Duo to debut in Castlegar

Castlegar United Church to host guitar and vocal collaboration

Rita Deane, left, guitar and Noemi Kiss, vocals

Rita Deane, left, guitar and Noemi Kiss, vocals

The next concert in the Kootenay Gallery TD Bank Sunday Concert Series presents vocalist Noemi Kiss and guitarist Rita Deane in a program bridging the centuries through the songs of love, on Sunday March 24 at 1:30 p.m. at Castlegar United Church.

This duo makes their home in the Kootenays but individually they have had careers spanning the globe. Nelson resident Rita Deane grew up in Rossland before going on to study classical guitar at the University of Victoria, where she eventually became an instructor, and at the International Music Academy in Salzburg, Austria. Born in Hungary, NoĆ©mi Kiss studied at the Academy of Music in Budapest and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. With performances in many of Europe’s concert halls, her concert engagements take her to many of Europe’s festivals and include appearances in Iceland, Norway and Israel. Her recent recording of Pergolesi’s Marian Vespers with New College Choir and the Academy of Ancient Music under Edward Higginbottom was nominated for both the Gramophone Award and the Classical Grammy Award.

Performing together for the first time, Rita and Noemi will perform songs from many centuries, starting with songs for lute and voice from the early 17th century composer John Dowland, to folk songs of Vaughn Williams, traditional Hungarian songs as well as contemporary songs of Eva Cassidy. It will be a colourful program with many contrasts and yet the same theme, love and passion and sorrow and joy making for a beautiful, intimate and personal experience.

This concert will take place at the Castlegar United Church on Merry Creek Road on Sunday March 24 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $12 for Kootenay Gallery Members and $15 for General Admission. For more information contact the Gallery at 250-365-3337 or visit www.kootenaygallery@telus.net.

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