Trisha Shanks
Arrow Lakes News
Five young, cool B.C. adults who just happen to have a passion for opera music comprise the musical group QuintEssence. They are coming to Nakusp for one evening on March 26 — the finale in this year’s Arrow Lakes Arts Council (ALAC) concert series.
The term QuintEssence refers to a fifth element after earth, water, fire and air. According to Merriam-Webster, quintessence means 1: the fifth and highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that permeates all nature and is the substance composing the celestial bodies or 2: the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.
The quintet is made up of five members who could arguably possess a certain musical quintessence. Virtuosos Robyn Driedger-Klassen, Barb Towell, Frederik Robert, and Peter Alexander are accompanied by pianist Tina Chang. QuintEssence’s group bio states that the group “offers a fresh, innovative concert experience for lovers of classical music of any style. Their concerts showcase not only cherished opera repertoire, but also introduce their audiences to exotic musical gems by celebrated songwriters who span from Schubert to Poulenc, Britten to Heggie, and Gershwin to Weill.”
In a promotional video for their small-town B.C. tour, Mezzo Soprano Barbara Towell stated, “A lot of us grew up in small towns and we know what it’s like to live in a small community and to still be passionate about music. We’re going to do it in a really fun, special way.”
Their concert will be interactive with explanations for music fans that might not be familiar with opera or classical music.
“People will know every single word we say. We’ll explain the story to you,” Driedger-Klassen, founding faculty artist of the Vancouver International Song Institute explained.
The performance will be held on Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Bon Marche/Dollar Store until 4 p.m., then at the door.