(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Ketchikan Community Chorus presents Classical Spring, a refreshing musical extravaganza, April 29 and 30 at the First United Methodist Church. Featured Guest artist Katie Saunders, a classical and Broadway vocalist, joins the Chorus as well as professional string players, Steve Tada, Andrew Schirmer and Tracy Hagen, to make this a truly musical extravaganza.

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Classical Spring’s program features the Easter Section of Handel’s Messiah, which dramatically portrays the many musical moods Handel used to tell the story of Jesus’ life and death. Local soloists include Michael Fitzgerald, Lallette Kistler, Cathy Tillotson, Sheila Zastrow, Maria Dudzak, Lydia Antonsen and Steve Kinney. The Chorus includes 25 local voices, and another 20 instrumentalists making up the orchestra. Over the many years that the Ketchikan Community Chorus has been performing, Handel’s Messiah is easily one of the most popular works in its repertoire. That being said, it is also one of the most difficult, challenging the voices of Choir members. ”We love it though”, says Steve Kinney, Musical Director, “When it all comes together, it is truly something to behold, and perfect for a Classical Spring.”

Guest Soprano Katie Saunders has performed with the San Francisco Opera and various opera houses in Germany, Iceland, Finland, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. As a concert artist, Ms. Saunders has sung Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Icelandic National Symphony and Handel’s Messiah for the Bad Honnef Concert Series in Germany. She currently is part of a newly formed trio performing Classical Crossover. Her home is in Naples, Florida.

Saunder’s operatic numbers for Classical Spring will include Musette’s Waltz from Puccini’s LaBoheme, and Un bel di Vedremo from Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, Sull’saria from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and Barcarolle from Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffman. Other, and perhaps more familiar numbers, will include Foster’s The Prayer, Gershwin’s Summertime, Mallotte’s Lord’s Prayer and Donizetti’s Ave Maria. “We are very honored and excited to have Ms. Saunders perform with us” says Kinney. “She has even asked some of us to perform with her, and those Choir members adding their voices to hers will be K.A. Swiger, Lallette Kistler, and myself” says Kinney.

“All in all, Classical Spring will be a very special concert for all serious music lovers. Whether they resonate to classical or serious Broadway and pop styles, this concert is a must” says Kinney.

Don’t miss Classical Spring appearing at the First United Methodist Church, Saturday, April 29 at 7pm or Sunday, April 30 at 2pm.

Tickets are available at Celebration Station, Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council and McPherson Music. Seating is limited so get your ticket early.

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Ketchikan Community Chorus

 

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