Orpheus Singers in season

BY HOLLIE WATSON

Award-winning chorale The Orpheus Singers will herald the Yuletide season in song Saturday in Pointe Claire.

Founded in 1981, the acclaimed chamber choir is devoted to rare and complex works spanning six centuries.

“We’re very versatile, with quite an interesting repertoire, from Gregorian chants to the Renaissance period to pieces composed yesterday,” explained long-time member Farah Mohammed of Pointe Claire.

The group’s considerable vocal talents (most of the choristers are formally trained or hold degrees in music) have earned them a series of accolades through the years. The 23-member ensemble is a five-time finalist in the CBC/Radio Canada National Competition for Amateur Choirs; they won first prize in 1996, and placed second in 2004.

“Director Peter Schubert has brought the standard of performance to a high level,” Mohammed said.

The concert at St. Joachim Church will highlight music from the chapels of two 16th-century Spanish kings, Felipe II and his father, Charles V.

“We have an early music following in the West Island, and we really enjoy playing out here,” she said, adding that the group “frequently performs for the Lakeshore Chamber Music Society, with whom we have close ties. They once commissioned a work for us.”

The evening’s program will feature some Spanish carols, a motet, a mass sung in Latin and other religious pieces.

“We often sing in different languages.”

The Montreal-based choir has two recordings to its credit, including a recently released compilation disc of Christmas concerts past. It went on sale at their concert last Sunday at St-Mathias Church in Westmount, and will be available Friday night.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. at 2 Ste. Anne St. in Pointe Claire Village. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or in advance by calling 514-846-8464.

The Orpheus Singers welcome new members. Their next performance will be in March in a contemporary music festival at McGill University. For more information, call 514-489-3739.