{"id":39370,"date":"2016-10-20T10:35:11","date_gmt":"2016-10-20T14:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=39370"},"modified":"2016-10-20T14:51:57","modified_gmt":"2016-10-20T18:51:57","slug":"whos-who-tmc-elijah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2016\/10\/20\/whos-who-tmc-elijah\/","title":{"rendered":"WHO’S WHO | TMC Offers A Powerful Interpretation Of One Of The Pinnacles Of Choral Music"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Summers-150309-0603\"
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Noel Edison (conductor) (Photo: Brian Summers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

UPDATE FROM THE TORONTO MENDELSSOHN CHOIR<\/del><\/h1>\n

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir celebrates Artistic Director Noel Edison\u2019s 20th<\/sup> anniversary season with the Choir with a performance of Felix Mendelssohn\u2019s great oratorio, Elijah<\/em>.\u00a0 When asked why he chose Elijah<\/em> for this milestone season, Noel commented:<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could I not choose a work by Felix Mendelssohn, the namesake of the Choir?\u00a0 And Elijah is one of my all-time favourite orchestral-choral works. Orchestral works are in the Choir\u2019s DNA and this work is chock-full of big chorus effects. I love the drama and the way the story plays out \u2014 it\u2019s religious opera bursting with the hellfire and brimstone of the Old Testament.\u00a0 And it\u2019s tuneful and fulfilling, full of one beautiful piece after another.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 135-voice TMC and Festival Orchestra will be joined by four critically-acclaimed soloists.\u00a0 American bass-baritone David Pittsinger, praised for his roles in opera and as Emile de Becque in South Pacific, will make his debut performance of Elijah. David says of taking on this role for the first time:<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be a vulnerable and honest storyteller is what every artist ultimately strives for and this piece abounds with opportunities for just that. It resides in an ecclesiastical lexicon with Bach\u2019s Matthew Passion<\/em>, and Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/em>, but uses Mendelssohn\u2019s own Romantic style to great emotional effect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joining Pittsinger is Toronto’s own internationally celebrated tenor Michael Schade, whose parents sang for many years with the TMC, and emerging Canadian soloists soprano Lesley Emma Bouza and mezzo-soprano Christina Stelmacovich.<\/p>\n

Under Noel Edison\u2019s baton, the TMC\u2019s signature grand symphonic sound will highlight the intensity of the story and heighten the emotional experience for the audience \u2013 TMC\u2019s goal for all concerts of the great masterworks.<\/p>\n

TMC performs Elijah<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 pm<\/p>\n

Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. West<\/p>\n

Noel Edison, conductor
\nDavid Pittsinger, bass-baritone
\nLesley Emma Bouza, soprano
\nChristina Stelmacovich, mezzo-soprano
\nMichael Schade, tenor
\nFestival Orchestra<\/p>\n

Tickets $35-$87 with $20 VoxTix for patrons 30 and under.<\/p>\n

Tickets available online<\/a> or by calling RCM Tickets at 416-408-0208.<\/p>\n

Details<\/del><\/h1>\n

\"tmc-logo-tagline_black\"<\/h2>\n

Email:\u00a0admin@tmchoir.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Phone: 416-598-0422<\/p>\n

Website:\u00a0<\/span>www.tmchoir.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Facebook<\/a> | Twitter<\/a>\u00a0| YouTube<\/a> | LiveStream<\/a><\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/h1>\n

Photo Gallery<\/del><\/h1>\n

<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/h1>\n

About<\/del><\/h1>\n

\u201cThe choir is amazing – it never fails to impress. The entire experience was wonderful.\u201d \u2014 Concert patron<\/em><\/p>\n

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is praised by patrons and media alike for the emotional intensity of its performances, and for its grand symphonic sound and clarity of expression. The Choir continues to be dedicated, since its founding in 1894, to engaging audiences with the power of great choral music performed live.<\/p>\n

The 135-voice choir, under the artistic leadership of Grammy-nominated Noel Edison, includes auditioned choristers, choral apprentices and 20 members of the professional Elora Festival Singers.<\/p>\n

