{"id":122269,"date":"2026-03-04T14:07:32","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T19:07:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=122269"},"modified":"2026-03-04T14:07:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T19:07:32","slug":"interview-soundstreams-lawrence-cherney-talks-2026-27-season-recent-trade-trip-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/03\/04\/interview-soundstreams-lawrence-cherney-talks-2026-27-season-recent-trade-trip-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Soundstreams\u2019 Lawrence Cherney Talks About The 2026\/27 Season And His Recent Trade Trip To Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Soundstreams
Soundstreams Choir (Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lawrence Cherney, Founding Artistic Director of Soundstreams, has announced the company\u2019s 44th season, which opens in October 2026. The season will feature world premieres, along with North American Premieres by Steve Reich<\/strong> and James MacMillan<\/strong>, composers from the Pacific Rim, and more.<\/p>\n

LV spoke to Lawrence Cherney about the upcoming season and his recent trip to Mexico as part of the February 2026 Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM).<\/p>\n

\"Vocalists
Vocalists Daniel Cabena, Hillary Tufford, Mireille Asselin, and Danika Loren in Soundstreams\u2019 opera The Garden of Vanished Pleasures (Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Team Canada Trade Mission<\/h2>\n

The Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM) to Mexico during the week of February 15, 2026 was a Global Affairs Canada initiative. The goal was to bring representatives from Canadian creative industries to Mexico City and Guadalajara for a series of meetings, site visits, and market briefings.<\/p>\n

The mission was led by the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc<\/strong>, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy as part of the federal government\u2019s priority of diversifying and strengthening trade relationships with reliable international partners.<\/p>\n

Before the pandemic, Soundstreams was already involved in several cultural exchange initiatives in Latin America.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoundstreams, we have been involved in an exchange with Mexico some years ago, I think it was 2012,\u201d Cherney says.<\/p>\n

The Toronto arts organization has previously collaborated with artists from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina. In 2012, a Soundstreams production toured to Mexico, including performances at the Festival Internacional Cervantino, Latin America\u2019s premiere culture and arts festival.<\/p>\n

As Cherney explains, the project brought together four Canadian singers with a Mexican ensemble, the Tambuco Percussion Ensemble. \u201cWe created some new repertoire, there was some existing repertoire that was used.\u201d The program was performed in Toronto as well as touring in Mexico, including a performance at the Festival Internacional Cervantino.<\/p>\n

Naturally, the COVID pandemic put an end to international exchanges.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was invited to participate in this trade mission, I thought, well, it\u2019s a chance to pick up the pieces,\u201d Cherney says.<\/p>\n

During the 2026 trip, Cherney had the opportunity to meet with many institutions, including the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL), Festival Internacional Cervantino, Pro \u00d3pera, Festival PAAX, Festival Cultural de Mayo, Teatro Degollado, and Teatro Galer\u00edas, and to visit the Auditorio Nacional and Centro Cultural Universitario.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere turned out to be \u2014 from across Canada, we\u2019re talking leaders in business as well as in arts and culture, there were more than 250 people.\u201d That doesn\u2019t include the Minister along with about 150 parliamentary secretaries and other government officials.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the biggest trade mission that Canada has sent [to Mexico],\u201d he notes. \u201cIt\u2019s not always that arts and politics are aligned as in this situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

He points out the Prime Minister\u2019s interest in diversifying markets for business as well as the arts. The trade mission was a first step in setting up the mechanisms and processes in order for those initiatives to succeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cClearly the idea is to boost the activity, and the amount of activity,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\"Soundstreams\u2019
Soundstreams\u2019 Two Odysseys: Pimooteewin (Photo: Dahlia Katz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soundstreams In Latin America<\/h3>\n

\u201cI went with a couple of productions in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

He mentions The Garden of Vanished Pleasures<\/a>. \u201cThere was interest in that,\u201d Lawrence says. \u201cIt\u2019s roughly speaking, the life story of the late, great British filmmaker Derek Jarman.\u201d Also a poet and queer rights activist, Jarman died of AIDS complications in 1994.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very timely,\u201d he says of the work. \u201cWe\u2019re not trying to save the world, but it\u2019s a production that speaks to our time and place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another work of interest to Latin American institutions was Two Odysseys, which was recently awarded an Opera America grant<\/a>. The work incorporates two one-act operas, Pimooteewin, The Journey, in a Cree language, and G\u00e1ll\u00e1bartnit, sung in S\u00e1mi, a Swedish Indigenous language.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt did premiere just before COVID in Toronto<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is a tour planned to Scandinavia in 2028, taking advantage of the Opera America funding, along with support from the Canada Council for the Arts and other Canadian agencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was interest in bringing that production to Mexico,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nice interest in a production that we\u2019re presenting this spring.\u201d It\u2019s titled I Want To Tell You Everything, An Anthology of Love Songs<\/a>, and will take the stage in Toronto April 9.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of them is basically a concert piece, the tother two are staged works. There was healthy interest in all of them,\u201d Lawrence reports.<\/p>\n

Meetings and More<\/h3>\n

\u201cWe were very fortunate,\u201d Cherney says. As he explained, the Mexican consulate had arranged meetings for performing arts delegates with the local cultural sector. A consultant facilitated the discussions.<\/p>\n

Meetings were held in Mexico City and Guadalajara. He points out that the Guadalajara region is home to about 120 post secondary institutions, along with an educated population with an interest in the arts.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s interesting,\u201d he says of the opportunities. \u201cTouring and cultural exchange \u2014 people don\u2019t always realize that what we do has a lot of international interest,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the things are turnkey productions, other projects are more location specific,\u201d he explains. \u201cWe\u2019ve done a lot of that work too. If we go forward with our Mexican possibilities, I suspect that there will be more than one way they will go forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are one shot deals, and as he puts it, those with longer legs, which involve a more sustained contact over time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re both great,\u201d he says. \u201cThey both serve important purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Promotional
Promotional image courtesy of Soundstreams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soundstreams 2026\/27<\/h2>\n

