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ArtsceneBachs St. Matthew Passion at Masterworks concertBy Dominik KurekOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFMasterworks of Oakville chorusand orchestra will perform one of the masterpieces of classical sacredmusic at a series of concerts thisweekend, starting tonight.TheSt. Matthew PassionbyJohann Sebastian Bach concertswill take place at St. AndrewCatholic Church.Its the story of Jesus crucifix-ion. Its got a very deep spiritualsignificance for Christians at thistime of year, said CharlesDemuynck, artistic director forMasterworks.The music is a composition thatpresents chapters 26 and 27 fromthe Gospel of Matthew of the bible.It is written for both choir andorchestra. Demuynck said themusic is intended for a Good Fridayperformance but the group willperform it on Palm Sunday (April17), which is still appropriate.MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVERThe chorus will be the crowd inPASSION FOR MUSIC: Masterworks of Oakville chorus and orchestra is pictured rehearsing at St. Andrew Catholic Church for their upcoming Bach'sSt.the retelling of Christs crucifixion,Matthew Passionconcerts, which take place April 15, 16, 17.while the soloists will sing themain parts of the story.beautiful violin solos, he said. ItsOakvilles soprano Charlene Pauls,She has been a professional singerthe audience when singing for aTheres little doubt its thegot a lot of drama in it. Its gotalong with mezzo-soprano Ericafor about 15 years, which has ledhome crowd, she wrote in anmost beautiful setting of the St.some wonderfully complex andIris Huang, tenor Lenard Whiting,her to perform across Canada andemail.Matthews Passion to music thatexciting choruses that portray theand basses James Baldwin andin Europe.Tickets are $25 for adults andthere is, Demuynck said.drama. The audience will find itJesse Clark. Masterworks will alsoShe said she is looking forward$20 for students and children. TheThe conductor called it the pin-very engaging because it goes backbe joined by the St. Andrewto working with Masterworks asApril 15 and 16 concerts start at 8nacle of classical music, that evenand forth very rapidly and veryChildrens Choir.she knows many of its members,p.m. and the April 17 show is at 3the great composer Bach called hisfrequently between solo passagesPauls, who has lived in Oakvillesome of whom have taken privatep.m. The church is located at 47own best work.and choruses.for about seven years, is currentlysinging lessons with her.Reynolds St. For ticket informa-Its got very many beautifulThe concert will feature a num-working on a doctorate degree inIt is also always an added ben-tion visit www.masterworkso-arias and choruses and particularlyber of soloist singers, includingvoice at the University of Toronto.efit to sing for so many friends infoakville.ca.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 15, 2011 38