[Montreal] I, Claudia- The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre, March 16-April 13

Press Release

For Immediate Release

First Class Theatre

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre and Theatre and Company

in association with Delav Consulting Inc.

Present

I, Claudia

By Kristen Thomson

Directed by Leah Cherniak

Starring Michelle Polak

March 16 –April 13

" I'm going through puberty. Oh my God, I don't even want to talk about it, it's disgusting!" –Claudia

MONTREAL February 2008- The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre, in association with Theatre and Company and Delav Consulting is pleased to present the award-winning play I, Claudia from March 16-April 13 in the new Studio space. This lauded Canadian work has also been turned into a film directed by Chris Abraham. Michelle Polak, originally from Montreal, returns to portray Claudia as well as the important adults in her life in this outstanding performance.

Claudia speaks to us from inside the boiler room of her school. Incensed and incredulous at the adult world around her, she is also fiercely funny about it. Michelle Polak deftly uses masks to portray Claudia, whose parents are divorcing, Drachman, a former actor turned school janitor, Claudia's grandfather Douglas and Leslie, her father's new girlfriend. Though the central character is a pre-teen, the story resonates with communal notions of bringing meaning to our lives and the search for happiness. I, Claudia is the winner of the 2001 Dora Award for Outstanding New Play.

Director Leah Cherniak describes the universality of the piece, "The play reminds us of both the fragility and resiliency of childhood. It also reminds me to keep my eyes open, to watch and listen to my own daughter, taking nothing for granted."

This highly theatrical one-woman show will astound you with Michelle Polak's performance. She is thrilled to be doing the role, "This is by far one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in the theatre. Themes of transformation, truth, vulnerability, loneliness and hope all speak to me. May the audience go on this journey with me."

Creating Claudia's world is Robin Fisher, set and costumes; Andrea Lundy, lighting; and Lyon Smith, sound. Todd Bricker is the stage manager.

We are excited to offer this production as part of the first season in The Segal Centre's new Studio space. Its 177-seat flexible plan makes the Studio an exciting space to work with, allowing innovative artists from all levels in their career to explore their most current projects or works-in-progress. As well, performing arts groups in the community have a professional venue to showcase their endeavours. The space's flexibility also allows for a variety of exploratory and multi-disciplinary works. The Studio is already home to our new resident theatre company Sidemart, who presented their terrific production of Trad in November. Other great uses of the space include hosting a film festival by the Jewish Public Library, The Dybbuk and the Schulich at the Segal Concert Series, which saw 150 high school kids listening to the McGill School of Music's Big Band Orchestra. Further information about the Studio and recent events is available on The Segal Centre for Performing Arts website.

"Ever stare at yourself so hard that your eyes practically start bleeding? I do." –Claudia

88.5 CBC Radio One proudly presents Sunday-@-the-Segal with Leah Cherniak

Sunday, March 16, 11am. Admission is free.

Join us for another season of intimate conversation and riveting lectures. Leah Cherniak, co-artistic director of Theatre Columbus and director of I, Claudia, shares her thoughts on new play development in Canada, specifically as it relates to this play.

Monday Night Talkbacks presented by Pratt and Whitney Canada

As usual following the play, some of the actors and/or designers will remain on stage to take questions from the audience. Monday Night Talkbacks provides an intimate opportunity for audiences to engage up close and personal with the personalities bringing first class professional English language theatre to Montreal.

Tickets and Media Information

Run:

March 16- April 13, 2008

Previews:

March 16 1:30 pm

March 17- 19 8:00 pm

Sunday-@-the-Segal:

March 16 11:00 am

Media Opening Night:

Thursday, March 20 8:00 pm

Performances:

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 pm

Saturday 8:30 pm

Sunday 7:00 pm

Matinées:

Wednesdays 1:00 pm

Sundays 2:00 pm

Box Office:

(514) 739-7944

www.segalcentre.org

Admission

(514) 790-1245

www.admission.com

Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye

5170 cote St. Catherine Rd.

Leah Cherniak- Director

Leah Cherniak is the co-artistic director of Theatre Columbus in Toronto. The company has created over 25 new plays and has an excellent reputation for innovative productions of classics. Leah studied theatre at Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris. For Theatre Columbus she has directed most of the company's repertoire, including, Hotel Loopy, Gynty (an adaptation of Ibsen's Peer Gynt), The Barber of Seville, Paranoia, Lonely Nights and Other Stories, The Betrayal, (Chalmers Award for Playwriting) The Cherry Orchard and Twelfth Night, among many others. She co-created and directed the multi-award winning play, The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine. Leah also directs for The Tarragon Theatre, The Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, Blyth Festival and Thousand Islands Playhouse among others. Last year Leah enjoyed directing Intimate Exchanges by Alan Ayckbourn for Theatre & Company and Ibsen's John Gabriel Borkman for Theatre Columbus/Soulpepper. She also directed John and Beatrice, by Carol Frechette at The Tarragon and John Mighton's The Little Years, a co-production with Neptune Theatre and The National Arts Centre. Leah teaches an intensive clown course for The Ryerson Theatre Program. She also teaches for the George Brown Theatre Program and The National Theatre School in Montreal.

Michelle Polak- Claudia and other characters

Michelle has found herself involved in some amazing projects- pieces of theatre that excited her and hopefully audiences as well. Her love for the theatre ranges from experimental, to new Canadian work, to Shakespeare and Moliere. Some favourite works include The Overcoat in London, Australia and New Zealand; Little Dragon (at TPM); Lost Heir and Schoolhouse (Blyth Festival) and Dying to be Sick (National Arts Centre).

Kristen Thomson– Playwright

As playwright and performer, Kristen Thomson has had considerable success with I, Claudia, her first play. The one-woman performance play was created through improvisation with masks, and Kristen has performed it at The Tarragon Theatre (Dora Mavor Moore Awards for both performance and writing), Belfry Theatre, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Magnetic North Festival, World Stage Festival and a tour of Hungary. The play was later adapted for film by Kristen and director Chris Abraham. For the film, Kristen was awarded a best performance Gemini Award and ACTRA Award, along with two Canadian Comedy Awards for performance and writing. Kristen is a resident of Toronto, where she continues her long-standing relationship with the Tarragon Theatre as a playwright in residence. The Patient Hour, Kristen's second play, will be presented there in 2009. She is a graduate of the National Theatre School.

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Career Focus Program | Programme Objectif carrière

Career Focus Program

February 28, 2008

Good afternoon,

It's that time of the year again!

The Cultural Human Resources Council, through it's Career Focus program, funded by the Department of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), is seeking proposals from cultural institutions and organizations willing to offer dynamic opportunities in the areas of Arts Practice and Arts Administration to recent college and university graduates under the age of 30. If you have a position in mind and are looking for a positive addition to your team, send us your application.

Deadline for submission is March 14, 2008.

Please note that projects must be a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 8

months, and must start between May 1st, 2008 and September 1st, 2008, and must finish by December 31st, 2008.

Application forms and specific guidelines can be found at

www.culturalhrc.ca/YIP/employer-application-e.asp

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.

Regards,

Geneviève

Geneviève Chassé

Youth Internship Program Administrator - CHRC

tel.: (613) 562-1535 ext. 28

toll free: 1-866-562-1535 ext. 28

fax : (613) 562-2982

gchasse@culturalhrc.ca

www.culturalhrc.ca

Programme Objectif carrière

28 février 2008

Bonjour,

Nous en sommes encore une fois à cette période de l'année!

Dans le cadre du programme Objectif carrière, financé par le Département des Ressources humaines et du Développement social du Canada (RHDSC), le Conseil des ressources humaines du secteur culturel est à la recherche de propositions de la part des établissements et des organismes culturels qui désirent offrir des possibilitiés de stages en arts et en administration des arts au nouveaux diplômés collégiales et universitaires âgés de moins de 30 ans.

Si vous désirez ajouter du dynamisme à votre équipe et que vous êtes en mesure d'offrir un poste faites-nous parvenir une demande d'inscription.

La date limite pour les soumissions est le 14 mars 2008.

Veuillez noter que tous les projets doivent durer un minimum de 4 mois et un maximum de 8 mois et doivent débuter entre le 1e mai et le 1e septembre 2008 et terminer par le 31 décembre 2008.

Le formulaire d'inscription ainsi que les lignes directrices spécifiques au programme sont disponible au

www.crhsculturel.ca/YIP/employer-application-f.asp

N'hésitez pas à communiquer avec moi si vous avez des questions.

Au plaisir,

Geneviève

Geneviève Chassé

Administratrice du programme de stages - CRHSC

tel.: (613) 562-1535 p. 28

sans frais: 1-866-562-1535 p. 28

téléc. : (613) 562-2982

gchasse@crhsculturel.ca

www.crhsculturel.ca

[Montreal] Next Allegra Concert

ALLEGRA

27^ème saison / 27^th Season

jeudi 27 mars à 20 h

Thursday March 27 at 8 pm

salle Redpath, Université McGill / Redpath Hall, McGill University

flûte/flute Marie-Andrée Benny

clarinette/clarinet Simon Aldrich

clarinette/clarinet Martin Carpentier

basson/bassoon Mark Romatz

cor/horn Louis-Philippe Marsolais

violon/violin Yukari Cousineau

violon/violin Alexander Lozowski

alto/viola Brian Bacon

violoncelle/cello Alexandre Castonguay

contrebasse/double bass Yannick Chênevert

Programme

• Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857), Septuor en mi bémol majeur (1823) pour clarinette, basson, cor, deux violons, violoncelle et contrebasse / Septet in E Flat Major (1823) for clarinet, bassoon, horn, two violins, cello and double bass
• Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924), Sérénade en fa majeur op. 95 pour flûte, clarinette, basson, cor, deux violons, alto, violoncelle et contrebasse / Serenade in F Major op. 95 for flute, clarinet, bassoon, horn, two violins, viola, cello and double bass
• Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), Sérénade No. 1 en ré majeur op. 11 (reconstruction par Simon Aldrich de la version originale, perdue, pour nonet) pour flûte, deux clarinettes, basson, cor, violon, alto, violoncelle et contrebasse / Serenade No. 1 in D Major op. 11 (reconstruction by Simon Aldrich of the lost original nonet version) for flute, two clarinets, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello and double bass

Entrée libre

Admission Free

514.935.3933

Dorothy Fieldman Fraiberg

514.931.6625

dfraiberg@videotron.ca

www.allegrachambermusic.com

[Ottawa] Opera Lyra presents La Traviata

Media Contact: Karl Balisch

Director of Marketing and Communication

T: 613-233-9200 ext 229 F: 613-233-5431 email: kbalisch@operalyra.ca

La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi

Opera Lyra joins the Stop TB Partnership

Opera Lyra Ottawa (OLO) presents Verdi's beloved opera, La Traviata, on March 15, 17, 19 and 22, 2008 as the finale to its 2007-2008 season. With one of Verdi's most intoxicating scores, La Traviata is one of the most frequently produced operas and holds the distinction of being the first opera that OLO presented on the NAC Opera stage in Southam Hall 15 years ago, after several seasons of performing on the smaller stage of the NAC Theatre. OLO last presented La Traviata in 2000.

La Traviata, which translates literally as "the woman who strayed" or more figuratively as "the fallen one," is the story of a courtesan living in lavish and sophisticated 19^th century Paris. She is the toast of every party, but she is also gravely ill. Violetta dares not imagine finding real love until the charming Alfredo Germont wins her heart. The libretto was written by Francesco Piave, based on the play La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils. The music and the story of Verdi's opera stir great sympathy for Violetta whose vulnerability makes her perhaps the most real of Verdi's heroines.

The issue of tuberculosis, the tragic illness which afflicts the ill-fated Violetta, is still an issue of grave concern today. Opera Lyra Ottawa has joined the Stop TB Partnership* to help raise awareness about TB among people who love opera. In its new role as a Stop TB Partner, Opera Lyra is collaborating on one of the Partnership's newest initiatives, Music to Stop TB. Music to Stop TB is an advocacy project that draws on longstanding links between TB and opera - particularly La Traviata (Verdi) and La Bohème (Puccini), whose narrative also focuses on the tragic death of a young woman from TB. The movement also seeks to raise awareness about TB through performances of music by Chopin, Boccherini, Pergolesi and other composers whose lives were taken by TB.

Canadian soprano Laura Whalen, who was praised in Opera Lyra's production of Roméo et Juliette for her "lovely and powerful" voice, returns to Ottawa to sing the role of Violetta. Tenor Kurt Lehmann will bring his "honey toned voice" and "clean romantic delivery" to the role of Alfredo, and baritone Gregory Dahl, who was an audience favourite as Ford in OLO's Falstaff (2006), returns to make his debut in the role of Giorgio, Alfredo's father.

Tenor, Benoit Boutet, who has performed in OLO's productions of Otello (2007) and Les Contes d'Hoffmann (2005), returns for the role of Gastone. Bass Gregory Atkinson sings the role of Dr. Grenvil; and Quebec-born mezzo-soprano Renée Lapointe sings the role of Flora, friend of Violetta. Canadian baritone Sean Watson will sing in the role of Baron Douphol; baritone Andrew Tees will sing the role of the Marchese d'Obigny. Both baritones have previously sung in the matinee productions presented by Opera Lyra for schools over the past two seasons.

The production will be set in a traditional fashion as directed by Joseph Bascetta, whose stage direction in OLO's 2002 production of La Bohème was cited as "imaginative" and possessing scenes with "spectacular" results by local critics. Opera Carolina General Director & Principal Conductor James Meena, who was the celebrated conductor of Opera Lyra Ottawa's Don Pasquale (2003), returns to conduct the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Sets for this production have been rented from the New Orleans Opera Association.

Opera Lyra Ottawa gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our sponsors who make the 2007-2008 season possible. We thank Bell, Season Sponsor, as well as our other Principal Sponsors: Cadillac, Rio Tinto Alcan, Sun Life Financial, and Ottawa Citizen; Major Sponsors: Arosa Suites Hotel, Custom Printers, Handa Travel, CBC/Radio-Canada and Couleur FM; and Key Sponsor Bombardier. Opera Lyra would also like to thank the following agencies for their support: the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Ottawa and the Ontario Arts Foundation.

Learn more about the opera

Sung in Italian with English and French Surtitles, performances of La Traviata will begin at 8:00 pm. Pre-opera chats are presented in the NAC one-hour prior to each performance. These offer an opportunity to learn more about the composer, background and historical significance of the opera. English Pre-Opera Chats for La Traviata will be presented on March 15 and 19 and French Pre-Opera Chats on March 17 and 22. Pre-Opera Chats are presented free of charge to all patrons.

The OLO Guild will present Opera Insights on March 4, at 7:00 pm at the Library and Archives Canada. This highly informative event will introduce the music, history, and themes of Verdi's tragic opera. Ingemar Korjus will be joined by cast members for a lecture and an interactive round-table discussion as they share their experiences, views and a great deal of interesting information. Tickets are $15 and are available from Opera Lyra's box office. Call 613-233-9200.

Bring your lunch to the NAC on March 6 at noon and enjoy a free concert at the Fourth Stage featuring artists of the OLO Opera Studio as they perform excerpts of La Traviata. This is an excellent opportunity to hear more of the music from the opera before it is presented on the mainstage.

Ticket Information:

Single tickets, from $39 to $165, are available from the NAC box office and all Ticketmaster locations (service fees will be applied). Visit Ticketmaster online or call 613-755-1111.

DISCOUNTS: For groups of 10 or more please call Opera Lyra Ottawa at 613-233-9200 and ask about our group rates.

Students with a valid Live Rush™ membership card may buy up to 2 tickets per performance at a discount price. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the NAC Box Office on the day of the performance between 2 and 6 pm. More information is available at www.liverush.ca.

About Opera Lyra Ottawa

Opera Lyra Ottawa is a not-for-profit organization with the mandate to produce and present opera productions in the National Capital Region of the highest quality and to promote opera as an art form, making it accessible to as large a segment of the population as possible through community outreach and education. Wherever possible, Opera Lyra Ottawa is committed to encourage, nurture and support Canadian artists. For more information please visit www.operalyra.ca.

About the Stop TB Partnership*

The Stop TB Partnership, whose secretariat is hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, is a network of more than 700 international organizations, countries, donors from the public and private sectors, tuberculosis patients and nongovernmental and governmental organizations working together towards a world free of tuberculosis.

Special support for organizing the collaboration with Opera Lyra Ottawa has been provided by: Lilly MDR-TB Partnership, Stop TB Canada, and Results Canada. To learn more about tuberculosis, please visit www.stoptb.org.

