Five short concerts at CBC Studio 700, celebrating Russian, and Russian inspired, instrumental and vocal chamber music. All concerts begin at 5pm and are approximately 50 minutes in length. Curated by Leslie Dala and featuring singers from the casts of Eugene Onegin & The Overcoat - a musical tailoring and instrumentalists from the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
A Musical Tribute to Anna Akhmatova, Celebrated Russian Poet – April 28
Anna Akhmatova (1889 – 1966) was one of the most significant Russian poets of the 20th century. Step into an intimate salon concert featuring poems by Anna Akhmatova set to music by John Tavener and Sergei Prokofiev including poetry readings. The programme will include “Five Poems of Akhmatova” for soprano and piano, “Akhmatova Songs” for soprano and cello, and “Chetki” for soprano and piano. (Saturday, April 28 at 5pm, CBC Studio 700)
The Music of James Rolfe, Composer of The Overcoat—a musical tailoring – April 29
James Rolfe, acclaimed composer of the opera The Overcoat—a musical tailoring, has written a vast amount of chamber music both with and without voice. This opening concert features a selection of chamber music repertoire both vocal and instrumental, including “Beloved” for voice and piano, “The Connection” for solo marimba and recitation, “Moths” for baritone and piano, and “Simon & Garfunkel & The Prophets of Rage” for voice, percussion, and piano. (Sunday, April 29 at 5pm, CBC Studio 700)
Tchaikovsky and the Great Russian Composers – May 3
A sampling of Tchaikovsky’s extensive chamber music repertoire for voice and that of his contemporaries including Rimsky-Korsakov, Shostakovich’s “Spanish Songs” Op. 100, and Mussorgsky. Featuring singers from the cast of The Overcoat—a musical tailoring. (Thursday, May 3 at 5pm, CBC Studio 700)
A Study in Contrasts: The Music of Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich – May 4
Featuring the Rachmaninoff Romances Op 38 for soprano and piano and “From Jewish Folk-Poetry” Op. 70 by Shostakovich for soprano, contralto, tenor, and piano. (Friday, May 4 at 5pm, CBC Studio 700)
Russian Piano Music -May 5
Featuring the electrifying duo pianists Marcel and Elizabeth Bergmann performing Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances and Marcel Bergmann’s Echoes of Tchaikovsky inspired by the operas of Tchaikovsky, including Eugene Onegin. (Saturday, May 5 at 5pm, CBC Studio 700)
Tickets and passes: VO Ticket Centre 604-683-0222 or online at vancouveropera.ca