It's nice to see things starting to get back to some semblance of what passes now for normal, what with the lifting of COVID restrictions over the past several months. And with it, the return of live music, theatre and numerous summer festivals around Niagara.
I am a slow adopter at the moment, carefully choosing where I go still and often deciding based on the size of the crowd expected, as I for one don't believe we're anywhere out of the woods with this pandemic yet. I find almost daily I am the only person around wearing a mask in public settings, or at least one of the few.
I don't mind really. It's my choice, as is the choice not to for those who choose not to wear a mask.
I returned to live theatre this summer with three visits to the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake, and in early October I will be returning to Stratford for my first live performance there in three years as well.
I have not, as of yet, ventured inside a venue for a live concert, although that step may happen this season as well. I would like to return to concerts and events downtown at our FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre soon, and likely it will involve enjoying our very own Niagara Symphony Orchestra.
I have not been to a NSO concert since they left Brock Centre for the Arts several years ago in fact, so I am far overdue for a return visit. It won't be this weekend as I have a lot on the go already, but many will as the NSO kicks off their new season Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in their familiar home at the PAC, Partridge Hall.
Since September is regarded as Classical Music Month, what better month to begin the annual Masterworks series with the Orchestra at the PAC? None better I would say.
As usual, there will be a couple of familiar classical warhorses of sorts to keep the people coming through the doors, augmented by a newer, contemporary Canadian work in order to introduce audiences to what's happening today in classical music.
The two standard bearers this concert will be a couple of challenging orchestral gems: Igor Stravinsky's thrilling Firebird Suite, the 1919 version incidentally, and the big and expansive Fourth Symphony by Tchaikovsky. Both will give the orchestra a workout along with their Music Director Bradley Thachuk as conductor.
The Canadian work is an interesting one with a local connection, and is in fact a Canadian Premiere and NSO co-commission: Timothy Adams' Harriet: Journey to Freedom. The work chronicles the heroic efforts of Harriet Tubman and her work with the Underground Railroad, bringing black slaves to freedom in Canada from the American South.
There is special poignancy with this new work as it will be narrated by local musician and entrepreneur Juliet Dunn. I've known Juliet for many years now both as a singer and radio broadcaster, but most especially as Executive Director and co-creator of the TD Niagara Jazz Festival with her husband and partner Peter Shea.
It was announced last month Peter had lost a lengthy battle with cancer, and the news came as a complete shock to everyone inside and outside the music world. Peter was a rare talent, still young and full of great ideas for the future, and you couldn't imagine a better matched couple than Peter and Juliet.
If I am not mistaken this will be her first real public performance since Peter's passing, and she will act as narrator for tomorrow afternoon's Canadian Premiere of Harriet: A Journey to Freedom. I wish Juliet well and know as a performer she will get through this tomorrow in honour of her late husband Peter.
Single tickets are still available for all Niagara Symphony concerts this season, and packages for all series are also available as well. For more ticket and concert information go to www.niagarasymphony.com. You can purchase tickets for tomorrow's concert through the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre box office by calling 905-688-0722, or toll free at 1-855-515-0722. You can also order online at www.firstontariopac.ca.
Have a great weekend!
September 17th, 2022.
No comments:
Post a Comment