For immediate release
December 20, 2011
Dear friends,
We are happy to report that the first few months of St. Lawrence Choir's 40th Anniversary Season have been both busy and successful.
OSM / Beethoven 9: The season kicked off in style with the St. Lawrence Choir's participation in the inauguration festivities for La Maison Symphonique de Montréal. The choir performed Beethoven's 9th Symphony (conducted by Kent Nagano) from outside the venue in a specially crafted production for live CBC television broadcast with Cirque Eloize.
Russian Voices: Our subscription series opened with two performances of the Rachmaninov Vespers in Montreal and Ottawa with the Cantata Singers Ottawa; our Montreal performance drew a record audience for an a cappella event. Over 600 people crowded into the Église Immaculée-Conception to enjoy a candlelit evening of Russian Orthodox music and a display of Russian iconography. Members of the Russian Orthodox ministry in Montreal and their families attended together with many of the wider Russian community. The Consul-General of the Russian Federation in Montreal, who was present with a number of his colleagues, wrote to thank the choir for their 'brilliant performance' and that the event helped to 'further Russian-Canadian cultural ties.'
Opera Gala: At the end of November, the choir participated in the 18th Gala des Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques. The choir sang opera choruses alongside promising young local and international soloists who delighted the audience with their operatic arias. It is certain that St. Lawrence Choir will hire some of these young artists to perform as soloists in the future and, in doing so, will continue to play an important role in the lives of local music professionals.
Messiah / OSM: By the time you read this, the choir will be about to undertake its first performances on the stage of the new Maison Symphonique de Montréal with two performances of Handel's Messiah. Choir members will constitute about half of the OSM chorusfor these concerts under the direction of John Oliver.
2012 ANNIVERSARY CONCERTS:
Two concerts now remain of St. Lawrence Choir's 2011-12 subscription season. Please make sure you have these concerts noted in your diaries. Tickets are still available via the website. We look forward to seeing you there.
GLORIA: 'make a joyful noise!' including Rutter Gloria
24th March 2012, Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul, Montreal
This spring concert takes as its centrepiece the enchanting Gloria by internationally renowned composer John Rutter. The choir will be joined by the popular brass ensemble BUZZ and will perform a choice of captivating works from the British choral tradition, including Harris's Faire is the Heaven and Parry's I was Glad.
CELEBREMUS: Mozart Mass in C minor
26th May 2012, St. Jean-Baptiste, Montreal
Joined by the Orchestre Symphonique de Longueuil and soloists Charlotte Corwin, Tracy Smith Bessette, Isaiah Bell and Alex Dobson, the St. Lawrence Choir, under the direction of Michael Zaugg, will present Montreal's first-ever performance of Robert Levin's critically acclaimed 2004 reconstruction of the beautiful C minor Mass.
The culmination of the 40th Anniversary season will be perhaps one of the biggest St. Lawrence Choir productions ever staged!
Other events:
- In March 2012 the singers of St. Lawrence Choir will participate in a series of Masterclasses for the Montreal Choral Institute, which includes the award of the annual Iwan Edward Prize.
- For all concert-goers, singers, non-singers or those who like to just hum along, our 40th Anniversary season will draw to a close on the June 3rd with our annual Sing-Along, followed by a celebratory barbecue party!
Website: The choir website has been updated to include all the latest information on the season. You can purchase concerts tickets using the secure PayPal links, download the brochure and look at photos and video footage!
Facebook: The choir’s official Facebook page is linked directly from the website. This is a forum in which you can share your comments in a more relaxed and sociable way. It’s also an easy way to keep informed and support the choir and its work.
Season brochure:
The brochure can also be downloaded from the website homepage (www.choeur.qc.ca) and will be available at concerts. Our next newsletter will contain more detailed information on the 2012 events.
Michael Zaugg and all of St. Lawrence Choir would like to wish you all a very happy festive season and send you best wishes for the coming year.
Andrew Gray
General Manager
St. Lawrence Choir
