By Jennifer Wilson
The melodic voices of the Cantata Singers of Ottawa rise in a crescendo and the sound fills the small practice room at Knox Presbyterian Church all the way to the arched ceiling. They sing in Spanish, and while you may not understand what they are saying, you can’t help but sense the emotion in the music.
The Cantata Singers of Ottawa, formed in 1964, is a nationally-recognized choir that has toured around the world and also sings regularly with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. The choir is currently practising for “Nova Iberia,” an upcoming show of Spanish music that is part of their own concert series. The show will feature renowned Polish soprano Maria Knapik, an opera and concert singer who has performed in numerous productions around the world, with groups such as the New York Grand Opera and L’Opera de Montreal.
Michael Zaugg, the show’s guest conductor, says the selections the choir will be singing span across time to include music from old-world Spain as well as more recent pieces.
“There is a historical thread through the program,” he says. “We start with music from the 16th century and go (to one) from the last 10 years. 400 years of music, that’s the idea.”
He adds that the music will also take listeners on a journey across continents.
“We have tried to put together a program that shows all aspects of Spanish music, from classical Spanish guitar, to music from 16th century Spain, to music from South America that makes you want to get up and dance.”
The choir will perform selections from the Spanish Renaissance, as well as upbeat pieces from the streets of Latin America, Brazil and Argentina, and will finish the night with sentimental folk songs.
Zaugg says singing in a different language can be a challenge for the choir — it can sometimes take longer for singers to learn how to pronounce the text.
“And then (there’s) the musical context, the style. We are just not used to these rhythms and this Spanish style,” he says. “It takes some time to loosen the body up.”
But the Cantata Singers are veterans at singing in new languages.
Rob Burnfield, president of the choir, says since joining in 1988 he has sung in over 25 different languages, including German, Cantonese, and Elvish, a made-up dialect from the popular novel “The Lord of the Rings.”
“We’re at the point where as long as somebody tells us the basics of how to pronounce it, (and) what the basic rules of the language are we can sing it,” he says.
Christine Jenkins, another choir member, says what she likes best about this concert’s selections are the rhythms.
“This particular concert is really danceable,” she says. “I think that people are going to be moving their feet.”
Julian Kolibaiev says his favourite part of performing with the choir is getting lost in the music and sharing that experience with the audience.
“The audience becomes both less and more important at the same time,” he says. “Less important because you’re not worried about them because you’re in the zone, but more important because you realize this is really getting across to them and it’s good for everybody.”
“It’s a communal experience,” adds Jenkins. “Even if you’re not a worshipful person, there’s something really spiritual going on when it clicks (and) emotion is coming across. There is a two-way, it’s not just you shoving something out on the audience, you’re getting back as much from them as you’re giving out.”
Zaugg says he hopes a varied audience comes to see the show, because there is a little something for everyone in the repertoire.
“It’s appealing to people that want to hear a classical choral concert,” he says. “It’s appealing to people that have some memories from visiting Spain or South America.”
“Nova Iberia” will be performed Sunday April 17 at Christ Church Cathedral on Sparks Street at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. For more information see www.cantatasingers.ottawa.on.ca.