The Cast and Production Crew

Violetta Valéry Laura Whalen (soprano)

Gastone Benoit Boutet (tenor)

Alfredo Germont Kurt Lehmann (tenor)

Baron Douphol Sean Watson (baritone)

Flora Bervoix Renée Lapointe
(mezzo-soprano)

Marquis D'Obigny Andrew Tees (baritone)

Annina Danielle Dudycha (soprano)

Giuseppe Michael Carty (tenor)

Giorgio Germont Gregory Dahl (baritone)

The Commissioner Christopher Mallory (bass)

Doctor Grenvil Gregory Atkinson (bass)

Conductor - James Meena

Stage Director - Joseph Bascetta

Artistic Director – Tyrone Paterson

Chorus Master - Laurence Ewashko

Lighting Designer - Steve Ross

Stage Manager - Thomas L. Schweitzer

Opera Lyra Ottawa Chorus

National Arts Centre Orchestra

Costumes Malabar Limited

Scenery made available courtesy of

New Orleans Opera Association

Karl Balisch

Director of Marketing and Communications

www.operalyra.ca (613) 233-9200 ext 229

[Toronto] The Mayhem of Rossini's THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Returns to the COC Stage

Toronto, Ontario – The Canadian Opera Company’s spring run continues with Gioacchino Rossini’s opera buffa, The Barber of Seville. A comedy of mischievous mayhem and delightful absurdities, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville is eternally popular for its frothy charm and irresistible melodies. Director Michael Patrick Albano, last with the COC for the critically acclaimed Ensemble Studio production of Swoon, returns to stage this production. Peruvian conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya, music director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, makes his company debut leading the COC Orchestra and Chorus for nine performances, while assistant conductor Steven Philcox conducts two performances. The Barber of Seville runs April 16 at 7:30 p.m., 19 at 7:30 p.m., 25 at 7:30 p.m., May 2 at 7:30 p.m., 4 at 2 p.m.,

8 at 7:30 p.m., 10 at 4:30 p.m., 13 at 7:30 p.m., 16 at 7:30 p.m., 21 at 7:30 p.m., and 23 at 7:30 p.m., 2008 and is sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™.

The Barber of Seville follows the young Count Almaviva who is in love with the charming Rosina. She is a prisoner in the home of her elderly guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who intends to marry her himself. To gain access to Rosina, Almaviva hires the services of Figaro, the irrepressible barber who spends as much time scheming as he does shaving. Last performed by the COC in 1999, this production brings together set designer John Stoddart and lighting designer Stephen Ross.

Beloved characters and sparkling arias make The Barber of Seville one of the world’s most popular and frequently performed operas. Singing the role of Rosina, the young and beautiful ward, is Albanian soprano Enkelejda Shkosa. Macedonian tenor Blagoj Nacoski, is her admirer, the ardent Count Almaviva. Ms Shkosa has sung with major opera houses around the world including Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Mr. Nacoski, who recently sang Almaviva with Polish National Opera, also appeared with Frankfurt Oper, Teatro Regio in Parma, and Zurich Opera. Both Ms Shkosa and Mr. Nacoski make their company debuts. Recently appearing with Welsh National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, Russian baritone Rodion Pogossov makes his COC debut as the mischievous barber, Figaro. Returning to the COC are bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi as Dr. Bartolo, and bass Burak Bilgili as Don Basilio. COC Ensemble Studio bass Justin Welsh is Fiorello, Ensemble soprano Melinda Delorme is Berta, and Ensemble bass-baritone Alexander Hajek is the Notary.

The Barber of Seville, libretto by Cesare Sterbini, is based on Pierre-Augustin Beaumarchais’ satirical Le barbier de Séville, which is the first in a series of three plays. The second instalment of the series, Le mariage de Figaro, known in the opera world as Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, opened the COC’s current season. The opera premiered in Rome in 1816 under the name Almaviva, ossia l’inutile precauzione, and Rossini maintained this title for four months before he switched it back to the play’s original name. The fame of Rossini’s popular opera quickly spread, and to this day is a mainstay of the operatic repertoire.

Single tickets for The Barber of Seville are on sale and may be purchased online at www.coc.ca, by calling 416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office (145 Queen St. W., Toronto). Ticket prices for all performances range from $60 to $275. Special young people’s tickets for all performances throughout the season are priced from $30 to $95. These ticket prices apply to those who are 15 years of age or under, accompanied by and sitting next to an adult.

Starting Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 10 a.m., $20 tickets will be available for patrons between the ages of 16 and 29 through the Opera for a New Age program presented by TD Bank Financial Group, and can be purchased online at www.coc.ca or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office (145 Queen St. W., Toronto). Student group tickets are $20 per student and may be purchased by calling 416-306-2356. Remaining Opera for a New Age tickets will be released as $20 rush seats at 11 a.m. the morning of the performance, subject to availability.

Production Sponsor of The Barber of Seville: National Bank Financial

Presenting Sponsor of SURTITLESä: Sun Life Financial

Official Automotive Sponsor of the COC at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts: Jaguar Land Rover Canada

Official Media Sponsors: CTV and The Globe and Mail

Opening Night Sponsor of the COC: Hilton Toronto

The COC Ensemble Studio is Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals and provides advanced instruction, hands-on experience, and career development opportunities. The Ensemble Studio is supported by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, RBC Financial Group, and other generous donors.

BMO Financial Group Pre-Performance Opera Chats

The COC offers free 20-minute introductions to the opera and its themes in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 45 minutes prior to every performance.

Canadian Opera Company Web site

The Canadian Opera Company Web site, at www.coc.ca, contains information on all productions including synopses, historical background, and production photographs.

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For more information or to request production photographs via e-mail, please contact:

Melissa Than, Publicist, tel. 416-306-2369, fax: 416-363-5584, e-mail: melissat@coc.ca
Vanessa Somarriba, Assistant Publicist, tel. 416-306-2303, fax: 416-363-5584, e-mail: vanessas@coc.ca

Ottawa Chamber Music Society Ends Pursuit of Concert Hall

A STATEMENT FROM THE OTTAWA CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY

For Immediate Release

Ottawa, Ontario - February 26, 2008 -- The Ottawa Chamber Music Society will not be seeking an extension of the deadline granted by City Council to seek private sponsorship for the proposed Concert Hall.

This announcement this morning from Colin Cooke, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Chamber Music Society. This Thursday is the deadline for the Ottawa Chamber Music Society to inform city council that it has a title sponsor for the proposed concert hall at Elgin and Gloucester streets. Colin Cooke: "We have not completely closed the door on our dream of a Concert Hall but at this time it wouldn't be fair nor right to request additional time. The current economic climate and the competition for the sponsorship and charity dollar made the Concert Hall a tough sell at this time.

On behalf of the OCMS and music lovers across the city, we want to express our appreciation to the Mayor and city councillors for their solid support over the years, as well as our funding partners at the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Province of Ontario."

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For further information, please contact:

Karen St. Aubin

Communications Officer

Ottawa Chamber Music Society

613-234-8008 (ext 244)

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE

DÉCLARATION DE LA SOCIÉTÉ DE MUSIQUE DE CHAMBRE D'OTTAWA

Pour publication immédiate

Ottawa (Ontario), le 26 février 2008 -- La Société de musique de chambre d'Ottawa ne demandera pas la prolongation du délai que le conseil municipal lui avait accordé pour obtenir une commandite privée pour le projet de salle de concert.

Colin Cooke, président du conseil de la Société, en a fait l'annonce ce matin.

Au plus tard ce jeudi, la Société de musique de chambre d'Ottawa devait informer le conseil municipal qu'elle a trouvé un commanditaire nominatif pour le projet de salle de concert à l'angle des rues Elgin et Gloucester.

Colin Cooke a déclaré : « Nous n'avons pas totalement abandonné l'idée d'une salle de concert mais il ne serait ni juste, ni correct de demander davantage de temps. Le climat économique actuel et la concurrence pour les contributions de commanditaires et autres bienfaiteurs font en sorte qu'il est difficile de vendre l'idée d'une salle de concert en ce moment.

Au nom de la SMCO et des amateurs de musique à travers la ville, nous tenons à remercier le maire et les conseiller municipaux pour leur solide appui au cours des ans, ainsi que nos partenaires financiers, le ministère du Patrimoince canadien et la province d'Ontario. »

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Pour des renseignements supplémentaires, veuillez communiquer avec

Karen St. Aubin

Agente de communications

Société de musique de chambre d'Ottawa

613-234-8008, poste 244

OSM to make Japan and South Korea tour in April 2008

First OSM international tour with

its music director

Kent Nagano

8 concerts in Japan and South Korea

Montreal, February 26, 2008 - The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal will be undertaking an international tour for the first time with Kent Nagano, visiting Japan and South Korea from April 10 to 19, 2008. The Orchestra will present three different programs at eight concerts in the following five cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Shizuoka in Japan, and Seoul in South Korea. In Tokyo, the OSM will give three concerts in three different halls.

These concerts are of very special importance, marking as they do the first international tour of the OSM under the direction of its new music director, Kent Nagano. After an acclaimed visit to Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in the spring of 2006, a Canadian tour in 2007 and an upcoming appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York (March 8, 2008), the OSM will be finding itself once again on familiar terrain, this being the ninth Asian tour in its history.

The Orchestra's first concert in Japan was held in Osaka, in 1970, with Franz-Paul Decker. In 1989, the OSM under the direction of Charles Dutoit performed for the first time in Seoul, South Korea. The last tour of Asia by the Orchestra took place in 1999, when the OSM and Charles Dutoit gave concerts in 10 Japanese cities. Since 1962 the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal has carried out 37 tours around the world.

This international tour of the OSM with Kent Nagano is sponsored by Air Canada. Air Canada is proud to be helping showcase Canadian talent abroad.

The tour is also made possible by support from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Québec's Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions and Conseil des arts et des lettres, and the City of Montreal. The year 2008 marks the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan.

From Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Place des Arts, located in the very heart of the city, the OSM radiates outward across Québec and Canada, bringing the world's repertoire of symphonic music to the widest possible audience. Through its international tours and its recordings, the Montreal orchestra is an ambassador for the city and for music, promoting the influence of culture as well as artistic exchanges.

The tour itinerary is reproduced below, preceded by details of the three scheduled programs.

Program 1: Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique
Wagner, Tristan und Isolde, excerpts

Ravel, Boléro

Program 2: Debussy, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune

Debussy, La Mer

Strauss, Eine Alpensinfonie

Program 3: Debussy, La Mer

Mozart, Violin Concerto No. 3 (Ye-Eun Choi, violin)

Strauss, Eine Alpensinfonie

Itinérary :

April 10 :
Tokyo, Musashino Civic
Cultural Hall
Program 1

April 11:
Osaka, Festival Hall
Program 2

April 12:
Nagoya, Aichi Perfectural Art
Theatre
Program 1

April 13:
Tokyo, Suntory Hal
Programm 2

April 15:
Shizuoka, Granship
Program 1

April 16:
Tokyo, Tokyo Opera City
Program 1

April 18:
Séoul, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
Program 1

April 19:
Séoul, Sejong Center for the Performing
Program 3

Source : Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Information : Lucie Paquin, Head of Media Relations
(514) 840-7414 or (514) 608-7414
lpaquin@osm.ca

© 2003-2008 Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
260, boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montréal (Québec) H2X 1Y9
Service à la clientèle et billetterie - Tél.: (514) 842-9951

Administration - Tél.: (514) 842-3402

'night, Mother- Altera Vitae Productions at Mainline Theatre, March 19-30

'night, Mother

By Marsha Norman

Directed by Jesse Corbeil

With Sandy Ferguson and Alexandra Valassis

Wednesday, March 19 - Sunday, March 30

"Jessie, I was here with you all the time. How could I know you were so alone?" - Mama

Montreal, February 2008- Altera Vitae is proud to present their inaugural production, 'night, Mother, the 1983 Pulitzer Prize winner by Marsha Norman, playing at Mainline Theatre from March 19 to 30. This new Montreal company aims to produce works of theatre that engage and service the community. With each new production, Altera Vitae will partner itself with a charitable organization whose mandate is similar to themes in the play and pledge a donation from the production's profits as well as assist the organization in their public awareness strategies. For 'night, Mother, Altera Vitae supports FSOS (Family Survivors of Suicide). Says Altera Vitae artistic director Carolyn-Fe Trinidad, "We hope to spread the word about this valuable organization through our production."

'night, Mother follows Jessie as she prepares to die, wrapping up her affairs as she tutors her mother in survival. The play, with it's realistic dialogue, is a heart-wrenching look at the 'could-have-beens' and 'if-onlys' that get in the way when what one should be doing most is listening. While many productions of 'night, Mother have centred on Jessie, Altera Vitae focuses on Mama's turmoil. With Quebec's present suicide rate one of the top five in the world, the play remains topical.

Director Jesse Corbeil explains his take on the story, "At the centre of the play, there's a real sense of disconnection, like what happens when we don't really hear one another because we're too busy pretending to listen." He continues, "It's hard to reach out to someone who's not doing so well, often because we haven't even noticed that there's a problem." Corbeil wants to stress however that they have succeeded in keeping the production from being depressing, with both characters offering something hopeful in hopelessness.

Rounding out the team is set and lighting designer Audrey-Anne Bouchard, sound designer Dan Legault and stage manager Mindy Sirois. Audiences will enjoy an original soundtrack composed specifically for this production by local bands Daniel Iorio, DD Swank and Dush. Along with an FSOS charity night on March 25, the original soundtrack CD will be on sale at every performance, with half of the proceeds donated to FSOS.

'night, Mother will be done in 'real-time'. With that in mind, doors will open at 7:30 with the show starting at 7:55pm.

"Mama, you don't pack your garbage when you move." - Jessie

'night, Mother

Altera Vitae Productions

Playing at Mainline Theatre

3997 Blvd. St. Laurent

Tuesday to Sunday, 7:55 pm

Matinees: Saturday and Sunday, 1:55 pm

2-for-1 matinees on March 22 and 23

18$ Regular / $15 Students, seniors

Reservations: 514 823-8823 or tickets@alteravitae.com

www.alteravitae.com

Charity Night: Tuesday, March 25, 10$ of every ticket sold is donated to FSOS –Family Survivors of Suicide (www.suicideaftermath.com)

'night, Mother original soundtrack CD on sale at every show for $10, 5$ of every CD sold is donated to FSOS

Fundraising evening of music and awareness, Feb. 28 at Café Sarajevo, contact askus@alteravitae.com

Bands: Daniel Iorio (www.danieliorio.com), DD Swank (www.ddswank.com), Dush (www.myspace.com/templeofdush)

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The MEDIA CALL for 'night, Mother will be held on Wednesday, March 19 at 2:30pm at Mainline Theatre. This is an occasion for camera footage, interviews and still photography. Please confirm by Monday, March 17.

Media Contact: Janis Kirshner (514) 287-8912 jkirshner@sympatico.ca

Jesse Corbeil- Director

Jesse spent two seasons directing short plays for the Montreal School of Performing Arts' Express O Theatre summer theatre programme. He joined 6th Avenue Players, where he directed Craig Pospisil's It's Not You, David Ives' Arabian Nights, Madeleine George's The Most Massive Woman Wins and Caitlyn Murphy's Brazen. Jesse holds a degree in Communications with a specialisation in film production from Concordia University and has just finished writing a short film project, which he will be looking to cast, crew and shoot later this year. Jesse has also worked as a dresser and costume tech on the Montreal West Operatic Society's production of The Sorcerer and stage-managed The Pirates of Penzance, wherein half the cast of 48 had swords, the other half had hoop skirts — and nobody lost an eye. You can read more about Jesse at jessecorbeil.ca.

Alexandra Valassis- Jessie

Alexandra studied theater at Dawson College's professional theater program. She has appeared in numerous stage and film productions including Titania in Midsummer Night's Dream, Macduff in Macbeth, Narrator in Rocky Horror, Ginger in Gilligan's Island, Helena in The Tragedy of Man, Mrs Ravenscroft in Ravenscroft and is very proud to have been a part of To the Green Fields Beyond winner of the Best Ensemble Mecca Award. As part of Dum Blond Productions she's co-written and co-produced Sex and La Cite part 1&2 with Paula Davis where she's had a fabulous time portraying the infamous Samantha Jones. Alexandra was last seen in Saving Celine.

Sandy Ferguson- Mama Thelma

Sandy studied theatre and dance in Montreal for many years and has performed in Montreal, Toronto and Hudson. She has acted, choreographed, danced and sung with the Hudson and Lakeshore Players' Clubs, the Hudson Music Club and the Hudson Village Theatre Pantomime Productions in Broadway Encore, Anne of Green Gables, The King and I, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Wizard of Oz, and Hello Dolly. Sandy enjoyed being Number 11 in Twelve Angry Jurors, Mona in Queen Milli of Galt, Louella in What Kind of a Life is That?, and above all, Truvy in Steel Magnolias.

Marsh Norman- Playwright

Marsha Norman was awarded the 1983 Pulitzer Prize, Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Hull-Warriner and Drama Desk Awards for 'Night Mother, which received its world premiere at the American Repertory Theatre in 1982. Ms Norman won the 1992 Tony Award and Drama Desk awards for The Secret Garden; and the John Gassner Medallion, Newsday Oppenheimer award and the American Theatre Critics Association Citation for Getting Out. Other plays include Third and Oak, The Laundromat, The Poolhall, The Holdup, Traveler in the Dark, Sarah and Abraham, Loving Daniel Boone, and Trudy Blue. Published work includes Four Plays and a novel, The Fortune Teller. Television and film credits include Face of a Stranger, starring Gena Rowlands and Tyne Daley. Since 1994 she has served on the faculty of The Juilliard School.

