New Canadian Composition PREMIERE
Last Light Above the World: A War Litany by renowned Canadian Composer Allan Bevan
Saturday November 4, 2017 7:30pm Partridge Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
Beginning its 55th season, Chorus Niagara and Artistic Director Robert Cooper proudly present Last Light Above the World: A War Litany. This premiere performance is a 'once in a lifetime experience' for audiences who will hear for the very first time the passionate and reflective new work by London, Ontario Composer Dr. Allan Bevan. This new work was commissioned by Chorus Niagara.
Last Light Above the World: a War Litany is a dramatic musical work employing the backdrop of World War 1 as resource and inspiration. Rather than celebrating patriotic causes, the composition returns to the time period of the Great War and explores the psychological and emotional devastation of ordinary people caught up in it. 
In describing his new work, Dr.Bevan notes,
"Last Light Above the World: A War Litany is my response to the loss of innocence and the great change engendered by the first World War, as well as the tremendous loss of human life in the apocalyptic event. So many young people lost, maimed, killed, families separated, empires ruined, an entire way of life changed forever at a terrible cost."
This brilliant and moving new work is centered on fictional characters, Victor and Frances, husband and wife. The roles are played by two actors who read texts alone and together and also in concert with the choir and orchestra. The composer notes, "Frances is a well-educated woman of considerable conscience and feeling, who is at odds with the war, and is anxious for her husband's well being. Victor is a youthful officer who has matured quickly in the theatre of war. He is scarred by his experience, offering his deepest fears and inner thoughts and reminiscence."
Allan Bevan has mastered the technique of sculpting a compelling emotional story line from real life historical evidence that touches audiences intellectually and emotionally and will have lasting impact. Chorus Niagara Artistic Director Robert Cooper notes, "Allan is a composer of enormous craft, wonderful textual sensitivity, expressive choral writing and who can compose with an extended emotional arc and a flair for the dramatic. His music reaches out and connects with both the singer and the audience. What more could you ask for?"
The concert features the 100-voices of Chorus Niagara, Soulpepper Theatre actors Hailey Gillis and Colin Palangio, orchestra and soloists.
Tickets are available from the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre BOX OFFICE
PHONE: 905-688-0722 (0PAC) or 905-688-5601 x3700 or toll free 1-855-515-0722 or TTY 905-688-4TTY (4889)
EMAIL: boxoffice@firstontariopac.ca
IN PERSON: FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. L2R 3M2
Single Ticket Prices: (Handling Fee & HST extra)
Adult: $43, Senior (60+): $41, Under 30: $28, Student (University or College with valid ID): $18
Child (Age 15 & under): $15, High School Student (with valid ID): $5
This concert is generously sponsored by Rempel Electric, Niagara Peninsula Energy and Niagara Casinos.
For more information contact Diana McAdorey, Managing Director cnadmin@becon.org or 905-934-5575
www.chorusniagara.ca
