Cowichan Consort Orchestra and Choir present the Christmas classic Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 7 in Duncan, this year dedicated to long-time member Ted Rhodes.
The Consort will be joined by four soloists: Andrea Rodall soprano, Ciara Beaudin mezzo soprano, Adam Schmidt tenor, and Louis Dillon bass.
Rodall is a well known soprano to Duncan audiences. She received her Master of Music in Performance from the University of Victoria. She has appeared in concerts as a soloist across Vancouver Island in everything from classical concerts to musicals and opera. She runs her own music studio Joy of Music, where she teaches piano and voice.
Ciara Beaudin, mezzo soprano, also lives in the Cowichan Valley and joins the Consort for the first time. She studied music at Académie Ranier III in Monaco and Swiss Opera Studio in Bienne, Switzerland. She is an award-winning vocalist who has taken on numerous operatic roles.
Tenor Adam Schmidt is based in Surrey. He is known for his English and German oratorio. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from McGill. He has experience as a soloist with numerous choirs and in opera. Along with offering music classes he is a union electrician.
Bass Louis Dillon is completing a diploma in Vocal Performance at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He has sung in numerous operas, and with many groups across Vancouver Island and the Mainland.
The bass aria 'Trumpet will Sound' trumpet solo will feature guest Merrie Klazek, brass instructor at University Of Victoria.
The 50-plus member choir has been rehearsing under Ryan Qu’s direction.
The Consort’s Musical Director Pippa Williams will conduct and bring her own personal touch to this holiday favourite.
The concert will be dedicated to the memory of well known local Ted Rhodes who sang in the choir and as tenor soloist in many Messiah’s presented over the years. He died in September.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Christian Reformed Church, 930 Trunk Rd. in Duncan.
Tickets are available at Volume One bookstore on Kenneth Street in Duncan, and at the door. All seats are $20.
