Journey of a Woman

Journey of a Woman is a fundraising concert to support the Big Hill Haven Women's Shelter in Cochrane, AB. Featuring Robert Schumann's work Frauenliebe und Leben, you will also hear the music of Mozart, Saint-Saëns, Humperdinck, Wolf, Copland and more. Come listen to our story and be a part of our journey.

Friday, April 5, 2019
Christ Church Elbow Park

• 6:30 Silent Auction opens
• 7:00 Doors Open
• 7:30 Concert

Canadian Soprano, Alyssa Durnie, praised by Opera Canada for her “superb, released ring”, has recently completed her Diploma in Operatic Performance at the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Wendy Nielsen. Ms. Durnie has performed throughout Canada and Europe.

During her time at the University of Toronto she performed as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, as Clomiri in the Toronto’s premiere of Handel’s Imeneo,and under the baton of Russell Braun, as Diane in Orphée aux Enfers. Ms. Durnie also appeared as an Opera Fan in the worlds first zombie opera, Prima Zombie:The Diva That Just Wouldn’t Stay Dead,composed by U of T Operas’ student composers collective.

Other operatic credits include Chorus in La Bohemewith Against the Grain Theatre, Gianetta in The Gondolierswith Opera NUOVA, title role in Suor Angelica with University of Lethbridge Opera Workshop and Gretel in Hansel and Gretelwith the Lethbridge Symphony.

Ms. Durnie represented Alberta in 2016 at the National Music Festival where she placed first in the voice category. This upcoming season Ms. Durnie is one of Cowtown Operas’ Roster Singers where she most recently appeared in A Cowtown Christmas.

 

Magdalena von Eccher is being recognized as one of Canada’s finest musicians. Her performances as solo pianist, with orchestra, collaborating with singers, and in chamber music are earning the highest praise from fellow musicians and are loved by audiences. She has taught privately, in masterclass, and on faculty at the University of Lethbridge and McGill University. Since 2007 Magdalena has been a favourite at the Festival of the Sound in solo performances and in collaboration with artists such as James Campbell, Denis Brott, Marion Newman, Glen Montgomery and visual artist, Alan Stein. Magdalena is currently pursuing a Doctor of Music at McGill University under the guidance of Dr. Stéphane Lemelin. She is a recipient of the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

This season’s engagements include performances at the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto with soprano, Anna-Sophie Neher, McGill University, and concerto appearances with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra. An enthusiastic and engaging teacher and adjudicator, Magdalena resides in Calgary with her husband, Glen Montgomery.

 

From winning the Québec Provincial Gymnastics Championship on Floor to thrilling audiences with her “exquisite vocal command of a three octave range”, Canadian mezzo soprano Barbara King is no stranger to the stage and displayed her gymnastics and dance abilities as Olga and a Grisette with Edmonton Opera in their 2015 production of The Merry Widow. In April 2018, Barbara showed her ability to dance once again while performing the role of Flora in La Traviata with Manitoba Opera and is looking forward to her upcoming role as Carmen with Opera Kelowna this August. 
 
In 2017 Barbara performed as Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier with Opera by Request and returned to Edmonton Opera to sing as The Confidante in Elektra. Ms. King made her debut as a soloist with the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, and was a featured soloist in Opera under the Stars and Opera in the Park with Opera Kelowna.