Tickets now on sale
Victoria Day Weekend Royal Celebration
Royal Coronation Music Experience
A lively royal procession
1. George Frideric Handel – "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" (from the oratorio Solomon) Instrumental opener: bright, bustling, and full of energy. It depicts the biblical Queen of Sheba's grand entrance to King Solomon's court, symbolizing royal pageantry, wisdom, and alliance. This piece is a staple at royal weddings, processions, and state events.
Exalted praise
2. Antonio Vivaldi – Magnificat. A sweeping choral-orchestral hymn of praise (Mary's song from Luke). Vivaldi wrote it for the grand musical establishment in Venice, where sacred music carried public and elite prestige. Its dramatic choruses and virtuosic writing convey exalted majesty—praising the divine in a way that parallels the reverence due to sovereigns.
Solemn devotion
3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Vesperae solennes de confessore (Solemn Vespers of the Confessor, K. 339) Full liturgical setting (five psalms + Magnificat) composed in 1780 for Salzburg Cathedral. Salzburg was ruled by powerful Prince-Archbishops who functioned like royal figures in a courtly ecclesiastical state. Mozart's brilliant orchestration and joyful solemnity reflect the splendor of such "princely" sacred ceremonies.
Royal Pleasure
Handel's Water Music Suite No. 3 in G major (HWV 350), often called the "Flute Suite" due to its lighter, more graceful scoring that features flutes prominently alongside strings and continuo. This suite was part of the famous Water Music composed for King George I and first performed on July 17, 1717, during a grand royal barge party on the River Thames.
Triumphant coronation celebration
4. George Frideric Handel – Coronation Anthem "My Heart is Inditing" (HWV 261) Powerful closer. One of four anthems Handel wrote for the 1727 coronation of King George II and Queen Caroline. The text (from Psalm 45) celebrates the queen's virtues and the royal marriage/union in rich, majestic choral writing. It directly embodies British royal ceremony and was performed at the anointing and crowning of the queen.
We will be performing this piece "Tutti" , that is without Soloist parts. An excellent example of this approach can be found here:
Vocal Fireworks, Celebrating "Victoria Day"
SPECIAL EARLY BIRD Ticket offer
We are offering our patrons a special "Early Bird" 15% discount on all ticket purchases before March 31st. Just enter the Code VICTORIA at check-out.
A Special Bonus for Our Loyal Patrons
All regularly priced tickets include a special "Handel Society Perk" of a 15% discount at any of Executive Table Group's fine restaurants, in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Squamish and opening soon in Whistler. These fine restaurants regularly score as #1 in Vancouver by Trip Advisor.
A VERY SPECIAL OFFER TO STUDENTS
As part of our Youth Community Outreach Program..and to celebrate our 60th anniversary....we will be setting aside 50 Free tickets for Students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Especially of interest to voice or musical instrument students, but ALL students (show ID at door) are welcome. Its part of our continuing effort to introduce live classical music performances to youth.
TICKET PRICES
Regular – $40
Seniors – $30
Students - $10 after offer below expires.
First 50 Students - FREE
(50 limit. Show Student ID)
(Sorry, no infants or toddlers)
About "Hidden Gems" (performed May, 2023)
The Ascention Oratorio, (Cantata BWV 11)
This beautiful oratorio inexplicably is not often performed or recorded. This is likely due to its relatively short length (about 30 minutes) relative to Bach’s great Masterpieces such as the Easter Passions and Christmas oratorio. But it is also easily lost among the 240 Cantatas Bach created. We might call it a partially hidden gem.
This story of Jesus’ ascension into Heaven begins in a grand fashion with trumpets and drums leading the Alto aria Ach bleibe doch . We then hear more recitative by the Evangelist, leading to another aria, this time by the Soprano. And the work incorporates two beautiful chorals, finishing off with the grand style with which it opened.
We thank Thee, Lord (Cantata BWV 29)
Bach composed this sacred oratoria in Leipzig in 1731 for a festive church service marking the annual inauguration of a new town council. Bach scored the work in eight movements for four vocal parts and a festive Baroque orchestra. The organ dominates the first movement Sinfonia which Bach derived from a Partita for violin. The full orchestra accompanies the first choral movement and plays with the voices in the closing chorale, while a sequence of three arias alternating with two recitatives is scored intimately.Bach used the music from the choral movement for both the Gratias agimus tibi and Dona nobis pacem of his Mass in B minor.
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