The NAC Orchestra performs in Thetford Mines

The NAC Orchestra performs on July 24 in Thetford Mines at ˆâglise Saint-Alphonse in honour of its 100^th anniversary

Ottawa, Ontario ’Äì The world-renowned National Arts Centre Orchestra will make its first-ever visit to Thetford Mines, Quebec, to perform a programme of Bach, Torelli, Mozart and Dvorˆ°k at the ˆâglise Saint-Alphonse on Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is presented at the initiative of the Honorable Raymond Setlakwe in celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the Church. The NAC Orchestra will be led from the violin by concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki and will feature Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin, NAC Orchestra principal trumpet Karen Donnelly and organist Thomas Annand.

Karen Donnelly and Thomas Annand will open the program with two short works for trumpet and organ ’Äì Handel’Äôs Overture from the Suite in D, and Canadian composer Gerald Bales’Äô Elegy ’Äì to showcase the Church’Äôs famous 21-one stop Casavant-Frˆ®res organ which, like the Church, dates back to 1908. Casavant-Frˆ®res completed a major restoration of the organ in 1998.

The award-winning soprano Karina Gauvin will perform Bach’Äôs Cantata No. 51 ’ÄúJauchzet Gott in allen Landen!’Äù which also features Karen Donnelly as trumpet soloist. It is one of the most popular of Bach’Äôs Cantatas and is infused with a mood of jubilation and glorification.

Yosuke Kawasaki will lead the NAC Orchestra in Torelli’Äôs ’ÄúChristmas Concerto’Äù (Concerto grosso in G minor); Mozart’Äôs delightful and high-spirited Divertimento in D major, and Dvorˆ°k’Äôs Serenade in E major for String Orchestra filled with ingratiating folk melodies and rhythmic verve.

The ˆâglise Saint-Alphonse is located at 34, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Thetford Mines. Tickets are $25 and are available in advance at the Boutique Casa Del Sol, 80 Notre Dame ouest, and on the night of the concert at the ˆâglise Saint-Alphonse.

Canada’Äôs National Arts Centre Orchestra

Consistent praise has followed Canada’Äôs National Arts Centre Orchestra throughout its history of touring both nationally and internationally, recording, and commissioning Canadian works. Founded in 1969 as the resident orchestra of the newly opened National Arts Centre, it has been under the leadership of renowned conductor/ violinist/violist Pinchas Zukerman since 1998. The Orchestra continues to draw accolades both abroad and at its home in Ottawa where it gives over 100 performances a year. In addition to a full series of subscription concerts at the National Arts Centre each season, tours are undertaken to regions throughout Canada and around the world, most recently to Quebec in 2006.

Yosuke Kawasaki, National Arts Centre Orchestra concertmaster

Violinist Yosuke Kawasaki was named concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in June 2007. His versatile musicianship allows him to pursue a wide-ranging career of solo, chamber music, and orchestral engagements. Winner of the 2004 S&R Washington Award, the 30-year-old virtuoso is also concertmaster of the Century Orchestra Osaka, and as co-concertmaster of the Mito Chamber Orchestra and Saito Kinen Orchestra in Japan. The latter two ensembles are both under the direction of Seiji Ozawa. He has been guest soloist with Aspen Chamber Symphony, Kyushu Philharmonic, and the Orquesta Filarmonica de Lima, as well as with the three Japanese orchestras of which he is concertmaster.

Karina Gauvin, soprano

Canada’Äôs superstar soprano Karina Gauvin has impressed audiences and critics the world over with her luscious timbre, profound musicality and wide vocal range. Her repertoire ranges from the music of Johann Sebastian Bach to Luciano Berio and she has sung with many major orchestras. On the operatic or concert stage, she has performed with conductors as diverse as Charles Dutoit, Kent Nagano and Helmuth Rilling. A prolific recording artist with nineteen releases to her credit, Karina Gauvin has had many Juno Award nominations winning the Award in 2001 and 2003. Gauvin’Äôs outstanding performances have been recognized in prestigious competitions worldwide.

Karen Donnelly, principal trumpet, National Arts Centre Orchestra

Karen Donnelly was appointed Principal Trumpet of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in October 1999 following three successful seasons as Acting Principal Trumpet. A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Karen had performed with premier ensembles such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Les Violons du Roy and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens Orchestra before becoming Principal Trumpet of Orchestra London (Canada). She is a member of the Rideau Lakes Brass Quintet and Capital BrassWorks in Ottawa. The latter ensemble recently released its third CD featuring Ms. Donnelly as soloist. Karen Donnelly has been featured as trumpet soloist with the NAC Orchestra on several occasions.

Thomas Annand, organ

Thomas Annand has been delighting both audiences and critics alike with his many-faceted talents as organist, harpsichordist and conductor. After winning First Prize at the RCCO National Organ Competition in 1987, Mr. Annand embarked on a solo career on organ and harpsichord. Since then he has given recitals across Canada, the USA and Europe, has been featured on CBC and NPR, and has recorded several discs. He is the organist and harpsichordist for the NAC Orchestra and Thirteen Strings, appearing with both as soloist; co-founder and conductor of Capital BrassWorks, and Director of Music at St. Andrew's Church in Ottawa.