Christmas in Bohemia

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Sunday, December 1st, 2019
2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Celebrate the coming holiday season with three joyful works of sacred Christmas music. The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus presents Vivaldi’s iconic Magnificat, Ryba’s Czech Christmas Mass and Brixi’s Pastores loquebantur, under the direction of Conductor and Chorus Director Nicholas Fairbank.

Antonio Vivaldi’s Magnificat, composed between 1717 and 1720, is based on the sacred canticle sung at the end of Vespers, in which Mary praises God as she prepares to become the mother of the Messiah. Magnificat consists of nine parts, three for soloists and six for the full mixed-voice choir. Each is different in mood, key and tempo.

Joining the Chorus are acclaimed area soloists Anna Shill, soprano; Tasha Farivar, mezzo-soprano; Jan van der Hooft, tenor; and Nathan McDonald, bass.

Czech composer Jakub Jan Ryba’s Czech Christmas Mass provides local audiences with a special experience as it is rarely presented in North America. The work, however, is frequently performed during the Christmas season throughout the Czech regions of central Europe. With its simple melodic themes inspired by Czech folk music and colourful rhythms, the Mass is connected with the celebration of a traditional Czech Christmas. The Czech Christmas Mass will be sung in English, translated from Ryba’s original libretto.

Also on the program is a short piece by Bohemian (Czech) composer Frantisek Brixi. Entitled Pastores loquebantur, it takes its text from the St. Luke’s Gospel story of the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus.

Children and youth under 18 years old are encouraged to attend free of charge. Afternoon and evening concerts in two locations add to the ease of planning this family holiday outing.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.sookephil.ca, at area outlets (Sooke Shoppers Drug Mart, Little Vienna Bakery, South Shore Gallery, and Westshore Shoppers, or at the door (cash only)