With most of Ontario’s music festivals still hiding under the bed, it’s the Ottawa Chamberfest making the commitment with the announcement of a 2021 summer festival season this week.
After a relatively quiet 2020 season, Ottawa Chamberfest is presenting a fairly robust line-up of mostly local talent that reflects Ontario’s musical and cultural diversity.
“We know that part of Chamberfest’s commitment to ‘changing lives through music’ means ensuring that our stage is more inclusive, and one that amplifies underrepresented voices,” said Chamberfest’s Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak. “It also means showcasing great Canadian musicians who are truly embracing the concept of ‘artistic citizenship’ as we strive to build a vibrant, thriving community.”
Like all festivals across Canada, the pandemic has changed everything.
The Ottawa Chamberfest was forced to abandon a 2020 summer festival season as the pandemic took hold. In September 2020, they launched a new hybrid season that mixes both livestreaming and in-person events. The uncertainty surrounding lockdowns made planning ahead difficult, and thus the hybrid model allowed them to move forward.
They also announced Carissa Klopoushak as Artistic Director this past March, and are looking to hire a new General Manager soon.
While this summer has yet to confirm in-person concerts, Chamberfest will continue the hybrid approach with an initial focus on livestreamed events broadcast from Ottawa’s Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre.
Highlights
- Arion Baroque Orchestra
- Isabel Bayrakdarian + Gryphon Trio, Mark Fewer, and Juan-Miguel Hernandez
- Rachel Mercer, Cameron Crozman, and Paul Marleyn + Stéphane Lemelin
- I Musici de Montréal
- Jens Lindemann and Stewart Goodyear + Brassfire Big Band
- collectif9
- New Orford String Quartet
- Mark Fewer
- Ironwood Quartet + Jamie Parker
- David Jalbert and Wonny Song
- Gryphon Trio
- Lemon Bucket Orkestra
- Jonelle Sills (soprano)
- Echo Chamber Toronto
Tickets are being rolled out now with passes for virtual events only. Details can be found at chamberfest.com.
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