The Houses Stand Not Far Apart: a concert of hope and reconciliation is the first concert in the 2008-2009 season of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto.  It looks towards the approaching Remembrance Day with two works which together present the human cost of war and conflict.

Lux Perpetua: Peace and Unity, by British composer Jonathan Willcocks is conducted at this performance by Jonathan’s father, well-known British choral conductor Sir David Willcocks.  The work was partly inspired by the 80th anniversary of the November 1918 armistice, and takes its texts from a wide variety of sources, including the poetry of Laurence Housman and Siegfried Sassoon, the Bible, Hindu scripture, the Vedas, the Buddhist litany for peace, and the text of the Requiem Mass.

The Houses Stand Not Far Apart is the latest production of the rising Canadian team of composer John Estacio and librettist John Murrell, currently best known for their operas Frobisher and Filumena.  The piece points up the often senseless nature of conflict, which can pit against each other those who under happier circumstances would be neighbours.   This work is conducted by the Artistic Director of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto and Chorus Niagara, Robert Cooper, C.M.

The Orpheus Choir is joined by Chorus Niagara and the Talisker Players for this performance. 


Sir David Willcocks

TICKETS: $30, $25 seniors, $15 students

Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street East, Toronto

Click here to order tickets.