Opera Kelowna to sing Christmas music

Opera Kelowna celebrates the festive season with A Classical Christmas, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Evangel Church.

The annual program of seasonal favourites and timeless classics will be performed by an ensemble of four stellar operatic artists, including returning stars from past Opera Kelowna productions.

The soloists will be joined by the Kelowna Children’s Choir, and accompanied on piano by Maestro Leslie Dala, associate conductor of Vancouver Opera.

“Christmas is a time for gathering, gratitude, and revisiting fond memories with loved ones; I can think of no better way to do so than by returning to the beautiful music that resides at the heart of the season,” says Alexandra Babbel, artistic director of Opera Kelowna.

“This year’s celebration promises to be overflowing with beauty: A 50-voice children’s choir will lead a candlelit procession, and Maestro Leslie Dala will perform rare solo selections on piano.

“From bombastic French arias (including a sneak peek of next summer’s mainstage production), to the hushed reverence of Silent Night, there will be songs and music to set every heart aglow on this special evening.”

Performers include rising star Taylor Pardell, a soprano who has performed on stages throughout Canada, the U.S., and Europe. At the Vancouver Opera, she performed the roles of Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro.

Barbara King is an Opera Kelowna audience favourite, a mezzo-soprano with a stunning three-octave range.

Tenor Scott Rumble will sing his first notes for Opera Kelowna in the program, having received praise and acclaim in a multitude of leading operatic roles.

Baritone Aaron Durand — Papageno in Die Zauberflaute and Schaunard in La boheme with Opera Kelowna ñ lends his lush vocals to the festivities.

Tickets for A Classical Christmas are $25, plus service fees through Kelowna Tickets.