Classical music aficionados in Campbell River are in for a treat this year at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
On four Sunday afternoons from September until March, music presented by a group of outstanding artists will fill the rafters of what is considered to be one of finest venues on the North Island for intimate chamber concerts.
The series is hosted by pianist Sarah Hagen, who is thrilled to have Laura Karney, Chad Louwerse and Megan Skidmore bring their supreme musicality to Campbell River. The artists, all known for their perceptive, eloquent and entertaining commentary, will take time to offer personal insights into the music.
The series opens with Laura Karney on oboe and English horn. Currently residing in Barcelona, Karney’s free-lance career has so far spanned 13 countries across 3 continents. She has played with Alarm Will Sound, Cosmopolitan City Orchestra, Peconic Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, the Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie Konstanz and the Orquesta de Valencia in Spain.
The second concert features pianist Hagen in a solo programme which will include Chopin’s 24 Preludes and Beethoven’s Les Adieux sonata. “A rarity of musical excellence, technical ease and tonal purity,” Hagen is a sought-after soloist and chamber musician, performing in concerts across Canada as well as in the United States, France, Italy, Germany and Sweden.
For the third concert, audiences will be treated to the intoxicating voice of Chad Louwerse, bass-baritone. Louwerse debuted in Europe with l’Opéra National du Rhin in Strasbourg as Bernadino in Berlioz’ Benvenuto Cellini and in Canada has been heard from Quebec to British Columbia. He is a winner of both the CBC Westcoast Performance Pacific Spotlight competition and the Début competition and has given recitals broadcast on CBC Radio Two.
The season closes with soprano Megan Skidmore, who has had outstanding success in numerous operatic productions, including the roles of Cunegonde in Candide with Opera McGill and Josephine in HMS Pinafore with McGill’s Savoy Society. Born and raised in the Comox Valley, Skidmore charms audiences with her exquisite tone and captivating stage presence. Her lieder interpretations have been lauded as “intelligent and deeply heartfelt.”
Mark your calendar for this exciting series. The performance dates are: Laura Karney on Sept. 18, Sarah Hagen on Oct. 16, Chad Louwerse on Jan. 15 and Megan Skidmore on March 11. A series subscription is $70 or $35 for students, while individual tickets are $20/10. All concerts begin at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information: www.sarahhagen.com or info@sarahhagen.com