[Montreal] Upcoming INFINITHEATRE Production by Quebec novelist TREVOR FERGUSON

Original Cast Remounts Off-Off-Broadway Hit

Lina Roessler and Brett Watson reprise their critically acclaimed roles in the upcoming Infinitheatre production of Québec playwright Trevor Ferguson's ZARATHUSTRA SAID SOME THINGS, NO? The play received outstanding reviews for its "out-of-town tryout", even by New York standards, when it world premièred Off-Off-Broadway in 2006.

"Lina Roessler and Brett Watson are astonishingly powerful"

- nytheatre.com

"the best you will see on the off-Broadway stage this year."

- blogcritics.org

"you won't find better performances by actors anywhere"

- onoffoff.com

Guy Sprung will be directing the Montréal version, gently guiding the actors to probe deeper into the play's many layers as well as the characters' complex natures. "More realism and understanding is what we're shooting for", says Sprung. "It's a tough piece for any actor, requiring dexterous emotional acuity and the physical stamina of a marathon runner, but if anyone has the chops to pull it off, these two do. I think that's why Trevor was so inspired writing this piece, having worked with both Lina and Brett in the past; knowing how far he could push each of them in their roles."

Adrienne and Ricky, a Canadian couple living in a seedy Paris hotel, have entered into a suicide pact, which they have, so far, failed to complete. As the story unfolds, their relationship becomes more unsettling and the games they play more disturbing, the reasons for their dysfunction are slowly revealed. Ferguson paints a riveting vision of a lost generation overwhelmed by a tide of convoluted pathologies as he examines the tough themes of abuse and addiction with unabashed intensity.

This fourth play of Ferguson's was written expressly for the two actors who had worked with Trevor in all three of his previous plays, one of which they performed in together. The genesis for this particular creation arose organically one night over drinks in a bar, when Watson threw out the idea of writing a play for him and Lina. After quizzing Brett about what makes a good two-hander, Ferguson went home, calling Watson the following morning to say it was finished!

SPECIAL EVENT: Infinitheatre will be hosting a special 5 à 7 on Wed. March 19th at Théâtre La Chapelle where Ferguson will be speaking about his play and signing books. Those wishing to attend should RSVP by contacting Infinitheatre at (514) 987 – 1774 ext. 104 or box-office@infinitheatre.com

March 15-30

written by Trevor Ferguson

directed by Guy Sprung

starring Lina Roessler and Brett Watson

set design by Katka Hubacek

costume design by Elli Bunton

lighting design by Mark Baehr

sound design by Troy Slocum

assistant costume designer Beth Scozzafava

Théâtre La Chapelle

3700 St-Dominique

514-843-7739
billeterie@lachapelle.org



TICKETS
Regular admission: $20
Seniors, students, and Infinite Members: $15
Groups (6 or more): $10



SHOWTIMES
Tue-Sat 8 PM
Sunday matinée 2 PM
Special offer: Preview show (March 15 & 16): $10 for ALL

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Media Contact:

Barbara Ford

(514) 342 – 7936

ygraine7@videotron.ca

[Montreal] Infinititheatre March Calendar of Events - Meet Trevor Ferguson - FREE event

A 5 à 7 w/best-selling author, Trevor Ferguson, who will speaking and signing books. There is no admission charge.

Media Contact:

Barbara Ford
INFINITHEATRE Publicity
(514) 342 – 7936

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Infinitheatre presents Trevor Ferguson's

ZARATHUSTRA SAID SOME THINGS, NO?
Théâtre La Chapelle, March 15 - 30, 2008

Directed by Guy Sprung
Starring Lina Roessler & Brett Watson

TICKETS: (514-843-7738) or billetterie@lachapelle.org

"Lina Roessler and Brett Watson are astonishingly powerful" - nytheatre.com
"the best you will see on the off-Broadway stage this year." - blogcritics.org
"you won't find better performances by actors anywhere" - onoffoff.com

CHECK IT OUT! www.infinitheatre.com/index.en.php?file=curseason#zara

[Toronto] York U's 3rd Annual Fine Arts Festival, March 11-31

Meet the arts in the heart of the GTA!
2008 Fine Arts Festival at York U March 11 – 31

TORONTO, February 22, 2008: The third annual York Fine Arts Festival, running March 11 to 31, showcases the resident talent in one of North America’s premier centres for professional training in the arts.

Like York University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, the festival encompasses all the arts, from theatre and dance productions to visual arts, design and multimedia exhibitions, film screenings and classical, jazz and world music concerts. Featuring 40 public events over three weeks, the festival packs excitement, entertainment and inspiration – plus the chance to talent-spot the next wave of outstanding young artists and performers.

The Festival kicks off with an aural and visual feast. Baroque Magnificence (Mar. 11) offers a scintillating selection of 17^th century choral gems performed by the York U Chamber Choir under the baton of Lisette Canton, backed by the York U Chamber Orchestra conducted by Mark Chambers.

The talents of 200+ up-and-coming visual artists are showcased in the graduate student exhibition Under Construction (Mar. 11-14), curated by York alumnus Stuart Reid, director of Owen Sound’s Tom Thompson Art Gallery, and Brainstorm, the enormous annual Open House exhibition of the Visual Arts Department (Mar. 12).

The World Music Festival (Mar. 12-16) spotlights global musical traditions in eight different concerts, from West African drums and classical Chinese orchestra to steelpan, flamenco and Balkan music. It’s followed by the Jazz Festival (Mar. 17-20), featuring performances by the York U Jazz Orchestra led by Al Henderson and Mike Cado, four jazz choirs, and small jazz ensembles directed by the likes of Mike Murley, Lorne Lofsky, Kelly Jefferson and Mark Eisenman.

The York Dance Ensemble heats up the stage with Vivid Variations: re/creating classics (Mar. 13-15), an exceptional collection of vintage and bold new works by David Earle, Darcey Callison, Susan Lee, Susan Cash and Sashar Zarif. Hard on their dancing heels comes Celestial Navigation (Mar. 26-29), a two-part program premiering original works exploring the symbolism of the cosmos created by 11 rising young choreographers, plus renowned indie mover Julia Sasso’s new ensemble piece, bigBANG`, set on 30 heavenly bodies.

Theatre @ York brings cosmic forces back to earth (and water) with Mary Zimmerman’s brilliantly inventive Tony Award-winning play Metamorphoses (Mar. 16-22), based on the Myths of the Roman poet Ovid. York’s magical take on these classic tales of gods and goddesses run amok features some of Canada’s hottest young stage talent, directed by groundbreaking Siminovitch Prize-winner, York theatre alumna Jillian Keiley.

The action moves to the big screen with York Shorts (Mar. 20), a showcase screening of recent productions by graduate film students.

Rounding out the Festival program is a wide array of other exhibitions and performances, including shows of graphic design, print media, time-based art and stage design, and ragtime, R&B and symphony orchestra concerts. The Festival culminates with two major choral events: a spirited performance by the York U Gospel Choir (Mar. 28), led by Karen Burke, with special guest, multiple-Grammy Award-winner Carvin Winans, and the joined forces and voices of the York U Concert and Chamber Choirs in Carl Orff’s Catulli Carmina (Mar. 31).

York’s Faculty of Fine Arts has long been a springboard for Canada’s artistic talent. From Hollywood actor Rachel McAdams to Stratford Festival regulars Tara Rosling, Thom Marriott and Jennifer Gould; photographer Larry Towell and painters James Lahey and Scott Waters; musician and CBC broadcaster Andrew Craig, autorickshaw’s Suba Sankaran, crooner Matt Dusk, and the bands Time Warp and NOJO; stage designers Charlotte Dean and Deeter Schurig; filmmakers Larry Weinstein, Ali Kazimi and Carl Bessai; dance artists Yvonne Ng, Santee Smith, Toronto Dance Theatre ‘s Christopher House and longtime Cirque du Soleil choreographer Debra Brown; curators Martha Hanna (Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography) and Jennifer Rieger (AGO); playwrights Djanet Sears and Richard Rose -- alumni of York Fine Arts have helped shape the Canadian and international arts and cultural scene for a generation.

____________________________________

The Faculty of Fine Arts at York University is one of North America’s leading and largest centres for fine arts education. A vibrant community of more than 3,300 students and 280 faculty working at the leading edge of fine arts practice and scholarship, it offers academic studies and professional training in dance, design, film, music, theatre and visual arts as well as interdisciplinary cultural studies in the fine arts.

____________________________________

What: York Fine Arts Festival
When : March 11-31
Where : All events take place in state-of-the-art facilities in the fine arts complex at York University, 4700 Keele St.
Admission: free - $15
Box Office & Info: 416.736.5888 | www.yorku.ca/finearts/festival

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Media Contact:
Amy Stewart, Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts, York University
416.736.2100 ext. 20421 | amy.stewart@yorku.ca

[Toronto] TSO upcoming concerts release

For Immediate Release: February 22, 2008 * Please include in your listings/announcements

Superstar Pianists and Much More

at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Superstar Chinese pianist Lang Lang, whose recent performance on the Grammy Awards created a sensation, kicks off March at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra! Conducted by Music Director Peter Oundjian, this all-Beethoven programme includes Piano Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 7, and will be presented for one night only on Saturday, March 1st.

Virtuoso Russian pianist and 2006 Grammy Award-winner, Evgeny Kissin, will return to the TSO on March 26th and 29th with a programme of Brahms's Piano Concerto No. 1. The concert, lead by the TSO Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis, will also include Tales of the Netsilik, written by the TSO Associate Principal Clarinetist Raymond Luedeke and narrated by Colin Fox.

Following Kissin is another master pianist, Garrick Ohlsson. The recent Grammy Award-winner and the first-ever American to win the prestigious Chopin International Piano Competition will play Mozart's final Piano Concerto, No. 27, K. 595 on April 3 and 5. Also on the programme is Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro Overture and Mahler's Symphony No. 5, conducted by Mahler specialist Benjamin Zander. Maestro Zander will also give pre-concert talks prior to each performance.

The rest of March is equally stellar, beginning with Janine Jansen, one of the most exciting violinists of the day. In North America she is approaching pop star status as 'Queen of the Download' by the iPod generation. Her recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons account for more than 70 percent of total internet sales, surpassing most other classical music downloads. On March 5 and 6, Jansen will play Britten's Violin Concerto and Peter Oundjian will conduct Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad", conducted by Peter Oundjian.

Music of Smetana, Dvorák, Richard Strauss, and Mozart will highlight the hugely entertaining programme Classical Legends on March 8 and 9. Neil Deland, the TSO's Principal French Horn player, will be lead by a specialist in Slavic repertoire, the Toronto-born/Czech Republic-based conductor Charles Olivieri-Monroe.

Acclaimed Canadian soprano Barbara Hannigan's performances have been called "nothing short of electrifying" and she returns to the TSO in Britten's song cycle Les Illuminations on March 12 and 13. Conducted by Peter Oundjian, the concert will also feature the TSO Composer Advisor Gary Kulesha's The True Colour of the Sky and Mahler's Symphony No. 4.

On the afternoon of Saturday, April 5, Alain Trudel will lead the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra in a Young People's Concert featuring excerpts from John William's Star Wars and Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade.

SUPERSTAR PIANISTS AND MUCH MORE

AT THE TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Lang Lang: Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 8pm

Shostakovich Leningrad Symphony: Wednesday, March 5, & Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 8pm

Classical Legends: Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 7:30pm & Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 3pm

Mahler Symphony 4: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 8pm & Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 2pm

Kissin Plays Brahms: Wednesday, March 26, & Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8pm

Mahler Symphony 5: Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 8pm & Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 7:30pm

Musical Heroes: Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 1:30pm and 3:30pm

All concerts take place at Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto

For tickets to all TSO concerts, call Roy Thomson Hall box office 416.593.4828

or online http://www.tso.ca/

Media Contact: FLIP PUBLICITY, Barbora Krsek X236, barbora@flip-publicity.com
720 Bathurst Street, #403 TOR M5S 2R4 www.flip-publicity.com

Pianist Joel Fan to Present Daring Program in his New York Solo Debut

CONTACT:

Nell Mulderry, Tel. 212-741-7959, e-mail: nell@bosssounds.com
Widya Widjaja, Tel. 212-741-7959, e-mail: widya@bosssounds.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 22, 2008

PIANIST JOEL FAN TO PERFORM WORLD-INFLUENCED PROGRAM FOR METROPOLITAN MUSEUM'S ACCOLADES SERIES ON MARCH 14, 2008

A Member of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, Fan Makes His New York City Solo Recital Debut, Including Premiere of Leon Kirchner's Sonata No. 3, The Forbidden, Written for Fan in 2006

NEW YORK, NY, February 22, 2008 -- Pianist Joel Fan will give his New York City solo debut as part of the Metropolitan Museum's Accolades Young Artists Series on March 14, 2008 at 7:00 PM, offering a program of world-influenced music and a profound cross-cultural experience of Western and non-Western connections. Inspired by his experience with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, Fan will present an amalgam of repertoire ranging from Chopin to Dia Succari, Beethoven to Villa-Lobos, Prokofiev to Adnan Saygun, Liszt to Qigang Chen, and more.

Eclectic programming has become a Fan trademark. His recital program mixes the familiar with the unfamiliar and expresses two themes: varied, folk-influenced contemporary classical works are placed amidst great sonatas from the classical canon, culminating with the New York premiere of Leon Kirchner's Sonata No. 3, The Forbidden, written for Fan in 2006. The Saygun piece blends Turkish "aksak" rhythm with a pentatonic theme that might be found in a piece from China; the Succari and Chen pieces blend native qualities from Syria and China, the latter revealing the composer's influence stemming from his studies in France with Messiaen, as his last pupil. Villa-Lobos contains an indigenous element with use of a South American Indian melody in the middle theme.

Joel Fan combines virtuosity with a gift for lyricism. He's been called "superb" (Boston Globe), "a soaring talent" and "technical wonder" (Los Angeles Times), and a "versatile and sensitive pianist" (Washington Post). Much of the recital program repertoire can be heard on Fan's debut solo album, World Keys, released on Reference Recordings in 2006, which jumped to #3 on the Billboard Classical Chart and met with wide critical acclaim. On it he plays additional works by William Bolcom (U.S.), Peteris Vasks (Latvia) and Peter Sculthorpe (Australia). Fan's recording of the Kirchner sonata is included on the album Leon Kirchner: Works for Solo Piano (Albany), released in 2007. Fan's recordings with the Silk Road Ensemble are available on Sony BMG Masterworks.

About the Artist

Fan is a native New Yorker who began his performing career at age 11 with the New York Philharmonic after winning the orchestra's Young People's Concert Auditions. He has been guest artist with orchestras throughout the United States as well as in Europe and the Far East. Recent notable performances include: May 2006, performing the Beethoven Triple Concerto with the New York Philharmonic and cellist Yo-Yo Ma under conductor David Zinman; August 2006, his debut at the Saito Kinen Festival of Matsumoto, Japan; and November 2006, performing the world premiere of Kirchner's Sonata No. 3 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Fan will appear with conductor Alan Gilbert and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic in Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony in April 2008. As a member of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble Fan has appeared at venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and on the national television programs Good Morning America and Late Show with David Letterman.

He completed Pre-College studies at Juilliard, earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University, and holds a Masters in Music degree in piano performance from the Peabody Conservatory, studying under Maestro Leon Fleisher. His repertoire spans the traditional piano classics, piano concertos, his own piano transcriptions and cadenzas, and newly commissioned works.

Fan is a prizewinner of several international competitions, such as the D'Angelo Young Artists International Competition in the United States and Busoni International Piano Competition in Italy. In addition he was named a Presidential Scholar by the National Foundation for the Arts.

The Metropolitan Museum Accolades Young Artist Series

The Accolades series continues the tradition of young artists at the Museum. The Metropolitan Museum has been championing young artists for more than half a century -among the artists who have made debuts in its series are Richard Goode, Peter Serkin, Arnold Steinhardt, and Murray Perahia. The Xerox Foundation makes this series possible. For tickets and more information please call the Concerts & Lectures Department at (212) 570-3949, or visit www.metmuseum.org/tickets, for updated schedules and programs.

March 14, 2008 at 7:00 PM - Friday evening
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue. New York, New York 10028

Concert Program
Adnan Saygun - Pentatonic Sketch on Aksak Rhythm #10 (1976) (Turkey)
Prokofiev - Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Opus 28
Dia Succari - La Nuit du Destin (1978) (Syria)
Qigang Chen - "Instants d'un Opera Pekin" (2000) (China)
Beethoven - Sonata in A flat Major, Opus 110
- Intermission -
Villa-Lobos - Choros No. 5, "Alma Brasileira"
Leon Kirchner - Sonata No. 3, "The Forbidden" (2006)
Chopin - Sonata No. 2 in B flat Minor, Op. 35 ("Funeral March")
Liszt - Concert Paraphase of Verdi's Rigoletto

To learn more about Joel Fan call or email Nell Mulderry, 212-741-7959, nell@bosssounds.com; or Widya Widjaja, 212-741-7959, widya@bosssounds.com.

