Nielson gala tops Saturday events
Published Thursday November 26th, 2009
Internationally renowned soprano Wendy Nielsen and Friends take the stage at the Imperial Theatre in Saint John on Saturday at 7 p.m. in a red carpet gala concert for the venue's Keep It Live! Campaign.
A stellar music treasure, Nielsen never fails to enchant audiences with her voice, whether in concert, opera lead or classical recital. When she's not appearing on stages across North America, Europe or Asia, she resides in Cambridge-Narrows. She should be lauded for the honours she has received globally and the fame her vocal gifts bring to her home province.
In the past two decades, she has performed with such distinguished ensembles as the New York, Chinese and Warsaw philharmonics, the Minnesota, Pacific, Milwaukee, and Edmonton symphonies, onstage at the hallowed Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall as well as with Opera New Brunswick and Symphony New Brunswick. She has given recitals as far away as the Isle of Capri and Tokyo.
When queried in 1989 about her debut at the Metropolitan Opera her answer was surprising to many who know the venue only by its fame.
"Exciting but nerve-wracking," she said, "because the Met is so busy. It is a repertory house and there is something there every night."
She said often there is little or no rehearsal time, unlike other venues where a performer might have a few weeks to rehearse.
"At the Met, they expect you to come wound up like a top ready to be thrown out onstage. I never even got to be on the set before my debut, never sang with their orchestra, let alone was able to do a run through. I had to go out onto a stage I'd never even stepped on before and performed cold."
Nerve-wracking, perhaps, but she was well received and has gone on to world success ever since that night.
A Nielsen concert isn't always serious opera fare. For this gala, Nielsen personally invited a broad range of singers and musicians - all very talented friends - to join her. Included are former University of New Brunswick resident musician Robert Kortgaard, an internationally renowned Toronto pianist; Saint John's famed baritione and Jesuit priest Erik Oland; eight of Saint John's most exuberant voices, The Sopranos, Dayna Van Doleweerd, Cynthia Doyle, Deantha Edmunds, Theresa Patterson, Fairlie McLean, Luan Salmon, Maureen Stackhouse and Colleen Foster with accompanist Bertis Sutton; New Brunswick singer-songwriter, David Myles, winner of the 2009 ECMA folk recording of the year award and the province's soulful blues duo, Issac & Blewett, singer-songwriters who play cello, banjo and guitar.
The evening includes solo turns and captivating collaborations as voices come together to perform such great masterpieces as Vissi d'arte from Tosca, Who Will Buy from Oliver, Beethoven's Adelaide as well as folk songs, holiday favourites and the debut of two new songs by Saint John composer Bev Lewis.
Tickets are $50, $100, $250 for this great fundraising concert at the Imperial's box office, by calling 674-4100 or 1-800-323-7469.
SUSSEX CHRISTMAS SATURDAY
The name of Sussex band leader Bob Burgess, has became synonymous with fundraising events in the Mural Capital of Eastern Canada. Now Bob and Friends are taking his popular band and a number of talented guests to a new level by staging a joyous Christmas show, Once Upon A Time, at Sussex Regional High School on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Bob's guests include the Crawford Brothers (Bob, Frank, Richard and Winston); multi-talented instrumentalist Joe Ness; dynamic Johnny Cash/Waylon Jennings sound-alike Ralph Henderson, his wife Lynn; superb teen singer Micah MacLennan, Chris Bell, Byrant Hayes, Lloyd Mechan, Mike McLaughlin and singing MC Norma Currie. The band is Bob Burgess on drums; Winston Crawford on fiddle; John Jeffries on dobro; Danny O'Donnell on bass; Mike Hanlon on guitar and Scott Medford on guitar.
Advance reserved seat tickets for this fundraiser are $10 at Backstage Music, by calling 433-2122. Any that remain will be sold at the door. Proceeds go to Sussex Middle School's Home and School Association.
SUSSEX SMITTY'S SATURDAY
Terry Gale's new Moosehorn Creek Acoustic Band performs at Smitty's Family Restaurant in Sussex, Saturday at 8 p.m. This is an alliance of four talented musicians and singers. Performing are two distinguished veterans of the Canadian Bluegrass scene: Eddie Poirier who sings, plays fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and Fern Maillet who plays upright bass and electric bass; with original members, Nick Miller who plays guitar and mandolin and Terry who plays guitar and sings. Reserved seats are $12 at Smitty's Restaurant, by calling 433-2122 or take a chance on seats being left.
