Sometimes we all feel like we want to lose ourselves in another time, a time and a place of opulence, beauty, elegance, magic – absolutely exaggerated.
The gala concert and dinner of the Kelowna Opera, Masters of Eastern Europe, promises such an experience.
This is an evening wear designed by Opera Kelowna’s creative director Andrea Bates and event designer Dore Blais that starts at 6pm at the Kelowna Art Gallery.
The magic begins when you are led by the elaborately costumed people of the Ukrainian cultural society Dolyna into a room that feels like out of this world and takes you back to the time of the tsars.
You’ll be greeted with a caviar and vodka cocktail reception, then say goodbye at the dining table, which you believe is the heart of an imperial palace. A lavish banquet of details catering promises full splendor.
Before heading to the concert, a live auction showcases four themed packages, including The Rachmaninoff Painting.
Last season, Opera Kelowna commissioned the artist Charla Maarschalk to commemorate her productions with original works of art, and this year she is on board again.
The Rachmaninoff painting was both a challenge and a breeze for her. Maarschalk usually paints portraits, just faces, and involving more bodies was a challenge.
“But I liked the hand on the piano. It gets more of the story than just the expression. It’s different for me, ”said Maarschalk.
Some artists say painting the human hand is one of the hardest things to do, but Maarschalk’s experience was a pleasure. “Sometimes a piece just happens and I know it’s the right thing. It just flows out. “
That’s what happened to Rachmaninoff, but she doesn’t exactly notice.
“I’ve painted all my life. Everything was given to me by the Creator. “
Maarschalk grew up in Newfoundland, studied art at the University of Calgary, and then developed a photography business at home. But the family decided three years ago to come to Kelowna “because of the weather” and Maarschalk’s painting career took off.
“I met the right people at the right time. The opportunities for emerging artists are amazing here, ”she added.
Now her days are filled with painting and home schooling for her three young boys, all works of art in her book.
The paintings of the Kelowna Opera are the culmination of Maarschalk and become an integral part of the concerts.
Alexandra Babbel, Artistic Director of Opera Kelowna, said: “Charla has captured the essence of this company with her talent. This is our vision to continue to merge the visual arts with the performing arts. ”The concert will also showcase the filmographic talent of James Blonde and Trance Blackman from Revolution Events. In the first movement of the Rachmaninoff Cello Concerto, they bring the five-foot-tall Rachmaninoff painting to life.
All original paintings from last season will be auctioned in the coming season. This season’s paintings will culminate with the main stage production of The Marriage of Figaro in August 2015.
From the art gallery, guests can walk across the Common to the Mary Irwin Theater at the Rotary Center for the Arts.
At 8 p.m. the curtain rises for Masters of Eastern Europe.
The concert will feature Arnold Draper on the piano, the lyrical soprano Alexandra Kosachukova Babbel, the baritone Andrew Greenwood, the cellist Martin Kratky, the violinist Karen Krout and the Toronto-based ballet dancers Cristina Graziano and Gabriel Ritzmann Sarmento from the Canadian ballet Jorgen.
The program will take you aloft with songs, arias, ballet, piano and strings with some of the greatest Eastern European composers in the world like Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Arensky, Rubenstein and Chopin.
The gala concludes with a dramatic choir performance, and you’ll be returned to the art gallery for an after-party with wine, snacks, and dancing.
Warning: Then you must come to earth.
QUICK FACTS
WHAT: Opera Kelowna Gala Concert and Dinner: Masters of Eastern Europe
WHERE: Kelowna Art Gallery, 1315 Water St., Kelowna, for reception and dinner
Rotary Center for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna, for concert
WHEN: Saturday October 11th
Cocktail reception and dinner, 6 p.m.
Performance on the main stage at 8 p.m.
TICKETS: operakelowna.com or eventbright.com or call Opera Kelowna at 250-575-1434 or email operakelowna@gmail.com
