The program notes are written by Rena Roussin, Musicologist-in-Residence. Carmina Burana opens with epic music and astute commentary: “O Fortune, like the moon, you are changeable, ever waxing and waning.” All of the repertoire featured in tonight’s concert interacts with this insight, ruminating on fate and fortune through different texts, proverbs, mindsets, and perspectives. Together,...
The program notes are written by Rena Roussin, Musicologist-in-Residence. Welcome to the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers’ opening concert of the 2023-2024 season! This season begins with a collaboration in musical and artistic storytelling, as the TMSingers are joined by Compagnie de la Citadelle, performing choreography by Laurence Lemieux. The title of tonight’s program, In Time, opens...
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Artistic Director Jean-Sébastien Vallée welcome six emerging choral conductors to Toronto for Take the Podium, the TMChoir’s 2023 Conducting Symposium. This annual gathering offers an invaluable opportunity for emerging conductors from across North America to work with artistic director and conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée and the full TMChoir for a five-day...
Bach’s Mass in B Minor (Concert) Review: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Shines in Religious Epic Toronto Guardian Jeremy Gee March 30, 2023 Of all the things to pack a crowded concert hall on a Toronto evening in 2023, a two-and-a-half-hour Catholic epic is not the first thing that jumps to mind. That Bach’s Mass in...
Leslie Barcza barczablog March 29, 2023 Last night’s performance of the Bach B minor Mass by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir at Koerner Hall with a baroque orchestra led by their new artistic director Jean-Sébastien Vallée has put us on notice, that maybe Toronto Mendelssohn Choir are changing. Yes they were already the big choir...
Ken Stephen Large Stage Live! March 29, 2023 Toronto Mendelssohn Choir 2022-2023 # 3: The Glory of the B Minor Mass The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir crowned its season on Tuesday night at Koerner Hall with a powerful, majestic, thrilling performance of one of the most sublime works in the entire choral repertoire: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass...
Joseph So La Scena Musicale March 29, 2023 With Easter just around the corner, we are at the height of the oratorio season. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s offering this year was Bach’s great B Minor Mass. It was a large and enthusiastic audience gathered last evening at Koerner Hall, where they were treated to a superlative...
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is delighted to announce their 2023/2024 season under the artistic direction of Jean-Sébastien Vallée. Highlights of the upcoming season include two major choral masterworks: Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, which features the TMChoir with a full orchestra at Roy Thomson Hall, and Verdi’s haunting Requiem at both Koerner Hall and George Weston...
Joseph So Ludwig Van March 22, 2023 Toronto classical music lovers found their cup truly runneth over this past week, given the veritable feast of terrific concert offerings in our city. The musical omnivore that I am, I attended one every day — except on Saturday, when I managed to squeeze in two. My...