AMID THE COLD OF WINTER …

Come out of the cold and join us for an evening of Christmas music that will warm hearts as well as hands. Celebrate the season with favourite carols, a few rousing sing-alongs, and beautiful music by Whitacre, Handel, Mendelsohn, David and Canadian composers Allan Bevan and Robert Anderson.

Oh, and be prepared to be enlightened by our third annual musicological journey through the 12 Days of Christmas!

8:00pm Saturday, December 13, 2008
New West Christian Reformed Church
8255 13th Ave., Burnaby, between 1st St. and Newcombe

Adults $15, Seniors & Students $12, Children under 12: Free. Ticket Reservations: 604.433.6538. Tickets also available through choir members and at the door.

BRAHMS: EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM …

The 1871 London version with two pianos

The Amabilis Singers join forces with the Shaughnessy Heights United Church Sanctuary Choir, duo pianists Ingrid Verseveldt and Catherine Bundt, soprano Jennifer Driscoll-Holmes and baritone George Roberts for a special Good Friday performance ofEin deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) by Johannes Brahms.

Among the most outstanding and frequently performed works in the sacred choral repertoire, Ein deutsches Requiem occupied Brahms over a period of many years and was deeply influenced by the tragic fate of his friend and patron Robert Schumann who attempted suicide in 1854 and died insane two years later, the death of his mother in 1865, and the outbreak of the war between Prussia and Austria in 1866. After the work for choir, soloists and orchestra was published in 1868, Brahms set about making a version for piano duet which was first heard in London three years later. This two-piano version is not merely an arrangement of the orchestral parts, but a transformation of the work which allows for an unsurpassed degree of intimacy, precision and contrapuntal clarity.

3:00pm Good Friday, April 10, 2009
Shaughnessy Heights United Church
1550 W. 33rd Ave., 1 block west of Granville, Vancouver

All tickets: $15

Ticket Reservations: 604.433.6538. Tickets also available through choir members or at the door. As this performance is over 60 minutes long without intermission, it is not suitable for young children.

Europe à la carte – A Special Dinner-Concert

Co-produced by the Amabilis Singers and the Bethany-Newton United Church, Surrey.

Explore with us the enchanting musical and culinary delights of Italy, France, Germany and England. Imagine for a moment the enticing fragrance of Herbes de Provence coupled with La Chanson d’amour; a steaming bowl of Fettuccini Alfredo whilst hearing Verdi opera choruses; sumptuous beef roulades paired with music from Hänsel und Gretel; heavenly trifle coupled with English Renaissance Madrigals. Are your taste buds and auditory system thoroughly engaged and enticed? Then you are just the type of enlightened choral aficionado were looking for!

Join us on Saturday, May 23 for a very special 3-course dinner and concert. Culinary expertise is provided by the Bethany-Newton United Church. Musical entertainment provided by none other than the Amabilis Singers.

Bon appétit! Buono appetite! Guten Appetit! Cheers!

6:00pm Saturday, May 23, 2009
Bethany-Newton United Church
14853 60th Ave., Surrey [see map]

All tickets: $40 [includes concert, meal and one complimentary glass of wine] Ticket Reservations: 604.433.6538. Tickets also available through choir members. Please reserve early for this event as seating is limited to 125.