Opera - my/maSCENA

Jacqueline Desmarais at the Prix Opus Gala. Photo Anis Hammoud-CQM

Prix Opus: Honouring Homegrown Talent

By Caroline Rodgers on 1 April 2016 Classical Music, Opera

The 19th Prix Opus gala, hosted by the Conseil québécois de la musique, took place on February 7 at Bourgie Hall. In all, 27 laureates received prizes for their concerts, CDs, or the whole of their work. Here’s a look at the big winners. The Molinari Quartet were particularly recognized at the event, bringing home three awards, including concert of the year (contemporary/modern music) for their concert, Le Quatuor selon Chostakovitch, a concert of the Russian composer’s complete quartets presented over two days in May 2015; concert of the year in Montreal (for the same concert); and CD of the…

This Week in Montreal (March 14–20)

By Kiersten van Vliet on 14 March 2016 Opera, This Week in Montreal

McGill Baroque orchestra presents Handel’s Rodelinda, conducted by Hank Knox and directed by Patrick Hansen. This opera is recognized as one of Handel’s best. Salle Pollack, March 17-19. www.music.mcgill.ca

Calidore String Quartet

This Week in Montreal (February 22–28)

By Kiersten van Vliet on 22 February 2016 Classical Music, Opera, This Week in Montreal

Series at the Chapelle Historique Éric Champagne, composer-in-residence at the Chapelle, will host a unique concert celebrating philanthropist Paul Sacher’s extraordinary contribution to classical music. The Ensemble Arkea, conducted by Dina Gilbert, will play works by Bartók, Ginastera, Dutilleux and Britten. February 25, 7:30 pm. www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/chapellebonpasteur LMMC On February 28, the spotlight passes to the Calidore String Quartet, winners of numerous prestigious competitions. The quartet was created in 2010 by young musicians at the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, and has now settled in Manhattan. In 2013 it took part in McGill’s International Academy, prompting critic Claude Gingras to…

Trio Fibonacci

This Week in Montreal (February 15–21)

By Kiersten van Vliet on 17 February 2016 Classical Music, Opera, This Week in Montreal

Trio Fibonacci – Concert Mystique Trio Fibonacci is violinist Julie-Anne Derome, cellist Gabriel Prynn and pianist Wonny Song. Here, they embark on an enthralling journey through the centuries, imbued with the mysticism that often inspired the composers. Works by Sibelius, Mozart, Hildegard von Bingen, John Taverner and Arvo Pärt. As part of the Montreal High Lights Festival. Bourgie Hall, February 20, 7:30 pm. www.triofibonacci.com Emerging Musicians with Pro Musica The Dominica Series, presented at Bourgie Hall, will reveal young, emerging musicians with prosperous careers. German pianist Annika Treutler is first up in the series. She won several awards, including third place…

Industry News: February 2016

By Shira Gilbert on 1 February 2016 Canadian Music, Classical Music, Opera, Quebec Music

Bernard Labadie The Canadian Opera Company has announced that its 2016-17 season will include a new production of Harry Somers’ Louis Riel, in conjunction with the National Arts Centre. The Canadian Opera was premiered in 1967 for the Canadian centennial. Seven performances, featuring a largely Canadian cast, will take place from April 20 to May 13, 2017. The company also announced the contract extension of Music Director Johannes Debus through to the 2020-21 season. Canada’s longest running full-time classical music critic has retired. Claude Gingras, age 84, has capped a 63-year career, most of which was spent at Montréal’s French-language…

Amateur passion

By Julie Vovan on 1 February 2016 Interviews, Opera, Orchestral

Author : (Julie Vovan)

The lights come up, and you’re on stage at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica. Every seat is filled: 2700 people. Nervousness increases if your orchestra is called I Medici di McGill. You may tell yourself, as an amateur, “Well, let’s be professional.” But the question is, what is expected of amateur ensembles? “I don’t like the word ‘amateur’,” says Maestro Gilles Auger, I Medici di McGill’s conductor. “I prefer to say non-professional.” And indeed, almost half of I Medici’s members study or work in health sciences, far from the music jungle. Amateur ensembles are common: in Montreal, some amateur choirs allow people…