The TMC champions choral music in Canada beyond the live concert experience. Many TMC performances are accessible across the country and beyond through webcasting. The Choir\u2019s education and outreach activities contribute to the development of professional and amateur choral musicians: welcoming singers aged 17 to 22 to the Choir through an Apprentice Program, offering a series of fun and educational Singsation Saturday choral workshops for amateur singers, and supporting the development of emerging choral artists with the Choral Composition Competition, the annual TMC Choral Conductors\u2019 Symposium, and the two-year Associate Conductor position.<\/p>\n

The TMC\u2019s 2016\/17 season, Noel Edison\u2019s 20th<\/sup> with the Choir, includes six concerts and a number of guest appearances, including many with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/h1>\n

The Folks Behind It All<\/del><\/h1>\n
\"Noel
Noel Edison (Photo: Brian Summers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Noel Edison<\/h2>\n

Noel Edison<\/strong>\u00a0has been widely recognised and appreciated by choristers, critics and patrons for his skilful interpretive work with both choir and orchestra. His vision for the TMC is to create performances that connect audiences emotionally with some of the greatest traditional and contemporary choral repertoire.<\/p>\n

Edison co-founded the Elora Festival in 1979 and, a year later, the Elora Festival Singers as its choir-in-residence.\u00a0In 1997,<\/strong>\u00a0Noel Edison was named interim conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, and the Elora Festival Singers were selected as the professional core of the TMC.\u00a0 He assumed the position full-time two years later. He has recorded and toured with the Elora Festival Singers and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. He is a champion of Canadian composers, commissioning and premiering a number of works, and of the education of emerging choral conductors, launching the TMC\u2019s annual Choral Conductors\u2019 Symposium in 2010. In 2009 Edison was appointed to the Order of Ontario, the province\u2019s highest honour, and in 2012 he received the Queen\u2019s Diamond Jubilee medal.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/h1>\n

Events<\/del><\/h1>\n

TMC presents Elora Festival Singers in concert<\/a><\/h3>\n

Sunday, October 16, 2016, at 3 pm
\nChurch of the Holy Trinity<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

TMC brings the Grammy-nominated Elora Festival Singers to Toronto for an intimate concert of a cappella music by the Italian Renaissance master\u00a0Palestrina, complemented by contemporary works by Arvo P\u00e4rt and Jocelyn Morlock.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

Felix Mendelssohn\u2019s\u00a0Elijah<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 7:30 pm<\/strong>
\nKoerner Hall, Telus Centre for Performance and Learning<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

This blockbuster oratorio, first performed in 1846, takes listeners through the vivid story of the prophet Elijah told through Felix Mendelssohn\u2019s stirring choruses, colourful orchestration and dramatic recitatives.\u00a0Elijah<\/em>\u00a0was the crowning glory of Mendelssohn\u2019s successful and tragically short career. The Choir and Festival Orchestra, under the direction of Noel Edison, will be joined by a stellar line-up of soloists including\u00a0bass-baritone David Pittsinger<\/strong>\u00a0who has been praised by the\u00a0Washington Times<\/em>\u00a0for his brilliant, knife-clean bass-baritone voice, impeccable enunciation and authoritative and passionate delivery. Pittsinger will debut the role of Elijah with the TMC. He will be joined by soloists who have thrilled TMC audiences with their virtuosity: soprano Lesley Bouza; mezzo-soprano Christina Stelmacovich; and internationally-renowned operatic tenor Michael Schade.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

Singsation Saturdays: Music of Haydn with conductor Jennifer Min-Young Lee<\/a><\/h3>\n

Saturday, November 26, 2016, at 10:30 a.m.<\/strong>
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Join TMC Associate Conductor Jennifer Min-Young Lee to sing Haydn\u2019s Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo No 7<\/em> and also some secular part songs by Haydn.<\/p>\n

Jennifer Min-Young Lee<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is in her second year as Associate Conductor of the TMC. She also teaches music and conducts three choral ensembles at Bur Oak Secondary School.\u00a0Jennifer holds a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, as well as Bachelor of Music and Education degrees from the University of Western Ontario, London.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

