This Sunday, on the longest and darkest night of the year, Ensemble Laude is offering an evening of uplifting song to celebrate the light.
“We have this possibility to inspire and comfort people with music,” says artistic director Elizabeth MacIsaac. “In particular, more than ever, this music is being offered up as a way to lift us up from this terrible darkness in the world right now.”
The show, “Illuminations: Songs Toward the Light,” will be performed at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Metchosin, a venue MacIsaac says couldn’t be more perfect.
“It’s just a beautiful sound in the church. These are the kinds of songs that are meant to be (sung) in that kind of space.”
The South Island-based choir’s repertoire is far reaching, and with dozens of individual voices making up the whole, there is a unique meld of both complexity and harmony as they perform. The choir’s trademark sound blends haunting medieval melodies with newer works, with pieces from as early as the 1300s to contemporary songs from modern composers.
MacIsaac is especially looking forward to performing “Snow Angel” by Canadian composer Sarah Quartel.
“(It’s) about the beauty and power of the child’s vision in teaching us about life.”
Meghan Robertson, a choir member for a decade, is excited for their rendition of the Wyrd Sisters’ song, “Warrior.”
“It’s a really powerful piece about ending violence against women,” she says. “Just imagine 40 women singing it. We were rehearsing and we all just got chills.”
The concert begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 21) at 4125 Metchosin Rd. Tickets are $15 in advance at from brownpapertickets.com/event/905751, or $18 at the door. Students with valid I.D. are $10, and kids 12 and under are free.
For more information, visit ensemblelaude.org.
acowan@goldstreamgazette.com