May 4, 2009

Opera will return to the Valley with Renfrew concert on Saturday, May 9

Building on the success of last year’s “Opera In the Valley” event, nationally-known soprano Kathleen Radke has invited her professional vocalist friends to return for an “Encore” performance next Saturday evening (May 9).

They will once again be “on stage” at Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church to perform a selection of arias and ensembles from their favourite operas.

In keeping with the year-old tradition, this concert will also benefit the Renfrew Victoria Hospital’s CT scanner fund.

“People are pretty excited about it,” says Radke. “We had a great response last year.”

She adds that, while the audience enjoyed a rare opportunity to hear professional-level classical music in their home community, the performers were equally delighted with the venue and the format.

“We really enjoy putting on a concert like this,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to get back together, sing the pieces we love to sing, and contribute to a great cause.”

Radke will be joined on stage by another soprano, Dayna Lamothe, and baritone Jean-Sébastien Kennedy. They will be accompanied by pianist Fréderic Lacroix.

The performers send out an especially warm invitation to those who have never been to the opera.

“It’s not going to be stuffy at all,” says Radke. “Ask anyone who was there last year, it’s just good fun—there’s comedy, there are love stories, there’s drama—we get to sing it all out.”

The audience can also expect an active performance.

“Opera isn’t just someone standing in one spot and singing. It will be theatrical,” Radke says. “It’s a chance for us to talk about it and put a human face on the music.”

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., with a reception with the musicians to follow.

“That’s a bonus for us,” says Radke. “We love to meet and greet the people who are there, and chat a bit about the pieces we’ve done. We also love getting their feedback and ideas for the next encore.”

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. They are available now at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation office, and at Aikenhead’s Drug Store. They will also be sold at the door the night of the concert.

Proceeds will be donated to the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation’s CT scanner fund. The hospital has just received the final provincial approval for this project, and construction is expected to begin soon.

The approval, however, is not accompanied by any provincial funding. All costs to purchase and accommodate the equipment, estimated to be approximately $3-million, must be raised locally.

Anyone interested in learning more about the RVH CT fund is invited to contact the RVH Foundation office at 613-432-4851, ext. 263.

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(For more information, contact Barb Desilets, RVH Foundation Director, 613-432-4851, ext. 263.)