Voices gathered in song, commuters, and a little protest along the way — Luminato Toronto kicked off its 2025 Festival with a public performance by six city choirs in Union Station. For those trying to get to work, it was a pleasant diversion, but there also seemed to be a sizable dedicated audience that followed the choirs through the train station to the finale, where all six were massed together.
The project was spearheaded, and directed, by Polish opera director and librettist Krystian Lada. Lada is an acclaimed opera artist, the first recipient of the Mortier Next Generation Award (in 2019), and a finalist and prizewinner in the 2021 Ring Award., an international opera competition. The former Director of Dramaturgy, Communication and Empowerment, and Artistic Adjunct at La Monnaie, Brussels (2013-17) and General and Artistic Director of The Airport Society: a Brussels-based cooperative of opera artists, he is currently the Director of Artistic Programme at Ruhrtriennale, an arts festival in Duisburg, Germany.
The Choirs
Three choirs performed in the VIA rail station. Penthelia Singers, led by Artistic Director Alice Malach, were the smallest of the choirs. With a softer sound, they sang an Indigenous work.
The Amadeus Choir, led by Artistic Director Kathleen Allan, was nearby, serenading passersby both above and walking through the lower level of the station, where the tunnels and passages lead to GO trains and the TTC.
Babel, led by Artistic Director Elaine Choi, performs both Canadian and Chinese repertoire. Their performances were dynamic, and often accompanied by choreography.
Downstairs in the lower passages, Ot Izvora — Bulgarian Folk Music Choir, led by Artistic Director Dr. Irene Markoff, surprised the crowds shuffling between the trains and the subway with striking folk melodies and harmonies.
Artistic Director Edward Connell led Forte — Toronto Gay Men’s Chorus from the ground floor as the choir sang arrangements of pop songs from above. At the other end of the station, in the Bay Street concours, The One Group, led by Artistic Director Jonathan Spooner, offered up a dynamic slate of RnB and gospel.
In short, it was a showcase of Toronto’s talent and diversity. You can check out a sampling of it here and here:
Final Thoughts
Organizers tried their best to keep the walkways of the station free for the commuters rushing to a train.
Just as the mass choir was assembling upstairs in the VIA rail station, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters began to sing on top of the choirs. Their objection: Luminato’s funding received from the Azrieli Foundation, and some of its activities in Israel.
After a few minutes, the mass choir headed over to the opposite end of the hall, and began to sing, finishing to a larger crowd, and tumultuous applause. Many of the choristers dispersed while blowing bird whistles to extend the experience.
The protesters continued singing.
As luck would have it, cavernous Union Station was big enough for them both.
- For early risers, the experience repeats tomorrow, June 5. More information [HERE].
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