Early Music Vancouver hosts Schubertiade with The Leonids and Chor Leoni on May 5

Male choral ensembles and pianist Alexander Weimann combine for Franz Schubert-filled evening

SPONSORED POST BY Early Music Vancouver

The Leonids. Photo by David Cooper

Early Music Vancouver will present an exciting performance, Schubertiade with The Leonids and Chor Leoni, on May 5 at 7:30 pm at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church.

In a joint concert, Chor Leoni, The Leonids, and Alexander Weimann on Early Music Vancouver’s newly acquired Graf fortepiano will host a memorable Schubertiade, which is traditionally an informal gathering of friends sharing the music of Franz Schubert.

At a Schubertiade, group sing-alongs, solo performances, small ensemble works, and both serious and silly music are not simply presented to the audience—they are experienced amongst a group. The upcoming program will explore the common themes of Schubert’s partsongs; the evening, nature, death, love, and drink.

Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock’s stunning version of An Die Musik, one of Schubert’s most popular lied, will be part of this wonderful celebration. Also featured is Die Nacht Op. 17 No.4, one of Schubert’s quintessential a cappella partsongs, which describes the beauty of the evening.

Weimann on fortepiano will set evocative scenes in Nachthelle D. 892 and Der Gondelfahrer D. 809, respectively offering images of nighttime lights and a gondola ride through moonlit Venice. In juxtaposition to the alluring themes of outdoor beauty, Widerspruch Op. 195 No. 1 D.865a humorously plays with the contrasting desires to explore nature or simply stay at home.

Chor Leoni is one of Vancouver’s most beloved ensembles. Their offshoot group, The Leonids, is a nine-voice professional ensemble composed of talented tenor, baritone, and bass singers from across Canada and the U.S.

Both groups are led by praised singer and conductor Erick Lichte, who began his tenure as artistic director of Chor Leoni in January 2013. Since that time, they have grown into one of the most active and popular amateur choirs in North America, performing more than 35 concerts a year to over 15,000 patrons.

His work with both Chor Leoni and the male vocal ensemble Cantus garnered him the 2009 and 2019 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the highest honour from Chorus America. He is only the second conductor to have won this award with two ensembles. 

Tickets to the Schubertiade and more information available at Early Music Vancouver.

Post sponsored by Early Music Vancouver.

Alexander Weimann. Photo by Mark Mushet