Oratorio ABRAHAM premieres Oct 28 to Aid Syrian Refugees

Abraham, an oratorio by David Warrack about the patriarch of three major faiths, will bring together leading Toronto artists in a special fundraising performance for Syrian refugees, Wednesday, October 28, 8 p.m. at Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street East, Toronto.

Internationally celebrated Canadian tenor Richard Margison stars as Abraham, founding father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.   Joining him are five principal vocalists: Ramona Carmelly, Meredith Hall, Hussein Janmohamed, George Krissa and Theresa Tova; and three choirs: the Elmer Iseler Singers (Lydia Adams, conductor); the Jarrahi Sufi Choir with Whirling Dervishes, and the Bach Children’s Chorus (Lynda Beaupré, conductor).  David Warrack will be at the piano.

Proceeds from this event will support the Syrian Refugee Program at Metropolitan United Church.  General admission tickets are $54; $36 for students.  $75 VIP tickets offer reserved seating and an invitation to the post-concert reception.

Tickets and information are available fromwww.abrahamoratorio.ca.  Inquiries may also be directed to 416-809-6044.

Tracing the key elements of the Old Testament story, Abraham runs approximately two hours plus one intermission.  Although it has previously been heard in excerpts, this will be its first complete performance.

This is the first oratorio written by Warrack, (www.davidwarrack.ca), who is best known as one of Canada’s foremost creators in musical theatre.   He was inspired by the fact that “Abraham is at the base of three of the world’s great faiths.  This oratorio is reminding us that we all come from the same place and we must find a way to share this world. We need to get past a lot of the things that have divided us.”

In 2013, Warrack told the Barcza Blog, “Based in history, and believing in the essential goodness of man, the message of this work is that by reaching out, we can find solutions.”  

The October 28 performance of Abraham is a joint production of the Intercultural Dialogue Institute (IDI) GTA, Metropolitan United Church, Toronto Area Interfaith Council and Holy Blossom Temple. Sponsors are BMO, the Hal Jackman Foundation and the Hellyer Foundation.