Classical Music and Theater Combine in Tom Allen’s Debussy vs Ravel: The Judgment of Paris

Choose your side and may the best composer win!

As the thunderclouds of the Great War pile up and burst, musical revolutionary Claude Debussy and his one-time follower Maurice Ravel compete for the love of their proud, fickle, darling, Paris. The Judgment of Paris is a mix of cabaret, history, storytelling, timeless music by Debussy and Ravel, and original songs by its performers. It is new and old, heroic and tragic, history and fiction. Allow yourself to be swept away by the music and passion of another era at Horizon Stage on Friday, January 23, at 7:30 p.m.

Together with his musical friends, Tom Allen has put together an incredible concert that combines chamber music with storytelling. As the host of Shift on Radio 2, CBC listeners will be familiar with Tom’s voice and personality. His programs are filled with interesting facts about the selection, the composer, or about our times. Tom is the author of three non-fiction books, and a talented trombone player - a skill he also demonstrates during The Judgment of Paris.

Soprano Patricia O’Callaghan is a recording and performing artist with five solo CDs and several collaborations.  Her fifteen-year career has taken her across genres, continents, and a range of disciplines and passions. She has toured both on her own, and guest artist on other artists’ shows, throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. She has also worked in film, theatre, and television. Patricia last performed at Horizon Stage in 2008.

Bryce Kulak is an actor, singer, pianist, and composer from Edmonton who has been touring professionally since he was 11. He has recorded three albums and performed with symphony orchestras and in theatrical world premieres across Canada. Often compared to the great songwriters of the original cabaret era, he carries the torch of that compelling genre into the new century. 

Cellist Kevin Fox is a composer, arranger, and vocalist with three solo recordings of his own and countless credits as a supporting artist. He studied at McGill, has composed for Justin Bieber and Kathleen Edwards, recorded with Raine Maida and Celine Dion, and toured with Sarah Harmer, Chantal Kreviazuk, Steven Page, Tom Cochrane, and Olivia Newton-John. Kevin last performed at Horizon Stage in 2011.

Lori Gemmell is the Principal Harpist with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. She also performs often with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Lori has released two recordings of solo harp music, two duo recordings, and recorded with Feist.

Judge the composers for yourself at Horizon Stage on Friday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $40 for adults, and $35 for students and seniors. Purchase yours in-person at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, or online at www.horizonstage.com.

This performance is proudly sponsored by Canadian Heritage, The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Servus Credit Union, CKUA, Travelodge Inn & Suites, and Ticketpro.