The Creation

First Metropolitan United Church March 14, 2020 The Program Victoria Philharmonic Choir

It’s Music to OurMusic Ears to... Our Ears Harmonizing self-interest with environmental welfare

Haydn’s The Creation is a majestic where the tiny hummingbird could pick is a majestic ode to the glorious qualities of Haydn’s The Creation ode to the glorious qualities of our planet up only a drop of water at a time to try to our planet Earth as a safe home for humanity. TheHarmonizing story confirms why we should quench a raging forest fire. She pointed hold our Earth in awe as a special place in the cosmos where humanity can thrive Earth as a safe home for humanity. The out that she was doing everything she in spirit and in wellbeing. self-interest story confirms why we should hold our Earth in awe as a special place in the could to save the forest. The challenge The power of the work reminds us of living within nature’s limits. Unfortunately, cosmos where humanity can thrive in of the Legacy Series is to inspire all of us carbon gas buildup in our atmosphere and the withcontinuing loss of biodiversity spirit and in well-being. to do all we can to protect this precious though large-scale human activity has pushed us beyond Earth’s natural limits. Earth. In response, the United Nations continues toplanetary urge all nations to return to carbon The power of the work reminds us of living neutrality by 2050. This means that the natural capacity of the Earths’ ecosystems within nature’s limits. Unfortunately, Our insert in this program invites you to to absorb carbon will have to be increased to offsetwell-being human carbon sources that carbon gas build-up in our atmosphere attend two April events developed to cannot be completely eliminated. and the continuing loss of biodiversity share numerous climate crisis solutions Gail O’Riordan was passionate about the performing arts. The Gail O’Riordan though large-scale human activity has while being inspired by wonderful Climate and the Arts Legacy Series is established to combine the emotional power pushed us beyond Earth’s natural limits. music. The insert form invites you to tell us of music and the performing arts with helping inspire audiences to make personal what changes you have already made pledges to change behaviour to contribute to a carbon neutral future. In response, the United Nations and to make a pledge to learn about ways you can do more. Many solutions Simply put, Gail’s believed self-interest must be harmonized with the Earth’s welfare. continues to urge all nations to return to carbon neutrality by 2050. This means will be featured in upcoming Climate The inspiration for the Legacy Series is the parable of the Flight of Hummingbird that the natural capacity of the Earth’s and the Arts events, and are included where the tiny hummingbird could pick up only a drop of water at a time to try to ecosystems to absorb carbon will have in 58 Ways to Lighter & Happier Living quench a raging forest fire. She pointed out that she was doing everything she to be increased to offset human carbon published by our project partner, could to save the forest. The challenge of the legacy Series is to inspire all of sources that cannot be completely Creatively United For the Planet. us to all we can to protect this precious Earth. eliminated. Our insert in this program invites you to attend two April events developed to The Victoria Philharmonic Choir has share numerous climate crisis solutions while being inspired by wonderful music. Gail O’Riordan was passionate committed to partner with the Legacy The insert form invites you to tell us what changes you have already made and to about the performing arts. The Gail Series for the balance of this year. In make a pledge to learn about ways you can do more. Many solutions will be featured O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy forthcoming concerts, there will be in upcoming Climate and the Arts events, and are included in 58 Ways to Lighter & Series is established to combine the stories shared by people, communities Happier Living published by our project partner, Creatively United For the Planet. emotional power of music and the and businesses who have found The Victoria Philharmonic Choir has committed to partner with the Legacy Series performing arts with helping to inspire solutions to shifting towards carbon for the balance of this year. In forthcoming concerts, there will be stories shared audiences to make personal pledges neutrality. by people, communities and businesses who have found solutions to to change behaviour to contribute to a shifting towards carbon neutrality. carbon-neutral future. More information on how to make a pledge Simply put, Gail believed self-interest More information on how to make and a listing of practical solutions to reduce must be harmonized with the Earth’s a pledge and a listing of practical your carbon footprint can be found at both welfare. solutions to reduce your carbon climateandthearts.org and footprint can be found at: creativelyunited.org The inspiration for the Legacy Series is climateandthearts.org the Flight of the Hummingbird parable creativelyunited.org THE CREATION JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809) The Program