Nell Mulderry, President
Boss Sounds, LLC
1133 Broadway Suite 630
New York, NY 10010
212.741.7959 (ph)
212.504.3092 (fax)

La prochaine collecte de fonds : La Scena Musicale vous invite à l'opéra Madama Butterfly

[English version]

Cette année, La Scena Musicale fête le mois des mères avec une invitation à la soirée de première de Madama Butterfly de Puccini, le 24 mai, présenté par l'Opéra de Montréal. L’opéra est une histoire tragique d’amour, trahison, et le sacrifice d’une jeune mère. Les billets sont offerts en quantités limitées.

Puccini : Madama Butterfly
Opéra de Montréal
Date : le samedi 24 mai 2008 à 20 h
Endroit : salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts, Montréal
Info : 514-948-2520
Courriel : operaweekend@scena.org

Billets :

• 103 $ chaque (catégorie 2 : Corbeil ou Parterre)
• Offre spécial : achetez deux billets pour 200 $ et vous recevrez un DVD de Madama Butterfly (valeur de 40$)

Canada Council Grants Facilitation

Dr Jane Colwell is pleased to announce that she has launched a GRANTS FACILITATION service to assist both artists and arts presenters with their grant submissions to the Canada Council, Foundations or provincial grant sources.

She brings fifteen years of experience with successful submissions in the arts, academic and not-for-profit sectors. As Director of Colwell Arts Management and National Coordinator for the Piano Six Project she secured grant funding for her individual artists career development activities, for tours, and for various promotional activities.

Find out more:

ph: 519-588-3499

e: jcolwell@golden.net

http://web.mac.com/janecolwell/iWeb/Grants20%Facilitation/Grants.html

Next Fundraising Activity: La Scena Musicale takes you to Madama Butterfly

[Version française]

Update (2008-05-22):
The entire opera has been sold out. La Scena Musicale still has a few tickets left, although there are no free DVDs left.

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This year, La Scena Musicale celebrates the month of mothers with an outing on Saturday, May 24 to the opening night performance of Opéra de Montréal's production of Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly, a tragic story of love, betrayal and a young mother's ultimate sacrifice. The performance is nearly sold out and LSM has a limited number of tickets.

Puccini: Madama Butterfly
Opéra de Montréal
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 8 p.m.
Place: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Places des Arts, Montreal
Info: 514-948-2520
Email: operaweekend@scena.org

Tickets:

• $103 each (category 2 in Corbeil or Parterre)
• Buy 2 tickets: $200 and receive a DVD video of Madama Butterfly ($39.99 value)

Next week at Mrichter.com

The 'Way Back Machine is working to bring us to a Met "Jamboree" of 1953. The program (audio of a telecast) relies on the house singers of the era: Roberta Peters, Zinka Milanov, Lucine Amara, Richard Tucker, Mario Del Monaco, ... but you get the idea.

In video from the 1991 Richard Tucker concert, Pavarotti and Hvorostovsky together in a Forza duet.

As usual, posting is planned for late Friday night.

Mike
--
mrichter@cpl.net
http://www.mrichter.com/

[Vermont] Green Mountain Opera Festival Announces 2008 Events Including La Traviata with Aline Kutan

Green Mountain Opera Festival For Immediate Release February 12, 2008 Contact: Rachel Carter, 802-318-5527 Email: rachel@rachelcarterpr.com Green Mountain Opera Festival Announces 2008 Events 2008 Season Features La Traviata, Vermont & International Artists, And Three Weeks of Opera in the Mad River Valley Waitsfield, VT – International opera performers, world renowned directors, emerging opera artists will all come together this June in the Green Mountains of Vermont for the 2008 Green Mountain Opera Festival. This three week operatic Vermont sojourn is now in its third year under internationally acclaimed artistic director and bass, Taras Kulish. The Green Mountain Opera Festival begins on June 1st and explores the art and beauty of opera with concerts, open air events, free open rehearsals, and free master classes throughout the Mad River Valley culminating with two fully staged and costumed performances of Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, accompanied by the Green Mountain Opera Orchestra at the beautifully restored Barre Opera House. La Traviata performances at the Barre Opera House will be Friday, June 20th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 22nd at 3:00 pm. La Traviata literally means "the woman who strayed" and is a tragic love story where rich boy, Alfredo – sung by nationally acclaimed tenor, Derek Taylor, falls for Violetta, a high-class courtesan – sung by internationally renowned soprano, Aline Kutan. Alfredo's father, Germont – sung by long-standing international career baritone, Theodore Baerg, doesn't approve of his son's relationship with Violetta and persuades her to abandon him because her scandalous past threatens his son's future. She leaves Alfredo and goes back to her old life, but falls mortally ill. Germont relents and allows Alfredo and Violetta a touching deathbed reunion. The young artists accepted into the Emerging Artist Program will sing supporting and ensemble roles. The Emerging Artist Program is a residence program for auditioned young opera singers taking place during the course of the Green Mountain Opera Festival. These opera stars of tomorrow will also perform the Emerging Artists Showcase on June 13th at the Josyln Round Barn in Waitsfield. Several other events are scheduled throughout the Green Mountain Opera Festival and more will be announced as the festival nears. Opera enthusiasts are invited to join the Emerging Artists at a series of free master classes taught by legendary soprano, Phyllis Curtin, bass-baritone, Sanford Sylvan, festival conductor, Francis Graffeo, and festival stage director, Ron Luchsinger. Free rehearsals of La Traviata will be open to the public throughout the festival. On June 6th, the La Traviata cast will perform opera favorites at the festival's opening concert at the Joslyn Round Barn and on June 11th, they will perform Broadway tunes at a picnic at the Lareau Farm Inn. Master classes and concerts will take place at the Joslyn Round Barn, the open rehearsals will take place at the Valley Players, the broadway picnic will take place at the Lareau Farm Inn, all located in Waitsfield, Vermont. Dates and times will be posted at www.greenmountainoperafestival.com. "You won't want to miss any of these fantastic events coming up in our 3rd annual opera festival. I couldn't be more proud and excited to present you all these established and emerging artists in the gorgeous Central Vermont landscape. High quality opera and breathtaking nature…what more could you want?!" exclaims artistic director, Taras Kulish. The Green Mountain Opera Festival is co-sponsored by the Inn at the Round Barn Farm and the Green Mountain Cultural Center, a non-profit organization that has promoted the visual and performing arts in Vermont's Mad River Valley for twenty years and was founded by the Inn at the Round Barn Farm's original owners. Additional contributions for the festival and the Emerging Artist Program, which is free for those chosen to attend, come from the Sheila C. Johnson Foundation, which supports programs related to education, children, and the arts and was founded by the Black Entertainment Television co-founder and opera enthusiast. The Green Mountain Opera Festival's Annual Gala Fundraiser helps raise additional funds and this year will feature Metropolitan Opera soprano, Wendy Nielsen, who will perform at the Joslyn Round Barn in Waitsfield on Sunday, March 16th. The Green Mountain Opera Festival is Vermont's premier annual and professional opera festival and was created to awaken the opera soul throughout the Mad River Valley and beyond. Tickets go on sale May 1st through the Green Mountain Cultural Center at 802-496-7722 or by emailing tickets@greenmountainoperafestival.com. For all additional information, please visit www.greenmountainoperafestival.com.

[Toronto] Opera Atelier announces 2008-09 Season

Media Contact: Karen Lorenowicz

KL Strategic Communications

T: 416-243-0168 E: karen.l@sympatico.ca

Opera Atelier's 2008/09 season features

works by Mozart and Monteverdi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto, ON (February 20, 2008)…Today, Opera Atelier announced the details of its 2008/09 season featuring two operatic masterpieces by Monteverdi and Mozart.

The season begins in November with a new production of Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio which tells of the adorable antics of the Spanish nobleman Belmonte and his servant Pedrillo as they plot to rescue their girlfriends from the harem of Pasha Selim. Commissioned by Austrian Emperor Joseph II, the opera was an instant success upon its 1782 premiere in Vienna. Opera Atelier's resident designer Gerard Gauci has created a spectacular new production which evokes the exoticism that enthralled 18^th-century Europe at the time of the opera's premiere.

The Abduction from the Seraglio marks the company debut of Canadian tenor Frédéric Antoun as Belmonte, coloratura soprano Amanda Pabyan as his fiancée Konstanze, and Norwegian-American bass Gustav Andreassen as Osmin, overseer for the Pasha. The production also features soprano Carla Huhtanen in the role of Blonde, Konstanze's English maid, tenor Lawrence Wiliford as Pedrillo, bass-baritone Curtis Sullivan as Pasha Selim, and Artists of Atelier Ballet. David Fallis conducts the Tafelmusik Orchestra. The Abduction from the Seraglio runs November 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, and 15, 2008 and will be sung in German with English SURTITLES^TM; the spoken text will be delivered in English.

The season continues in the spring of 2009 with the return of Opera Atelier's internationally acclaimed production of The Coronation of Poppea, Claudio Monteverdi's final masterpiece. This lavish spectacle of love, power and greed is based on the true story of Poppea, Nero's fiercely ambitious mistress, who aspires to be Empress of the Roman Empire and who will resort to any means – treachery, seduction, and murder – in order to realize her goal.

Canadian mezzo soprano Kimberly Barber makes her Opera Atelier debut in the role of Nero and soprano Peggy Kriha Dye returns to sing the role of Poppea. They are joined by Olivier Laquerre (Ottone), Laura Pudwell (Arnalta/Virtue), João Fernandes (Seneca), Carla Huhtanen (Drusilla), Jennie Such (Fortune/Venus), Vicki St. Pierre (Nurse), Curtis Sullivan (Liberto), Artists of Atelier Ballet, and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir under the baton of conductor David Fallis. The Coronation of Poppea will be sung in Italian with English SURTITLES^TM and runs April 25, 26, 28, 29, May 1 and 2, 2009.

Both productions in the 2008/09 season will be directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Zingg, Opera Atelier's co-artistic directors, with production designs by Gerard Gauci.

Performances for Opera Atelier's 2008/09 season will take place at the Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge Street) in Toronto with evening performances beginning at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinee performances beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Subscriptions for Opera Atelier's 2008/09 season are on sale now and may be purchased by calling 416-703-3767 ext. 24. For more information visit www.operaatelier.com

Opera Atelier also gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, the Metcalf Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Creative Trust, and Jerry and Joan Lozinski.

2008/09 Season Sponsor: Sun Life Financial

2008/09 Major Sponsors: BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank, TD Canada Trust Music, Chieftain Insurance

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Opera Atelier is Canada's premier baroque theatre company, producing opera, ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries. While drawing upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond "reconstruction" and infuses each production with an inventive theatricality that resonates with modern audiences. Over the past two decades, under the direction of founders Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Zingg, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances at home as well as in the United States, Europe and Asia.

[Montreal] Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly tonite!- Theatre Ste-Catherine, March 4 8pm

If you would like to interview Colleen Curran, Corey Castle or Glenn Roy- Media Relations: Janis Kirshner, (514) 287-8912, jkirshner@sympatico.ca

Derry Queen presents….

Invitation

Please be our guest for the Opening Night
Vous êtes cordialement invité à la première

of/de

Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite!

By Colleen Curran

Directed by/mise en scène par

Corey Castle

Tuesday, March 4, 8:00 PM

mardi, le 4 mars 20h00

Theatre Ste. Catherine

264 Ste-Catherine St. East

Is Carmel O'Reilly really JFK's other love child? Don't miss this play that's the best Irish party in town!

Funny and endearing, audiences will be up on their feet, singing along and winning prizes to boot! Celebrate the St. Patrick's Day season

as well as International Women's Day with the irrepressible Carmel O'Reilly.

"I like to tell a good story and I want people to have a great time. Carmel represents everyone who has a need to

do what they do to make people happy." Colleen Curran

With: Colleen Curran and Glenn Roy.

RSVP before/avant Friday/vendredi, 29 February/ février:

Janis Kirshner (514) 287-8912 jkirshner@sympatico.ca

Two tickets non-transferable/Deux billets non-transférable

Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite! March 4-9, 2008

This is an Equity-approved co-op.

Bulletin LSM février 2008

[English version]

La Scena Musicale en mars : deux grands artistes, la violoniste Laurence Kayaleh et le pianiste Paul Stewart !

Le numéro de mars de LSM mettra en vedette la violoniste Laurence Kayaleh et son partenaire de récital, le pianiste Paul Stewart. Ensemble, ils lancent ce mois-ci, sur étiquette Naxos, un disque d’œuvres remarquables pour violon et piano du maître russe Nikolaï Medtner, trop souvent négligé. Ce sera leur deuxième disque enregistré avec Naxos en deux ans et, ensemble, les deux disques comprennent la production complète de Medtner pour violon et piano. Dans le cadre des célébrations du 400^e anniversaire de la ville de Québec, l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec exécutera l’une des œuvres orchestrales les plus audacieuses jamais composées, la Huitième Symphonie de Mahler : dans notre Coin des musiciens, nous invitons le directeur artistique de l’OSQ, Yoav Talmi, à partager ses réflexions sur cette œuvre grandiose. Lucie Renaud rencontrera Raoul Sosa, un pianiste montréalais qui célèbre cette année ses quarante ans de carrière au Québec. Depuis longtemps professeur de piano au Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, M. Sosa a remporté de nombreux prix et jouit d’une renommée internationale; il a également surmonté une blessure à la main droite en se tournant vers le répertoire pour la main gauche. Nous inviterons quelques chefs prestigieux à nous parler de l’héritage de Herbert von Karajan : l’année 2008 marque le centenaire de sa naissance et, même si sa stature comme chef légendaire ne sera peut-être jamais dépassée, certains demeurent troublés par son passé politique.

Le guide de ce mois répertorie les camps musicaux d’été : on y trouvera des listes complètes des divers programmes de l’été prochain partout au pays.

Parmi nos autres sections habituelles, on trouvera bien entendu des articles sur le jazz et les musiques du monde, des critiques de CD et de DVD et le calendrier régional de la musique en mars. Enfin, René Bricault publiera un autre article de sa série sur Claude Vivier, l’un des plus grands compositeurs canadiens.

Veuillez notez que l’édition printemps 2008 de La SCENA, notre revue des arts, sera disponible en avril afin de coïncider avec notre Guide d’Abonnements Saison 2008-09. Ce numéro comprendra aussi notre 1e Guide Annuel des Festivals Internationaux.

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Nouveautés chez www.scena.org: blogue et fil de presse!

Nous sommes fiers de présenter le blogue de La Scena Musicale (www.scena.org/blog), idéal pour trouver les commentaires et les nouvelles de la musique et des arts au Canada et à travers le monde. Nos journalistes affichent très régulièrement les actualités en musique. Nous vous invitons également à découvrir notre blogue de fil de presse, www.scena.org/blog/newswire, un nouveau service pour les organisations des arts qui veulent afficher leurs communiqués. Les détails des concerts, les diffusions à la radio et la télévision, les événements des arts en ligne…vous y trouverez tout cela !

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La Scena Musicale, La SCENA et The Music Scene lancent leur page « Nouveautés »

Nos lecteurs sont toujours à la recherche de nouveautés. Les amateurs de concerts et les mélomanes aiment se tenir au courant des derniers livres, CD et DVD. Les musiciens veulent être informés des nouveaux instruments et accessoires pour eux et pour leurs élèves. Pourquoi ne pas leur faire connaître vos derniers joyaux ? Qu'il soit musical ou qu'il relève des arts (théâtre, danse, arts visuels, etc.), votre produit jouira d'une grande visibilité dans le nouveau supplément publicitaire extrêmement abordable de nos magazines, les Nouveautés. L'annonce de base ne coûte que 25 $ ! Elle paraîtra avec la section des critiques dans nos trois magazines et assurera une publicité nationale à votre produit. Mieux encore, nos lecteurs avides de culture et de musique sont tout désignés pour vos communiqués, vous pourrez ainsi rejoindre un public ciblé idéal.

Prix (pour une parution dans l'UN de nos magazines) :

• Parution de base : 25 $
• Parution avec description : 85 $ (comprend image et description de 50 mots)
• Escomptes de fréquence pour les clients réguliers

Caractéristiques :

• Page couleur glacée
• Parution dans la section des critiques
• Dans les trois magazines
• Produits : CD, DVD, livres, instruments, accessoires
• Ouvert à la musique et à tous les arts

Pour plus d'informations, téléchargez la fiche des renseignements ou bien contactez wkchan@scena.org.

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Pourquoi passer une annonce dans La SCENA/La Scena Musicale ? Trouvez les consommateurs canadiens les plus friands de culture

Vous désirez trouver des lecteurs de 35 ans et plus avertis et plus à l'aise financièrement que la moyenne ? Ou bien des musiciens/artistes professionnels et les étudiants ?

La Scena Musicale vous invite chez 100 000 Canadiens éduqués, mélomanes, passionnés de culture. Nos lecteurs s'intéressent à la musique, la danse, le théâtre, le cinéma, les arts visuels, la cuisine et la mode.

