The Arts Council’s successful presentation of operas from The Metropolitan Opera in New York returns in 2015. The first of this season’s operas is Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, broadcast at The Beacon Theatre on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. sharp. Mozart’s comic opera is one of the most often performed and popular in the repertoire. It features several “upstairs-downstairs” triangles involving Count Almaviva, his wife the Countess, their servants Susanna and the inimitable former barber, Figaro – and the libidinous Cherubino. The music is glorious and the Met’s cast accomplished as always. The HD filming and production values may amaze you. Don’t miss this broadcast if you are an opera fan, or if you are curious about the buzz surrounding The Met: Live in HD. All tickets are $12, available at the door. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and the broadcast starts at 1 p.m. sharp.
Classical duo from Toronto set to perform in the Lakes District
The Lakes District Arts Council (LDAC) opens the second half of season nine with the Wolak-Donnelly Duo. They will perform at the First Mennonite Church in Burns Lake on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Pianist Chris Donnelly and clarinetist Kornel Wolak present a mix of classical music, popular music and jazz, blended with their trademark, quirky humour.
The Wolak-Donnelly Duo’s program will include the music of Brahms, Mozart, Bach, Rossini and Paganini. Also on the program will be Latin American music, and tunes by American composer George Gershwin and Canada’s Oscar Petersen. And, as always with this crowd-pleasing duo, expect some surprises.
Tickets are available for the performance of the Wolak-Donnelly Duo at LDAC’s regular outlets: Process 4 Circle Arts Gallery (250-692-3434) and Lakes District Printing and Stationery (250-692-3309). Tickets will be available at the door. Look for LDAC’s posters around town, and for ads in the Lakes District News. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of eclectic musical selections performed with infectious verve and a relaxed, humourous spirit that may surprise you.
Popular e-mail contest is back
The Wolak-Donnelly Duo released its first album, ‘Common Ground’, in 2013. Selections from this album will form part of performance on Jan. 14 in Burns Lake.
This month’s question: Name one selection from the Wolak-Donnelly Duo’s album ‘Common Ground’. Not sure? Check out this link: http://wolak-donnelly.com/release/common-ground/
Send your answer by return e-mail to be entered in the draw for a chance to win one of two ‘Common Ground’ CD’s.
‘Carmen’, one of the world’s most popular operas, is coming to The Beacon!
Watch for an ad in the Lakes District News and posters for Carmen, coming to The Beacon Theatre on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. One of the world’s two most popular operas is set in Spain, and is filled with familiar melodies. Carmen includes dancing, thievery, a bullfighter, gambling, passion, desire - and bloodshed. It’s Spain, after all. This is a show that you won’t want to miss. If you’ve never seen an opera before – Carmen is a great place to start!
The 2015 Lakes District Festival of the Performing Arts is approaching
It’s time to start planning entries for the 2015 Lakes District Music and Speech Arts Festival. The Festival will run from March 10 - 15 at Island Gospel Fellowship, with the Honours Concert on Saturday, March 21. The Festival entry deadline is Monday, Feb. 1. Late entries will not be accepted. A full syllabus and entry forms will be posted soon on the website, ldfestival.com. A printed syllabus is available at locations in Burns Lake, Houston and Fraser Lake, or call Jacqui at 250-692-3971.