The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMC) presents a season of inspiring choral music for 2016/17 – from an intimate a cappella performance to a grand oratorio with full orchestra. In November the Choir celebrates Noel Edison’s 20th season with one of his favourite works, Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah, at Koerner Hall.
Noel Edison has been widely recognized and appreciated by choristers, critics and patrons for his skillful interpretive work with both choir and orchestra. His vision for the TMC is to create performances that connect audiences emotionally with some of the greatest traditional and contemporary choral repertoire.
Edison co-founded the Elora Festival in 1979 and, a year later, the Elora Festival Singers as its choir-in-residence. In 1997, Noel Edison was named interim conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Elora Festival Singers were selected as the professional core of the TMC. He assumed the position full time two years later. He has recorded and toured with the Elora Festival Singers and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. He is a champion of Canadian composers, commissioning and premiering a number of works, and of the education of emerging choral conductors, launching the TMC’s annual Choral Conductors’ Symposium in 2010. In 2009 Edison was appointed to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, and in 2012 he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.
TMC’s 2016/17 concert season
TMC presents Elora Festival Singers in concert
Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 3 pm
Church of the Holy Trinity
TMC brings the Grammy-nominated Elora Festival Singers to Toronto for an intimate concert of a cappella music by the Italian Renaissance master Palestrina, complemented by contemporary works by Arvo Pärt and Jocelyn Morlock.
Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah
Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Koerner Hall, Telus Centre for Performance and Learning
This blockbuster oratorio, first performed in 1846, takes listeners through the vivid story of the prophet Elijah told through Felix Mendelssohn’s stirring choruses, colourful orchestration and dramatic recitatives. Elijah was the crowning glory of Mendelssohn’s successful and tragically short career. The Choir and Festival Orchestra, under the direction of Noel Edison, will be joined by a stellar line up of soloists including American bass-baritone David Pittsinger who has been praised by the Washington Times for his brilliant, knife-clean bass-baritone voice, impeccable enunciation and authoritative and passionate delivery. Pittsinger will debut the role of Elijah with the TMC. He will be joined by soloists who have thrilled TMC audiences with their virtuosity: soprano Lesley Bouza; mezzo-soprano Christina Stelmacovich; and internationally-renowned operatic tenor Michael Schade.
Festival of Carols
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
The TMC is joined by the Canadian Staff Band and organist David Briggs for its annual joyous celebration of music for the season, including a popular audience sing-along of favourite carols.
TMC Choral Conductors’ Symposium Concert
Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 3 pm
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
This FREE concert concludes the TMC’s annual Choral Conductors’ Symposium which brings together five emerging conductors from across North America for a week of intensive workshops with Noel Edison. The five conductors will conduct the Elora Festival Singers and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in a lively concert of classical and contemporary choral music.
Sing Joyfully!
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 4 pm
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
The TMC, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church Minster Singers and organist William Maddox join forces for a great hymn sing with audience members invited to sing along. The two choirs will also perform stirring anthems from traditional to modern.
Sacred Music for a Sacred Space
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 7:30 pm AND
Good Friday, April 14, 2017 at 7:30 pm
St. Paul’s Basilica
The TMC has added a second performance night for this popular concert which brings together contemplative music with the beautiful setting of St. Paul’s. This concert has become a cherished moment of calm and reflection for many.
Season details, including subscription information, are found on the TMC website at https://www.tmchoir.org/201617-season/
Single tickets go on sale September 6, 2016. This season, tickets for all TMC concerts will be sold through RCM Tickets. This will enable patrons to choose their seats online and to use the print-at-home option if they wish. Patrons will also be able to purchase tickets by calling the RCM Tickets Box Office at 416-408-0208.
As part of the Choir’s outreach program, a selection of TMC performances will be webcast live through Livestream. Since 2012 the TMC has reached choral music lovers across Canada and internationally with concert webcasts. A number of performances are archived for viewing at www.livestream.com/TMChoir.
The TMC will also make a number of guest appearances this season, including performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra: The Lord of the Rings in Concert; Messiah; Belshazzar’s Feast; and Carmina Burana.
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The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council and a community of corporate, foundation and individual donors.