Panayotis Karousos’ Oratorio "The Light of Christianity" Presented at Concordia University in Montreal

Hugh Cawker, piano, Johanne Patry, mezzo-soprano, Panayoti Karousos composer, Karine Bouchard, violin and William Larivière, violoncello at Concordia University Loyola Campus Chapel 30 April 2010

Panayiotis Karousos’ Oratorio "The Light of Christianity" Presented to Acclaim at a Charity Concert at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada

Friday, April 30, 2010, Loyola Chapel - School of Music - Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
Performed by The Chapel Community at Loyola Campus, Musicians, and Choir
Directed by Johanne Patry and Thomas Leslie
Soloists: Johanne Patry (mezzo-soprano), Karine Bouchard (violin), William Larivière (cello), Hugh Cawker (piano).

MONTREAL, CANADA — The historic Loyola Chapel at Concordia University became the setting for a profound musical union of cultural heritage and philanthropy during the spring classical music presentation, SUMER IS ICUMEN IN! The evening centered on the North American premiere of "The Light of Christianity", a landmark oratorio by the acclaimed Greek-Canadian composer Panayiotis Karousos.

Performed by a premier chamber music ensemble, the concert successfully raised vital resources to support the Kilembe Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A Philosophical and Spiritual Masterpiece

"The Light of Christianity" constitutes the monumental fourth chapter of Karousos' broader Greek Epic Tetralogy: The Dawn of Civilization. Built around the central motif of an evolving, historical "flame," the libretto follows a path from the mystical fire of Prometheus Bound, through the universal ideals of the Olympic Flame, to its global expansion under Alexander the Great.

In this concluding part, Karousos explores the transition of the sacred ancient flame into the purifying light of the Christian faith. Musically, the work bridges the classical prosody of ancient Greek drama with the rich tradition of Byzantine hymnology, offering a rare glimpse into the shared philosophical roots of Greek thought and Orthodox spirituality.

The Montreal presentation featured powerful excerpts from the work, including the movements Lament of the Virgin Mary, The Passion of Christ, and The Deposition from the Cross.

The Performance and Production

The performance showcased a talented ensemble consisting of mezzo-soprano Johanne Patry, violinist Karine Bouchard, cellist William Larivière, and pianist Hugh Cawker. Under the co-direction of Patry and tenor Thomas Leslie, the broader program paired Karousos’ compositions with classical works by Mozart, Copland, Duruflé, and Dowland, featuring volunteer singers and instrumentalists.

Music with a Mission: Support for Kilembe

The event was organized in collaboration with The Chapel Community at Loyola Campus, with donations directly strengthening the work of Sister Margaret Jacques at Kilembe Hospital. The funds raised help sustain critical operations in an isolated region, including pharmaceutical supplies, malnutrition relief, medical equipment maintenance, and solar power installations for clean water and electricity.

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