Pianist and conductor Cody Obst will return to his hometown with accomplished Calgary soprano, Krista de Silva, to perform a Christmas concert on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Calvary Baptist Church.
The performance, called 鈥淥 Holy Night鈥�, will feature some of the most well-loved and festive songs of the season including Schubert鈥檚 famous 鈥淎ve Maria鈥�, selections from Handel鈥檚 鈥淢essiah鈥�, and other popular songs. Obst will also entertain the audience with some dazzling solo piano arrangements of famous Christmas carols. Rounding out the evening will be a set of classical music that will showcase the performers鈥� virtuoso abilities.
鈥淚 am very much looking forward to performing in my hometown of Weyburn again,鈥� said Obst. 鈥淐hristmas is a time when we all think of hope, love, joy, and peace. I can鈥檛 think of a better way to celebrate this than with a concert of great music, bringing people together to enjoy the season.鈥�
鈥淜rista is an absolutely fabulous singer with an amazing voice and we鈥檙e happy to be able to share the music with you.鈥�
Admission cost to attend the concert is by donation to the artists.
Obst is known as a passionate and talented conductor, pianist, vocal coach, and organist. He is extremely active in the Calgary music scene, presenting over 50 concerts annually in addition to maintaining a demanding musical life as a church organist and music director. Currently, Cody is the artistic director and conductor of the Calgary Women鈥檚 Chorus and music director at St. Andrew鈥檚 Presbyterian Church. He performs regularly as a pianist and is also dedicated to teaching.
Obst鈥檚 primary study was completed at Brandon University (BMus, BEd, graduating with the Silver Medal for best student in the program) and the University of Calgary (MMus.) He has been a full-time church organist since the age of 14 and also began conducting at this age. As a pianist, Cody has competed and performed at all levels including two national competitions, several international festivals, and given concerts throughout Western Canada. His aim is to bring joy in music making to all those he comes in contact with. He loves engaging diverse audiences with the power of classical music. In the rare times when he isn鈥檛 making music, you can find him at the movies, eating at a new restaurant, Twittering, Facebooking, reading, or curling. He can be contacted by visiting www.codyobst.com.
The Alberta soprano Krista de Silva is will be singing for the first time in Weyburn. She recently performed Sadia (for the third time) in the opera version of Luc Plamondon鈥檚 Starmania with l鈥橭p茅ra de Qu茅bec this summer. She has also sung with L鈥橭p茅ra de Montr茅al, Calgary Opera and Edmonton Opera.
She was also a member of the Emerging Artists Program with Calgary Opera, Highlands Opera Studio and Academy of the West. Her roles include Flora from la Traviata with Edmonton Opera, Concepcion (l鈥橦eure Espagnole), Idamante (Idomeneo), Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Carmen (La Tragedie de Carmen) and Mignon (Mignon). She holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology (University of Calgary), a Licentiate in Music and a Masters in Music.
