Local singer, teacher and conductor Paul Moore highlights his ensemble of singers in two concerts next week.
Now in his fourth year of operating his voice studio, Moore says he is always working on various styles of music based on musical and vocal interests of all the singers involved.
“The idea of this concert is to give (my) singers the option to present material that is vocally or musically challenging so they may move ahead with different aspects of their development. And, of course, the goal of this recital is to please the varied musical tastes of the audience,” said Moore.
Accompanied by pianist Mabel Thibault, the singers will present a variety of vocal music representing many different eras and styles of song – from Italian art song to French chanson, as well as solos and duets from musical theatre and opera.
Moore’s choir, The Kokanee Singers, will be joined by all soloists and members of the Inspirati Chorale to form an opera chorus that will back up several operatic numbers such as O Isis und Osiris from Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Libiamo, the famous drinking song from Verdi’s La traviata.
The Inspirati Chorale, a new, advanced small ensemble created by Moore in May, will perform the famous motet (a choral piece, usually sung a cappella) from the 16th century, Sicut cervus by composer Giovanni da Palestrina.
“Sicut cervus is likely the best known of Palestrina’s motets. In it is embedded the beauty and dignity for which Palestrina’s music is known and judged to be the ideal of Renaissance counterpoint,” said Moore.
The concerts take place at Armstrong’s Zion United Church Wednesday, Oct. 7 and at Knox Presbyterian Church in Vernon Friday, Oct. 9. Both start at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10 at the door (children are free).
