United Church Continues Its Concert Series

“It’s a fantastic event for the whole community,” enthused Jean Fournier, the chair of the concert organizing committee. “There’s great music and great fellowship.”

Taking place at 7:30 pm next Thursday, April 12, the first concert features a musical voyage around the world from the songs of Jacques Brel and Barbra Streisand to the sultry sounds of Rio de Janeiro and the operatic songs of Naples.

Like last year’s first show, it will be very light-hearted and romantic music. They will have the magnificent voices and acting presences of Marie-Annick Béliveau (soprano) and Simon Fournier (baritone) accompanied by the wonderful contrabassist Eric Lagacé and the always lively host Rolf Bertsch who’s also an accomplished pianist and the series’artistic director.

Unfortunately, I could only make it for the show’s second half last year. Afterwards, I greatly regretted having had to miss the first part, and I don’t want to miss a minute this time around.

The second show will be a Gala Benefit called the “Winds of the OSM” (Montreal Symphony Orchestra) taking place on Tuesday, June 12 at 8 pm. These highly talented musicians will be under the direction of Bertsch who will return from Calgary where he has launched a concert production business.

Together they will perform the most ambitious of Mozart’s great pieces composed for wind serenade – the rarely performed Serenade in B-flat, K. 361, aptly called the Gran Partita. The evening will be completed by Dvorak’s bubbly and charming Serenade for Winds.

The 2007 series is the second time that the United Church will use most of the proceeds to benefit its outreach program, in particular the health of children. Last year, funds went to the Montreal Children’s Hospital’s Music Therapy Program – in 2007, they will go to the Sainte-Justine Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Being charitable events, you’ll be able to get an income tax receipt worth 50 per cent of the ticket cost. Adult admission is $45 for the first concert and $75 for the second. If you buy for both, it will be reduced to $100. The rates will be less expensive for students ($25, $45 and $60) as well as for seniors ($35, $65 and $80).

“Thanks to the generous support of TMR citizens and the greater Montreal community, we can not only provide great musical evenings but continue our servant ministry,” Fournier said.