Nos revues renommées La Scena Musicale, La SCENA et The Music Scene publient des articles et critiques qui font réfléchir. La Scena Musicale et La SCENA sont les seules publications bilingues à Montréal consacrées à la musique de concert (classique, jazz et musiques du monde) et aux arts et à la culture (la musique, la danse, le théâtre, le cinéma et les arts visuels). En plus, le calendrier culturel le plus complet au Canada assure que la lecture sera répétée (plus que 225 000 par mois).

Ci-dessous, vous trouverez des renseignements pour les prochains numéros de La Scena Musciale, La SCENA, et The Music Scene. Pour de l'information sur les tarifs de publicité et la production, veuillez visiter http://ads.scena.org ou contacter notre service des ventes au 514-948-2520 ou sales@scena.org.

Wah Keung Chan
Éditeur fondateur
La Scena Musicale
La SCENA
The Music Scene

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La Scena Musicale: mars 2008

• 50,000 lecteurs
• Distribution : 25 000 copies
• Montréal : 20 500
• Québec : 500
• En kiosque : 2 000
• Abonnements : 2 000
• Sortie : le 29 février
• Tombée publicitaire : le 22 février
• Maquettes : le 22 février

La SCENA: printemps 2008 / La Scena Musicale: avril 2008

• 50,000 lecteurs
• Distribution : 25 000 copies
• Montréal : 20 500
• Québec : 500
• En kiosque : 2 000
• Abonnements : 2 000
• 
  
• Sortie : le 2 avril
• Tombée publicitaire : le 19 mars
• Maquettes : le 20 mars

The Music Scene: printemps 2008

• 50,000 lecteurs
• Distribution: 25,000 copies
  
• Toronto: 15,000
• Ottawa: 5,000
  
• Rest du Canada : 5,000
  
• Sortie : le 17 mars
• Tombée publicitaire : le 5 mars
• Maquettes : le 7 mars

COMMUNIQUÉ: Le Big Band de l'UdeM présente "Coeur à coeur", le vendredi 29 février

Le Big Band de l'Université de Montréal,

sous la direction de Ron Di Lauro, présente

« Cœur à cœur »

Avec la participation spéciale de Sophie Desmarais,
ambassadrice du Big Band

Montréal, le 19 février 2008 – Le Big Band de l'Université de Montréal, sous la direction de Ron Di Lauro, vous convie à son prochain concert, « Cœur à Cœur », qui aura lieu le vendredi 29 février prochain, à 19 h 30, à la salle Claude-Champagne.

Pour cette occasion, les musiciens du Big Band de l'Université de Montréal ont invité leur ambassadrice, Sophie Desmarais, à se joindre à eux, le temps de quelques pièces.

« C'est avec beaucoup de courage et d'humilité que j'unirai ma voix à la musique du Big Band de l'Université de Montréal lors de ce concert, souligne Sophie Desmarais. Aider le Big Band à réaliser ses rêves me procure un immense sentiment de fierté et de satisfaction. Je suis à mon tour choyée que ces jeunes musiciens talentueux et leur chef, Ron Di Lauro, m'aient invitée à réaliser l'un de mes propres rêves les plus chers en chantant avec eux. »

Mécène, fervente amoureuse de la musique et tout particulièrement du jazz, Mme Desmarais appuie diverses causes et organismes. Depuis septembre 2007, elle est l'ambassadrice du Big Band de l'Université de Montréal. Elle-même chanteuse, elle a récemment enregistré un disque jazz, Where Do You Start?, dont on entendra quelques extraits lors du concert « Cœur à cœur ».

Au programme :

Tip Toe (Thad Jones)

Soon (Gershwin/Tom Kubis)

Evanescence (Maria Schneider)

In A Mellow Tone (Ellington/Frank Foster)

Chiapas (Hank Levy)

To You (Thad Jones)

Our Love is Here To Stay (Gershwin/Chet Doxas)

They Can't Take That Away From Me (Gershwin/Chet Doxas)

Blue Skies (Irving Berlin/Chet Doxas)

Sophie Desmarais, voix

Floatation Device (Fred Stride)

Le Big Band de l'Université de Montréal, dirigé par Ron Di Lauro, est constitué d'une quinzaine de musiciens qui explorent avec passion et énergie le répertoire des classiques (standards jazz) des années 50 à 70 et le jazz fusion et actuel des années 70 à aujourd'hui. Lauréat de plusieurs mentions « OR » au JazzFest des Jeunes du Québec, le Big Band contribue ardemment au rayonnement de l'excellence du secteur jazz de la Faculté de musique de l'Université de Montréal.

Le Conseil des ambassadeurs de la Faculté de musique de l'Université de Montréal a été créé afin de favoriser le rayonnement des activités et des réalisations des secteurs d'excellence de la Faculté. Il est composé notamment de Denys Arcand (maîtrise en musiques d'applications audiovisuelles), Aline Chrétien (secteur piano), Sophie Desmarais (Big Band de l'Université de Montréal), David B. Sela (Orchestre de l'Université de Montréal) et Alain Simard (secteur jazz).

« CŒUR À CŒUR »

LE BIG BAND DE L'UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL

Vendredi 29 février 2008 – 19 h 30

Salle Claude-Champagne

220, Vincent-d'Indy, Montréal (métro Édouard-Montpetit)

12 $, 10 $ (aînés), gratuit (étudiants)

Billetterie ADMISSION : 514.790.1245

Renseignements : 514.343.6427

www.musique.umontreal.ca

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Source :
Julie Fortier

Faculté de musique – Université de Montréal

514.343.6365

julie.c.fortier@umontreal.ca

[Montreal] Register now for auditions leading up to the 3rd annual free Blues Camp presented by TD Canada Trust!

Registrations until April 24, 2008

Open to all 13-17-year-old musicians!

Montreal, Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - Registration begins today for the 3rd edition of the already renowned Blues Camp, presented once again this year by TD Canada Trust! We're calling on all 13 to 17-year old aspiring Quebec musicians to register before April 24, 2008 for auditions and the chance to join the lucky crew who will participate in the free day camp presented as part of the Montreal Musical Instrument Show (SIMM) and the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. It's a unique opportunity to hone their musical understanding, perfect their technical skills, and finally, to star on one of the Festival's outdoor stages! Just visit the website at campdeblues.com and register before Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 5 p.m. Auditions will follow on April 26 and 27 at Marguerite-De Lajemmerais school in Montreal.

A musical day camp-100% free!

Since its first edition, the Blues Camp presented by TD Canada Trust and created by the SIMM in accordance with its mission to empower teenage musicians through practical and public instruction, was an immediate and immense success! Once again this year, 55 young musicians bursting with knowledge, talent and passion will be chosen to attend the seven-day musical day camp, where they can improve their technique, learn the blues basics and the artistic process, compose, learn to be a part of a group and benefit from exclusive courses and workshops offered by professors, professionals and celebrated artists. Once formed into a band, they will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to climb onto the Festival's TD Canada Trust stage and show the whole world what they've learned!

How to sign up:

Simply log on to the Blues Camp website, campdeblues.com, and register before April 24 by 5 p.m. Young candidates must specify their chosen instrument from the list of those eligible for inclusion at the camp (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, wind instruments, harmonica, voice) and bring their talent and passion to this free program. 55 young musicians who dream in blue will be selected during an audition to be held in Montreal on April 26 or 27. The Blues Camp, scheduled from June 29 to July 6, will once again be held at cégep du Vieux Montréal, close to the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal site.

Keep this calendar handy:

Registration period: from February 19 to April 24, 2008, by 5 p.m.

Auditions: April 26 and 27, at Marguerite-De Lajemmerais school in Montreal

Blues Camp: from June 29 to July 6, 2008

Performance at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal: July 6

The SIMM: Complexe Desjardins, from Thursday, July 3 to Sunday, July 6

The Montreal Guitar Show: Grand Salon, Hyatt Regency Montréal, from Friday, June 27, to Sunday, June 29, 2008

The Blues Camp offers its warmest thanks to TD Canada Trust, whose continued proud sponsorship and presentation hit just the right note, making this musical dream camp possible. Our sincere thanks also go out to partners Steve's Music Store, Mel Bay, Vox, Pearl, Marshall, Korg, Phonic and Markbass, and cégep du Vieux Montréal, CIBL Radio-Montréal 101.5 and Couleur Jazz 91.9.

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Source

Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
514 523-3378

Information (Media)

Marie-Eve Boisvert
Senior director of media relations
514 523-3378, ext. 5666
marie-eve.boisvert@equipespectra.ca

Greg Kitzler
publicist
514 523-3378, ext. 5622
greg.kitzler@equipespectra.ca

Information (Public)

Site Internet : campdeblues.com

[Montreal] Nomination de Monsieur Raymond Sealey au poste de directeur général d'I Musici de Montréal

Montréal, le 19 février 2008 - Maître Gérard Coulombe, Président du conseil d'administration de l'orchestre de chambre I Musici de Montréal, est heureux d'annoncer la nomination de M. Raymond Sealey au poste de directeur général.

Né en Angleterre, Raymond Sealey est titulaire d'un diplôme en littérature anglaise de l'Université du Western Ontario. La musique a commencé à prendre une place importante dans sa vie lors de ses études de guitare au Royal Conservatory of Music de Toronto. Il a étudié cet instrument avec Alexandre Lagoya au Canada ainsi qu'en France avec l'appui du Conseil national des arts du Canada.

Il a ensuite enseigné la musique à l'Université du Western Ontario et à l'Université d'Ottawa, fait plusieurs enregistrements et même publié plusieurs compositions musicales. Il a également été animateur et il a créé des documentaires pour CBC à Ottawa. C'est durant cette période qu'il a commencé à s'impliquer de plus en plus dans la production et l'administration des arts. Raymond Sealey a organisé des concerts à Gatineau et dans la région de l'Outaouais, où il a été cofondateur d'un festival de musique.

En 1997, il déménage à Montréal et puis dans les Laurentides et devient le directeur général de CAMMAC (Canadian Amateur Musicians/Musiciens amateurs du Canada), une organisation à but non lucratif d'envergure nationale offrant un espace de création dans un environnement non compétitif. Il a pris sa retraite en 2007 après avoir complété avec succès le projet majeur de reconstruction du Centre musical CAMMAC dans les Laurentides.

M. Sealey a poursuivi sa carrière en tant que consultant pour de nombreux organismes culturels, incluant I Musici de Montréal. Après plusieurs semaines d'implication dans cette organisation, il était tellement emballé qu'il a décidé de poser sa candidature au poste de directeur général.

« Je suis heureux de faire partie d'une organisation aussi prestigieuse. Maestro Turovsky, les musiciens et tout le personnel administratif forment ensemble une équipe exceptionnelle et c'est avec grand plaisir que je me joins à eux », a dit M. Sealey.

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Source

Me Gérard Coulombe, c.r.

Président du conseil d'administration

I Musici de Montréal

514 982-6037

info@imusici.com

Renseignements

Élise Méthot-Duquette

I Musici de Montréal

514 982-6037 #227

duquette@imusici.com

Mr Raymond Sealey becomes I Musici de Montréal's Executive Director

For Immediate Release

Montreal, February 19th, 2008 - Mr Gérard Coulombe, Chairman of the Board of I Musici de Montréal, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Raymond Sealey as Executive Director.

Born in England, Raymond Sealey earned a degree in English Literature from the University of Western Ontario. Music, however, finally took the more important place in his life when he was studying guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. This culminated in studies with Alexandre Lagoya in both Canada and France, the latter with support from the Canada Council for the Arts.

He taught music at the University of Western Ontario and subsequently at the University of Ottawa. Mr Sealey has made several recordings, is a published composer and has taken great interest in the guitar as a chamber music instrument.

He also worked as a host and documentary maker for CBC in Ottawa. It was during this period that he became increasingly active in production and arts management. He produced concerts in Gatineau and the Outaouais and co-founded a music festival in that region.

In 1997 he moved to Montreal and later to the Laurentians to become Executive Director of CAMMAC (Canadian Amateur Musicians/Musiciens amateurs du Canada), a non-profit national service organization offering opportunities for music making in a non-competitive environment. He retired from this organization in 2007 following the completion of a major rebuilding project at CAMMAC Music Centre in the Laurentians.

Mr Sealey was acting as a consultant for arts organizations, including I Musici de Montréal but after several weeks, the fit with I Musici seemed natural and he decided to offer his candidacy for the post of Executive Director.

Mr Sealey said, "I am very happy to join such a prestigious musical organization. Maestro Yuli Turovsky, the ensemble and all the administrative staff form an exceptional team and it is a pleasure to be part of it."

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Source

Mr. Gérard Coulombe, Q.C.

Chairman of the Board

I Musici de Montréal

514 982-6037

info@imusici.com

Information

Élise Méthot-Duquette

I Musici de Montréal

514 982-6037 #227

duquette@imusici.com

LSM February 2008 Newsletter

[Version française]

March’s La Scena Musicale: Internationally Renowned Violinist Laurence Kayaleh and Pianist Paul Stewart!

LSM’s March issue will feature violinist Laurence Kayaleh and her recital partner, pianist Paul Stewart. Together, they are releasing a disc this month on the Naxos label covering the remarkable violin and piano works of the oft-neglected Russian master, Nikolay Medtner. This will be the second of two discs they have recorded with Naxos in as many years, and together, the two-disc set represents the complete output for violin and piano by Medtner. As part of Quebec City’s 400^th anniversary celebrations, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec will perform one of the most audacious orchestral pieces ever composed, Mahler’s Eighth Symphony: we invite OSQ artistic director Yoav Talmi to share his thoughts on this magnificent work in our Musician’s Corner. Lucie Renaud will sit down with Raoul Sosa, a Montreal-based pianist who is celebrating the 40^th year of his career here in Quebec. A longtime piano teacher at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, Mr. Sosa has won a great number of awards and international recognition; he also remarkably overcame an injury to his right hand by exploring the piano repertoire for the left hand. We will invite some esteemed conductors to share their thoughts on the legacy of Herbert von Karajan: 2008 marks the centenary of his birth and while his stature as a legendary recording conductor may never be equalled, some are troubled by his political past.

The guide for this month features summer music and arts camps: comprehensive listings will be provided for a variety of programs that will take place across the country this summer.
Download the form here.

Our other regular features this month include the Jazz and World music sections, CD and DVD reviews, and of course, the March regional music calendar. Finally, March will also see an installment in René Bricault’s continuing series on Claude Vivier, one of Canada’s greatest composers.

Please note that the Spring 2008 issue of our arts magazine, La SCENA, will now be released in April in order to coincide with our 2008-2009 Season Subscription Guide. The issue will also include our 1^st Annual International Festivals Guide.

Festivals:

Talking about music and arts festivals, La Scena Musicale, La SCENA and The Music Scene are the place to find International and Canadian music and arts festivals in 2008 (in print and online). The following three issues will cover all the 2008 festivals:

• International Music and Arts Festivals: Spring 2008 issue of The Music Scene and the Spring 2008 issue of La SCENA (including the April issue of La Scena Musicale).
• Canadian Jazz, World and Folk Festivals: May 2008 issue of La Scena Musicale. This is a national issue (double distribution to 50,000 copies) and the ad rates are 1.5 times the regular rates.
• Canadian Classical Music and Arts Festivals: Summer 2008 issue of La SCENA (including the June issue of La Scena Musicale). This is a national issue (double distribution to 50,000 copies) and the ad rates are 1.5 times the regular rates.
• Visit http://ads.scena.org for more info.
  

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New LSM Online Features: Blog and Newswire

We are proud to unveil the LSM Blog (www.scena.org/blog), which is the ideal place to check out commentary and news on music and the arts in Canada and around the world. Our writers will be posting regularly to keep you up to date on the latest developments throughout the musical world.

We would also like to tell you about our new free service called LSM Newswire. E-mail your press release to newswiresubsmit@scena.org. The text must be in the body of the e-mail. We will post it in our newswire page http://www.scena.org/blog/newswire. We will also put a direct link to your press release in the "LSM Newswire" section at the bottom of our home page http://en.scena.org. Please note that this service will not work with if the info is in a file attachment (PDF, Word, etc.). The text must be in the body of the e-mail.

Advantages:

• Get your press release seen by a larger audience
• Searchable by Google: SCENA.org is indexed by Google daily
• It's FREE
  

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NEW: La Scena Musicale, La SCENA and The Music Scene introduces its New Releases Page

Our readers are always on the lookout for something new. Concertgoers and music lovers want to know about the latest CDs, DVDs, and books. Musicians want to know about new instruments and accessories for themselves and their students. Why not show them your latest goodies? Whether it's musical or relevant to any of the arts (theatre, dance, visual art, etc.), your product will benefit from great visibility in our magazines' latest feature, the New Releases Page. This is a new and remarkably affordable advertising supplement, starting at only $25 per listing! It will appear next to the Reviews section in all three of our magazines, creating national exposure for your product. Best of all, our culturally passionate and musically inclined readers are tailor-made for your new releases, allowing you to appeal to an ideal targeted market.

