Pacific Baroque Festival 2023: Music for Distracted Times

Entry for this Concert is at the Victoria Conservatory of Music Entrance - 900 Johnson Street.

Music for Distracted Times

The 2023 Pacific Baroque Music focuses on the music of 17th and 18th century England. With an ensemble of two violins, two viols, lute, harpsichord and organ, along with the wonderful soprano voice of Arwen Myers, we explore this rich period in music in which the political tumult of the early 1600s gave way to London becoming the largest city in Europe and a centre of artistic expression. Charles II’s reign saw the composition of the first English operas, the opening of the first public concert halls, and an influx of talented musicians from abroad which continued into the 18th century.

Saturday evening - Alix Goolden Performance Hall -7:30pm/Doors 7pm - Concert Entry at 900 Johnson St. 

Foreign Inspiration

With the advent of public concerts, the fascination with opera, and the opening of the ‘pleasure gardens’, London, as the largest city in Europe, became a hive of musical activity during the 18th century. The plethora of musical opportunities attracted foreign musicians, especially from Germany and Italy, to visit or make their home there. One could hear the very latest compositions played by the best musicians of the day, most notably George Frederic Handel, who became a kind of composer-in-residence at the Vauxhall pleasure gardens during the 1730s.

Performers:

Marc Destrube, violin and artistic director

Kathryn Wiebe, violin

Natalie Mackie, viola da gamba

Eva Lymenstull, viola da gamba

Lucas Harris, archlute

Marco Vitale, harpsichord and organ

Arwen Myers, soprano

 Festival passes (limited amount) are available here:

 https://www.showpass.com/pacific-baroque-festival-pass-2023

Choral Evensong: Sunday, February 19, 2023, Christ Church Cathedral - (Not ticketed)

The Pacific Baroque Festival concludes with a Choral Evensong Service at Christ Church Cathedral, featuring the music of Henry Purcell.