December 2017 at the HPO
HPO’s 17-18 Season continues with a world premiere double-bill of theatre and opera, an exciting new edition of the Indie Series and festive holiday performances in the community, all ahead of our annual mainstage holiday concert.
HAMILTON, ON – On Wednesday, December 6 HPO’s Brass Quintet kicks off the season with a holiday concert of festive favourites at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
On Thursday, December 7 the HPO presents McGee – an evening of theatre and opera in The Studio at FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place). This double-bill explores the fascinating life and assassination of D’Arcy McGee, a former Irish revolutionary who became a father of the Canadian Confederation. This celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial features the world premiere of the new chamber opera Shot, written by Hamilton librettist and Governor General’s Award nominee for Drama, Anna Chatterton and HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte, Dora Mavor Moore Award recipient, and was inspired by McGee’s life and death and the play, It’s Morning Now, by Hamilton playwright Dermot Nolan. The evening begins with scenes from Nolan’s play It’s Morning Now, presented in collaboration with the Players’ Guild of Hamilton and finishes with the chamber opera, Shot, featuring Canadian singers from COSI (Centre for Opera Studies in Italy) guided by Artistic Director Darryl Edwards and accompanied by a chamber ensemble of the HPO.
Get into the spirit of the holidays with free performances by the HPO Brass Quintet. Enjoy your favourite holiday tunes at the Hamilton Public Library – Central Library on Friday, December 8 at 12PM, and at the Burlington Public Library – Central Branch on Tuesday, December 12 at 7PM.
On Wednesday, December 13 HPO musicians collaborate with Hamilton’s own Altobeelays for a new edition of the Indie Series. This home-grown band draws on rock, funk, afro beat, jazz, hip hop and metals influences to create their compelling, genre-bending sound.
On Saturday, December 16 Conductor Lucas Waldin returns to Hamilton in this festive holiday classic, Home for the Holidays. Enjoy the shimmering sounds of handbell choir as your HPO takes you on a journey through heartwarming holiday carols and family favourites from the big screen. Guest artists include; vocalist Heather Bambrick, The Bronze Foundation and Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Linneah Tovstiga 