“Quinte(t)ssentially Opera” – Ventus Machina and Monette Gould, Soprano perform in Sussex, Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John
Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 7:30 pm, at St Francis Xavier Church, the Sussex area audience will have the chance to hear Ventus Machina performing a brand new program of opera-inspired gems, with guest artist Monette Gould, Soprano. Perfect for audiences of all ages and musical tastes, this program features fun and lively works for quintet by Rossini and Briccialdi, beautiful classic arias by Bizet, Puccini and Hahn, plus dramatic and touching songs from the well-known, “Les Miserables”. Masterfully arranged for the simple but elegant combination of wind instruments and voice by our own quintet members, this show promises a new and fresh way to experience classic melodies. Also in Fredericton, McCain Hall, STU: Feb 25, 7:30/ Moncton, Resurgo: Feb 27, 7:30/ and as a Benefit concert for Summer Music Students at the Saint John Arts Centre: Feb 28, 2 pm
Admission is $25 for adults, $10 for students and Children under 12 are free. Tickets are available at the door. (There will be a “meet the artists” reception at the intermission)
Monette Gould is a soprano with many years of professional experience as a performer and teacher. Born in New Brunswick, she later moved to Toronto, Ontario to pursue her studies in music. Monette holds two performance diplomas, an A.R.C.T. and a Performance Licentiate, from The Royal Conservatory of Music, and an Opera Performance Diploma from the University of Toronto. After completing her studies, Monette returned to New Brunswick to teach voice at Mount Allison University and l’Université de Moncton. Monette is the founder and director of the well-known Voce dell’Anima Choir.
Monette has appeared in several opera productions, and her roles include Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, the Countess in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, and Tatiana in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. In 1998, she appeared as Mimi in Opera New Brunswick’s production of Puccini’s La Bohème. Monette continues an active career as soloist, performing in recitals and concerts throughout the Maritimes.
Ventus Machina is a professional woodwind quintet based in New Brunswick, who present chamber music concerts and educational concerts in both official languages throughout the Maritime region. The undeniable chemistry between the members of Ventus Machina is apparent in their flexible and unique style of performance. Each from vastly different geographical and cultural backgrounds, the five musicians have truly found their common musical language. Formed in 2011, the Ventus Machina woodwind quintet has enjoyed a warm welcome from audiences all over New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Ventus Machina is featured each season on Symphony New Brunswick’s popular ‘Virtuoso Series’ of chamber concerts, and also present their own busy summer series of performances and workshops. Visit www.ventusmachina.com for complete details.
The members of Ventus Machina are: Karin Aurell, flute – originally from Sweden and contributing a wealth of orchestral and chamber music experience; Christie Goodwin, oboe – born and raised in central Alberta, this Prairie girl has played with orchestras and chamber music groups across the country; James Kalyn, clarinet and saxophone – renowned woodwind doubler and full-time Professor at Mount Allison University; Ulises Aragon, horn – a soloist and all-round superstar transplanted from Venezuela’s famous Simon Bolivar Orchestra; Patrick Bolduc, bassoon – bringing a little Quebecois ‘joie de vivre’ plus a wide range of performance experience, Patrick contributes his boundless energy and humour to the group.