Pricing (based on a listing inserted in ONE of our magazines):

• Basic listing: $25
• Descriptive listing: $85 (includes cover image and 50-word description)
• Frequency discounts available

Characteristics:

• Glossy colour page
• Location: next to Reviews page
• In all three magazines
• Products: CDs, DVDs, Books, Instruments, Accessories
• Open to Music and the Arts

For more info visit this page or contact wkchan@scena.org

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Why advertise in La SCENA/La Scena Musicale?

Reach Canada's most cultured consumers

Want to reach the affluent, sophisticated, urban 35+ demographic, or professional and student musicians/artists?

Highly educated and with sophisticated tastes in culture and lifestyle: La Scene Musicale invites you into the lives of 100,000 Canadians. Our readers are passionate about music, dance, theatre, film, visual arts, as well as food, fashion and their homes.

Our award-winning magazines La Scena Musicale, La SCENA and The Music Scene contain thought-provoking articles and reviews. Furthermore, La Scena Musicale and La SCENA are the only bilingual Montreal publications dedicated to covering concert music (classical music, jazz and world music), and arts and culture (music, dance, theatre, film and visual arts). In addition, the inclusion of Canada's most in-depth cultural calendar ensures repeat viewings, over 225,000 per month. Our new direct distribution to affluent households ($100K+) means our magazines truly deliver, meaning they are read and read often.

Enclosed is more info on the next issues of La Scena Musicale, La SCENA, and The Music Scene. For more info on rates and production, please visit http://ads.scena.org, or contact our sales department directly at 514-948-2520 or sales@scena.org.

Yours sincerely,

Wah Keung Chan
Founding Publisher and Editor
La Scena Musicale
La SCENA
The Music Scene

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La Scena Musicale: March 2008

• 50,000 readers
• Quebec circulation: 25,000 copies
  
• Montreal: 20,500
• Québec City: 500
  
• Newsstands: 2,000
  
• Mailing: 2,000
• Distribution date: February 29
• Advertising deadline: February 22
• Materials deadline: February 22

La SCENA: Spring 2008 / La Scena Musicale: April 2008

• 50,000 readers
• Quebec circulation: 25,000 copies
  
• Montreal: 20,500
• Québec City: 500
  
• Newsstands: 2,000
  
• Mailing: 2,000
• Distribution date: April 2
• Advertising deadline: March 19
• Materials deadline: March 20

The Music Scene: Spring 2008

• 50,000 readers
• National circulation: 25,000 copies
  
• Toronto: 15,000
• Ottawa: 5,000
  
• Rest of Canada: 5,000
  
• Distribution date: March 17
• Advertising deadline: March 5
• Materials deadline: March 7

31e Festival de Lanaudière - Un avant-goût

UN AVANT-GOÛT DE L’ÉTÉ

Montréal, le 18 février 2008 – Coup d’envoi éclatant pour la 31^e édition du Festival de Lanaudière ! Le samedi 5 juillet, le Festival lancera sa saison avec un programme somptueux qui culminera avec le vibrant Carmina Burana de Carl Orff. Sur scène seront alors rassemblés l’Orchestre métropolitain du Grand Montréal, trois chœurs, les solistes Erin Wall (soprano), Frédéric Antoun (ténor) et James Westman (baryton), tous dirigés par Yannick Nézet-Séguin. En plus de Carmina Burana, on entendra le Concerto no 2 en sol mineur, op. 16, de Prokofiev avec la pianiste Valentina Lisitsa ainsi que Les offrandes oubliées d’Olivier Messiaen, pour souligner le 100^e anniversaire de la naissance du compositeur. Une soirée inaugurale exceptionnelle, à l’image du Festival de Lanaudière. Riche en surprises, en découvertes et en ravissement musical, la 31^e édition du Festival se tiendra du samedi 5 juillet au dimanche 3 août 2008.

ALAIN LEFÈVRE, AMBASSADEUR ARTISTIQUE DU FESTIVAL

Cette année, le Festival de Lanaudière a fait d’Alain Lefèvre son « ambassadeur artistique ». À ce titre, ce fidèle et dévoué collaborateur de l’événement depuis 2005 continuera de contribuer au rayonnement national et international du Festival. De plus, il jouira de la latitude nécessaire à l’atteinte d’un des objectifs du Festival : la mise en valeur de la relève musicale et ce, tout au long de l’année. Rappelons que le Festival de Lanaudière a joué un rôle important pour faire connaître au public Nord-Américain des artistes qui en étaient alors à leurs débuts sur le continent, tels Leif Ove Andsnes et Cecilia Bartoli, Maxim Vengerov et Yundi Li.

Reconnu pour son soutien aux jeunes musiciens et pour la visibilité qu’il leur offre, Alain Lefèvre conjuguera ses efforts à ceux du Festival, dont la mission consiste aussi à soutenir la relève québécoise. La journée du 19 juillet, où le public pourra découvrir de nouveaux virtuoses du piano parrainés par Alain Lefèvre, témoigne clairement de cet engagement.

LE 19 JUILLET - AU PIANO AVEC ALAIN LEFÈVRE

Le samedi 19 juillet, le Festival de Lanaudière a donné carte blanche à Alain Lefèvre, qui sera le maître de cérémonie d’une journée musicale absolument captivante. En avant-midi, il donnera une classe de maître au Musée d’art de Joliette. Celle-ci sera suivie en après-midi par une véritable « Pyrotechnie pianistique », soit un concert donné par les pianistes Matthieu Fortin, Ang Li, Daniel Moran, Mathilde-Ariane Pagé-Bouchard, Justine Pelletier, Maneli Pirzadeh, Marie-Hélène Trempe et Darrett Zusko et animé par Alain Lefèvre, qui présentera les œuvres et les artistes. Les pièces au programme, pour 2, 3 ou 4 pianos, mettront leur virtuosité à l’épreuve. On entendra notamment des arrangements de L’Apprenti sorcier de Dukas, de l’Étude révolutionnaire de Chopin et de la Rhapsodie hongroise no 2 de Liszt.

Pour clore la journée, à 20 h, Alain Lefèvre partagera la scène avec les pianistes Jimmy Brière et Marie-Hélène Trempe dans le Concerto pour 3 pianos en fa majeur, K. 242 de Mozart. Ils seront accompagnés par l’Orchestre du Festival, dirigé par Daniel Myssyk. Les pianistes Katherine Chi, Darrett Zusko, Ang Li, Maneli Pirzadeh, Daniel Moran et Richard Raymond seront aussi du concert. (Programme détaillé en annexe)

LE 12 JUILLET : LA FOLLE JOURNÉE AUX OISEAUX

Olivier Messiaen a inventorié et transcrit en musique des centaines de chants d’oiseaux pour les intégrer à ses compositions. Pour souligner le 100^e anniversaire de la naissance du compositeur, le Festival propose la Folle journée aux oiseaux, inspirée du thème des oiseaux dans la musique. Une grande variété d’activités musicales et ornithologiques sera alors offerte aux festivaliers.

En après-midi, on pourra notamment assister à une répétition ouverte commentée où les artistes mettront en valeur les chants d’oiseaux dans les œuvres au programme et participer à un repas-causerie champêtre, animé par Pierre Gingras, journaliste au quotidien La Presse.

La journée se terminera par un magnifique concert, à 20 h. Les mélomanes pourront entendre la soprano Aline Kutan et le pianiste Stewart Goodyear, accompagnés par l’Orchestre du Festival, placé sous la direction de Jean-Marie Zeitouni. En plus de la création de La joie des grives du compositeur québécois Antoine Ouellette, le programme comprend trois airs pour soprano colorature : « First and Chief, on Golden Wing... Sweet Bird » de Handel (extrait de L’Allegro, il penseroso ed il moderato), « Le ciel rayonne... Ô légère hirondelle », tiré de l’opéra Mireille de Gounod et « Le rossignol et la rose », tiré de l’opéra Parysatis de Saint-Saëns. Stewart Goodyear interprétera Les oiseaux exotiques de Messiaen alors que des oeuvres orchestrales concluront le programme : la suite tirée de l’Oiseau de feu de Stravinsky (version 1919) et la Légende no 2 : Saint-François d’Assise - la prédication aux oiseaux, de Liszt, orchestrée par Mottl.

Concours de photos

En complément à la création de la Joie des grives d’Antoine Ouellette, le Festival, en collaboration avec le Regroupement QuébecOiseaux et la Société d’ornithologie de Lanaudière, lance un concours de photographie. Les lauréats verront leurs photos projetées sur grand écran lors du concert du 12 juillet. Pour connaître tous les détails, visitez le site www.quebecoiseaux.org.

LE 1ER AOÛT - GERHAHER CHANTE MOZART

Accompagné d’un des plus grands orchestres d’Europe, l’Orchestre baroque de Freiburg, le baryton allemand Christian Gerhaher, encensé de façon unanime par la critique internationale, nous offrira des airs d’opéras de Mozart. De plus, seront interprétés les symphonies no 34 et 36, le concerto pour clarinette, K. 622, joué sur cor de basset, et le concerto pour cor, K. 412.

Il ne s’agit ici que d’un avant-goût de ce que vous réserve le 31^e Festival de Lanaudière. D’ici le dévoilement complet de la programmation au début du mois de mai, nous travaillons à boucler les détails d’une autre édition qui comblera tous les amoureux de la musique.

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Trois grandes journées au Festival de Lanaudière

Les samedis 12 et 19 juillet, et le 1er août 2008

12 JUILLET - LA FOLLE JOURNÉE AUX OISEAUX

Activités sur le site en après-midi

• Répétition ouverte pendant laquelle les artistes mettront en lumière la présence des chants d’oiseaux dans les œuvres au programme
• Animation avec des oiseaux de proie (UQROP)
• Randonnée pédestre animée par la Société d’ornithologie de Lanaudière dans le sentier boisé le long de la rivière L’Assomption, derrière l’Amphithéâtre
• Repas champêtre avec causerie animée par le journaliste Pierre Gingras, de La Presse

Concert du soir - 20 h

Le concert du soir mettra en vedette les solistes Aline Kutan, soprano, et le pianiste Stewart Goodyear, accompagnés de l’Orchestre du Festival dirigé par Jean-Marie Zeitouni.

Aline Kutan interprétera 3 airs pour soprano colorature : « First and chief, on Golden Wing... Sweet Bird », de Handel (extrait de L’Allegro, il penseroso ed il moderato), « Le ciel rayonne... Ô légère hirondelle », extrait de l’opéra Mireille de Gounod et « Le rossignol et la rose », tiré de l’opéra Parysatis de Saint-Saëns. Le pianiste Stewart Goodyear soulignera l’anniversaire Messiaen comme soliste dans Les oiseaux exotiques, alors que le programme sera complété par la suite tirée de l’Oiseau de feu de Stravinsky (version 1919), la Légende no 2 : Saint-François d’Assise - la prédication aux oiseaux, de Liszt, orchestrée par Mottl et la création de l’œuvre La joie des grives du compositeur québécois Antoine Ouellette.

19 JUILLET - AU PIANO AVEC ALAIN LEFÈVRE

Matinée - Classe de maître au Musée d’art de Joliette

Après-midi - Pyrotechnie pianistique par huit pianistes

Matthieu FORTIN, Ang LI, Daniel MORAN, Mathilde-Ariane PAGÉ-BOUCHARD, Justine PELLETIER, Maneli PIRZADEH, Marie-Hélène TREMPE, Darrett ZUSKO

GLINKA Ouverture de Russlan et Ludmilla (4 pianos)

LISZT Réminiscences de Don Juan (2 pianos)

Rhapsodie hongroise no 2 (2 pianos)

ARENSKY Suite pour 2 pianos, op. 15

RACHMANINOV Prélude en do dièse mineur (2 pianos)

Polka italienne (2 pianos)

ARUTIUNIAN /

BABADJANIAN Rhapsodie arménienne (2 pianos)

LUTOSLAWSKI Variations Paganini (2 pianos)

CHOPIN Étude révolutionnaire (3 pianos)

BOLCOM The Garden of Eden (extraits)

POULENC Capriccio d’après Le bal masqué (2 pianos)

DUKAS L’apprenti sorcier (2 pianos)

WILBERG Fantaisie sur des thèmes de Carmen d’après Bizet (2 pianos, 8 mains)

Soir - Alain Lefèvre partage la scène

ORCHESTRE DU FESTIVAL

Daniel Myssyk, direction

Bach Concerto pour 4 pianos, BWV 1060

Katherine CHI, Jimmy BRIÈRE, Darrett ZUSKO, Ang LI

Concerto pour 2 pianos n°3, en do mineur, BWV 1060

Maneli PIRZADEH, Daniel MORAN

Mozart Concerto pour 3 pianos, en fa majeur, K.242

Alain Lefèvre, Jimmy Brière, Marie-Hélène Trempe

Concerto pour 2 pianos, en mi bémol majeur, K. 365

Richard Raymond, Katherine Chi

LE 1ER AOÛT - CHRISTIAN GERHAHER CHANTE MOZART

ORCHESTRE BAROQUE DE FREIBURG

Gottfried VON DER GOLTZ, direction

Christian GERHAHER, baryton

Lorenzo COPPOLA, cor de basset

Teunis VAN DER ZWART, cor

MOZART Symphonie no 34 en do majeur, K. 388

Symphonie no 36 en do majeur, K. 425 « Linz »

Concerto pour clarinette en la majeur, K. 622

Concerto pour cor et orchestre no 1 en ré majeur, K. 412

« Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo » (Extrait de l’opéra Così fan tutte)

« Non più andrai » (Extrait de l’opéra Le nozze di Figaro)

« Se vuol ballare » (Extrait de l’opéra Le nozze di Figaro)

« Hai gia vinta la causa » (Extrait de l’opéra Le nozze di Figaro)

Le Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec nomme Nicolas Desjardins au poste de directeur général

Communiqués

18 février 2008 - Le Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec nomme Nicolas Desjardins au poste de directeur général

Madame Francine Grégoire, présidente du conseil d’administration du Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique du Québec, est très heureuse d’annoncer la nomination de monsieur Nicolas Desjardins, le 14 février 2008, au poste de directeur général du Conservatoire.

Rappelons que Nicolas Desjardins occupait le poste de directeur général du Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique du Québec depuis août 1998. Il a lui-même participé aux travaux menant à l’adoption par l’Assemblée nationale, en juin 2006, du projet de loi n^o 11 modifiant la Loi sur le Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique du Québec pour en faire une société publique, et en vertu de laquelle le conseil d’administration devait nommer un directeur général à la tête du Conservatoire.

M. Desjardins a une longue feuille de route comme artiste de la scène et administrateur. Ayant fait ses études au Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, où il obtenait un Prix de clarinette en 1977, il a étudié la clarinette et clarinette basse, de 1976 à 1980, à New York, auprès de Vincent Abato et à l’Université McGill, auprès d’Emilio Iacurto. En 1986, il obtenait un Diploma in Institutional Administration de l’Université Concordia. De 1991 à 1998, M. Desjardins a dirigé les Jeunesses Musicales du Canada et la Fondation des Jeunesses Musicales. Il est membre fondateur de l’Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal et siège, depuis 1980, à plusieurs conseils d’administration d’organismes à vocation culturelle.

Enfin, M. Desjardins a collaboré de façon importante au projet de relogement permanent des deux conservatoires montréalais — musique et art dramatique —, dont les travaux sont actuellement en cours de réalisation et se termineront en janvier 2009.

« Au nom de tous les membres du conseil d’administration, je tiens à vous féliciter sincèrement et à vous réitérer notre appui à tous dans la réalisation de votre mandat qui marque une nouvelle étape déterminante dans le déploiement de notre institution », de conclure madame Grégoire.

Pour en savoir plus sur le Conservatoire et la composition du conseil d’administration, consultez notre site Web : www.conservatoire.gouv.qc.ca

[Quebec] Mireille Proulx en mars

Tournée de Mireille Proulx en Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Montréal, le 5 février 2008 – La violoniste et compositeure de jazz Mireille Proulx donnera trois concerts en Abitibi-Témiscamingue au mois de mars: au Théâtre des Eskers d’Amos le 11, à la Salle Félix-Leclerc de Val d’Or le 12, ainsi qu’au Théâtre du Cuivre de Rouyn-Noranda le 13.

Qualifiée d’inclassable et bourrée de talent, Mireille Proulx met sa solide formation classique au service du jazz, qu’elle aborde avec une élégance et un goût très sûr. Ses compositions nous livrent une musique tour à tour sensuelle, audacieuse, contemplative et passionnée.

Au programme on entendra des œuvres extraites des remarquables albums qui ont valu à la musicienne la reconnaissance spontanée du public et de la critique – Il y avait des pélicans, Infini rendez-vous et Le Jardin de Nuit – ainsi que des œuvres inédites.

Mireille Proulx sera accompagnée au piano par John Sadowy.

Le Théâtre des Eskers est situé au 182, 1^ère rue Est à Amos.

Pour information : 819-732-9233.

