Spring is officially here, flowers are blooming, birds are singing and so are the voices of the North Island Choral Society as they are getting ready for their yearly spring concert.
This year NICS will be performing Haydn's Creation, directed by Paul Colthorpe and accompanied by pianist Elvera Penner.
Haydn was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the classical period. He is often called the Father of the Symphony and Father of the String Quartet because of his important contributions to these forms.
The Creation (German: Die Sch枚pfung), an oratorio, was written between 1796 and 1798, and is considered by many to be his masterpiece.
Haydn composed much of the work while at his residence in the Mariahilf suburb of Vienna, which is now the Haydnhaus. It was the longest time he had ever spent on a single composition.
Explaining this, he wrote, "I spent much time over it because I expect it to last for a long time."
In fact, he worked on the project to the point of exhaustion, and collapsed into a period of illness after conducting its premiere performance.
The oratorio depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as described in the biblical Book of Genesis and in Paradise Lost.
North Island Choral Society is proud to feature Megan Skidmore, soprano; David Brown, tenor and Paul Boughen, bass in this masterpiece.
The concerts will be performed April 27 and 28 at St. George's United Church on Fitzgerald Avenue at Sixth Street in Courtenay. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at Laughing Oyster, Blue Heron, Videos 'n More and from any choir member.
鈥� North Island Choral Society