Cherney comments on the concerts that will make up the next season. (Note: not in chronological order.)<\/p>\n

Praise Song for Oceania (April 17, 2027)<\/h3>\n

Soundstreams New Voices Mentorship Program winner Jesse Plessis<\/strong> curates this program that features artists and works connected by the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n

\u201cJesse Plessis is a wonderful composer and pianist of Metis heritage,\u201d Cherney says. \u201cWe have an annual competition called the New Voices Mentorship program. Jesse actually had the winning proposal,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

The program includes music by Indigenous artists of the Pacific Rim, including composers from Samoa, Hawaii, and North America.<\/p>\n

\u201cI agreed with the [judging] panel,\u201d Lawrence says. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of fantastic repertoire here.\u201d It\u2019s also music that is not well known in this area, as he points out. \u201cWe all thought, it\u2019s a fantastic opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

CelloX8 (June 3, 2027)<\/h3>\n

\u201cArvo P\u00e4rt wrote a lot for eight cellos,\u201d Cherney points out. The program includes Part\u2019s Fratres and L’abb\u00e9 Agathon, the latter inspired by Maladrerie Saint-Lazare, one the oldest leper hospitals in Europe. \u201cAnother piece that is famous for eight cellos is Villa-Lobos.\u201d Heitor Villa-Lobos<\/strong>\u2019 Bachianas Brasilieras features a soprano along with the octet of cellos.<\/p>\n

Other works include music by Kaija Saariaho<\/strong>, a commissioned work by a Canadian composer, and one by an Estonian composer. \u201cThis particular production is a co-pro with Luminato and he Estonian Museum Canada,\u201d Cherney explains. He mentions the KESKUS International Estonian Centre<\/strong> in Toronto, which is anticipated to open in August 2026 at 8 Madison Avenue. It will incorporate a concert venue. \u201cThey\u2019re involved because there will be a cellist from Estonia, and one or two Estonian composers,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

He points out that Estonia, with a population of less than 1.4 million, is renowned for its vocal music and traditions, and supports a national symphony and chamber orchestra.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ties in with the concert we just had with Arvo P\u00e4rt<\/a>,\u201d he says. \u201cWe have a close relationship with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the case of Reich and MacMillan, it is a personal connection,\u201d he continues.<\/p>\n

\"Composer
Composer Steve Reich (Photo: Jeffrey Herman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Steve Reich at 90! (October 6, 2026)<\/h3>\n

\u201cIn the case of Reich, I\u2019ve never met him,\u201d he says. However, Toronto percussionist Russell Hartenberger<\/strong> has been working with Reich since the early 1970s. \u201cHe\u2019s one of the greatest interpreters of his work,\u201d he notes. \u201cWe\u2019ve worked with him [too].\u201d<\/p>\n

Reich, as he points out, is now in his late 80s. \u201cSteve is not traveling internationally anymore, but on the other hand, he used to come every five years,\u201d Cherney says. \u201cI\u2019ve had a close association with him. It\u2019s a lot more than that. Two of the original members of his original ensemble [Steve Reich and Musicians], Hartenberger and Bob Becker<\/strong>, they were the founding members of Nexus. They live in Toronto,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\u201cToronto is one of the great centres in the world of percussion. It\u2019s more than just celebrating a famous person. There are real connections with Toronto,\u201d he adds. \u201cHe gets great performances when he comes here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The concert includes the North American premiere of Reich\u2019s In all Your Ways for 14 instruments. It\u2019 s a co-commission by Soundstreams, Carnegie Hall, Edinburgh Festival, Philharmonie de Paris, and others.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s sort of an accident,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019re co-commissioners with some of the world\u2019s greatest institutions. We\u2019re so pleased,\u201d he says, noting it will be Soundstreams\u2019 largest commission yet.<\/p>\n

Also on the program is Reich\u2019s signature works Music for 18 Musicians, and Clapping Music. \u201cWe have a very special version of Clapping Music.\u201d It will feature a screening where Reich will perform one of the parts on film, while Russell Hartenberger and others perform live on stage.<\/p>\n

\"Composer
Composer and conductor James MacMillan (Photo: James Bellorini)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Angels Unawares: Music of James MacMillan (February 27, 2027)<\/h3>\n

\u201cThis at least James\u2019 fourth visit to us. He\u2019s not only the composer of the major work on that show, he\u2019s the conductor,\u201d Lawrence says. Scottish composer James MacMillan served as both composer and conductor with the BBC Philharmonic from 2000 to 2009.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe major work on the program is 70 minutes long, it\u2019s called Angels Awares.\u201d Cherney notes that the work will premiere on June 2, 2026 in London. \u201cWe\u2019re also getting the North American premiere of that work,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the areas that Soundstreams has been in […] for many of our 43 years, we\u2019ve done a lot of work with the oratorio form. We\u2019ve done a lot of work in that genre. MacMillan writes brilliantly,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s not an exception.\u201d<\/p>\n

MacMillan will be in Toronto for the concert.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the week that he\u2019ll be here, he\u2019ll be the mentor for the RBC Bridges program,\u201d Cherney says. It will be MacMillan\u2019s first time in that role.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re doubly blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also returning are the free concerts through the Soundstreams TD Encounters<\/strong> series, with more details to be announced.<\/p>\n