Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

Once every three years, Via Choralis performs Handel's Messiah with four young soloists for Peninsula audiences (previous occasions were in 2008 and 2011). Handel’s favorite oratorio was first performed in Dublin, Ireland in 1742 and ever since has been a universal favorite. Its popularity is perhaps due to several things: the incredible skill of the composer who, despite completing the 260-page score in just 24 days, wrote music of incredible beauty and craftsmanship. In addition the texts, drawn mostly from the Bible, tell the entire story of the life of Christ, and the narrative qualities of biblical revelation can resonate with all people, not just Christians.

Via Choralis, now in its 16th year, is a mixed-voice community chamber choir located on the Saanich Peninsula with a passion for singing, and which strives to enrich lives and cultivate community through choral music. From September to April each year we rehearse and perform a broad repertoire ranging from medieval to contemporary, including major works with orchestra. The 20-piece orchestra in these performances is made up of professional players from around the Victoria area, many of whom perform with the Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera, and other groups.

Artistic Director Nicholas Fairbank divides his time between teaching, performing, composing, conducting and adjudicating. He is currently on the faculty of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, is Artistic Director of Viva Youth Voices and Music Director of the First Unitarian Church of Victoria, runs his own private teaching studio, and is an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre. www.fairbankmusic.ca

For further details and soloists bios/photos please go to the web page
http://www.viachoralis.ca/upcoming-2/handels-messiah.html

CONTACT: Nicholas Fairbank viachoralis@shaw.ca 250-514-2669