The program notes are written by Rena Roussin, Musicologist-in-Residence. After the 1871 Cairo premiere of his opera Aida, Giuseppe Verdi announced his retirement from opera composition. While he would eventually renege on his word and complete two additional operas (1887’s Otello and 1893’s Falstaff), his decision was understandable: after decades of tireless work, he had achieved...
Toronto Mendelssohn Singers Offer Intriguing, Emotional Version Of Schubert’s Winterreise Ludwig Van Paula Citron March 19, 2024 Toronto Mendelssohn Singers/Winterreise by Franz Schubert, conducted by Jean-Sébastien Vallée, featuring baritone Brett Polegato, pianist Philip Chiu, and the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers, Jean Lamon Hall, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, Mar. 16. Since becoming artistic director of the Toronto Mendelssohn...
The program notes are written by Rena Roussin, Musicologist-in-Residence. From the mid-eighteenth-century through to the end of the nineteenth, numerous German-speaking writers (the most famous among them including Goethe and Heine) contributed unprecedented amounts of poetry to German literature. In the same time period, multiple German and Austrian composers were reading and setting those texts to...
Toronto, February 13, 2024 – The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMChoir) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Daniela Nardi as its new Executive Director, effective March 4, 2024. Nardi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the TMChoir, celebrating over 30 years of success in the arts and culture sector. Her deep passion for...
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir announces Exchange, a day of community choral workshops, this February 3rd, 2024. In collaboration with Orpheus Choir of Toronto and Pax Christi Chorale, this all-day event features guest speakers for a series of interactive workshops, masterclasses and lectures. A total of nine presenters take the stage during the day to conduct...
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Festival Of Carols A Truly Joyous Occasion Ludwig Van Joseph So December 7, 2023 Festival of Carols / Toronto Mendelssohn Choir; Toronto Mendelssohn Singers; Jonathan Oldengarm, organ; Irene Gregorio, piano; Colleen Allen, saxophone; Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor. Dec. 5, 2023 7:30pm Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge Street, Toronto. It’s that time of...
The program notes are written by Rena Roussin, Musicologist-in-Residence. Welcome to the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s 2023 Festival of Carols! A December tradition for the choir for many years, the Festival of Carols ushers in the holiday season with a chance to hear and communally sing Christmas carols, while also reflecting on the upcoming season. This year’s...
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Opens Season With A Scintillating Carmina Burana Ludwig Van Joseph So October 30, 2023 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana; Johannes Brahms: Schicksalslied; Tracy Wong: Patah Tumbuh (Broken – Renewed). Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Children’s Chorus, Members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Jean-Sébastien Vallée conducting. October 27, 2023 at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto. For...
O Fortuna operaramblings October 28, 2023 I attended the second of two performances of their season opener by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir at Roy Thomson Hall last night. It was an enjoyable and well constructed programme. It opened with two pieces by composer in residence Tracy Wong. Patah – Tumbuh (Broken – Renewed), for choir and children’s...