OPERA
What: Two Sopranos, One Friendship: Aviva Fortunata and Claire de S茅vign茅
Where:
When: Friday March 12, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: By Donation
Why: This cabaret-style Pacific Opera recital will take viewers through the on-stage and off-stage lives of Fortunata and de S茅vign茅, long-time friends who are both rising stars on the Canadian opera scene. Fortunata (who was born in Calgary) and S茅vign茅 (who hails from Hudson, Quebec) will be accompanied by Kimberley-Ann Bartczak on piano for this unique online event, which was fully-staged for filming at the Baumann Centre. Theatre veteran Glynis Leyshon signed on as film coach for this by-donation performance, adding yet more lustre to an already-starry pairing. As far as performances during the pandemic are concerned, this will be as good as it gets
POPERA
What: Ken Lavigne 鈥� 3 Knights with a Tenor
Where:
When: Saturday March 13, 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $12 from or 250-754-8550
Why: Chemainus singer Ken Lavigne always manages to look and sound like a million bucks, so don鈥檛 expect any drop in quality now that his concert at Nanaimo鈥檚 Port Theatre on Saturday night is a livestream rather than an in-person performance. The title is a reference to the music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Paul McCartney, and Sir Elton John, members of British pop music鈥檚 aristocracy; Lavigne, of course, is the titular tenor who ties it all together. The graceful singer livestreamed last month from the stage of Campbell River鈥檚 Tidemark, so he鈥檒l arrive inspired this weekend. And with an esteemed catalogue from which to choose 鈥� watch for Rocket Man, Hey Jude, and staples of Webber stage musicals Evita, Phantom of the Opera and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 鈥� Saturday night will be all right, indeed.
CLASSICAL
What: Spark to Flame
Where:
When: Saturday March 13, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 donation
Why: The talents of five students in the Victoria Conservatory of Music鈥檚 Spark to Flame program, which pairs emerging solo artists with local professionals in the form of VCM faculty, will be on display Saturday during the school鈥檚 annual student concert. which will be streamed live this year, for the first time in the history, but the students 鈥� Camilo Aybar (clarinet), Galen Boulanger (voice), Alex Chen (voice), Charlie Dutton (piano), Lexie Krakowski (cello) 鈥� are equipped for the changes in format. The Spark to Flame program is open to all students of the VCM, but those who successfully auditioned for the opportunity to perform with faculty are positioned to make the transtion to the pro ranks in very short order. These are all ones to watch.
