Organ player Barb Parker will be joining Nove Voce, a local award-winning choir, for the first time as they present Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Michael's and All Angels Anglican Church.
Stabat Mater is Pergolesi's most sacred work, based on the Stabat Mater text detailing Mary's sorrow at the crucifixion of her son. These pieces, dating back to 1763, are known to be among the most beautiful choral works for women's voices.
The organ at St. Michael's is one of the finest in northern B.C. and Robin Norman, choir director, said it's a real treat to showcase it. The choir is performing all of Stabat Mater with the organ, as well as Faure's Tantum Ergo, and Willcock's Psalm 150, two pieces that were specifically written with the organ in mind.
Back when these pieces were created, the organ would not be the main instrument, but rather used as a support, Parker explained.
"In this case, I am covering the whole orchestra," said Parker. "It's a little bit more challenging while I support the choir. Groups don't get a chance to hear the organ very often so it will be really good for the audience."
This concert gives the choir the opportunity to feature several singers in the ensemble who are strong soloists including Shelby Meaney, Julie Howard, Rachel Theissen, Lauren Walkey, Natalie Bjarnason and Eve Ghostkeeper.
"The choir learns the pieces on their own and then I come in relatively late," said Parker. "We had a couple of rehearsals with the whole group and then a rehearsal with soloists so I can get a sense of the individual innuendoes in their pieces and then met with Robin to get the right organ registration to get the right sound to the right pieces."
The church is located 1505 Fifth Ave.
Tickets are on sale for $15 at Studio 2880, 2820-15th Ave., or by calling 250-563-2880.
