Stage Door News
Stage Door News
On Saturday, November 2, area residents will have the opportunity to hear the acclaimed music drama Ruth performed by Arcady, the ensemble for whom it was written, and directed by its composer, Ronald Beckett. Ruth is “Brantford’s own music drama” - written in 1996 by Arcady’s director, Ronald Beckett to the libretto of Roger Bayley, also of Brantford. It has been performed countless times since. Ruth was recorded in 2007. The recording has been broadcast numerous times on radio in Europe and Israel. The Brantford show will take place on at Hope Christian Reformed Church, 64 Buchanan Crescent in Brantford.
Ruth is an 80-minute moving and dramatic musical story of faith, loyalty, family and women’s strength adapted by Bayley from the ancient story of Ruth.
The show will feature a cast of brilliant young soloists led by teenage sensation Elise Naccarato in the title role, and Michael York as Boaz. The role of the narrator will be sung by tenor Christopher Fischer, Naomi by Montreal’s Meagan Zantingh, and Malchi-Shua by Brantford’s own Shawn Oakes. The drama uses three choruses: a chorus of the women from Moab, a male chorus of Elders who appear at the trial of Malchi-Shua, and a youth choir. The production also introduces a new born baby. “It is always fun to incorporate as many participants from the local community as we can,” says Beckett. “The baby represents Obed, son of Ruth and Boaz; the Arcady Youth Singers symbolize the succeeding generations and form a link to the modern era.”
Ronald Beckett is a composer who has had numerous compositions performed by ensembles throughout Ontario. His third full-length opera, I Am... was premiered on May 30, 1998 by Arcady and a second performance was given in March 1999 by Queen's Student Opera at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. I Am... was the completion of a trilogy which began with Ruth (1996), and continued with John (1997). His catalogue of compositions includes numerous large-scale works for orchestra and chorus and an abundance of songs and chamber music. Beckett led Arcady in three CD recordings on the Crescendo label: A Baroque Messiah (1999), Welcome Yule! (2001) and Ruth (2007). He also arranged and conducted the music for Ruby Productions’ CD entitled Peace on Earth (2000). In 2002, Phoenix Records released the CD A Beckett Miscellany, a sampling of Beckett’s instrumental music performed by The Essex Winds and Arcady. His works are heard regularly on CBC radio.
Arcady is a collection of singers, actors, and instrumentalists from throughout Ontario. It combines established professionals, outstanding university music students and recent performance graduates. In so doing, Arcady provides performance opportunities in Canada for young performers who are at the early stages of their professional careers. It performs 25 to 30 concerts a year in southern Ontario, specializing in the works of Beckett. The performances range from vocal and instrumental recitals to full scale stage productions with orchestra.
Ruth - A Music Drama by Ronald Beckett
Saturday, November 2, 7:30pm
Hope Christian Reformed Church, 64 Buchanan Crescent, Brantford
Arcady
Arcady Youth Singers
Elise Naccarato, Ruth; Michael York, Boaz; Meagan Zantingh, Naomi; Christopher Fischer, Narrator
Meyerhofer Academy of Dance in Cambridge Central Presbyterian Church, Brantford
Tickets, at $20 adults and $16 for under 16, can be reserved by calling the Hope office at 519-759-7581, at Flowers by Gerry on 84 Charing Cross, Brantford, or at the Hope office on 64 Buchanan in Brantford. For information on other upcoming Arcady performances, visit www.arcady.ca.
Photo: Cover of Crescendo CD recording of Ruth. ©2007 Crescendo.
2013-10-17
Brantford: Arcady presents Ronald Beckett's opera "Ruth" on November 2