Mezzo-soprano Barbara Towell and pianist Tina Chang will team up for a delightful evening of music, spanning classical to jazz and standards when The Old School House Arts Centre’s Music on Sunday series resumes Jan. 31.
These two accomplished members of the Vancouver Opera will treat the audience to a spectrum of works ranging from Schubert, Britten and Poulenc to Cole Porter and George Gershwin, as well as Italian favourites.
Towell was born in Thunder Bay, ON, and graduated from the Master’s of Music program in Opera at UBC.
Her ease in a variety of repertoire from opera to art song to jazz puts her on the leading edge of the ever-changing world of classical music. Operatic appearances include: Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Flora in La Traviata, Berta in The Barber of Seville as well as many comprimario roles.
Barbara recently completed a tour of B.C., performing in the hilarious show Opera for Everyone with the Canadian operatic supergroup Quintessence.
Chang, a Vancouver pianist and coach, has appeared in many recitals throughout Canada and the United States.
Currently on the music staff at Vancouver Opera as répétiteur and coach, she was most recently assistant conductor with the company’s production of Nico Muhly’s Dark Sisters. Past engagements include music directorship with Fear No Opera in Victoria, and as pianist and coach with the Atelier lyrique at the Opéra de Montreal.
Sunday’s show, co-presented by Quality Foods, begins at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $16. For tickets and info, call The Old School House Arts Centre at 250-752-6133 or visit www.theoldschoolhouse.org.
— Submitted by TOSH