Mon Aug 5 19:00
Operatic Fluidity: Handel Arias with Arion Baroque
Chamberfest welcomes the return of Montreal’s pioneering period instrument group, Arion Baroque Orchestra, with a program exploring the ‘Operatic Fluidity’ of gender through some of Handel’s most beautiful arias. In Handel’s time, these arias would have been performed by castrati—it was their golden era—but these roles have long-since been assigned to mezzos, contraltos, and tenors, showcasing interesting contrasts and unique colours.
This evening, Arion gives these beloved works a current-day gender shift, illuminating different sides, facets, and faces in Handel’s characters as Amelia Keenan, contralto, and countertenor Ian Sabourin perform roles of the opposite gender.
- Ian Sabourincountertenor
- Amelia Keenanmezzo-soprano
- Arion Baroque Orchestrabaroque orchestra
- Noémy Gagnon-Lafrenaisviolin
- Julie Rivestviolin
- Jacques-André Houleviola
- Amanda Keesmaatcello
- Francis Palma-Pelletier double bass
- Daniel Zuluagaarchlute
Programme
George Friedrich Handel (1685 – 1759)
Concerto Grosso Op.6, No.6: I.
Larghetto affettuoso
Allegro
G. F. Handel
Partenope: Furibondo
G. F. Handel
Concerto Grosso Op.6, No.3
Larghetto
Andante
G. F. Handel
Hercules: Where shall I fly
G. F. Handel
Semele: Hence, Iris, hence away
G. F. Handel
Alcina: Overture
G. F. Handel
Tolomeo: Stille Amare
G. F. Handel
Alcina: Vorrei vendicarmi
Concerto Grosso Op.6, No.4
Larghetto affetuoso
G. F. Handel
Rinaldo: Cara Sposa
G. F. Handel
Salomon: Welcome as the Dawn of Day
G. F. Handel
Rodelinda: Dove sei
G. F. Handel
Concerto Grosso Op.6, No.9
Largo
Allegro
G. F. Handel
Serse: Ombra mai fu
More Concerts
Festival 2024
Experience five spectacular programs on our Signature Series, featuring large-scale collaborations between world-renowned musicians at Ottawa’s Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. The 2024 Signature Series is generously sponsored by Bytek Volkswagen & Carling Volvo.
This series celebrates Canada’s world-class standard in chamber performance, featuring string and piano ensembles, choirs, baroque music, singers, dancers, and a bit of jazz. This series also hosts Chamberfest’s 30ᵗʰ Anniversary Celebration on closing night! Taking place at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, these concerts are generously supported by Marina Kun (of Ottawa-based and internationally loved Kun Shoulder Rests).
Our late-night Chamberfringe concerts cross genres and art forms, pushing the boundaries of chamber music with daring and electric performances. Offering everything from lively Arabic jazz to Middle Eastern-Metal fusion, Indigenous beats, and ambient chamber-electronica to Yiddish folk song, or a full-on Ukrainian-Celtic-Arab mashup, there’s always something fresh to check out!
Our Chamberfringe shows take place at La Nouvelle Scène, Club SAW, and The Gladstone Theatre, providing a more casual setting where audiences can enjoy beverages and immerse themselves in the buzzing late-night atmosphere.
