Van Morrison and Laura Branigan are not the only performers to sing out Gloria.
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) is about to be joined by Vancouver’s lower case vocal ensemble musica intima when it brings its November series, entitled Gloria!, to the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Nov. 16.
“This month’s concert features renowned chamber music choir musica intima who will join the OSO for music of unmatched beauty and expressiveness,” said OSO music director Rosemary Thomson. “Called the most exciting small choir in the land, we combine their purity of tone with the OSO strings for Vivaldi’s beautiful Gloria and music of our time that will leave you breathless. This concert will be so beautiful.”
Internationally renowned for their warm and engaging stage presence, impeccable musicianship, and unique perspective on ensemble singing, musica intima has earned a reputation as Canada’s most exciting vocal ensemble.
Founded in 1992, the 12-member group has released six recordings including a piece which won Classical Recording of the Year (2010) at the Western Canadian Music Awards, and a 10-star review in BBC Music Magazine. They have also been nominated for several Juno awards.
The concert will also feature the ensemble performing music written by Vancouver composers Jordan Noble and Jocelyn Morlock.
Nobles’ composition includes a string orchestra arrangement that was created for the OSO and will make its premiere at the November concert.
Written in 2006 and commissioned by the Canadian Music Centre, Coriolus is a 12-part choral piece that musica intima premiered in 2006.
“I am pleased to have created a string arrangement for the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra that will premiere with this show,” said Nobles. “(It) is dedicated to my friends Jennifer Butler and Michael Begg.”
Morlock’s Exaudi was originally commissioned by musica intima and made its premiere in 2004 in Vancouver with the choir performing with cellist Steven Isserlis.
The OSO’s principle cellist Audrey King will perform the piece with musica intima for its Okanagan shows.
“Exaudi was written for a concert about memory, mourning, and loss,” said Morlock. “My grandmother died in the year prior to me writing it. Exaudi is loosely based on her emotional and spiritual life as I saw it from a distance, in addition to being written out of love for her.”
Tickets for the Nov. 16 performance at 7 p.m., are now available at the Ticket Seller in the Performing Arts Centre Call 250-549-7469 or visit ticketseller.ca.
