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Paying homage to Purcell

Sooke Philharmonic Chamber Players and Chorus team up for two concerts
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Conductor and music director Wade Noble.

Roaring motorcycles, rock and roll,  movies, tattoos and classical music are all a part of the next offering by the Sooke Philharmonic Players and Chorus.

How do these things mesh you may ask?

Henry Purcell was a Baroque composer who influenced modern rock and roll and specifically Pete Townsend of The Who and the song, Pinball Wizard. Purcell was evident again as an inspiration for the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange.

The beard, tattoos and motorcycle belong to conductor and music director Wade Noble.

In their fourth concert of the season, the Sooke Philharmonic celebrates the works of one of England’s greatest composers, Henry Purcell, in a concert whose repertoire features England’s first opera, Dido and Aeneas, a tragic love story adapted from Virgil’s Aeneid.

Dido and Aeneas will feature the Sooke Chamber Singers, Sooke Philharmonic Chamber players, as well as eight soloists, including Dawna Beach (Dido), Sam Marcaccini (Aeneas), Sooke’s own Nancy Washeim (Belinda), and Michelle McKenzie (Evil Sorceress).

The opera will be performed in concert style, with no staging or costumes. Wade Noble comments, “the opera lends itself well to (this style of performance); the music is suitable for a smaller choir and chamber orchestra.”

He continues, “During the Baroque era when most of the western world was following the Italian and French schools of musical style, Purcell developed his own uniquely English form of Baroque music.”

Also in the program are Purcell’s Chacony and Fantasias Nos. 6 and 10.

“As always, it’s remarkable to have such a dedicated and hard-working ensemble of musicians to work with. Sooke is extraordinarily fortunate to have such a vital cultural resource,” said Noble.

Homage to Purcell Concert information:

Saturday, March 31, 2012 – 8 p.m.

Sooke Baptist Church, 7110 West Coast Road, Sooke

Sunday, April 1, 2012 – 2:30 p.m.

New St. Mary’s Church, 4125 Metchosin Road, Metchosin

Tickets

In Sooke, tickets are available from the EMCS Box Office, Little Vienna Bakery, South Shore Gallery, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Wood Travel & Cruise.

In Victoria, from Ivy’s Bookshop and Long & McQuade.

Westshore, Tom Lee Music.

Metchosin, Metchosin Country Store.

For more information contact the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra: