The Victoria Philharmonic Choir is an auditioned, multi-generational ensemble of 50-60 voices, directed by Peter Butterfield. Mr. Butterfield’s skill in vocal training and his joyful and exacting leadership style continue to shape VPC into a choir that is at home in a wide-ranging repertoire, from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century.
It has been a number of years since I last heard the Victoria Philharmonic Choir and this was the first time I have heard them under Butterfield, who is clearly not just a fine choirmaster, as witness the excellent singing from all sections, but also a conductor of skill and considerable insights.
--Deryk Barker, Music Critic, from a November 2010 concert review
OUR NEXT CONCERT
Saturday, June 9, 8:00 pm
(doors open 7:30, open seating)
First Metropolitan United Church,
Quadra & Balmoral
It's been called the summation of Bach's musical and spiritual life, and hailed as one of the greatest choral works ever written.
This bit of baroque heaven comes to Victoria when Peter Butterfield leads a chorus of 80 voices in J.S. Bach’s transcendent Mass in B Minor.
Soloists are soprano Anne Grimm, mezzo-soprano Sarah Fryer, tenor Benjamin Butterfield and Montreal-based baritone Nathaniel Watson, who between them have performed in concert halls throughout Europe, North America and beyond.
Guest choristers from VancouverVoices, including a section of young trebles, once again join VPC for the occasion, in a musical partnership that began with well-received
performances of the St. Matthew Passion in Victoria and Vancouver.
The 23-piece
orchestra is led by Victoria Symphony violinist Christi Meyers, and includes a number of players familiar to local symphony and early music audiences. Among them are baroque specialists Soile Stratkauskas (flute), Katrina Russell (bassoon) and Andrew Clark, who has been
principal horn player in the renowned Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra.
Advance ticket purchase for this concert is highly recommended as VPC cannot guarantee availability at the door.
The Victoria Philharmonic Choir acknowledges the support of the CRD Arts Development Service through the participating municipalities of Esquimalt, Highlands, Mechosin, Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria, Saanich, Sydney and View Royal.
Thanks to our host hotel for offering a special rate for guests coming to Victoria for our concert.
Please quote booking code 'WOOLD' for an $89 standard guest room, or $109 suite. Taxes extra.
