Chorus, Opera & Song

Arnold Schoenberg's
Pierrot Lunaire

John Celona, Conductor / Producer

Pierrot Lunaire is costumed, staged, and illuminated with sets, props and special effects in collaboration with the Phoenix Theatre Department. Students in the School of Music at the University of Victoria give its musical performance.

John Celona's vision of Pierrot Lunaire, as a piece of music theatre, is a projected black Cabaret with Expressionist overtones (cf., Fritz Lang’s film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” - more fantasy than expressionism, some say). Its beautiful music, a music from a past of which its present predicted a brave, new atonal future, is rendered a sentimental, passionate and lyrical interpretation. As in “Dr. Caligari”, I wanted to explore a perceptual and psychological balance within watching a musical performance and dreaming it. The music, alone and by itself, is a breakthrough in early twentieth century music language; its resonance is still prominent and significant today.

Website: Pierrot Lunaire

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem

Greg Funfgeld, Conductor

Bach
Magnificat BWV 243
Cantata BWV 191

Vivaldi
Gloria RV 589

Julia Doyle, Soprano
Rosa Lamoreaux, Soprano
Daniel Taylor, Countertenor
Benjamin Butterfield, Tenor
Daniel Lichti, Bass-Baritone

Albert Roussel: Psalm 80; Aeneas; Fanfare;

Le Bardit des Francs by Albert Roussel, Bramwell Tovey, Luxembourg Symphony Orchestra, and Benjamin Butterfield

John Beckwith: Avowals

Six Songs to poems by e. e. cummings - with Doug MacNaughton (baritone), William Aide (piano)

Stacey - text by Margaret Laurence, with Teri Dunn (soprano), William Aide (piano)

Avowals - text by bpNichol, with Benjamin Butterfield (tenor), Wiliam Aide (piano, celeste, harpsichord)

Three Songs to poems by Miriam Waddington - with Kathryn Domoney (soprano), William Aide (piano)

Arrangements from Canadian song traditions - with Benjamin Butterfield (tenor), Kathryn Domoney (soprano), Teri Dunn (soprano), William Aide (piano)

Johann Sebastian Bach
Passion Unseres Herrn Jesu Christi Nach Dem Evangerlisten

Matthäus  (Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. Matthew)

Artists: American Bach Soloists
Music Director: Jeffery Thomas
Sopranos: Catherine Bott, Tamara Matthews
Altos: Judith Malafronte, Dana Marsh
Tenors: Jeffrey Thomas, Benjamin Butterfield, David Munderloh
Basses: William Sharp, Nathaniel Watson, James Weaver
Choir: The Paulist Boy Choristers of California

Manitoba Chamber Orchestra
A Britten Serenade

Conductor: Simon Streatfeild
Soprano: Henriette Schellenberg
Tenor: Benjamin Butterfield
French Horn: James Sommerville

American Bach Soloists

Music Director: Jeffery Thomas
Soprano: Christine Brandes
Alto: Judith Malafronte
Tenor: Jefferey Thomas
Bass: James Weaver
Recorder: Aldo Abreu
Violin: Katherine Kyme, Lisa Weiss
Viola: Anthony Martin, George Thomson
Violoncello: Sarah Freiberg
Violone: Steven Lehning
Archlute: Michael Eagan
Organ: John Butt

Messiah: The complete choruses

Conductor: Ivars Taurins
Soprano: Nathalie Paulin
Alto: Matthew White
Tenor: Benjamin Butterfield
Bass: Brett Polegato
Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and Orchestra

The Canticles

Composer: Benjamin Britten
Tenor: Benjamin Butterfield
Countertenor: Daniel Taylor
Baritone: Brett Polegato
Horn: James Sommerville
Harp: Judy Loman
Piano Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata

J.S Bach: Christmas Oratorio

Conductor: Greg Funfgeld
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem with The Bach Festival Orchestra
Soprano: Tamara Matthews
Mezzo Soprano: Marietta Simpson
Tenor: Benjamin Butterfield
Baritone: Chrisophenren Nomura
Oboe: Mary Watt + Cheryl Bishkoff
Trumpet: Lawrence Wright
Flute: Robin Kani
Violin: Lisa Ratenberg, Claire Bright
Cello: Loretta O’Sullivan
Bass: Stephen Groat
Basoon: Charles Holderman
PotativeOrgan: Charlotte Mattax
Organ: Thomas Goeman

Opera Encores

Tenor: Benjamin Butterfield
Baritone/ Baryton: Brett Polegato
Orchestra: Canadian Opera Company Orchestra
Chorus: Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus
Conductor: Richard Bradshaw

The Aldeburgh Connection: Libeslieder and Folk Songs

Soprano: Kathleen Brett
Mezzo-soprano: Catherine Robbin
Tenor: Benjamin Butterfield
Baritone: Russell Braun
Pianos: Stephen Ralls & Bruce Ubukata

University of Victoria Chorus & Orchestra
An Evening of Schubert Masses

János Sándor, conductor

University of Victoria Chorus & Orchestra
Te Deum

János Sándor, conductor

University of Victoria Chamber Singers

Bruce More, conductor

Lotti - Crucifixus; Lasso - Allala Pia Calia; Venosa - Ecco Moriro Dunque; Venosa - Hai, Gia Mi Discoloro; Spohr - Kyrie; Palestrina - Ave Maria; Bruckner - Ave Maria; Verdi - Ave Maria; Poulenc - La Bonne Neige; Ravel - Ronde; Kreek - Kui Suur On Meie Vaesus; Pärt - Solfeggio; Castelnuovo-Tedesco - Songs from Romancero Gitano; Kodály - Estidal; Schafer - Epitaph; Rautavarra - Somarnatten, Paynter - The Rose; Karlsons - songs from Neslégrais Gredzens; Freedman - Keewaydin; arr. Marshall - Minoi. Minoi; transcr. More - Pilentze Pee; transcr. More - Schweelo Eelee Makanana; Sommers - Feller from Fortune