PART THE FIRST PART THE SECOND PART THE THIRD

SCENE 1 SCENE 1 SCENE 1

Recitative & Chorus Recitative (GABRIEL) Recitative (URIEL) (RAPHAEL, URIEL) And God said, Let the waters In rosy mantle appears In the beginning Aria (GABRIEL) Aria & Chorus (URIEL) On mighty pens Now vanish before the holy beams Recitative (RAPHAEL) SCENE 2 And God created great whales Recitative (RAPHAEL) Duet and Chorus (ADAM, EVE) SCENE 2 And the angels By thee with bliss Trio & Chorus Recitative (RAPHAEL) (GABRIEL, URIEL, RAPHAEL) And God made the firmament Most beautiful appear SCENE 3 Solo & Chorus (GABRIEL) The Lord is great The marv’lous work Recitative (ADAM, EVE) Our duty we have now perform’d SCENE 2 Duet (ADAM, EVE) SCENE 3 Graceful consort! Recitative (RAPHAEL) Recitative (RAPHAEL) And God said, Let the earth bring forth And God said, Let the waters Recitative (RAPHAEL) FINAL SCENE Aria (RAPHAEL) Straight opening her fertile womb Rolling in foaming billows Aria (RAPHAEL) Recitative (URIEL) Recitative (GABRIEL) Now heav’n in fullest glory shone O happy pair And God said, Let the earth Recitative (URIEL) Quartet and Chorus Aria (GABRIEL) And God created man Sing the Lord, ye voices all! With verdure clad Aria (URIEL) Recitative (URIEL) In native worth And the heavenly host Trio & Chorus Chorus (GABRIEL, URIEL, RAPHAEL) Awake the harp The Lord is great Recitative (RAPHAEL) And God saw every thing SCENE 4 that He had made Chorus & Trio Recitative (URIEL) (GABRIEL, URIEL, RAPHAEL) And God said, Let there be lights Achievèd is the glorious work Recitative (URIEL) Trio (GABRIEL, URIEL, RAPHAEL) In splendour bright On Thee each living soul awaits Trio & Chorus Chorus & Trio (GABRIEL, URIEL, RAPHAEL) (GABRIEL, URIEL, RAPHAEL) The heavens are telling Achievèd is the glorious work www.vpchoir.ca THE CREATION Biographies JOSEPH HAYDN

Symphony and Tafelmusik, among and Fauré’s . Operatic others. highlights include a trio of Mozart roles: Fiordiligi in Cosi fan Tutte, the Peter began conducting alongside Countess in Marriage of Figaro, and his singing in 1995, and was Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. associate conductor of I Solisti del Madrigale in Florence for several Jennifer performs regularly with years. He has performed as a Pacific Opera Victoria in recital and tenor soloist and led choral retreats most recently in the role of Donna and workshops on the West Coast in their mainstage production of since moving back to Canada from Handel’s Rinaldo under the baton Europe in 2001 and was Music of Timothy Vernon. Other highlights Director at St. Helen’s Anglican include touring with well-known Church, , from 2002- Canadian baritone Gino Quilico 2012. and collaborative pianist Robert Holliston for a concert of opera Peter founded and directed excerpts representing historical VancouverVoices (2003-2012) Canadian singers. Jennifer is and was appointed Music Director currently living in Winnipeg for a of the Victoria Philharmonic Choir M.Mus. under the tutelage of Tracy in 2009. Highlights with these two Dahl. Previously, she worked with Peter Butterfield choirs include performances of Nancy Argenta and Ingrid Attrot at CONDUCTOR Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and She is delighted to be performing Peter grew up in Victoria and . Peter teaches The Creation – one of her personal studied Economics and Music at Senior Choral Music at St. Michaels favourites – with the Victoria McGill University, Montreal. He University School. Philharmonic Choir. made his professional debut as tenor soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Montreal Symphony in 1982, conducted by Christopher Jennifer Turner Anne van der Sloot Hogwood. Peter moved to Europe SOPRANO - Gabriel SOPRANO - Eve in 1987 and continued his vocal studies and the building of his Jennifer is known for her powerful, Noted for her “serenity” (Heifetz, solo tenor career in Manchester, versatile and expressive singing. She 2019) in performance, soprano Florence and London. His is passionate about concert music Anne van der Sloot is fresh in her professional choral experience and has been fortunate to work as solo career as a post-secondary includes membership in the Tudor a soloist with musical organizations student under the instruction of Singers, Winchester Cathedral throughout Canada including Nancy Argenta. She ignited her Choir, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Pacific Opera Victoria, Manitoba career singing as soprano soloist the Monteverdi Choir conducted Underground Opera, the Linden in Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 by Sir . As a Singers, the Victoria Civic Orchestra, with the Victoria Philharmonic soloist, Peter has taken part in the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra, Choir in 2017; she joined the concerts and festivals throughout and the Okanagan Festival Singers. Philharmonic choir again in 2019 Europe and in Korea, the USA and Concert repertoire includes Bach’s as soloist in Mozart’s Mass in C Japan. In Canada, he has been a Magnificat, Mozart’s Requiem and minor. Anne has been featured as featured soloist with the Vancouver Coronation Mass, Haydn’s The Iphis in Handel’s Jephtha with the Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, Creation, Handel’s Messiah and Heifetz International Music Institute Vancouver Opera, the Victoria Judas Maccabeus, Vivaldi’s Gloria in 2019, Handel’s Solomon and Victoria Philharmonic Choir