Cette semaine à Montréal (25 à 31 janvier) / This Week in Montreal (January 25–31)

By Kiersten van Vliet on 25 January 2016 Classical Music, Opera, This Week in Montreal

Opera McGill: L’Elisir d’amoreOpera McGill’s annual mainstage opera is a production of Donizetti’s comic opera L’Elisir d’amore, known for great arias including Nemorino’s “Una furtive lagrima.” Patrick Hansen conducts with staging by François Racine. Pollack Hall. January 28, 29, 30 at 7:30 pm, and January 31 at 2 pm. www.mcgill.ca/music. The performances on the 29th and 30th will be webcast at http://sites.music.mcgill.ca/webcastsJean-Guihen Queyras aux Violons du RoyC’est une rencontre longuement attendue que fera avec les Violons du Roy ce violoncelliste inspiré. Soliste de l’Ensemble intercontemporain dirigé alors par Boulez, qui en avait fait son protégé, le réputé violoncelliste possède une…

Cette semaine à Montréal (16 à 22 novembre) / This Week in Montreal (November 16 – 22)

By Kiersten van Vliet on 16 November 2015 Baroque and Early, Opera, This Week in Montreal

Mireille Lebel, crédit photo: Lutz EdelhoffChapelle Historique du Bon-PasteurDimanche 22, 15 h, au tour du soliste, chambriste et pédagogue Jean Saulnier de nous offrir des œuvres de Bach, Fauré et Schumann.* * *Nov. 22, 3 pm. Jean Saulnier – soloist, chamber musician and educator. Pieces by Bach, Fauré, and Schumann. www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/chapellebonpasteurJean Derome in ConcertSuperMusique présente Phèdre de Racine, sans paroles, une transposition en musique de Derome, en rassemblant 8 improvisateurs de l’Ensemble SuperMusique et la chorale bruitiste Joker, dirigés par Joane Hétu. Amphithéâtre du Gesù, vendredi 20, 20 h.* * *SuperMusique offers Phèdre de Racine, sans paroles, a musical transposition…

Cette semaine à Montréal (9 à 15 novembre) / This Week in Montreal (November 9 – 15)

By Kiersten van Vliet on 10 November 2015 Chamber Music, Choral, Opera, This Week in Montreal

Chapelle Historique du Bon-PasteurJeudi 12, 19 h 30, on entendra le pianiste Ilya Poletaev. Né à Moscou, ce virtuose est considéré comme l’un des pianistes importants de sa génération. Œuvres de Bach, Brahms, Chopin et Mozart. www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/chapellebonpasteurNov. 12, 7:30 pm. Pianist Ilya Poletaev. Born in Moscow, this virtuoso is considered to be one of the important pianists of her generation. Pieces by Bach, Brahms, Chopin, and Mozart. www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/chapellebonpasteurQuatuor Arcanto QuartetArcanto QuartetFondé en 2002, le Quatuor Arcanto fait ses débuts à Stuttgart et se produit ensuite sur de nombreuses scènes internationales. Violoncelliste reconnu sur les scènes montréalaises, Jean-Guilhen Queyras s’y produira pour…

Cette semaine à Montréal (19 à 25 octobre) / This Week in Montreal (October 19 – 25)

By Kiersten van Vliet on 20 October 2015 Opera, Orchestral, This Week in Montreal

Musique/MusicAlban Gerhardt au LMMC – un retour attenduLe Ladies’ Morning Musical Club recevra l’un des grands violoncellistes de notre époque, Alban Gerhardt, qui a joué à l’âge de 21 ans avec l’Orchestre philharmonique de Berlin sous la direction de Semyon Bychkov. Au programme : Barber, Britten, Beethoven, Brahms (dimanche 4).Nommé en hommage au compositeur tchèque emprisonné à Theresienstadt en 1941, le quatuor Pavel Haas est devenu l’un des plus importants ensembles de chambre. Il fait ses débuts au LMMC le 25 octobre. Les concerts ont lieu à la salle Pollack à 15 h 30. www.lmmc.caAlban Gerhardt et chatCrédit photo: Kaupo…

Browsing: Opera