The Richmond Chorus starts its 31st season with two performances in December at Gilmore Park United Church. Joined by harpist Matt Dupont and pianist Toby Aldren, artistic director Brigid Coult leads the Richmond Chorus for an evening of Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" and other music for the Christmas season.
Learn more about our Ceremony of Carols concerts on December 10 and 11, 2016 from our Facebook event page: Ceremony of Carols Event Page
This event is over 60% sold! Purchase tickets online or by calling our offices at 604-276-2747, Monday-Friday from 8:00am-12:00pm.:
December 10, 2016 at 7:30pm
Gilmore Park United Church
8060 No. 1 Road, Richmond
December 11, 2016 at 3:00pm
Gilmore Park United Church
8060 No. 1 Road, Richmond
Matt performed with the Richmond Orchestra & Chorus Association last season, but we're getting to know a little more about our favourite harpist and what inspires him.
1. Who are your three musical heroes?
Johann Sebastian Bach is my first musical hero. I am currently practicing his fugue from the Sonata in G minor for Violin.His language is very diverse and interesting. Every time I play his music I am amazed by the beauty of it. And I always find something different as if it was a new piece. Every detail is key in his music.
Nicolas Charles Bochsa is my second musical hero. This man is a famous French harpist of the 19th century. He wrote a huge amount of works for solo harp or featuring harp. I read some books and articles about it and his life seemed to be very exciting. He opened the Royal Academy of Music in London, improvised amazingly after opera highlights, traveled all around the world. But also extorted money to buy harps had double life, married twice before getting the first one divorced… A very colorful character that knew the meaning of Carpe Diem!
My current harp teacher Heidi Krutzen is my last but not least musical hero. She is the principal harpist of the Vancouver Opera, the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, UK and a member of the Turning Point Ensemble. I admire her as a harpist, a teacher, a musician and as a human being. I've been under her tutelage for a year now and I can tell how I've grown up as a musician and an individual because of her. I am really thankful to know her.
2. What is your favorite piece of music?
If I have to choose one among all pieces I like, I would say Ravel's Introduction et Allegro for flute, clarinet, string quartet and harp. It's similar to chamber concerto for harp. I had the opportunity to perform and record a video of it this past summer.
3. What are the most challenging aspects of "A Ceremony of Carols"?
I think that every single song has its own challenging aspect. It can be a matter of tempo or sonority or again a matter of what we want to deliver at the end of the song. Performing with a choir is very challenging for a harpist as we are trained to play in chamber music with other instruments. It is a great opportunity for us to play with voices. And I believe singers share the same opinion. Choirs and singers are used to play with piano but not with harp. And this is the challenge I am looking forward to taking up.
4. This past summer you rehearsed and performed with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada as principal harpist, can you describe your experience?
I had the most amazing summer of my life. The NYO program is very intense, you are living with 89 other young musicians and faculty during two months. You receive a tremendous amount of coaching by the faculty and make huge progress in a short period of time. You rehearse, perform, hang out and eventually make new friendships with your future colleagues. It is so much more than just playing. I personally grew up as a harpist, a fellow musician but also as an human being. I recommend to all musicians eager to have an experience to audition for the National Youth Orchestra program.
5. What is your favourite Christmas treat or indulgence?
Sitting in a sofa with a soft blanket while listening to Michael Bublé's Christmas album and drinking a hot chocolate.
