If you’re looking to extend Valentine’s Day into the following weekend, treat your sweetheart to Tone Cluster’s My Darling Valentino.
The queer choir has been serenading Ottawans for close to two decades. President Andrew Sacret says the special Valentine’s show delivers old favourites with a new approach. “It’s a twist on some familiar songs that are done in new ways,” he says.
The concert will include a traditional madrigal, in the form of “Fair Phyllis,” contrasted with an interpretation of the Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Madrigals were the love songs of their day, Sacret says. “They were originally written in the renaissance period. They have a light, airy and dramatic feel.”
For a modern touch, New Zealand composer David Hamilton has written a new song, “Good Times, Bad Times, Always,” specifically for Tone Cluster that will debut this Sunday.
Local sextet Pearls of Wisdom will open the show. Sacret calls this all-female choir’s cohesiveness “impressive.”
“They combine the melody, the harmony and the rhythm section all using their voices,” he says. “They’ve got some popular music that’s been arranged for their group. It’ll be a real treat.”
Amorous prose by ee cummings and Robert Burns round out the event.
Tone Cluster’s My Darling Valentino
Sun, Feb 17, 3pm
First Baptist Church,
140 Laurier Ave W
$18 advance, $20 door, $12 for students
Tickets available at The Leading Note, Venus Envy, Books on Beechwood and Compact Music.
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