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(Posted 11:30 p.m., Dec. 8)
Coro
Vivo and friends give triumphant performance of Handel's
Messiah
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
It's
been nearly a decade since the Blackburn Chorus celebrated
the 250th birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a superlative
performance of the Austrian composer's Requiem
in Dominion Chalmers Church.
At
the time and in the years since, it's stood at the top
of my list of all-time favourite choral performances.
That space is now shared by Coro Vivo's powerfully moving
performance of Handel's Messiah at the Shenkman Arts Centre
on Saturday.
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Coro
Vivo performs Handel's Messiah at the Shenkman
Arts Centre on Saturday under the direction
of Antonio Llaca. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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To
perform the Messiah you need three key ingredients --
a superb chorus, a talented orchestra and outstanding
soloists. Saturday night's performance had all three,
not to mention an exceptional venue.
I've
been hoping and wishing that Coro Vivo would hold a concert
in the Harold Shenkman Hall ever since the Shenkman Arts
Centre opened in 2009. On Saturday, my wish was granted
and the result was truly magical. Hallelujah!
Ottawa's
Virtuosi Orchestra provided the musical accompaniment,
while soprano Joan Fearnley, mezzo-soprano Arminé
Kassabian, tenor Jeffery Boyd were the invited soloists.
For
anyone who is unfamiliar with Handel's Messiah it is the
composition with the "Hallelujah" chorus.
The
English-language oratorio was composed by George Frideric
Handel in 1741 using a scriptural text compiled by Charles
Jennens from the King James Bible.
The
composition covers the story of Christ from Biblical prophecy
to his ascendancy into Heaven in three parts. Part I begins
with the prophecies of Isaiah and Malachi on the coming
of the Messiah and moves to the annunciation to the shepherds
and Christ's healing and redemption.
In
Part II, Handel concentrates on the Passion and ends with
the "Hallelujah" chorus, while Part III covers
the resurrection of the dead and Christ's glorification
in Heaven.
Part
I allows each of the soloists to truly shine, starting
with the tenor, moving to the mezzo-soprano, and finishing
with the soprano.
All
three of the soloists featured in the Coro Vivo concert
were amazing. I was especially impressed by soprano Joan
Fearnley and her recital of the three movements making
up "The annunciation to the shepherds", and
the 52nd movement, "The final conquest of sin".
But
the highlight of any performance of Handel's Messiah is
the "Hallelujah"
chorus and Coro Vivo didn't disappoint.
At
close to 90 uninterrupted minutes in length, the Messiah
is a rather ambitious project for any chorus to tackle
and Coro Vivo did a superb job from the opening line of
the fourth movement to the final "Amen."
Needless
to say, it was a real treat and somewhat of an honour
to have been present for Coro Vivo's maiden performance
at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Here's hoping they make a
speedy return.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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THE OTTAWA SCHOOL OF THEATRE presents an all ages production of Treasure Island in the Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Showtimes Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults. Students and youth 25 and under $10. To purchase visit 
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CLASSIC PIANO RECITAL – Orléans pianist Emily Hou will be performing works by Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninov and Liszt at Kanata United Church as part os the Beaverbrook Community Concert Series. The recital will start promptly at 3 p.m. Kanata United Church is located at 33 Leacock Dr. in Kanata. For more information visit 
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