Helios Vocal Ensemble performing in Merigomish
Helios Vocal Ensemble, a fivevoice a cappella classical ensemble based in Halifax, is making its first ever visit to Pictou County with its latest concert program; Madrigal Mystery Tour.
Founded in 2015, Atlantic Canada’s premier vocal ensemble have been performing sacred and secular music from the Renaissance and beyond. They have already appeared in many of the region’s leading chamber music series including; the Indian River Festival, Cecilia Concerts, the Three Churches Festival and Musique Royale. They will perform in the Music Room Chamber Players series in the coming 2018–19 season.
For the Pictou County concert, this group of highly trained singers will bring their exceptional blend and artistry to a wide variety of Renaissance music from England, Italy, France and Spain, including works by Morley, Janequin and Monteverdi.
The program will also feature rare works by women composers, including Maddalena Casulana and Vittoria Aleotti.
The performance will take place Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m., at Merigomish United Church, 1587 Shore Rd, Merigomish. Tickets are available from H&R Music in New Glasgow, the LBR Gas Bar in Merigomish, by contacting Vickie Macdonald at 902-926-2556, or at the door.
Members of Helios Vocal Ensemble include; Eszter Horvath (soprano), former music director at All Saints Cathedral in Halifax, Elisabeth Stones (soprano), a National Youth Choir alumna, Andrew Pickett (alto), former lay clerk at Manchester Cathedral, Michael van der Gaag (tenor), a National Youth Choir alumnus, and Spencer Gough (bass), a Mount Allison University graduate in classical voice.
Their debut recording, An Illuminated Christmas, was nominated for classical CD of the year in 2018, by Music Nova Scotia, with a second CD of madrigals from England, Italy, France and Spain coming this fall.