It’s a holiday tradition in New Westminster, and it’s coming back to the Massey Theatre stage on Sunday, Dec. 3.
Winter Harp and the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir are once again joining forces for The Magic of Christmas.
Canada’s largest male voice choir is joined by the Winter Harp ensemble – with harps, flutes, rare medieval instruments and percussion – for the program of holiday music.
“Heartfelt carols performed by these two acclaimed groups will put you in the holiday spirit like no other concert,” says a write-up about the show. “This is Christmas at its best.”
The Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir is an auditioned ensemble some 100 singers strong, performing in the Welsh choral tradition in four-part harmony. The group travels annually throughout B.C. and has also toured nationally and internationally.
Winter Harp has become known not just for its music, but for the elegant production of its shows – from the velvet medieval attire to the golden instruments. Audiences can experience an assortment of ancient and rare instruments, including the bass psaltery, the organistrum (an early form of the hurdy-gurdy) and the Swedish nyckelharpa.
“Winter Harp concerts both evoke and create beautiful memories,” said musical director Lori Pappajohn in a press release. “We remember the Christmas trees we decorated, the joy of spending time with loved ones, the anticipation of Christmas morning. At Winter Harp, the carols we perform and the stories and poems we read take people into their memories. And they leave the concert with beautiful new memories. We’re looking forward to seeing old friends and new at the concerts.”
The Winter Harp ensemble for 2017 includes Lauri Lyster on percussion and vocals; Jeff Pelletier on flutes, piccolo, penny whistle and bass psaltery; Krista Gibbard on bass psaltery and vocals; Adam Henderson on percussion and organistrum, as well as serving as narrator; Lani Krantz on classical harp and vocals; Amy Stephen on Celtic harp, vocals, penny whistle, accordion and psaltery; and Bruce Henczel on violin, viola-cello, nyckelharpa and percussion.
The Magic of Christmas is on at 2:30 p.m. Massey Theatre is at 735 Eighth Ave. For tickets to the concert, see www.ticketsnw.ca.
