The lyrics of Carmina Burana are passionate, profane and powerful.
But there is little chance people will understand them because they’re sung in Latin and medieval German, said Patricia Plumley, choral director.
The songs will be sung by members of the Vancouver Island Symphonic Choir and Vancouver Island Symphony Children’s Choir during the Vancouver Island Symphony’s Music and Food and Drink show Saturday (April 23) at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Theatre.
“The lyrics are all about drinking and love and the entanglements of both,” said Plumley. “The choir is raging at the darkness of misfortune of love … they are angry.”
Plumley said the music is chant like and has a steady, charging pace. It has been on her bucket list for years. She said members of the children’s choir, who range in age from 11-13, have picked up the music quite swiftly.
“They are sponges. It’s amazing how quickly they take it all in,” said Plumely.
Plumely said the solo performers are key to the impact of the show.
“The solos are very extreme in range and extreme in emotion,” she said.
The show features guest artists Scott MacInnes, Nadya Blanchette, Adam Dyjach and Oliver Laquerre.
Carmina Burana was composed by Carl Orff in 1935. It’s based on a collection of 24 medieval poems.
There is a pre-concert chat with Pierre Simard, symphony artistic director, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $33-$59, depending on seating location, or are $18 for students and are available by calling 250-754-8550 or www.porttheatre.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
