The Cowichan Consort presents Music Française on Saturday, May 4 starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Christian Reformed Church at 930 Trunk Rd. in Duncan.
The evening features the beloved Requiem by Fauré, sung by the Consort Choir.
The Requiem is famous. Fauré has written several of the movements where the sopranos soar above the other parts and are frequently likened to the singing of the angels.
Zander Felton baritone, and Alissa Lennox soprano will be the two featured soloists in the Requiem. They are both local performers.
Felton is returning to the Valley to perform once again with the Cowichan Consort Orchestra. He has a BMus in Vocal Performance from the University of Victoria and continues to work professionally in both musical theatre and classical music across the province. Felton has performed with Pacific Opera Victoria, Victoria Operatic Society, Langham Court, Guilbert and Sullivan Society, South Island Musical Theatre Society, Theatre Royal, Sooke Philharmonic, Victoria Civic Orchestra, Victoria Baroque Ensemble and many more.
He can next be seen premiering a new musical in Victoria, Divine Providence by Corin Wrigley, as part of the Music of the Night B.C. tour celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 70th Birthday and as Prince Eric in Kelowna Actors Studio’s production of The Little Mermaid.
Lennox, 24, has also grown up in the Cowichan Valley. She is currently studying classical voice with local music teacher, Iris Cook-Chislett.
This year Alissa was chosen to represent the Cowichan Music Festival at provincials for Senior Classical voice. It will be held in Chilliwack, at the end of May.
She has sung solos in the Messiah December Consort concerts and the Fauré (2012) with the orchestra as well. Her previous Valley voice teachers include Kathy Lassache and Meredythe Broadway.
Also on the concert program are the École Cobble Hill Singers, directed by their music teacher Cecily Dhami, singing two French songs, one from the movie, Les Choristes.
In addition, the orchestra will play Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite with a special student narration of poetry planned between the movements.
Consort publicist Joy Ann Bannerman said last week, “This concert appeals to everyone. Introduce your kids to orchestral music! Robert Mari will conduct. Don’t miss this evening of beautiful music by French composers.”
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students under 18. They’re available at Volume One Bookstore, from members, and at the door.
