The Cultural Olympiad Celebration begins February 1, 2008 with the The Spirit of Haida Gwaii Concert, a powerful convergence of First Nations artistry and exquisite oratorio.

The Spirit of Haida Gwaii Concert is a co-presentation of the 2008 Cultural Olympiad, The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art and Christ Church Cathedral Guild for the Arts.

Soprano Melody Mercredi and bass baritone Clarence Logan, are two rising stars in the opera world. They will sing the lead roles in the The Spirit of Haida Gwaii oratorio composed by Bruce Ruddell, based on the prose poem by the iconic Haida-Canadian, Bill Reid (1920 – 1998).

"We are delighted to reunite Guujaaw and many of the original performers from The Spirit Concert, but we are so pleased to have First Nations singers in the lead roles – a first for this oratorio," said Donna Wong Juliani, the event's producer.

The oratorio's text describes the Haida mythology captured by Reid in his masterwork The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, a monumental sculpture known to most Canadians from its image on the $20 banknote.

A Coast Salish welcome begins the pre-show events at 639 Hornby Street, the home of the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art and the Chief Dan George Centre. There from 7 pm until 7:45 pm, a "virtual" Bill Reid introduces the figures in his most famous canoe, as captured by video and sound projections of Reid. Traditional dancers lead us across the courtyard, and the audience enters Christ Church Cathedral. There, at 8pm the concert begins with Guujaaw, the elected Chief of the Haida Nation, and Terry Lynn Williams and guests singing traditional Haida songs. The oratorio follows with soloists Melody Mercredi and Clarence Logan, the choir of Christ Church Cathedral and a live orchestra under the direction of Rupert Lang.


Date:
February 1, 2008 Pre-event 7:00 pm I Show: 8pm
February 2, 2008 Pre-event 2:00 pm I Show 3pm

Price: $28.00

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