When Leonardo da Vinci dreamed of his flying machine, what did he dream?
That musical question is answered in a piece that choral fans will want to discover in an upcoming Amabilis Singers concert.
Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, by superstar choral composer Eric Whitacre, is a highlight of the March 8 concert Of Heaven and Earth.
The concert is taking place at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby, at 8 p.m.
The choir, under the direction of Ramona Luengen, will pay "witness to the sacred wonders of the earth and the heavens," says a press release.
"Discover how our world inspired the gifted pens of Austrian composer Gustav Mahler and America's Morten Lauridsen," the release says. "Hear the heartbreaking poetry of Sara Teasdale find voice in a stunningly beautiful setting by Frank Ticheli. And how did Leonardo da Vinci's dreams of flying inspire choral superstar Eric Whitacre?"
The concert will also feature the premiere of a new work by Luengen, based on the prayer of Padre Pio, an Italian Roman Catholic priest canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
Tickets are $20, or free for children under 12.
They're available from choir members or at the door, or call 604-437-9200 to book in advance.
The 55-voice choir, based in New Westminster, draws its members from around the Lower Mainland.
For more, see www.amabilissingers.org.
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Want to see what Leonardo Dreams is all about? To see Leonardo Dreams performed by Vocal Essence, check out the YouTube video at http://tinyurl.com/LeonardoDreams.)