SUSSEX FIDDLEDOO SATURDAY
A Fiddledoo and Potluck on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Lion's Den in Sussex, hosted by Carol and Wilson Gilmore, is a Maritime Fiddle Association event. Noted fiddlers and accompanists from across the province are expected. Admission is a donation at door. A potluck contribution would be appreciated.
SAINT JOHN STRAIGHT AHEAD SUNDAY
"A really hillbillyish crew hits Saint John's Imperial Theatre 'a-boilin' this Sunday at 7:30 p.m.! It's the Straight Ahead Show, straight from Barker's Point... a suburb of Fredericton, don't ya know, boy! And if you think that show from up here saluting Nashville Legends hit that venerable edifice a whack, just take a look at 'er after our crew's through!"
As their Internet poster states... "come and see why our show stinks! Meet Valentino! Discover who's the Lady In Red and who's in the canoe! And, who's in Don's boots, too! Comedy?... this show has it in spades!"
Brent Buchanan is hosting and he'll introduce such zany acts as the Boys from Piskahagen Old Bob and Uncle Teddy; a take off on the Hollywood Hillbillies Granny and Jed Clampett; a Hee-Haw Skit and Valentino the Monkey!
Leading 'er off will be Don Cormier on banjo and Mark Fisher on guitar with guests: singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Reg Gallant; dynamic vocalist Wanda Grant, a star of the Country Legends show as is Noel Nason who will join his talented partner Cora Morrison on this one; rocking country boy Steve Waylon and bluegrasser Gerald Fortin; veteran entertainer Nadine Wood and the Bonnie Kilburn Dancers.
The band is Katherine Moller, fiddle; Steve Lifsches, saxophone; Ralph Hamilton, drums and Jamie Guitar, bass. Tickets are $23 available at Imperial box office, phone 674-4100 or 1-800-SHOW.
MEN OF FUNDY SHOW SUNDAY
The Men of Fundy Barbershoppers stage a Variety Show, Sunday, 7 p.m. at Saint John High Auditorium. Proceeds from this concert will be donated to the SJHS Concert Choir to help finance a trip to Lincoln Center, NYC to compete in the 11th Annual New York Choral Festival. This show features both The Men of Fundy and River Valley Chorus, with the Rotary Girls Choir, the SJHS Concert Choir, the CJHS Drama Club, Saint John's 4th Avenue Trio and the Gary Morris Show with all his regulars and guests. Gary is MC, too. For details or tickets, call Paul Chamberlain at 849-2526.
GAGETOWN CHRISTMAS SUNDAY
This year's Christmas In The Village, a country variety show called Kitchen Party Jubilee, takes place at Gagetown School on Sunday at 2 p.m. Vaughn Blaney is MC and guests include fiddler Allison Inch, storyteller Charlie Williams, singers Fred Shaw, Walter Fern, Linda Bailey, Gail Carpenter and Debbie Connell, accordionist Donna Stephenson and two popular groups, One Acre Lot and 3-Point Hitch. Admission is a free-will donation to the New Van Fund for Orchard View Long Term Care facility.
PARK AVE. FIDDLE JAM SUNDAY
The Park Avenue Fiddlers host a Fiddle Jam, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. at Park Avenue United Church, Saint John East. All fiddlers, accompanists and fiddle fans are invited. Coffee or tea served with free-will offering at door to help with expenses.
RIVERVIEW SHOW WEDNESDAY
A Christmas Entertainment and Bake Sale featuring Ivan and Vivian Hicks and The Sussex Avenue Fiddlers, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. at the St. John The Baptist Anglican Church Hall, 28 Woolridge St., Riverview, featuring The Fiddling Landrys, Amelie deArcos, Natasha Richard, Jaylee Hebert, Yodelling singer Sylvia Campbell and Nauwigewauk crooner George Boone. Come, enjoy a fun-filled evening! Proceeds go to aid the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers their special projects.
Gerry Taylor www.gerrytaylor.ca has covered folk and country music for over 30 years.
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