For many people, Ken Lavigne’s classically trained voice signals that Christmas is around the corner.
For the professional tenor however, his busy schedule is a sign the festive season has already arrived.
This week alone he had four performances, some of which required him to hop on a plane. Next, the Chemainus resident takes the stage for his Candlelight Christmas concert at the Royal Theatre on Monday (Dec. 5), at 7:30 p.m.
Some of the holiday classics he will perform “are quite epic in scope,” and he felt inspired to give them a new sound.
“So we have a couple of old tunes that we’ve rearranged, (including) a new version of O come, O come, Emmanuel, which is an absolutely stunning piece,” said Lavigne, who has four CDs, as well as a 2009 performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City, to his credit.
The songs’ melodies remain unchanged, but the artist wanted to make the show an exciting experience.
“Around Christmas, for me, there’s that sense of wonder, and we really wanted to instill that in the music,” said Lavigne, who will be joined on stage by a five-piece ensemble.
“We want people to be surprised and moved,” he said. “We want it to feel fresh and new to people.”
Tickets from $25, available at rmts.bc.ca or call 250-386-6121.