Bach’s Cantata 202 Weichet nur Young Artist program where betrübte schatten at the 2018 VCM his performing credits included Louis Dillon Baroque Oratorio program, and she his company debut as Tybalt in BASS - Adam continues to be featured in baroque Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette (2018) selections with the Victoria Baroque and The Nephew, in the world Born and raised in Halfmoon Bay, Players, including solos in Bach’s premiere of Veronika Krause’s BC, bass-baritone Louis Dillon owes Cantata 62 Öffne Dich, Lotti’s Missa Ghost Opera (2019). This is Jan’s his love of singing to his mother, a Sapientiae, and Kuhnau’s Weicht ihr first engagement with the Victoria voice teacher. He currently studies Sorgen aus dem Herzen. Philharmonic Choir. with Ingrid Attrot and Nancy Argenta and is completing a Anne has sung in VCM’s Opera * Jenna Simeonov - schmopera.com diploma in Vocal Performance at Studio as Erste Dame in Mozart’s the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Die Zauberflöte and chorus roles in Purcell’s Fairy Queen and Mozart’s Recent roles include Guccio in Cosi fan Tutte; she is currently William Constable Gianni Schicchi, Papageno in The preparing the role of Romilda in BASS - Raphael Magic Flute, the 2nd Prisoner in Handel’s Xerxes for Opera Studio’s Fidelio, Customs Sergeant in La 2020 production. Her voice led William is in the second and final Bohème Guglielmo in Cosí Fan her win first place in the 2018 BC year of his Master’s degree at the Tutte, Al in City Workers in Love, intermediate provincials, as well University of , and and Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro. as numerous awards at VCM song is set to graduate later this spring. Louis has performed with many competitions. She is currently a He’s also relatively new to the world groups around the island and lower McCrae Choral Scholar at the of vocal music: although originally mainland, incuding Pacific Opera church of St. John the Divine. At 19, a clarinetist attending UVic, William Victoria, East Van Opera, Bach on Anne’s drive to perform is fresh and began studying voice in 2016 at the Rock, the VCM orchestra, Sooke without end in sight. the behest of Benjamin Butterfield. Philharmonic, and the Victoria He trained under bass soloist Gary Baroque Players, and placed 1st Relyea for two-and-a-half years, at the 2017 Performing Arts BC at which point he was contacted Provincials. Jan van der Hooft by UBC and offered a spot in TENOR - Uriel their Master’s program in Opera Performance. His stage debut came Canadian lyric tenor Jan van in January 2019, in the role of the der Hooft has been described as high priest Sarastro from Mozart’s “a rare breed, comfortable with Die Zauberflöte, followed by Don high tessitura, and showing an Giovanni’s Commendatore in June exciting lyricism in the sound.”* and a reprise of Sarastro one month Current season highlights include later, in Czechia. In UBC Opera’s debuts with several west coast current season, he has performed organizations including Pacific the roles of Luther and Schlemil in Opera Victoria (Il Trittico and Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann Missing) and Vancouver Opera and SS Mann 2 in Пассажирка (Flight of the Hummingbird), as well (The Passenger) by Mieczysław as local groups such as the Victoria Weinberg. Civic Orchestra (Messiah) and the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and (Also, he’s 6’10” and couldn’t play Chorus. Prior to the 2019/2020 basketball to save his life - just in season, Jan spent two years as case you were wondering!) a resident artist with the Calgary www.vpchoir.ca THE CREATION Performers JOSEPH HAYDN

