Melos concert, 1 December, 7:30pm

Melos Choir & Period Instruments, directed by Holly Gwynne-Timothy,
presents “LIGHT IN THE DARK - From Europe to Persia, 6th-19th century”,
a concert of solace and light for winter’s darkest nights, featuring
music for Advent, Christmas, and Yalda, on Friday 1 December at 7:30pm
at St. George’s Cathedral in Kingston (at King and Johnson). Joining
Melos Choir and Players will be special guests Navaa Band and David
Roth, Baritone. Tickets cost $25, available at Novel Idea, at the door,
or online at www.melos-earlymusic.org. A reception will follow to launch
Melos' new CD/album, “Voces Feminarum”.

The program will move from darkness to light with a soothing and
atmospheric program, including medieval chants for Advent; 16th century
Christmas carols; passionate traditional love songs for Shabe Yalda (the
Persian darkest night festival); and Charpentier’s Christmas Oratorio
“In Nativitatem”, with baritone soloist, David Roth (of Capella Intima
and Opus 8). Instrumentalists will perform on Tar, Setar, Tanbur, Oud,
Percussion, Recorders, Strings and Harpsichord.

Light refreshment and celebration will follow the concert as Melos
launches its recent recording: “Voces Feminarum, Women in Music, West &
East, 6th-19th century”.

Melos Choir & Period Instruments is Eastern Ontario's leading Early
Music group. The choir, vocal soloists and virtuoso instrumentalists
perform music from the 6th -19th centuries from Europe, through the
Middle East, in collaborative narratives highlighting contrasts between
our musical traditions as well as shared musical roots. Melos also
regularly hosts workshops with renowned specialists in Early Music. In
January 2024, Melos will host “Chantuary” - Saturday night explorations
of different ancient chant traditions; open to the public to sing along
or simply to listen. In May, Melos will offer Baroque performance
practice sessions to local players of period instruments. Details at:
www.melos-earlymusic.org