12/14/2006: "SJ Singers Gloria Concert Sat & Sunday"

San Juan Island's mixed-voice community chorus – San Juan Singers – will perform Vivaldi's oratorio, Gloria, as part of their holiday concerts December 16 (at 7:00 p.m.) and 17 (at 5:00 p.m.) at San Juan Community Theatre.

The classic Baroque choral work features a 50-voice chorus and 15-piece orchestra, led by Victoria conductor Yariv Aloni. Soloists for the work are Friday Harbor's soprano Corinne Stevens and mezz-soprano Ruth E. Wells.

Maestro Aloni led the Singers' 2004 concert performances of Handel's Messiah, and has appeared on several concerts with Chamber Music San Juans as a violist. Currently he is conductor and artistic director of Galiano Ensemble of Victoria, the Victoria Chamber Orchestra and the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre. Aloni also is associate music director for the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra.

Stevens holds a bachelor's degree in music from Skidmore College, and studied voice in Vienna, Austria, for several years. She specializes in German music of the Classical and Romantic eras. Wells has been director of San Juan Singers since 2000, and maintains active choral performance ties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This performance is sponsored by Kennedy McCulloch CPAs. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH available one hour before each performance. In addition, a private donor has made provision for free tickets to anyone needing financial assistance to attend a Theatre event, and families are especially encouraged to inquire about this opportunity. The SJCT Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday, 11-4, Saturdays 11-2, and one hour before any show. For information on more SJCT events, go to www.SanJuanCommunityTheatre.org.