Ever wonder what to do when encountering a fellow audience member who grates on people’s nerves and prevents people from enjoying a concert fully?
Well, Miss Manners has some ideas. Not only does she give people tips on how to deal with any number of situations with wit and humour, she does it all in her own delightfully polite way.
Miss Manners on Concert Etiquette is performed by mezzo-soprano Barbara Towell and pianist Tina Chang.
The performance is Nov. 27 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at The Old Schoolhouse Arts Centre (122 Fern Rd., Qualicum Beach).
Admission is $18. Tickets are through TOSH. For more information, visit www.theoldschoolhouse.org or call 250-752-6133.
Thunder Bay-born Barbara Towell graduated from the master’s of music program in opera at the University of British Columbia.
Towell’s 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.
In May 2015, Towell was also a member of the ensemble cast of Sweeney Todd with Vancouver Opera and performed in the chorus for Die Fledermaus. In November 2014, Towell was honoured to perform in the world premiere of Vancouver Opera’s Stickboy based on the novel by acclaimed poet Shane Koyczan.
Vancouver pianist and coach Tina Chang 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.
Chang’s past engagements include music directorship with Fear No Opera in Victoria, and as pianist and coach with the Atelier lyrique at the Opéra de Montréal.
She has toured with the Vancouver Opera in Schools’ performances of Cinderella (La Cenerentola) and Jack Pine where she was pianist and music director while on the road.
Chang’s engagements in the United States include a position as assistant coach to Glimmerglass Opera Festival’s productions of Ariadne auf Naxos and Madama Butterfly in upstate New York.
Chang completed her undergraduate degree in music at the University of British Columbia and from there, she went on to complete her master of music degree in collaborative piano at the University of Minnesota.
— Submitted by TOSH
Pianist Tina Chang will be performing with mezzo-soprano Barbara Towell for Miss Manners on Concert Etiquette at TOSH on Nov. 27 as part of the Music On Sunday series. -- Photo submitted by Ron Hadley