News from Niagara, Ontario’s Chorus Niagara
Chorus Niagara, Niagara’s premiere symphonic chorus, with Artistic Director Robert Cooper, present The World Remembers on Saturday November 8th, 7:30pm at Calvary Church, 89 Scott Street in St. Catharines.
A Canadian war poster for World War One. Multi-thousands of them never came back alive, and for what and for why?
The World Remembers features veteran Shaw Festival actors Benedict Campbell and Fiona Byrne presenting a variety of riveting local historical accounts of World War 1. The readings, curated by Adrian Petry, Public Programmer at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre, include first person reflections from a variety of local characters, providing the audience with a glimpse of life on the front lines and the home front.
“WWI was a turning point for Canada, transitioning from a British colony to nationhood. We want our audience to feel that emotional experience with a greater appreciation of Canada’s impact in the First World War, through the medium that we so value – choral music”, says artistic director Robert Cooper. A musical salute to the pride, passion and pathos of ‘the war to end all wars’, the heartfelt spoken word and captivating musical selections are illuminated by a visual tapestry of touching images curated by film and popular culture historian Joan Nicks.
Benedict Campbell has been a member of the Shaw Festival Acting Ensemble for 12 seasons and recently appeared as Herr Shultz in Cabaret and Joxer in Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock. Ben has performed in many television and film projects including Republic of Doyle for CBC Television. He is very pleased to have been asked to join Chorus Niagara once again after his performance in A Canadian Christmas celebration during the last holiday season, and hopes that his readings will “lend a suitable note of life and energy to the skill of this first rate choir”.
Canadian soldiers from WW1 rest on former European killing fields
Fiona Byrne Fiona has just completed her 12th season at the Shaw Festival, where she performed in The Philadelphia Story and When We are Married. She has also been seen in leading roles at Soulpepper, Stratford Festival, Manitoba Theatre Centre, National Arts Centre and Canadian Stage Company, among others. Fiona is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, and lives with her family in Niagara-on-the-lake.
Tickets for all performances are available from the Brock University Box Office in St. Catharines 905-688-5550 ext.3257; toll free 1-866-617-3257, online http://www.arts.brocku.ca, or from a member of the chorus.
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