La Salle Félix-Leclerc est située au 600, 7^ième rue à Val d’or.

Renseignements : 819-825-3060.

Le Théâtre du Cuivre est situé au 145 rue Taschereau Ouest à Rouyn-Noranda.

On s’informe au 819-797-7133.

Tous ces concerts débutent à 20 heures.

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Source : Les Productions Ars Musica inc. – Téléphone et télécopieur : (514) 937-1152

Mireille Proulx on tour in Abitibi-Temiscamingue

Montreal, February 5, 2008 – Jazz violinist and composer Mireille Proulx will be giving three recitals in Abitibi-Témiscamingue during the month of March: at Théâtre des Eskers in Amos on the 11th, at Salle Félix-Leclerc in Val d’Or on the 12th, and at Théâtre du Cuivre in Rouyn-Noranda on the 13th.

Described as unclassifiable and overflowing with talent, Mireille Proulx puts her rock-solid classical training at the service of jazz, to which she brings an elegance and irreproachable taste. Her compositions deliver a music that is by turns sensual, daring, contemplative and impassioned.

The program will consist of excerpts from three remarkable albums that have delighted the public and critics alike – Il y avait des pélicans, Infini rendez-vous and Le Jardin de Nuit – in addition to new works.

Mireille Proulx will be accompanied on the piano by John Sadowy.

Théâtre des Eskers is located at 182 1ère rue Est in Amos.

For information: 819-732-9233.

Salle Félix-Leclerc is located at 600 7ième rue in Val d’or.

For information: 819-825-3060.

Théâtre du Cuivre is located at 145 rue Taschereau Ouest in Rouyn-Noranda.

For information: 819-797-7133.

All concerts begin at 8 p.m.

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Source: Les Productions Ars Musica Inc. – Telephone and fax: (514) 937-1152

[Montréal] "L'Odyssée d'Alfred le serpent" avec l'Atelier de percussion de l'Université de Montréal

Montréal, le 14 février 2008 – Son Excellence Alfred le Serpent a le grand plaisir de vous convier au prochain concert de l'Atelier de percussion de l'Université de Montréal, sous la direction de Julien Grégoire, le jeudi 28 février prochain, à 19 h 30, à la salle Claude-Champagne. Intitulé L'ODYSSÉE D'ALFRED LE SERPENT, ce concert réunira deux œuvres de Myke Roy.

Composé en 1988, Les enfants, c'est comme des fours micro-ondes : pas de cœur est un stéréo-drame pour deux exécutants ou plus. Dédié à Julien Grégoire, percussionniste de renom et codirecteur de l'Atelier de percussion de l'Université de Montréal, ainsi qu'à Vincent Dhavernas, cette pièce de théâtre musical a été créée en 1988 dans le cadre d'un concert de la Société de musique contemporaine du Québec. Imaginée à partir du jeu de comédiens des deux percussionnistes pour lesquels elle a été écrite, cette pièce est un véritable spectacle dans lequel se côtoient à parts égales la musique et le théâtre.

Lansdtaad Myr ou L'Odyssée d'Alfred le serpent a initialement été une commande de l'ensemble de percussions de l'Université McGill. Écrite à l'origine en 1978 en cinq tomes, le compositeur y a ajouté un sixième tome en 2007. Cette œuvre réunit un ensemble imposant d'instruments de percussions provenant des quatre coins du monde, ce qui rend son interprétation complexe. Ce prochain concert de l'Atelier de percussion permettra donc d'assister, en quelque sorte, à la création mondiale de l'œuvre.

Pour la production de cet événement, l'Atelier de percussion s'est adjoint la collaboration des artistes Michel G. Barette à la mise en scène et de Marie-Eve Pageau à la conception des éclairages.

Myke Roy

Né en 1950, Myke Roy est compositeur et ingénieur du son. Diplômé de l'École supérieure de musique de Nicolet, il a étudié la composition à l'Université de Montréal, notamment avec Serge Garant. Menant une triple carrière de compositeur, pédagogue et ingénieur du son, Myke Roy a, entre autres, travaillé au Studio de musique électronique de l'Université McGill, au laboratoire de musique électroacoustique de l'UQTR, où il a enseigné aussi l'acoustique, l'électroacoustique et la perception auditive. Sonorisateur régulier des concerts de la SMCQ et de l'ACREQ, il a été nommé, en 1987, coordonnateur du secteur électroacoustique de la Faculté de musique de l'Université de Montréal. Boursier à plusieurs reprises du Conseil des Arts du Canada, Myke Roy a produit une cinquantaine d'œuvres: musique instrumentale, électroacoustique, théâtre musical et multimédia. Récipiendaire de nombreuses distinctions telles que la bourse Sir Ernest MacMillan de l'Association des compositeurs, auteurs et éditeurs du Canada (CAPAC) ainsi que le Prix Robert Fleming du Conseil canadien de la musique, il est compositeur agréé du Centre de musique canadienne. Sa pièce Tsé Tnant/Te Deum a été enregistrée sous la direction de Lorraine Vaillancourt tandis que Lansdtaad Myr ou L'Odyssée d'Alfred le serpent pour neuf percussions a été gravée par la SMCQ sous étiquette Radio-Canada.

Michel Barette

Artiste pluridisciplinaire, Michel Barette a beaucoup œuvré dans les arts du cirque, ayant notamment fait partie de l'équipe originale du Cirque du Soleil, de 1985 à 1988. Après avoir fondé sa propre compagnie, Zakouski, il conçoit et produit des spectacles au Canada et en Europe. Il a notamment dirigé la pièce Variété de Mauricio Kagel, présentée au Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal (1992) et au Centre national des Arts d'Ottawa (1994), conçu et dirigé Cirque Parasol, spectacle de cirque contemporain, à Ottawa et Vancouver (1998). Il est consultant à la programmation en arts de la rue pour le Festival international d'été de Québec depuis 1993. Ses mises en scène incluent également plusieurs spectacles de La Bottine Souriante ainsi que la conception et la mise en scène de spectacles du Big Apple Circus de New York.

Marie-Eve Pageau

Conceptrice de décors et d'éclairages, Marie-Eve est diplômée de l'École supérieure de théâtre de l'UQAM. Dernièrement, elle a conçu les éclairages pour Le Feuilleton (mise en scène de Salomé Corbo), Les Escaliers du Sacré-Cœur (mise en scène de Philippe Cyr), et pour Tableaux d'une exposition, présenté par l'Orchestre Métropolitain (mise en scène d'Alain Fournier).

L'Atelier de percussion de l'Université de Montréal

Fondé en 1975 par Robert Leroux, l'Atelier de percussion de l'Université de Montréal est essentiellement formé des étudiants de la classe de percussion de la Faculté de musique et, occasionnellement, de ses diplômés. Parallèlement à une saison académique bien remplie, l'ensemble se produit régulièrement sous l'auspice d'organismes professionnels tels que la SMCQ, la Société Radio-Canada, les Concerts Arts-Québec, le Centre d'Arts Orford, Vues d'Afrique et les Journées de la Société internationale de musique contemporaine. En 2007, l'Atelier de percussion de l'Université de Montréal a présenté deux concerts consacrés à la musique du compositeur américain Steve Reich, dont un au Spectrum de Montréal, dans le cadre de la saison régulière de la Société de musique contemporaine du Québec.

L'ODYSSÉE D'ALFRED LE SERPENT

Œuvres de Myke Roy pour ensemble de percussion

Les enfants, c'est comme des fours micro-ondes : pas de cœur (1988)

stéréo-drame pour deux (ou plus) exécutants-percussionnistes

Lansdtaad Myr ou L'Odyssée d'Alfred le serpent, en six tomes (1978, 2007)

pour neuf percussionnistes

Le jeudi 28 février 2008 – 19 h 30

Salle Claude Champagne : 220, Vincent d'Indy (métro Édouard-Montpetit)

12 $, 10 $ (ainés), gratuit (étudiants)

Billetterie ADMISSION : 514.790.1245

Renseignements : 514.343.6427 ou www.musique.umontreal.ca

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Source :

Julie Fortier

Faculté de musique – Université de Montréal

514.343.6365 - julie.c.fortier@umontreal.ca

L'Atelier d'opéra et l'Orchestre de l'UdeM présentent Die Fledermaus, du 20 au 23 février 2008

(La Chauve-Souris)

opérette en trois actes

de Johann Strauss fils (1825–1899)

Livret adapté par Carl Haffner et Richard Genée

Direction : Jean-François Rivest

Mise en scène : Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière

Montréal, le 5 février 2008 – L'Atelier d'opéra et l'Orchestre de l'Université de Montréal (OUM) présenteront l'opérette Die Fledermaus (La Chauve-Souris), de Johann Strauss fils, du 20 au 23 février 2008, à 19 h 30, à la salle Claude-Champagne de l'Université de Montréal. La direction musicale sera assurée par Jean-François Rivest et la mise en scène par Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière. L'équipe de concepteurs est complétée par Robin Wheeler, directeur de l'Atelier d'opéra de l'Université de Montréal, Carl Pelletier à la scénographie, Marc Sénécal à la conception des costumes et Nicolas Descoteaux à celle des éclairages.

Jean-François Rivest, chef et directeur artistique de l'OUM, ne tarit pas d'éloges sur Die Fledermaus, véritable chef-d'œuvre, selon lui, incarnant la quintessence de l'élégance et de la finesse viennoises.

« Si Johann Strauss est bien connu pour son art dans l'écriture de valses et de polkas, dans Die Fledermaus, il a magistralement dépassé les contraintes inhérentes à ces styles pour les transcender en quelque chose qui touche à la perfection, » souligne le chef.

L'intrigue…

Le livret de Die Fledermaus est basé sur la pièce de théâtre La Prison (Die Geffägnis) et son adaptation française par Henri Meilhac et Ludovic Haléry, Le Réveillon, que Richard Genée et Karl Hoffner adapteront pour l'orchestration de Strauss. L'histoire raconte l'âme humaine dans tout ce qu'elle a d'essentiel : ses joies, bassesses, défauts et espoirs…

L'intrigue met en scène plusieurs personnages de la Vienne bourgeoise. Eisenstein ayant, une nuit, abandonné dans la rue son ami Falke, ivre mort et déguisé en chauve-souris, va faire les frais de sa vengeance. Devant purger une peine de prison de huit jours, Eisenstein se laisse convaincre par Falke de festoyer chez le prince Orlofsky avant de se rendre au geôlier. Sa femme Rosalinde participe également à la soirée, déguisée en comtesse hongroise. Son mari ne la reconnaît pas, et, la prenant pour une autre, tente de la séduire. Le directeur de la prison, Franck, venu chercher Eisenstein plus tôt mais ayant, sans le savoir, embarqué un amant de Rosalinde, se rend chez le prince Orlofsky, où il se lie d'amitié avec Eisenstein, connu ici comme le marquis Renard. Tout ce joyeux monde festoie, rejoint par d'autres convives, comme la camériste de Rosalinde, déguisée en artiste. À l'heure fatidique, Eisenstein quitte la soirée pour se rendre en prison, lieu où toutes les vérités éclateront, en même temps que se reconnaîtront les différents personnages, sous leurs véritables traits. Le docteur Falke en profitera pour leur annoncer qu'ils ont tous « assisté à la vengeance d'une chauve-souris. »

C'est donc à un voyage enchanteur, loufoque et intense que vous convient l'Atelier d'opéra et l'Orchestre de l'Université de Montréal.

Fils de Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II débute sa carrière de compositeur et de chef d'orchestre à la tête d'un ensemble de 24 musiciens. Le premier concert de cet orchestre, dont le programme est composé d'œuvres de Johann Strauss père ainsi que de celles de son fils, remporte un vif succès et Johann Strauss II est aussitôt considéré comme un grand compositeur viennois. Il sillonne bientôt l'Europe tout entière à la tête de cet orchestre, ne cessant jamais d'en enrichir le répertoire. Johann Strauss II passe rapidement maître en matière de composition de valses, polkas et autres marches et encore aujourd'hui, est considéré comme une référence en matière de musique classique légère. Son art a marqué les grands compositeurs allemands des époques postérieures. Ainsi, Berg, Schoenberg ou Webern ont transcrit ses valses pour quatuors à cordes.

Jean-François Rivest rallie aussi bien l'opinion du public que de la critique. On parle de lui comme d'un chef spectaculaire, extrêmement énergique, précis et exaltant. Ses interprétations sont caractérisées par une émotion profonde ainsi que par un sens aigu de la structure. Il est fondateur, chef et directeur artistique de l'Orchestre de l'Université de Montréal. Il est également chef en résidence de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, en plus d'avoir été directeur artistique et chef principal de l'Orchestre symphonique de Laval et de l'ensemble Thirteen Strings d'Ottawa de nombreuses années. En plus de diriger l'OUM, il enseigne la direction d'orchestre à la Faculté de musique de l'Université de Montréal.

Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière possède une formation en musique, en théâtre et en danse ancienne. En tant que danseuse, chorégraphe, comédienne et metteure en scène, elle a participé à plusieurs festivals et collaboré avec plusieurs ensembles, dont l'ensemble Caprice, Les Idées heureuses, le Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal (opéra Dido and Aeneas), le Festival Montréal Baroque et l'ensemble Arion. À l'opéra, elle a signé la mise en scène de Il ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria (Monteverdi) et Les Jeux de l'Amour (Molière-Lully) à l'Université McGill, de Mozart a Milano avec l'Académie Baroque de Montréal et de L'incoronazione di Poppea (Monteverdi) à l'Université de Montréal.

Die Fledermaus

de Johann Strauss fils

présenté par

l'Atelier d'opéra et l'Orchestre de l'Université de Montréal

Direction : Jean-François Rivest

Mise en scène : Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière

Direction de l'Atelier d'opéra : Robin Wheeler

Scénographie : Carl Pelletier

Costumes : Marc Sénécal

Éclairages : Nicolas Descoteaux

Du 20 au 23 février 2008 – 19 h 30
Salle Claude-Champagne : 220, avenue Vincent-d'Indy, Montréal (métro Édouard-Montpetit)

22 $, 20 $ (aînés), 10 $ (étudiants)

Billetterie ADMISSION : 514.790.1245
Renseignements : 514.343.6427

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Source :

Julie Fortier

Conseillère en communication

Faculté de musique – Université de Montréal

514.343.6365

julie.c.fortier@umontreal.ca

[Montreal] Infinitheatre presents Trevor Ferguson's ZARATHUSTRA SAID SOME THINGS, NO?

Infinitheatre presents Trevor Ferguson's

ZARATHUSTRA SAID SOME THINGS, NO?
Théâtre La Chapelle, March 15 - 30, 2008

Directed by Guy Sprung
Starring Lina Roessler & Brett Watson

TICKETS: (514-843-7738) or billetterie@lachapelle.org

"Lina Roessler and Brett Watson are astonishingly powerful" - nytheatre.com
"the best you will see on the off-Broadway stage this year." - blogcritics.org
"you won't find better performances by actors anywhere" - onoffoff.com

CHECK IT OUT! www.infinitheatre.com/index.en.php?file=curseason#zara

[Toronto] The Barry Elmes Quintet York U’s Faculty Concert Series - Feb 28

The Barry Elmes Quintet brings "contemporary jazz at its best" to York U's Faculty Concert Series

Toronto, February 13, 2008: Acclaimed jazz drummer Barry Elmes, Chair of York University's Music Department, brings his quintet to centre stage on February 28 for the season finale of York's Faculty Concert Series. The concert, featuring new compositions by Elmes plus selections from the ensemble's recorded repertoire, will take place at 7:30pm in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall at York. The performance will be recorded for a future CD release.

Hailed as "contemporary jazz at its best..." (The Toronto Star), the Barry Elmes Quintet comprises a 'who's who' of Canadian jazz. Alongside bandleader and composer Elmes, the ensemble features his York U colleagues Mike Murley (saxophones) and Kevin Turcotte (trumpet, flugelhorn), plus Reg Schwager (guitar) and Steve Wallace (bass).

The quintet has toured and recorded in Canada and internationally for more than 15 years, gathering accolades all the way. "This band has it all: heat, elan and humour", said The Globe and Mail. A two-time winner of the National Jazz Awards "Acoustic Jazz Group of the Year", the group has released four recordings, including the critically-acclaimed Climbing, which was nominated for a Juno for best jazz recording. Their most recent CD, The Five Minute Warning, received an Indie Award nomination for best jazz recording.

Barry Elmes has been a mainstay of the Canadian jazz scene since the early 1980s. An internationally-known drummer, composer, producer, recording artist and educator, he has performed all over the world and can be heard on more than 60 CDs. Renowned jazz artists he has played and/or recorded with include Dizzy Gillespie, Tommy Flanagan, Charlie Haden, Hank Crawford, Diana Krall, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, Phil Nimmons and the Moe Koffman Quintet. Performance highlights include his 1994 tour with the Oliver Jones Trio on the Governor-General's tour of China, Japan and Korea; appearances in South Africa and Brazil with the Canadian Jazz Giants in 1996; and a Chilean tour with the Barry Elmes Quintet in 2000 followed by the ensemble's 10th anniversary cross-Canada tour in 2001.

