Opera for Heathens is a post-modern opera-rock cabaret for the 21st century that will be presented at the Snoring Sasqatch on Feb. 9.
Kevin Armstrong is a versatile and unorthodox performer. He has forged a career in both Canada and Europe, performing everything from traditional opera and musical theatre, to one-man shows where he pairs his four-octave vocal range with his skills as a guitarist. Armstrong performs a wide range of music, from opera arias and musical numbers, to grandiose, vocal-oriented music by Meat Loaf (in German), Queen, Styx and others.
Armstrong grew up in the richly artistic community of Nelson, where he was exposed to all types of music, visual art and theatre. He started music lessons by age 10, and by college, had already studied classical, jazz and rock guitar, drums and voice. After completing a master’s degree in vocal performance at McGill University in Montreal, Armstrong moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where he did an apprenticeship at the Zurich Opera House. There he had the opportunity to perform onstage next to some of the biggest names in the opera world.
Opera for Heathens was a hit at the 2011 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, as well as the 2012 Vancouver International Fringe Festival, playing to sold-out houses and rave reviews. Some of Armstrong’s other recent credits include the world-premiere of the opera Khaos with Nelson Community Opera, the roles of Pilate and Judas in numerous productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as opera performances in Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Zurich. He also recently completed a 60-city tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland with Night of the Musicals, Europe’s longest-running touring musical show, as well as a recital tour of the B.C. Interior with internationally renowned organist Robert Kwan.
For more information, visit Armstrong’s website at www.reverbnation.com/opera4heathens, follow him on Twitter @opera4heathens or join the Facebook group “Kevin Armstrong’s ‘Opera for Heathens’ ”. Video clips are available at www.youtube.com/kevztunzvideo.
Opera for Heathens is being presented with the support of the Columbia Basin Trust and the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, and will be a great opportunity to see a world-class talent on the local stage.
Tickets are $15 in advance at Kingfisher Used Books and Black Bear Books, and $18 at the door, which opens at 6 p.m.; the show begins at 7.