Inuk soprano Deantha Edmunds will join the Lady Cove Women’s Choir and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra to present a concert at The Basilica of St. John’s the Baptist on March 3 celebrating Makkipok! Labrador Inuit Music for Passiontide and Easter.
Edmunds, a classically trained singer, will be featured in the event which will also pay tribute to the memory of Karrie Obed, the tradition-bearer and lead tenor of the Nain church choir.
“When Moravian missionaries arrived in Labrador in the 1700s, they didn’t just bring religion to the Inuit in the area, they brought the music of Mozart, Handel and other German composers, translated it into Inuktitut, and started a musical cultural tradition that has survived for centuries,” a release from Lady Cove said.
“Over the centuries, the Inuit of Labrador have made the music their own, making choral music an important part of the communities of northern Labrador. Dr. Tom Gordon, professor emeritus of the School of Music at Memorial University, has uncovered original handwritten scores from churches in Nain, Hopedale and Makkovik. Some songs are still sung regularly, while other pieces haven’t been performed in decades.
“Lady Cove Women’s Choir has teamed up with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra Sinfonia and Newman Sound Men’s Choir to give audiences a chance to experience this unique part of Labrador Inuit concert,” the release said.
Memorial University’s Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning will live stream the concert, making it available around the globe.
“Lady Cove is privileged to have the opportunity to honour the traditions of our northern neighbors in this culturally enriching experience,” said the release.
The concert takes place Saturday, March 3, at 8 p.m. at The Basilica of St John the Baptist.
Tickets are $35 adult / $30 (student & senior 60+). HST & box office surcharge are included. They are available at the Arts & Culture Centre St. John’s Box Office on Allandale Road or through the website artsandculturecentre.com/stjohns.
