available through the academy box office and at the door, 7280 Kemano Street. Admission is $22 for adults and free for students 18 and under with a student ticket voucher. More information is available by calling 604.485.9633.
