Vocal - my/maSCENA

Benjamin Britten

Britten’s War Requiem

By Kiersten van Vliet on 1 April 2016 Choral, Contemporary, Orchestral

This May, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is closing its season with Benjamin Britten’s choral masterpiece War Requiem, conducted by Kent Nagano with soloists Catherine Naglestad, Ian Bostridge, and Thomas Hampson. Commissioned for the 1962 consecration of Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed in the Second World War, the War Requiem has transcended its origins, becoming a staple in memorial ceremonies for major tragedies and war. Given the current instability around the globe, War Requiem is quite timely. In 1939, with increasing tension in Europe, Britten and Sir Peter Pears sailed to North America, where they spent several years. The consequences of this decision were far-reaching.…

Emily d'Angelo au COC

Industry News: April 2016

By Shira Gilbert on 1 April 2016 Arts Industry, Choral, Circus, Contemporary, Opera, Orchestral, Quebec Music

Big Wins Toronto-based mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo has been named the winner of the prestigious Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. The 21-year-old D’Angelo, one of five winners from a pool of nine finalists, performed two arias with the Met Orchestra under the baton of Antony Walker at the Grand Finals Concert on the Met stage. Previous winners of the Met Auditions include many of the world’s great opera stars, such as Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Thomas Hampson, and Frederica von Stade. In 2015, D’Angelo won both First Prize and the Audience Choice Award at the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio Competition. Soprano Chelsea…

Gilbert Patenaude

Gilbert Patenaude: The Maestro Retires

By Julie Vovan on 1 April 2016 Choral

After 38 years as artistic director of the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, Maestro Gilbert Patenaude is ready to retire. What kind of musical and pedagogical legacy is he leaving? In 1978, Patenaude became the first lay musical director of the Petits Chanteurs. In the 60 years since its founding, the choir’s primary mission has been to offer musical accompaniment for the religious services at Saint Joseph’s Oratory. Patenaude’s arrival was a change of pace for the young singers. He took on the artistic direction and musical training, and still had time to compose his own pieces, including three operas. Just…

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…

Lebrecht Weekly – FolksLied: Beethoven, Britten, Haydn (BR Klassik)

By Norman Lebrecht on 25 March 2016 Art Song, Classical, Contemporary, Lebrecht Weekly

Viennese masters, always short of cash, picked up commissions from rich British tourists for composing drawing-room settings of national heritage. Haydn and Beethoven filled their boots with Scottish and Welsh ballads for two ducats a song. Haydn wrote about 200, dressed up with piano, violin and cello accompaniments. Easy money. The first surprise in this absorbing recital by Christian Gerhaher is that he sings the Haydn ditties in German, in a 1920s translation. It’s disconcerting at first but gradually deepens with hints of the nearness of these simple sentiments to the core topics of German Lieder: springtime, love and loss.…

Airat Ichmouratov

This Week in Montreal (March 21–27)

By Kiersten van Vliet on 21 March 2016 Baroque and Early, Choral, Orchestral, This Week in Montreal

McGill Chamber Orchestra Montreal-based clarinettist and composer Airat Ichmouratov and the Kleztory Ensemble present Chamber Symphony No. 3, Op. 25 by the namesake composer, Clarinet Quintet in A major by Mozart, and miscellaneous klezmer repertoire. March 22, 7:30 pm. www.ocm-mco.org Caractère hébraïque et Monuments Slaves à l’OM In March, OM will taste the Slavic language and perform the powerful Glagolithic Mass by Janáček, a choral masterpiece. Christian Arming, conductor, with the great Finnish soprano Camilla Nylund, mezzo-soprano Julie Boulianne, tenor David Pomeroy, bass-baritone Andrew Foster-Williams, and the Chœur Métropolitain, celebrating 30 years this season. Symphony No. 8 by Dvořák will end the concert.…

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…

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