Earth/Sea/Sky: Music of our Natural World

Presented by the Vancouver Chamber Choir on September 30 at Ryerson United Church

“I highly recommend Earth/Sea/Sky: Music of Our Natural World, a musical snapshot of the many moods of nature—water, sun, wind, sky, rain, and a dozen others—in a delightfully varied concert with Vancouver’s professional choir,” says Jon Washburn, artistic and executive director of the Vancouver Chamber Choir.

Breathtaking—A Voice and Cornetto Entwined

Presented by Early Music Vancouver on November 4 at Christ Church Cathedral

“It has been said that the plangent eloquence and daredevil bravura of Bruce Dickey’s cornetto would ‘charm the skin off a snake’, so absolutely don’t miss him in Breathtaking—A Voice and Cornetto Entwined, with soprano Hana Blazikova, lute legend Stephen Stubbs, and the inimitable violinist Monica Huggett,” says Matthew White, executive and artistic director of Early Music Vancouver.

Music for 18 Musicians

Presented by Music on Main on November 9 at the Roundhouse Community Arts Centre

“It’s been a dream of mine and the musicians of the Music on Main All-Star Band to program Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians, a mesmerizing sonic experience of pulsing, looping sound that David Bowie called ‘Balinese gamelan music cross-dressing as minimalism’,” says David Pay, artistic director of Music on Main.

Verdi’s Requiem

Presented by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on November 12 and 14 at the Orpheum

“Listening to Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem, you will be moved by the drama of an opera, transfixed by his evocation of the Day of Judgment, feel the transcendence of a religious service, and experience the power and passion of a choral and symphonic masterpiece,” says Bramwell Tovey, music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Diego El Cigala

Presented by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on November 20 in the Chan Shun Concert Hall

“I find it almost impossible to sit still when I hear great salsa music—it’s…sure to be a winning combination with the emotive vocals of Diego El Cigala. Diego will be joined by two singers and two Colombian trombonists in a program that explores a diverse range of salsa music from South and North America, the Caribbean, and southern Spain,” says Joyce Hinton, co–managing director of the Chan.

In War and Peace: Harmony through Music

Presented by the Vancouver Recital Society on November 30 at the Orpheum

“The Vancouver debut of opera great Joyce DiDonato with Il Pomo d’Oro Orchestra, in…In War and Peace: Harmony Through Music, will be a highlight of the VRS season due to the artists’ deep spiritual and emotional connection to the program, as well as the superb quality of the musicianship on display,” says Leila Getz, artistic director of the Vancouver Recital Society.

30th-Anniversary Gala Concert

Presented by Elektra Women’s Choir on March 8, at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

“Isabel Bayrakdarian singing her heart out in the Canadian premiere of a suite of Armenian hymns at the Chan Centre with Elektra and cellist Rebecca Wenham—that’s a lot of classical female artistry on one stage, and it’s on March 8, International Women’s Day,” says Morna Edmundson, artistic director of Elektra Women’s Choir.

In Praise of Women

Presented by Vetta Chamber Music on March 9 and 10, at West Point Grey United Church

“In honour of International Women’s Day we will present music about women, by women, performed by women. Of course, the audience is gender-neutral!” says Joan Blackman, artistic director of Vetta Chamber Music.

Talea Ensemble

Presented by Vancouver New Music on March 11, at the Annex

“New York–based Talea is a phenomenal ensemble never seen in Vancouver before. Their sound and commitment to radical sound experimentation is not only admirable but highly infectious,” says Giorgio Magnanensi, artistic director of Vancouver New Music.

Chanticleer in Concert

Presented by Chor Leoni on April 21, at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

“Hear the local lions of Chor Leoni sing with the world’s reigning male vocal ensemble, Chanticleer, when we sing as part of the annual VanMan Male Choral Summit,” says Erick Lichte, conductor of Chor Leoni Men’s Choir.