{"id":119736,"date":"2025-11-25T14:05:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T19:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=119736"},"modified":"2025-11-26T13:00:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T18:00:02","slug":"preview-apochryphonia-canadian-institute-czech-music-present-bohemian-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/11\/25\/preview-apochryphonia-canadian-institute-czech-music-present-bohemian-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Apochryphonia & The Canadian Institute For Czech Music Present Bohemian Holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Bohemian
Bohemian Holiday performers (L-R): Tenor Alexander Cappellazo; soprano Grace Quinsey; conductor Matheus Coelho; mezzo-soprano Catherin Carew; baritone John Holland (Photos courtesy of the artists)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For classical music lovers in Toronto, concert offerings tend towards Messiah, Messiah, and more Messiah, with perhaps a sprinkling of Bach\u2019s Christmas Oratorio. Apochryphonia and The Canadian Institute for Czech Music have teamed up to bring audiences something different \u2014 a Bohemian Holiday on November 30.<\/p>\n

The program consists of music that was written in the Czech Republic during the 17th and 18th centuries. The composers in question may not be nearly as familiar to most North American classical music aficionados as Handel or Bach, making the concert a wonderful opportunity to discover new favourites.<\/p>\n

The program includes major composers of the of the Czech Baroque, including Jan Dismas Zelenka, Pavel Josef Vejvanovsk\u00fd, Bohuslav Mat\u011bj \u010cernohorsk\u00fd, and Anton\u00edn Reichenauer, the latter in a North American premiere. Franti\u0161ek Brixi and Jakub Jan Ryba represent music from the Classical period of Czech music.<\/p>\n

An ensemble of Toronto talent will take the stage, including soprano Grace Quinsey, mezzo-soprano Catharin Carew, tenor Alexander Cappellazzo, and bass-baritone John Holland. Christopher Dawes plays the organ, with Matheus Coelho conducting a chamber orchestra.<\/p>\n

A Czech Christmas<\/h3>\n

Czech culture has a distinctive take on the Christmas story. Most Christmas tales or Betl\u00e9my (Czech nativity scenes) take the nativity story and bring it into a familiar Czech locale such as a city or castle. The shepherds become Czech characters. When it comes to the animals, Betl\u00e9my sometimes bring exotic animals such as elephants into the picture.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an imaginative take on the classic Christmas scenario, with the goal of making the holiday story into the community, and offering a personal connection.<\/p>\n

The Music<\/h2>\n

Czech Baroque<\/h3>\n

Zelenka: Magnificat in D<\/strong><\/p>\n

Advent is the time for Magnificats. Zelenka\u2019s, with its dynamic first movement, lyrical second movement, and Amen fugue, is arranged for Soprano (Quinsey) and Alto (Carew) soloists, SATB, and orchestra.<\/p>\n

Vejvanovks\u00fd: Salve Regina<\/strong><\/p>\n

A trumpeter as well as a composer, it\u2019s not surprising that Pavel Josef Vejvanovsk\u00fd is perhaps best known for his brass writing. This piece is scored for bass voice (Holland) and strings.<\/p>\n

\u010cernohorsk\u00fd: Toccata in C<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bohuslav Mat\u011bj \u010cernohorsk\u00fd was well known as an organist, and composer for the organ, in his time, and is often dubbed \u201cThe Bohemian Bach\u201d. Christopher Dawes will perform his rich Toccata in C.<\/p>\n

Reichenaur: O Coeli Rorate<\/strong><\/p>\n

Little is known about the life of Anton\u00edn Reichenauer, other than the fact that he was a choirmaster, composer, and organist who died at the young age of 35 or 36. As such, he\u2019s little known outside of the Czech Republic. His music is likened to that of Vivaldi, and his soprano aria O Coeli Rorate will be performed by Grace Quinsey and the string ensemble in a North American premiere.<\/p>\n

Classical Czech<\/h3>\n

All four singers (Quinsey, Carew, Cappellazzo, and Holland) will perform the two works from the Classical era.<\/p>\n

Brixi: Motetto Pastoritium<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mozart was extremely popular in the Czech lands, and that influence can be heard in this piece, which depicts shepherds in the fields waking up and deciding to make their way to Bethlehem.<\/p>\n

\u010cesk\u00e1 m\u0161e v\u00e1no\u010dn\u00ed \u2018Czech Christmas Mass\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

This classic Christmas piece is sung in the Czech language, and also harkens a Mozartian sound world. A liturgical text in Czech combines with Betl\u00e9m style storytelling. In it, a peasant tenor (Cappellazzo) wakes up his master to tell him that they must go to Bethlehem to witness Jesus\u2019 birth, and let everyone along the way know about their journey. The organ is at the heart of the instrumentation, blended with strings, winds, and brass.<\/p>\n

The Performers<\/h2>\n

Grace Quinsey, soprano<\/strong><\/p>\n

A native of Windsor, Ontario, Grace\u2019s recent performances include the role of Josephine in HMS Pinafore, and Giannetta in L\u2019elisir d\u2019amore, both with Opera York, and Ma\u0159enka in Smetana\u2019s Prodan\u00e1 nev\u011bsta in the Year of Czech Music Opera Festival.<\/p>\n

Catherine Carew, mezzo-soprano<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance both from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London England and McGill University, Catherin\u2019s roles have included premiering the role of Maeve in Ana Sokolovic\u2019s The Midnight Court at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden with Queen of Puddings Music Theatre.<\/p>\n

Alexander Cappellazzo, tenor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alexander has performed roles including Tamino, Nemorino, Lensky, Acis, Don Ottavio, Oronte, and Vasek, and performed with Opera Atelier, VOICEBOX: Opera In Concert, Toronto City Opera, and Toronto Operetta Theatre, among others. He is the founder of the Apocryphonia Concert Series and the Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet, both dedicated to presenting underperformed classical works.<\/p>\n

John Holland, bass-baritone<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Holland\u2019s operatic roles include Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Leporello and Masetto in Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre in Prague, and Vodn\u00edk in Rusalka in the Czech Republic. In addition to his performing career, John is the president and founder of the Canadian Institute for Czech Music, and Artistic Director of the Toronto Classical Singers as well as Opera York, and Music Director of Blessed Trinity Parish.<\/p>\n

Christopher Dawes, organ<\/strong><\/p>\n

Freelance church, choral and theatre musician Christopher Dawes is the Lead Musician at the Church of St. George-the-Martyr. As a performer he has toured, been recorded, and broadcast through the US and Europe. The former organist and Director of Music at Toronto\u2019s St. James Cathedral, he has worked and toured extensively with choirs n the U.S.A., Ireland, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.<\/p>\n

Matheus Coelho, conductor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brazilian conductor Matheus Coelho is a doctorate student at the University of Toronto. His wide ranging repertoire includes symphonic, choral, and operatic music. In addition to conducting, he is also a clarinetist and vocalist.<\/p>\n

The Concert<\/h3>\n

Bohemian Holiday takes place on Sunday, November 30 at Christ Church Deer Park.<\/p>\n