A 22 year old violin virtuoso and a 300 year-old priceless instrument will make for an interesting combination when PAL Studio Theatre presents Up Close and Personal, a Classical Cabaret featuring musical great Jonathan Chan.
Jonathan Chan, a rocketing star in the classical music realm, has been playing violin and piano since the tender age of four. By age eight he’d already made his first appearance with an orchestra and has since performed throughout Europe, China, South Africa and North America. In 2003, he was invited to perform at a concert at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre to mark the retirement of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, sharing the stage with renowned artists Oliver Jones, Paul Anka, and the late Oscar Peterson.
While studying in London, England’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he performed at the Barbican Centre, Wigmore Hall, the City of London Festival, and at Trafalgar Square as part of St. George’s Day celebrations. He is a three-time Canadian Music Competition Grand Prize winner and two-time recipient of the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award, an award given to the most gifted musicians in Canada under the age of 30.
10 years ago, he performed in benefit concerts that raised money to help build the Performing Arts Lodges in Coal Harbour. PAL Studio Theatre Society has invited Jonathan to play in the facility that his efforts helped to build, this time, on a rare and beautiful instrument, a hand-made 1715 Montagnana violin.
This fine violin was created by Dominicus Montagnana, one of the greatest Venetian violin makers of the 18th century. The history of this violin is known from the latter half of the 19th century, passing through the hands of Hart & Son, Marconi (the radio pioneer and violin enthusiast), violin connoisseur R.A. Bower Esq., violin virtuoso Albert Sammons and Percival Hodgson, violin soloist, composer, and professor.
Jonathan is the most recent “custodian” of this rare violin, on three year loan from the Canada Council Musical Instruments Bank.
Maestro Bramwell Tovey will join Jonathan in this special celebration of music. They will perform classics and jazz favourites together in the intimate setting of the PAL Studio Theatre where the audience will get a very up close and personal experience. Later in the program, Chan will be joined by childhood musical competitor (now close collaborator) Jan Bislin whose youthful skills on violin are well matched to Jonathan’s.
Renowned Vancouver actress Anna Hagan will play the “voice” of the Montagnana violin, recounting the violin’s journey from 1715 Venice to the hands of a boy genius from Vancouver.
The Gala Garden Party will be held at PAL Vancouver’s beautiful rooftop gardens (rain or shine) and catered by The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Vancouver.
Up Close and Personal: A Classical Cabaret Starring Jonathan Chan and the 1715 Montagnana violin
with special guests Maestro Bramwell Tovey, Jan Bislin, and Anna Hagan
Date: Sunday June 23
Two performances only: 2 pm Gala Garden Party and Concert; Tickets $100 ($50 tax receipt available upon request)
PAL Studio Theatre and rooftop gardens
7:30 pm concert only; Tickets: Adults, $40; students, $20
Venue: Both events will take place at PAL Theatre, 8th floor, 581 Cardero Street, Vancouver
Tickets to both events: available via Tickets Tonight or via phoning 604.684.2787. All ticket prices exclude service charges.
Net Proceeds will benefit Performing Arts Lodges (PAL) Vancouver and Theatre Project Development Fund.
