Vancouver Bach Choir announces upcoming performance of Benjamin Britten's famous Saint Nicolas cantata

Composed in 1948, the piece is joyful, heartfelt, and festive

SPONSORED POST BY vancouver bach choir

Vancouver Bach Choir. Photo by Diamonds Edge Photography

Vancouver Bach Choir is thrilled to announce its performance of Benjamin Britten’s festive cantata Saint Nicolas on November 30 at 7:30 pm at the Orpheum Theatre.

The concert marks the first time in VBC’s illustrious 91-year history that it will perform the famous composition based on the life of Saint Nicolas. Better known as Santa Claus, the bishop was known for helping the needy and is today considered the patron saint of children, seamen, voyagers, and scholars.

Britten’s dramatic cantata from 1948 unfolds in nine scenes. Originally composed for the combined forces of several boys’ and girls’ schools, it is based on a text by British opera librettist Eric Crozier, one of Britten’s close collaborators. The score captures key moments in the saint’s life, focusing on magic, mysticism, miracles, and his enduring legacy.

Saint Nicolas is a joyful, colourful, and heartfelt piece scored for multiple choirs, piano duet, organ, strings, percussion, and tenor solo.

The tenor soloist is Asitha Tennekoon, a Sri Lankan-born Canadian tenor who has been praised for his operatic charm and dramatic vocal artistry.

Vancouver Bach Choir music director Leslie Dala.

Under the baton of VBC music director Leslie Dala, the Saint Nicolas cantata will be performed by the Vancouver Bach Choir’s symphonic choir, Sarabande, and all five Vancouver Bach Children’s Choirs. Genuine and charming, it is the perfect piece to showcase the talents of the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs’ multi-generational choir.

The concert also features Stephen Smith and Kin Ming Wong on piano as well as the VSO School of Music Sinfonietta. Marisa Gaetanne is VBC’s music director.

All ticket holders to the Orpheum concert will receive access to a video recording of the performance via email on December 15.

If you can’t make it to the performance, you can purchase virtual concert access only to be enjoyed at your convenience in the comfort of your home.

For more information, see Vancouver Bach Choir.

 

Post sponsored by Vancouver Bach Choir.