December 2021 News

I hope you’ve been well. I have to admit, November seems to have gotten away from me, but I’m back with exciting news and upcoming performances!

I’m thrilled to share a sneak peak at the “pocket opera” I recorded earlier this year!

The Bat and the Bells is a brand new opera written by Canadian artists Corey Arnold and Kyle McDonald, based on the story “Belinda and Bellamant” by E. Nesbitt. In this quirky fairy tale, Princess Belinda must turn to a plucky bat to undo the curse that was bestowed upon her at birth by a gang of disgruntled bells.

Each of the four performers plays multiple roles throughout the opera. I had the pleasure of singing Princess Belinda, the Queen, various townspeople, a nefarious shadow, and my favorite role to date: Bad Bell #2. I recorded the entire opera in one afternoon from the comfort of a blanket-padded closet in my basement, singing along to a guidetrack in headphones with both the composer and librettist listening in and offering direction via Zoom – quite the experience!

See if you can pick out my voice in the Chorus of Bad Bells, which reminds me of a “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” gone horribly wrong!

There are a few other pieces online, including Belinda’s aria and her duet with Prince Bellamant.

Other music events this month:
December 16th
“How can we keep from singing?”
an online concert presented by the Etobicoke Centennial Choir
(details below)

December 19th
Christmas-Music Service
during regular Sunday worship at St John’s United Church, Oakville

Join online or in-person

December 24th
Christmas Eve Service
St John’s United Church
(more details to come)
 

Watch ECC’s December concert throughout the holiday season!

The highlight of the program will be Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, featuring:
Mélissa Danis (Soprano),
Emily Parker (Soprano),
Daniella Theresia (Alto)
J. Rigzin Tute (Tenor),
David Finneran (Baritone)

Our artistic staff:
Henry Renglich, conductor
Emily Parker, assistant conductor
Carl Steinhauser, pianist/organist
Ben Ewing, audio engineer

We’ll also be performing a selection of carols from around the world to help ring in the holiday cheer!


The concert video will be available on various online channels beginning on December 16th.

Please visit ECC’s website for updates and full information!

Wishing you a reflective and restful month of December!

With love and gratitude,
Daniella