Festival of Carols<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at 7:30 pm<\/strong>
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The TMC is joined by the Canadian Staff Band and organist David Briggs for its joyous annual celebration\u00a0of music for the season, including a popular audience sing-along of favourite carols.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

TMC Choral Conductors\u2019 Symposium Concert<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Saturday, January 28, 2017, at 3 pm<\/strong>
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

This\u00a0FREE concert<\/strong>\u00a0concludes the TMC\u2019s annual Choral Conductors\u2019 Symposium which brings together five emerging conductors from across North America for a week of intensive workshops with Noel Edison. The five conductors will conduct the Elora Festival Singers and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in a lively concert of classical and contemporary choral music.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

Singsation Saturdays:\u00a0French greats with conductor Xavier Brossard-M\u00e9nard<\/a><\/h3>\n

Saturday, February 11, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.<\/strong>
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Join Quebec\u00a0conductor Xavier Brossard-M\u00e9nard to sing through two fabulous French works \u2013 Durufl\u00e9\u2019s Requiem<\/em> and Vierne\u2019s Messe Solennelle<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Xavier Brossard-M\u00e9nard<\/strong>\u00a0is Artistic Director of the St. Lambert Choral Society<\/a> in Quebec. He is both a conductor and a clarinetist and is well-known for his innovative approach to classical and contemporary music. Over the ten last years, he has worked with a wide variety of ensembles such as the Toronto Children\u2019s Chorus, the McGill Conservatory Singers, and the Drummondville Symphony Orchestra Choir. \u00a0He is a previous participant in the TMC Choral Conductors\u2019 Symposium.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

Sing Joyfully!<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Saturday, March 4, 2017, at 4 pm<\/strong>
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The TMC, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church Minster Singers and organist William Maddox join forces for a great\u00a0hymn sing\u00a0with audience members invited to sing along.\u00a0 The two choirs will also perform stirring anthems from traditional to modern.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

Singsation Saturdays:\u00a0The Apostles with conductor Stephanie Martin<\/a><\/h3>\n

Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.<\/strong>
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Sing through choruses from Elgar\u2019s oratorio\u00a0The Apostles<\/em> with conductor Stephanie Martin. Read a synopsis of this work<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stephanie Martin<\/strong>\u00a0is an award-winning conductor and composer. She is Artistic Director of Pax Christi Chorale <\/a>and Schola Magdalena and associate professor of music at York University. Pax Christi Chorale will be performing The Apostles<\/em> in their 2016\/17 season.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

Singsation Saturdays:\u00a0Gospel music with conductor Karen Burke<\/a><\/h3>\n

Saturday, April 8, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.<\/strong>
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Toronto Mass Choir co-founder Karen Burke will lead singers through a great morning of gospel music.<\/p>\n

Karen Burke<\/strong>\u00a0is associate professor of gospel choir and jazz vocals at York University. She co-founded the Toronto Mass Choir<\/a> and is founding director of the York University Gospel Choir.\u00a0Her music career also includes work as a busy guest speaker, classical piano teacher, adjudicator and clinician offering gospel music workshops.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

Sacred Music for a Sacred Space<\/a><\/h3>\n

Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at 7:30 pm AND Good Friday, April 14, 2017, at 7:30 pm<\/strong>
\nSt. Paul\u2019s Basilica<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The TMC has added a second performance night for this popular concert which brings together contemplative music with the beautiful setting of St. Paul\u2019s. This concert has become a cherished\u00a0moment of calm and reflection\u00a0for many.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/h1>\n

Singsation Saturdays:\u00a0Chichester Psalms with conductor Dan Rutzen<\/a><\/h3>\n

Saturday, May 6, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.<\/strong>
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Sing through Bernstein\u2019s Chichester Psalms<\/em> with conductor Dan Rutzen.<\/p>\n

Dan Rutzen<\/strong> is Artistic Director of The Greater Toronto MegaCity Chorus and is a performer and board member with the Canadian Men\u2019s Chorus. \u00a0He also has extensive experience as musical director for a number of productions in Toronto, including the Dora winning production of Of A Monstrous Child: A Gaga Musical<\/em> for Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Ecce Homo Theatre.<\/p>\n

More details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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