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In a break from its traditional opera-gala opener, MusicFest Vancouver is going pop for 2011. Vancouver songstress Sarah McLachlan will kick off the festival August 5 at the Orpheum Theatre, accompanied by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

“You know, we’ve always tried to be really open about what sort of artists we have at the festival, as long as their musical quality is good,” said MusicFest artistic director George Laverock, explaining the decision to open with McLachlan. “There’s a number of pop artists that I always keep my eye on, because of the fact that they write good songs. The fact is that she [McLachlan] writes good melodies and has excellent musical attributes and also is a wonderful singer.”

Laverock said he decided to court McLachlan after learning that she would be performing with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in August. “I immediately got in touch with her management to ask if we could do a second performance here,” he said. The VSO, led by Leslie Dala, will provide the backdrop to a selection of hits from McLachlan’s musical career, including songs from her newest album, Laws of Illusion.

“She’s never sung with an orchestra before,” noted Laverock. “I’m expecting it to appeal to her loyal fans, who I think will want to see how her songs sound with full orchestra, and I’m thinking probably a lot of other people who like orchestral pops concerts and maybe don’t know a lot about her, but have a certain amount of trust that if it’s with the VSO, it will be a good concert.”

Tickets to the concert will go on sale Saturday (May 7) through Ticketmaster.