Website: http://www.earlymusic.bc.ca

Date: July 25 to August 14, 2010
Country: Canada

Focusing on the Early repertoire, the Festival aims to foster the appreciation of music in a historical context, and to enrich the cultural life of local citizens. Education programmes, master classes and workshops are offered as well.

The 2010 edition will mark the 400th anniversary of Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610, by presenting a series of the composer’s works. The celebrated piece will be performed by soloists, ensemble The Whole Noyse, and the Festival’s Baroque Players, with Alexander Weimann on keyboard. A selection of love songs and madrigals, written by Monteverdi and his Italian contemporaries, will be delivered by Les Voix Baroques and instrumentalists. Meanwhile, Michael Jarvis will team up with Christopher Bagan, to play music for two harpsichords, including J. S. Bach’s Concerto in C major BWV 1061; and compositions for piano four hands, such as Beethoven’s Eight Variations in C major on a Theme by Count Ferdinand von Waldstein. Violinist Marc Destrubé, cellist Jaap ter Linden and other artists will be on stage, bringing to the audience pieces by four of Bach’s sons, Johann Christoph Friedrich, Wilhelm Friedemann, Carl Philipp Emanuel, and Johann Christian. American soprano Ellen Hargis will be joined by musicians, to present two Cantatas by French composer Louis-Nicolas Clérambault.