{"id":122870,"date":"2026-03-26T12:57:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:57:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=122870"},"modified":"2026-03-26T14:00:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T18:00:03","slug":"scoop-toronto-mendelssohn-choir-announces-2026-27-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/03\/26\/scoop-toronto-mendelssohn-choir-announces-2026-27-season\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Announces Its 2026\/27 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Toronto
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Jean-S\u00e9bastien Vall\u00e9e (Photo: Taylor Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMChoir) has announced its 2026\/27 season, one that will combine masterworks of the choral repertoire along with intimate concerts, and music with a social message. Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Jean-S\u00e9bastien Vall\u00e9e has put together a season where storytelling is a part of the music.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is the kind of sound you don\u2019t just hear \u2014 you feel,\u201d says Maestro Vall\u00e9e<\/strong> in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur passion is to share human experiences that connect audiences, grounded in both the grandeur and intimacy of the human voice, and brought to life by the TMChoir\u2019s excellence and distinctive sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Festival of Carols (Photo: Taylor Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

TMChoir 2026\/27 Season At A Glance<\/h2>\n

Mainstage Concerts<\/h3>\n

TMChoir: MOZART: Mass in C Minor & Requiem<\/strong><\/p>\n

September 30 & October 1, 2026 at Koerner Hall
\nGuest Artists: TMOrchestra (B\u00e9n\u00e9dicte Lauzi\u00e8re concertmaster), soprano H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Brunet, mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szab\u00f3, Tenor Colin Ainsworth, Bass-Baritone Alex Halliday<\/p>\n

The program includes Mozart\u2019s Great Mass in C minor, K. 427 and Requiem in D minor, K. 626, along with a commissioned work by the 2026-27 Composer-in-Residence.<\/p>\n

Both of Mozart\u2019s monumental sacred works were left unfinished at his death. This performance reimagines the works with a new artistic lens, using multiple contemporary reconstructions. Each movement offers a fresh perspective based on Mozart\u2019s vision.<\/p>\n

TMChoir: Festival of Carols<\/strong><\/p>\n

December 1, 2 & 3 at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
\nGuest Artists: Jonathan Oldengarm, organ<\/p>\n

The Festival of Carols is one of the city\u2019s most beloved holiday traditions returns. The program for the evening features holiday music and carols, including both the classics and contemporary works, and a new commission by the 2026-27 Composer-in-Residence.<\/p>\n

TMChoir: The Dream of Gerontius<\/strong><\/p>\n

April 1 & 2, 2027 at Koerner Hall
\nGuest Artists: TMOrchestra (B\u00e9n\u00e9dicte Lauzi\u00e8re concertmaster), Mezzo-Soprano Allyson McHardy, Tenor Michael Colvin, Bass-Baritone Joel Allison<\/p>\n

Edward Elgar\u2019s seldom performed The Dream of Gerontius Op. 38 will be performed in a revised orchestration by Iain Farrington. It\u2019s a work of great depth that revolves around the spiritual journey that the soul undertakes from death into the afterlife. It\u2019s a profound dive into the notions of faith, doubt, and redemption, characterized by gorgeous, intricate choral writing and emotional power. Elgar\u2019s masterpiece has undergone a recent resurgence of interest since the release of the film The Choral<\/a>, starring Ralph Fiennes.<\/p>\n

\"Artistic
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Jean-S\u00e9bastien Vall\u00e9e conducts the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, soloists and orchestra (Photo: Taylor Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

TMSingers<\/h3>\n

TMSingers: The Light of Paradise<\/strong><\/p>\n

November 7, 2026 at Metropolitan United Church
\nGuest Artists: Quasar quartet (Saxophone quartet)<\/p>\n

Paul Mealor\u2019s The Light of Paradise weaves ancient mysticism into contemporary sound in this Toronto premiere of the work. The groundbreaking choral opera revolves around the life story of medieval mystic Margery Kempe in 14 movements. The acclaimed Quasar Saxophone Quartet will accompany the TMSingers in an immersive auditory and spatial experience that uses dynamic staging to evoke Kempe\u2019s pilgrimages. The narrative works with the visual elements to create a connection between performers and audience.<\/p>\n

TMSingers: Considering Matthew Shepard | staged concert performance<\/strong><\/p>\n

May 1, 2027 at Metropolitan United Church
\nGuest Artists: TMPlayers (chamber ensemble), Patrick Hansen (director)<\/p>\n

Considering Matthew Shepard by Craig Hella Johnson was an important work on its inception, and, in the face of current global challenges to LGBTQ+ rights, has renewed relevance. The secular passion asks the audience to reflect on themes of love, loss, and compassion through its telling of the life and tragic death of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man. His murder in 1998 has become a touchstone and catalyst for human rights advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues. The oratorio blends classical, jazz, and folk music with texts culled from the work of poets and mystics, and Shepard\u2019s own writing.<\/p>\n

A staged concert performance highlights the work\u2019s drama and storytelling, creating a powerful statement against the rise of hate crimes and discrimination.<\/p>\n

\"Toronto
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Jean-S\u00e9bastien Vall\u00e9e (Photo: Tam Photography); The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Photo: Jae Yang)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Guest Appearances<\/h3>\n

Along with the organization\u2019s own performances, TMChoir will be performing as guest artists with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra<\/strong> for two productions.<\/p>\n