All-Night Vigil concert at
Saint-Léon-de-Westmount

Voces Boreales presents the Orthodox masterpiece by Sergei Rachmaninov

April 20, 2022

On April 30 at Saint-Léon-de-Westmount Church, Voces Boreales presents, in collaboration with Le Vivier, the Orthodox masterpiece All-Night Vigil by Sergei Rachmaninov to mark the composer’s 150th anniversary of his birth.

A Russian and a Ukrainian composer honoured

Featuring the world premiere performance of Triptych by Russian-Canadian composer Evgeny Shcherbakov and written especially for the ensemble, the evening will start with Holy God by Ukrainian-Canadian composer Larysa Kuzmenko.

By showcasing past and present Slavic works, Voces Boreales (in its largest formation of 40 voices) offers a transformative evening.

“We have been preparing this concert for well over a year,” highlights Andrew Gray, Artistic Director of Voces Boreales. “I am reminded that now, more than ever, our role as artists is to create a space for dialogue and compassion.

The works in the program have a mystical, engaging, timeless beauty that reach across divides and speak of peace.

Evgeny Shcherbakov comments: “As a Russian-Canadian composer and conductor, I am heartbroken by news coming from Ukraine, and I hope more musicians and artists of Russian descent will join me and speak out. I truly believe the beauty of art and music will keep us unified, even in the darkest of times and will shine like a beacon of hope.”

Mr. Shcherbakov composed over 70 pieces presented both on the national and international stage, including a Concerto – Cantata In Memory of Boris Nemtsov: Kyrie premiered in Ukraine in 2017. He has been living in Canada since 2008.

Program

Holy God – Larysa Kuzmenko
Vigil – All-Night Vigil – Sergei Rachmaninov

Saturday, April 30, 7:30 pm.
Saint-Léon-de-Westmount Church
4311 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West
Tickets: $23 – $35, available at the ticket office

Images: courtesy of Voces Boreales

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