The full art of storytelling is tied with strings and coming to a stage in Prince George.
Theatre, song, illustration, voice, it all has a role to play in the performance of Alaria's Fiddle presented by the Valley Youth Fiddlers, a folk violin ensemble from Smithers. It is a concert, it is a play, it has accompanying artwork and it is a smorgasbord of original entertainment made right in our own region.
"The show is a modern fable set to a music written and arranged by master fiddlers from across Canada," said Patrick Williston, writer of the libretto (and grandson of the late teacher, MLA and cabinet minister Ray Williston of Prince George).
Some of the high-calibre collaborators include Jaron Freeman-Fox, Adrian Dolan, James Stephens and Gordon Stobbe.
"Alaria's Fiddle is a tale about a young girl who lives with her mother in an isolated island lighthouse on Canada's west coast," Williston said. "With little to do but play her fiddle over the marine radio to the passing fishing fleet, Alaria makes a plea to the wide world for music to play by sending a thousand requests for music in bottles that she casts into the ocean. As if by magic, her pleas are answered. In time, she receives gifts of music from across the globe: from India, Sweden, the Ukraine, Quebec, Brazil and beyond."
The story has its drama, too. There is a storm, a fleet of fishers in danger, a rescue attempt, there is so much cliffhanging the audience needs an intermission.
Halifax-based master fiddler Gordon Stobbe said of the show: "Without giving away too much of the story, Alaria's Fiddle is a bountiful cornucopia of world music, arranged for the fiddle. Those who know and follow the Valley Youth Fiddlers are aware of their skills, their commitment to large and adventurous projects and their strong emphasis on community. In Alaria's Fiddle, these traits are pushed to new heights. The story is charming, the arrangements are dazzling and the overall effect is profoundly moving."
Stobbe also collaborated with the Valley Youth Fiddlers on the stage show The Fiddler's History of Canada in 2012. The group is known all over Canada for the musical power they pack in their punch. More than 80 players are currently in their ranks. Although the focus is youth, the age range is everywhere from six to 60.
For the past 20 years, they have been under the directorship of Leslie-Jean MacMillan and been on the bill at festivals, special events and their own headline performances all over British Columbia.
It's that kind of drawing power that attracted artist Facundo Gastiazoro to the project. The Smithers-based visual creator from Buenos Aires is an animator, graphic designer and painter who also has a background in broadcasting and sound production, giving him a special artistic appreciation for the Valley Youth Fiddlers. He drew a series of illustrations for the Alaria show and made a trailer for it as well.
Alaria's Fiddle will be performed at the Prince George Playhouse at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Tickets are $15 for adults or $10 for children, students and seniors.
Get them in advance at Books & Company or at the door while supplies last.