VICTORIA PHILHARMONIC CHOIR ORCHESTRA

SOPRANOS TENORS VIOLIN 1 Simon MacDonald Sarah Ashton David Ashton (Concertmaster) Juliet Beckwith Monty Clements Tyson Doknjas Hanna Bendtsen David Crampton Hanna Crudele Barbara Duffield Paul Delorme Jennifer Earle Charles Douglas VIOLIN 2 Carol Elder Randy Enkin Barb Gilroy * Flori Ens Pierre MacKenzie Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith Maribel Flores Jon O’Riordan Heather Bowness Muna Hamlin Mary Healing VIOLA Susie Henderson BASSES David Visentin * Mary Kenderdine Guyonne Le Louarn Mary Ann Laing Felix Butterfield Alison McCallum Ron Crabtree CELLO Hannah Murphy Adrian Dolling Martin Bonham * Judith Swanston Don Fetherston Laura Backstrom Kathryn Tate David Healing Irene Timms Robin Hine BASS Maureen Van Wyck Douglas Jackson Alex Olson * Annette Wetherly John Kaye Russ Linney FLUTE Ian MacDonald Soile Stratkauskas * ALTOS Colin Millard Peter Orme OBOE Margaret Argue Shaun Peck Jackie Kereluk * Andrea Ashton David Pimm Jennifer Bertsch Keefer Pollard CLARINET Eva Bild Michael Poole Liam Hockley * Sue Clough Mikkel Schau Lois Dimoff Peter Savage BASSOON Alexandra Gardner John Sease Katrina Russell * Rosalie Hargrove Alf Wiebe Mary Healing BASSOON 2 / Barbara Hoffman CONTRABASSOON Shelley Hordiyuk REHEARSAL Robyn Jutras * Daphne Hughes PIANIST Sherry Lepage FRENCH HORN Ruth McGhee Julian Greenwood Darnell Linwood * Helen Oneson Leslie Painter TRUMPET Kathleen Ramage Marianne Ing * Ann Schau Kathleen Sheffeld TIMPANI *Principal Maggie Wood Masako Hockey * DON’T MISS OUR NEXT CONCERT:

GIOACCINO ROSSINI’S Petite Messe Solennelle an exuberant, operatic setting of the Mass

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020 7.30PM St. Mary the Virgin Church, Oak Bay

Ticket info: vpchoir.ca

Other performances we recommend:

THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC A 1928 silent film by Carl Dreyer, projected on large screen, accompanied by the Voices of Light soundtrack by Richard Einhorn, and featuring choir and orchestra! March 29th, 7:30 PM Farquhar Auditorium, UVIC Tickets: $40/$25 voxhumanachoir.ca It’s Music to Our Ears... The VPC thanks its donors, Harmonizing& Elizabeth Food,self-interest Roger Gustafson, with environmental Dr. N. Hargrove, welfare Alan Hincks, Dr. Leslie King, Joan Kyle-Jones, Elizabeth sponsors and supporters Laugharne, Katharine Odgers, PECSF, Christina Peacock, Haydn’s The Creation is a majestic ode to the glorious qualities of our Davidplanet Earth Pimm, as a Paulinesafe home Powers, for humanity. Alison The Prentice,story confirms Kathleen why we should during the current and holdRamage, our Earth in Kelly awe as & a Ryanspecial Schutt,place in the Barbara cosmos whereStewart, humanity can thrive in spirit and in wellbeing. 2018-2019 seasons. TheDr. power Amanda of the workWeinerman, reminds us ofMaggie living within & Colinnature’s Wood, limits. Unfortunately, carbonAnonymous gas buildup in(3) our atmosphere and the continuing loss of biodiversity though large-scale human activity has pushed us beyond Earth’s natural limits. In response, the United Nations continues to urge all nations to return to carbon neutralitySpecial by 2050. thanks This means to: that the natural capacity of the Earths’ ecosystems VPC Society Board: to absorb carbon will have to be increased to offset human carbon sources that John Kaye (Chair), Georgina Nicoll (Secretary), cannotmBrand be completely creative eliminated. agency, Sarah Hughes - Fresh View GailEvents O’Riordan (fl owers), was passionate First Metropolitanabout the performing United arts. Church, The Gail O’Riordan Janet Heino (Treasurer), Flori Ens, Scotty Gardiner, Climate and the Arts Legacy Series is established to combine the emotional power of musicand and all theof ourperforming great artsvolunteers! with helping inspire audiences to make personal Alison McCallum, Jon O’Riordan, Barbara Stewart, pledges to change behaviour to contribute to a carbon neutral future. Thomas Williams Simply put, Gail’s believed self-interest must be harmonized with the Earth’s welfare. The inspiration for the Legacy Series is the parable of the Flight of Hummingbird where the tiny hummingbird could pick up only a drop of water at a time to try to Founding Donors ($5000+ per year, 2005-2009): quench a raging forest fire. She pointedWe out gratefullythat she was doing acknowledge everything she Quail Rock Foundation could to savethe the generous forest. The challenge support of the of legacy this Seriesperformance is to inspire all from: of us to all we can to protect this precious Earth. The Belsonia Bogatin and Frank Paul Foundation Our insert in this program invites you to attend two April events developed to Bruce and Louise Lemire-Elmore share numerous climate crisis solutions while being inspired by wonderful music. The insert form invites you to tell us what changes you have already made and to make a pledge to learn about ways you can do more. Many solutions will be featured in upcoming Climate and the Arts events, and are included in 58 Ways to Lighter & Season Sponsors ($5,000+): Happier Living published by our project partner, Creatively United For the Planet. Bruce Lemire-Elmore The Victoria Philharmonic Choir has committed to partner with the Legacy Series for the balance of this year. In forthcoming concerts, there will be stories shared Kathleen and William Sheffeld by people, communities and businesses who have found solutions to shifting towards carbon neutrality. More information on how to make a pledge Music Director’s Circle ($1000-$4,999): and a listing of practical solutions to reduce Hanna Bendtsen, Monty Clements, Peter & Jenny Coy, your carbon footprint can be found at both climateandthearts.org and CRD Arts Development, Scotty Gardiner & Mary creativelyunited.org Kenderdine, Alexandra Gardner, Muna Hamlin, League and Williams Law, Monte Prior, Pearlman Lindholm Barristers & Solicitors, Mikkel & Ann Schau, Anonymous (1)

Orchestra Circle ($500-$999): Andrea & Keith Ashton, Philip & Jenifer Butterfi eld, Olivia Callegari, Susan Clough, David Crampton, William Davis, Rosalie Hargrove, David & Mary Hold this thought. Healing, Barbara Hoffman, Jones Emery Hargreaves Swan Lawyers, John Kaye, Mary Ann Laing, Please consider supporting the VPC’s season Sherry Lepage, Dr. Jamie MacIver & Flori Ens, with a tax-deductible gift, made: Dr. Colin Mailer in honour of Louise Lemire-Elmore, Judith & Ron Parish, Thomas Williams, David & online through the Canada Helps link: Christine Wooldridge, Anonymous (2) https://vpchoir.ca/donate

Soloist Circle ($250-$499): by cheque mailed to: Adrian Dolling & Maija Finvers, Daphne Hughes, Box 38040, 794 Fort St. Roberta Kelly, Margaret McLynn, Tracey Mitchell, Victoria, BC V8W 3N2 Mrs. Helen Money in memory of Dr. John Money, Helen Oneson, Shaun Peck, Alf & Sharon Wiebe, If you are considering a donation of securities, Anonymous (1) or remembering the VPC with a legacy gift, please contact Board Chair John Kaye through our secure Accompanist Circle (Up to $249): webmail: vpchoir.ca/contact Margaret Argue, Ron Crabtree, Carol Elder, Robert