@ St. Andrew’s United Church, 315 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo
The Armed Man is a monumental work that encompasses portions of the Christian Mass; poetry of such venerable authors as Kipling, Tennyson, Dryden and Swift; and the Islamic call to prayer. It has been performed 3,000 times around the world since its premiere in 2000 at the Royal Albert Hall, London. This expression of a call for peace opens with the choir marching as they sing the famous 500-year old melody from France, ‘L’homme armé’ (The Armed Man). Trumpets and drums also highlight other martial movements interspersed with those of reflection, ultimately ending with hopeful words from the Tales of King Arthur, ‘Better is Peace than War’.
Accompanying the choir will be guest vocalist, Amir Haghighi and eleven of Vancouver Island’s talented musicians who will form The Armed Man Players:
• Organ: Jenny Vincent
• Violins: Nick Ross & Lesley Krull
• Viola: Karl Rainer
• Cello: Alexandra Lee
• Double Bass: Laurie Meijer-Drees
• Flute/Piccolo: Karen Withers-Janssen
• Trumpets: Merrie Klazek & Stevan Paranosic
• Percussionists: Jenn Lehtovaara & Barb Tease
The concert starts with a brilliantly buoyant work by the young Mozart – his Te Deum K. 141. This is a fitting introduction full of joyful singing.
