Christmas Oratorio - Vancouver Chamber Choir - Owen McCausland, Evangelist - Pacific Baroque Orchestra

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio has to my mind never been performed better. It’s only my second time experiencing it live, mind you,  but Bach is my all time favourite composer.  Conductor Kari Turunen was magnificent.  The voice of Owen McCausland was spectacular. The other solos and duets were drawn from the choir who were apart and together angelic. The Pacific Baroque Orchestra could not have been better. I loved the wind instruments. The strings were sweet. The keys special.  The brass and kettle drum a delight.  2 parts with the second rising to exultant.  The Vancouver Chamber Choir was heavenly. The Orpheum was the perfect venue for this masterpiece.  It was indeed one of the rarest of nights. A performance to be remembered fondly for a life time.

 









 Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Faure' Requiem - Vancouver Chamber Choir

My soprano friend Anna introduced me to Handel’s Messiah years ago.  I was so impressed I have returned year after year. Now I’ve heard Faure Requiem for the first time and it’s the same exhilaration.  I look forward to returning to this exciting experience of glorious music again and again. The Vancouver Chamber Choir was incredible in the opening works by Schutz and Carissimi. Steven Belanger’s baritone voice was a pure joy to hear. Siri Oleson’s divine soprano made the Faure Requiem for me.   All the alto, tenor, soprano, and bass were  wonderful but as yet I cannot put names to the exquisite voices.  Laura and I loved every moment.
The Vancouver Chamber Orchestra was an utter delight.  It seemed every single instrument could be heard separately and together.  I can’t recall a time I’ve been so enchanted by the sounds of instruments placing halos on saintly voices.  The Faure Requiem conclusion included the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Pacifica Singers with director Kevin Zakresky and Vancouver Youth Choir with director Carrie Tenant.  John Washburn’s overall directing and personal appeal brought all this genius and talent together.  I loved the harp and horns.  Leaving the old ornate Orpheum we stepped outside to the sight of a  full moon. I could swear the old man was smiling.