Website: UVic Chamber Singers

University of Victoria Chamber Singers
The Choral Suite

Bruce More, conductor

Dieu, qui la fait - Debussy; Quand j'ai oui - Debussy; Hiver, vous n'este qu'un villain - Debussy; Elegischer Gesang - Beethoven; Full Fathom Five - Vaughan Williams; Cloud Capp'd Towers, the - Vaughan Williams; Over Hill, Over Dale - Vaughan Williams; Am donaustrande - Brahms; O wi sanft - Brahms; Nein est ist - Brahms; Schlosser auf - Brahms; Ein dunkeler Schacht - Brahms; Es bebet das Gesträuche - Brahms; De grandes cuillers - Poulenc; La bonne neige - Poulenc; Bois meurtri - Poulenc; La nuit le froid la solitude - Poulenc; Soir sur la plaine - L. Boulanger; Mátrái Képek - Kodaly; Memento - Tedesco; Procesion - Tedesco; Paso - Tedesco; Saeta - Tedesco; Puñal - Tedesco; Crotalo - Tedesco

Website: UVic Chamber Singers

University of Victoria Chamber Singers
The New A Cappella

Bruce More, conductor

The New A Cappella - CSCD458 - A cappella masterpieces by 20th century composers - recorded live between 2000 and 2005. Richte Mich Gott - Mendelssohn; O Sacrum Convivium - Messaien; On mae vaesus - Cyrillus Kreek; Lux Aurumque - Whitacre; Beaufort Scale - Saalinen; O Vos Omnes - Casals; Agnus Dei - Barber; Curse upon Iron - Tormis; Ave Maria - Holst; Mary Had a Baby - Dawson; Mountain Nights IV - Kodaly; Magnificat - Pärt; Moon is Silently Singing - Hamilton; Ave Verum - Hamilton

Website: UVic Chamber Singers

Prima Youth Choir & UVic Chamber Singers
Magnificat in D

Bruce More, conductor

Magnificat in D - J.S. Bach CSCD501 - with Prima Youth Choir and Victoria Chamber Orchestra - including other a cappella works - Nov. 6, 1998. Tanzen Und Springen- -H.L. Hassler, Isbruck Ich Muss Dich Lassen- -Heinrich Isaac, Ave Maria- -Franz Biebl, Three Shakespeare Songs: I. Full Fathom Five- -R. Vaughan Williams, Three Shakespeare Songs: II. The Cloud Capp'd Towers- -R. Vaughan Williams, Three Shakespeare Songs: III. Over Hill, Over Dale- -R. Vaughan Williams, Magnificat In D Major: Magnificat- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Et Exultavit- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Quia Respexit- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Omnes Generationes- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Quia Fecit Mihi Magna- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Et Misericordia- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Fecit Potentiam- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Esurientes Implevit Bonis- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Suscepit Israel- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Sicut Locutus Est- -J.S. Bach, Magnificat In D Major: Gloria Patri- -J.S. Bach

Website: UVic Chamber Singers

Prima Youth Choir
Tanzen und Springen

Bruce More, conductor

Tanzen und Springen - CSCD502 - Prima Youth Choir - A collection of a cappella works of 5 centuries - recorded live between 1994 and 2000. Ave Maria - Franz Biebl, La Passegiata - Giaccino Rossini, Pasture, the - Randall Thompson, Pasture, the - Randall Thompson, Come In - Randall Thompson, Alleluia - Randall Thompson, Cherubim Song - Michael Glinka, Danny Boy - arr. A. Bevan, Rise Up My Love - Healy Willan, Hour Has Come, The - Srul Irving Glick, Well, Well, Well, Don' Worry 'Bout Me - arr. B. More

Website: UVic Chamber Singers

Prima Youth Choir
White on Black

Bruce More, conductor

White on Black - CSCD503 - Prima Youth Choir - Gospel, Spritituals and other choral Music with African Roots - recorded live between 1994 and 2000. Taste and See - K.W. Louis, Vela Vela Vele - arr. VanderSandt, Para Coche - Jésus Gulav, Betelehemu - Wendell Whallum, Louez le Seigneur - R.M. Johnson, Lord I know I been Changed - arr. B. More, Maringa Krismes - arr. K. Fadlu Deen, Somethin' Got a Ho' on me - arr. B. More, Mary Had a Baby - William Dawson, Vamuvamba - arr. Boniface Mganga, Well, well, well don' worry 'bout me - arr. B. More, Schweelo eelee - arr. B. More, Bumba meu boi Bumba - arr. Calventes, Amazing Grace - arr. B. More, O Happy Day - arr. B. More

Website: UVic Chamber Singers

Prima Youth Choir & UVic Chamber Singers
Faure Requiem

Bruce More, conductor

Faure Requiem - CSCD500 - with Prima Youth Choir and Victoria Chamber Orchestra - including other a cappella works - October 29, 1997. O Magnum - Francis Poulenc, Cri de Joie, le - Pierre Mercure, Danses Sacrées et Profanes - Claude Debussy, Dieu, qui la fait - Claude Debussy, Quand j'ai oui - Claude Debussy, Hiver - Claude Debussy, Introite - Gabriel Fauré, Offertoire - Gabriel Fauré, Sanctus - Gabriel Fauré, Pie Jesu - Gabriel Fauré, Agnus Dei - Gabriel Fauré, Libera Me - Gabriel Fauré, In Paradisum - Gabriel Fauré

Website: UVic Chamber Singers