The Parksville and District Community Choir and soloists, under the direction of Ann Barber, will perform Bach’s Christmas Oratorio on Sun., Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m. at Knox United Church in Parksville.
Tickets are $18 and are available at Mulberry Bush Book Stores and at the door.
The choir will be accompanied by pianist Margaret Nelson and organist John Nelson.
Baritone Michael Eckford of Victoria and Soprano Andrea Rodall of Duncan will join Parksville Qualicum Beach singers Hilary Whelton (alto) and David Perry (tenor), who will perform the role of the Evangelist.
Everyone will add their voices to the choir to ring in the Christmas season in Parksville Qualicum Beach with this glorious and masterful music.
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, written in 1734, is a massive work composed of six separate cantatas originally intended for six weeks of Sunday service.
The 45-voice community choir and soloists will perform the first three parts, which tell the story of the nativity.
Only Handel’s Messiah rivals the oratorio’s choruses and arias in grandeur. Several of the choruses are very familiar hymn tunes. This challenging piece has required very hard work by all involved. The Parksville and District Community Choir is pleased to bring this special music to Parksville Qualicum Beach music lovers.
— Submitted by Kathy Larson