When the Vancouver Bach Choir’s chorus of more than 100 mighty voices take on Mendelssohn’s blockbuster oratorio Elijah this weekend, there will be one unlikely voice among the many.
Although a natural tenor and perhaps always destined to sing, soloist Adam Fisher actually got his start in music as the drummer in a heavy metal band.
It wasn’t until he joined a choir while studying percussion at college that he unearthed his potential. Prior to that, he hadn’t sung a note professionally.
Now at home on both Broadway and opera stages, Fisher’s career is as diverse as it was circuitous, with credits ranging from Die Fledermaus to Jesus Christ Superstar.
The Vancouver-born singer and former model, who now lives in Toronto full time, was most recently in town for his role in the world premiere of the Margaret Atwood/Tobin Stokes opera Pauline last spring.
But, with Elijah, Fisher is making his Vancouver Bach Choir debut.
The oratorio, composed by Mendelssohn in 1846 and inspired by the works of Bach and Handel, depicts events in the life of the biblical prophet Elijah.
It features all the things you’d hope for in a biblical narrative: devastating drought, the resurrection of a dead youth, a contest of the gods, and a fiery ascension up to Heaven.
Led by music director Leslie Dala, the choir will be joined by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as well as four soloists: baritone Giles Tomkins, soprano Eve-Lyn de la Haye, mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, and Fisher.
This will be the fourth time the VBC has revisited this classic.
• Elijah is at the Orpheum Theatre Mar. 28 at 8pm. Tickets at VancouverBachChoir.com
