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Montréal, September 25, 2023 – For the first orchestral concert of the season, the Orchestre classique de Montréal (OCM) will shine the spotlight on Ukraine’s rich musical heritage with a varied program spanning more than 200 years of classical works by renowned Ukrainian composers. This will be Maestro Jacques Lacombe’s first appearance this season as the OCM’s new Artistic Director. The concert will take place on Tuesday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m., at Salle Pierre‑Mercure and will serve as a fundraiser for Ukrainian artists through the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s “Aid for Artists” fund.
In addition to a world premiere by Ukrainian‑Canadian composer Joanna Estelle Storoschuk, this all‑Ukrainian concert will feature works by Lyatoshynsky, Lysenko, Bortniansky and Havrylets, as well as Kapustin’s dazzling jazz-influenced piano concerto. The program will also include arias from the opera Zaporozhets za Dunayem (The Cossack beyond the Danube) by Semen Hulak–Artemovsky, and the great cantata Byut porohy (The Rapids Roar) by Lysenko.
The OCM will be joined by a quartet of Ukrainian-Canadian singers and the celebrated pianist Serhiy Salov. Choirmaster Xavier Brossard-Ménard will lead Les Rugissants in a performance of transcendent Ukrainian a cappella choral works.
“It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we present this varied program of Ukrainian repertoire, featuring operatic, cantata, concerto, orchestral and a cappella choral works,” says Taras Kulish, the OCM’s Executive Director. “The Ukrainian classical music tradition is extremely rich, and we’re excited to share it with our audience.”
Funded by the Temerty Foundation and in partnership with the University Club of Montreal (1201-A Sherbrooke Street West), the OCM will host a pre-concert benefit cocktail (with appetizers) at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $250 per person, with a $150 donation receipt. The proceeds will go to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s “Aid for Artists” fund. Space is limited.
The concert is being presented by the Shevchenko Foundation (Leon and Zena Kossar Music Fund), with the support of the Ukrainian National Federation of Quebec and in collaboration with the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada.
Slava Ukraïni
Tuesday, October 17 – 7:30 p.m.
Concert: Salle Pierre-Mercure: 300 Boul. de Maisonneuve East
Pre-concert reception: University Club of Montreal: 1201-A Sherbrooke St. West
Anna Pompeieva, soprano
Martina Myskohlid, mezzo-soprano
Yuri Konevych, tenor
Ihor Mostovoi, bass
Serhiy Salov, piano
Les Rugissants, choir
Xavier Brossard-Ménard, choir director
Jacques Lacombe, conductor
Program
Suite on Ukrainian Folk Songs, op. 45 by Borys Lyatoshynsky
Bobby’s Song for string orchestra by Joanna Estelle Storoschuk (world premiere)
Piano Concerto No. 4 by Nikolai Kapustin
Bozhe Velykyj (Almighty God) by Mykola Lysenko
Glory to God, Sacred Concerto No. 6 by Dmitri Bortniansky
Zasvichu Svichu (I Will Light a Candle) by Hanna Havrylets
Excerpts from the opera Zaporozhets za Dunayem (The Cossack Beyond The Danube) by Semen Hulak‑Artemovsky
Aria: Prylyn, Prylyn (Come back, come back)
Duet: Chorna Khmara (Black cloud)
Aria: Sultan’s Aria
Instrumental excerpt: Cossack Dances
Aria: Molytva Andriya (Andriy’s Prayer)
The cantata Byut Porohy (The Rapids Roar) by Mykola Lysenko
Concert tickets: $25 – $55
VIP concert and cocktail reception tickets: $250
On sale at orchestra.ca
About the OCM
The Orchestre Classique de Montréal (OCM) was founded in 1939 by violinist, conductor, and composer Alexander Brott and cellist and manager Lotte Brott. Previously named the McGill Chamber Orchestra, the OCM quickly became one of Canada’s most established chamber orchestras, touring five continents, recording extensively, and appearing regularly on radio and television. Boris Brott, OC, OQ, the elder son of Alexander and one of Canada’s most internationally renowned conductors, led the OCM from 2000 until his death in April 2022. In July 2023, Maestro Jacques Lacombe became the orchestra’s third Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. The OCM is a vibrant, innovative, and flexible ensemble consisting of the city’s best professional musicians now in residence at the Salle Pierre-Mercure. Fulfilling its mission of celebrating diversity and inclusivity, the OCM has created the program Music for Everyone which enables collaborations with numerous new immigrant communities and Montreal organizations in making OCM’s performances accessible to all. The OCM proudly acknowledges BMO Financial Group as its Season Presenter.
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