In addition to the Barry Elmes Quintet CDs, Elmes' discography includes recordings by the contemporary jazz quartet Time Warp, which he co-founded and co-leads with his fellow faculty member, Al Henderson (who heads York University's jazz studies program). He presides over the independent jazz label, Cornerstone Records, and performs frequently at major festivals and jazz clubs. His honours include five Jazz Report Awards.

Elmes has inspired a generation of young musicians at York University. He taught part-time for 20 years in York's jazz program before joining the full-time faculty in the Department of Music in 2004.

Declared "one of the key players of his generation" (The Globe and Mail), Mike Murley is recognized as one of Canada's finest jazz talents. Very active as a bandleader and sideman on the local jazz scene, he is an eight-time winner of the Jazz Report's "saxophonist of the year" distinction, and has nine Juno Award-winning recordings to his credit. He is an alumnus of York's Music Department, where he currently teaches.

Kevin Turcotte likewise teaches in York's jazz program. Widely regarded as a virtuoso performer, he has been named "jazz trumpeter of the year" multiple times by the Jazz Report. He has performed on over 50 recordings, and has toured widely in North America, South America, Italy and Russia. He has appeared with the Jean Martin Trio, Hemispheres New Music Ensemble, Andrew Downing's Attention Span, and many other groups.

Reg Schwager has toured extensively across Canada and worldwide with George Shearing, Diana Krall, Peter Appleyard, Rob McConnell and many others, and has over 80 recordings to his credit. CDs released under his own name include Resonance, Border Town and Live at Mezzetta. He has been the recipient of the Guitarist of the Year award from Canada's National Jazz Awards for three consecutive years (2005, 2006 and 2007). Bassist Steve Wallace has performed with such international luminaries as Clark Terry, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, George Coleman, Zoot Sims, and Pepper Adams, and has recorded and toured with some of the biggest names in Canadian jazz including Oscar Peterson, Oliver Jones, Fraser MacPherson and Rob McConnell. He currently plays in numerous Toronto groups including recent Juno winners, the David Braid Sextet, Rob McConnell Tentet and Mike Murley Trio.

What: Barry Elmes Quintet
When: Thurs. Feb 28 at 7:30pm
Where: Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building, York University, 4700 Keele St. [Map]
Admission: $15, students $5.
Box Office: 416.736.5888 | www.yorku.ca/perform/boxoffice

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Media Contact:
Amy Stewart, Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts, York University
416.736.2100 ext. 20421 | amy.stewart@yorku.ca

[Montreal] Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite!- at Theatre Ste. Catherine Mar.4-9

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Kick off Montreal's Irish season with the irrepressible Carmel O'Reilly

Derry Queen

Presents

Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite!

A new play by Colleen Curran

Directed by Corey Castle

Tuesday, March 4 – Sunday, March 9

Seven shows only

Montreal, February 2008 – Don't miss this big Irish party in a little black box. Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite! is Colleen Curran's rollicking new comedy with music, from March 4 to 9, playing at Theatre Ste. Catherine.

The year is 1998, the place is Ireland. Outside, the Celtic Tiger is roaring to beat the band. Inside the concert lounge of Ballymalarkey Castle, cabaret star Carmel O'Reilly and her accompanist/brother, Michael, are getting ready for another busload of North American tourists eager for a relaxing evening of ballads, banter and blarney. But tonight's performance may not be quite the song and dance anyone on this coach tour had in mind.

Montreal playwright, novelist and actor Colleen Curran takes us to an Ireland of yore and lore, where O'Reilly's Hollywood vision of brassy redheads, Bing Crosby and The Quiet Man collides with real life and a contemporary Eire of U2, The Commitments and Dublin sprawl.

Curran describes the inspiration behind her newest work, "The song and dance that Carmel puts on is very much what tourists used to think Ireland was. This is not the case any more; especially in light of the economic boom so grand that Ireland's new nickname became the Celtic Tiger." She continues, "While Ireland has moved on, Carmel O'Reilly has not. If there's any hope of the two Ireland's meeting, it's via Carmel O'Reilly."

Corey Castle directs Colleen Curran and Glenn Roy (with a cameo appearance by Janis Kirshner) in this funny and endearing play that will have the audience up on their feet, singing along and winning prizes to boot! Castle appreciates the universality of the piece; "There's something about seeing the little guy/gal succeed against all odds that is timeless." Set design by Bertrand Simard. Costumes by Debbie McGlynn.

If Irish eyes are smiling, it's because of Carmel O'Reilly!

Ireland's Own Carmel O'Reilly Tonite!

By Colleen Curran

Tuesday, March 4-Sunday, March 9, 2008

Theatre Ste. Catherine

264 Ste-Catherine St. East (Metro Berri-UQAM)

Seven shows only!

Tuesday to Saturday 8:00 p.m.

Matinées: Saturday & Sunday 2:00 p.m.

$20 Regular / $17 Students, seniors, artists

Reservations: 514-284-3939 or reservations@theatrestecatherine.com

[Montreal] OSM open dress rehearsal "Hockey Légends" - Feb. 20, 2008

Press release

February 6, 2008

Hockey Legends :

Open Dress Rehearsal

with

Kent Nagano, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Guy Lafleur, Henri Richard, Yvan Cournoyer, Pierre Bouchard, Stéphane Quintal, Réjean Houle

Montreal, January 26, 2008 —To satisfy demand, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal offers the unique opportunity of attending the dress rehearsal of the Hockey Legends concert on February 20 at 10 am. Following the rehearsal, artists and hockey players will be available to meet the press. A new work entitled Les Glorieux, directed by Denis Bouchard to music by François Dompierre and words by Georges-Hébert Germain, will bring together great players of yesterday and today. Whether on stage or on a giant screen, Henri Richard, Guy Lafleur, Yvan Cournoyer, Pierre Bouchard, Stéphane Quintal, Réjean Houle and others will be the heroes of the evening.

OSM music director Kent Nagano is conducting this unusual concert, a true encounter of symphonic music and the collective imagination of Québec. "All of us need heroes," Maestro Nagano explains. "Heroes inspire us, they motivate us and they stimulate us to outdo ourselves. The OSM and the Montreal Canadiens are two great institutions that have many similarities. Think of the years of training, the discipline, the team spirit and the high level of performance that are demanded of orchestra musicians and professional hockey players." After the tributes to General Roméo Dallaire, to Terry Fox and to Norman McLaren, this "Hockey Legends" concert further confirms the OSM music director's eagerness to carry symphonic music to the community.

For Pierre Boivin, president of the Club de hockey Canadien, the concert is a mark of distinction: "The Club de hockey Canadien is both honoured and proud to be associated with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and with Maestro Kent Nagano, and to be surrounded by collaborators as illustrious as François Dompierre and Georges-Hébert Germain in a unique cultural event that combines our national sport, its heroes of the past and the present day, and music by composers of such great renown. These two Montreal traditions – the OSM and the Club de hockey Canadien – together make up a team of the highest level, which can only enhance the status of Montreal as a city of sports and culture par excellence."

For several generations, evocation of "the Habs" has excited in Montrealers every possible emotion and opinion. Well-known composer François Dompierre will take us back to the good old days of the Forum as he indulges in dialogue with the Orchestra from the keyboard of an organ while a young actor imagined by Georges-Hébert Germain (and played by Lucien Ratio) recounts his dream of becoming a star player.

In the first part of the concert, the OSM and Kent Nagano will perform a few excerpts from Érik Satie's Sports et divertissements (in an orchestration by Régis Campo), a series of descriptive pieces originally for piano and evoking equally validly the pleasures of golf, of tennis and of flirtation in the most festive possible spirit. The evening will open with Richard Strauss's monumental symphonic poem Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life).

Air Canada Words and Music Concerts

Hockey Legends

February 20

OPEN DRESS REHEARSAL AT 10 AM

Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts

Tickets go on sale for 30 $ on www.osm.ca or at 514-842-9951.

Source: Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

Information: Lucie Paquin, Head of Media Relations

lpaquin@osm.ca

[New York] Celebrating Harold Schiffman on March 9 at the Morgan Library & Museum

Harold Schiffman at 80!
performers will include

Gail Seaton, soprano; Jane Perry-Camp, piano;
The North/South Consonance Ensemble

Sunday, March 9 at 3 PM

The Morgan Library & Museum

225 Madison Ave (at 36th St)
New York City

Free Admission – RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!
E-mail reservation requests to ns.concerts@att.net
or

http://www.northsouthmusic.org

North/South Consonance, Inc. will mark the 80th birthday of the distinguished American composer Harold Schiffman on Sunday afternoon March 9.

The program will include vocal and instrumental works by Mr. Schiffman written between 1951 and 2007.

The concert will start at 3 PM and will take place at the Gilder Lehrman Hall at The Morgan Library & Museum (225 Madison Ave) in Manhattan.

While admission to the event is free, reservations are required.

E-mail reservation requests directed to ns.concerts@att.net will be accepted until Friday evening, March 7.

Harold Schiffman (b. 1928; Greensboro, NC) studied composition with Roger Sessions and Ernst von Dohnányi. Following three years of service in the army, Schiffman joined the faculty of Florida State University in 1959 where he taught until 1983.

Schiffman has composed in virtually all media and has received commissions from among others, the Artea Chamber Orchestra in San Francisco; the North/South Chamber Orchestra in New York; the Mallarmé Chamber Players in North Carolina; and the Györ Philharmonic in Hungary.

In addition to performances throughout the US, Schiffman's music has been performed in Europe, Latin America and the Far East. A member of ASCAP, His publishers include Associated/G. Schirmer; Southern Music Co.; Robert King/Alphonse Leduc; and Harp Hungarica. His works are available on the Centaur and North/South Recordings labels.

The March 9 program will feature the premiere of Blood Mountain, a song-cycle based on poetry by Kathryn Stripling Byer, North Carolina's state poet. The recently completed song-cycle will be performed by soprano Gayle Seaton and pianist Jane Perry-Camp. Ms. Seaton is a versatile singer who has performed many operatic roles and now directs the Music Theatre Program at Florida State University. Pianist Jane Perry-Camp studied with Edward Kilenyi and Ernst von Dohnány. She has performed throughout the US and Europe and has recorded several Schiffman works.

The varied program will also include the world premiere of Duo Concertante for violin and clarinet; the Fantasy-Suite for solo viola; and Seven Bagatelles for flute and oboe. These works will be performed by members of the grammy nominated North/South Consonance Ensemble including Aaron Boyd, violin; Richard Goldmith, clarinet; Lisa Hansen, flute; Gary Hamme, oboe; and Ah-Ling Neu, viola.

The concert will conclude with a performance of Schiffman's monumnetal Sonata No. 1 for piano written in 1951. Pianist Max Lifchitz – who the American Record Guide referred to as "one of America's finest exponents of American piano music" – will be the featured performer.

Mr. Schiffman will be on hand to introduce his works to the audience. He will be joined by poet Kathryn Stripling Byer. All the artists will meet with the audience following the concert.

North/South Consonance's 2007-08 season is made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. For further information about its activities, including concerts and recordings, please visit http://www.northsouthmusic.org

[Vancouver] Choral Tapestry: Laudate Singers, March 8

For Immediate Release – February 11, 2008

LAUDATE SINGERS present

CHORAL TAPESTRY

Saturday March 8, 2008 – 8:00 pm

St. Andrew’s United Church

10^th & St. Georges, North Vancouver

Tickets ($25/$20) & Information: 604-831-3158

www.laudatesingers.com

In their first concert of 2008, Laudate Singers and conductor Lars Kaario weave a rich and lively Choral Tapestry out of music from across centuries and world cultures. The radiant sounds of the North Shore’s premier chamber choir will be accompanied by a colourful display of scarves, dresses, tapestries, dolls, kelp baskets and other art pieces by members of the Vancouver Guild of Fibre Arts.

The musical programme will feature the world premiere of a new work by Laudate Singers’ award-winning young composer-in-residence Bruce Sled, as well as Gregorio Allegri’s glorious medieval Miserere, Mei Deus, Samuel Barber’s moving Agnus Dei, a trio of sacred pieces by 19^th-century German composer Josef Rheinberger, Claude Debussy’s Trois Chansons, and newer works by Einojuhani Rautavaara, Juhani Komulainen (both from Finland) and Vancouver’s own Moshe Denburg.

Laudate Singers are pleased to join with local artists in creating this Choral Tapestry, full of vibrant textures both aural and visual…a warm, bright blanket of sounds and colours.

Music to make your ears sing!

www.laudatesingers.com

Media Contact: Melanie Thompson, 604-224-6201 or melaniethompson@shaw.ca

I, Claudia at the Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre- Mar. 16-Apr. 13

Hold the Dates!

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre and Theatre and Co.

in association with Delav Consulting Inc.

Presents

I, Claudia

By Kristen Thomson

Directed by Leah Cherniak

Starring Michelle Polak

Incensed and incredulous at the adult world around her, Claudia is also fiercely funny about it.

Mark these dates in your spring calendar

Sunday, March 16 – Sunday, April 13, 2008

88.5 CBC Radio One presents the Sunday-@-the-Segal lecture for I, Claudia on Sunday, March 16, 11 a.m. With playwright/actor Kristen Thomson.

I, Claudia

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre

At The Segal Centre for the Performing Arts at the Saidye

5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd.

Monday to Thursday at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

Matinées: Wednesdays, 1:00pm and Sundays, 2:00 pm

Reservations: (514) 739-7944

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Media call is Wednesday, March 12

Media opening night is Thursday, March 20

Press Release to follow

Media Contact: Janis Kirshner (514) 287-8912 jkirshner@sympatico.ca

Breiner and Feidman performing together

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 11^th, 2008

Peter Breiner 3 in 1 - Conducts, Plays and Composes:

World premiere with special guest Giora Feidman

New York, NY – Two of Breiner's major compositions, Slovakian Dances. Some Crazy. Some Sad. and Concerto for Giora and Orchestra will have their premiere on March 6^th, 2008 at the Kosice Spring Music Festival in Slovakia.

The Slovak State Philharmonic conducted by Peter Breiner, will present four out of sixteen Slovakian Dances. These represent a colourful addition to the long-lasting tradition of writing symphonic versions of folk songs and dances, akin to Brahms' Hungarian Dances and Dvorak's Slavonic Dances. "The inspiration for Slovakian Dances came through Klaus Heymann, the manager of Naxos, at the moment when he commissioned me to write the new instrumentation of Brahms' Hungarian Dances," says Breiner about the origin of his idea.

Concerto for Giora and Orchestra was inspired by no one less known than Giora Feidman, who is, fittingly so, playing the clarinet solo in this world premiere. Leonard Bernstein saluted: "Long live Giora, his clarinet and his music! He builds bridges between generations, cultures and classes, and he does it with perfect artistry!" Similarly, Giora enchanted Breiner to the extent of the Concerto creation. "This concerto is, in fact, a sinfonia concertante with an homage to formal plan of Mahler's 1^st Symphony, but built on music blocks that both Giora and myself grew up with. That would be classical music, tango, klezmer, jazz …" declares Breiner. "I pick up the clarinet to share a message with mankind … and it is, of course, a spiritual message …" admits Feidman.

"There has not been anything for a long time I would look forward to as much as to this concert." confesses Breiner.

New York based Peter Breiner is a Canadian-Slovak composer, conductor, pianist and arranger. He is known internationally for a multiplicity of recordings, broadcasts, telecasts and concert appearances. He began to play the piano at the age of four.

Peter Breiner's original compositions include two symphonies, as well as orchestral, chamber and choral music. He is one of the most recorded classical musicians in the world. The upcoming release of three CDs – Janacek's Operatic Suites on Naxos arranged and conducted by Breiner will increase the account of his recordings over 150.

Breiner's clever arrangements are perhaps the best known. They include music of Bach, Tchaikovski, Gershwin, award-winning Baroque versions of the Beatles and a similar adaptation of Elvis Presley and of popular Christmas music. Breiner's distinctive arrangements of all national anthems were used during the Olympic Games in Athens 2004.

Breiner has conducted, often doubling as a pianist, the Royal Philharmonic in London, UK, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra National de Lille, France, to mention just a few.

Born and raised in Argentina, Giora Feidman grew up in the Jewish Klezmer tradition. After studies in classical music he joined the Israeli Philharmonic as the youngest appointed clarinettist. He presents his audience not only with a very personal interpretation of Klezmer, but with a boundless homage to life. Feidman has played with many world renowned orchestras such as, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, the Munich Radio Orchestra, the Kronos Quartet and the Polish Chamber Philharmonic. Together with Itzak Perlman, he contributed to the soundtrack of Schindler's List. Giora will celebrate his March birthday by playing the solo in the world premiere of the composition carrying his name.

The Slovak State Philharmonic, Košice was established in 1968. The Philharmonic achieved great successes with its concerts in many European countries but also in important cities of Asia and Mexico. The orchestra has performed at international music festivals held in important cultural centres of the world. In 1994 The Slovak State Philharmonic, Košice was the first Slovak professional symphonic orchestra performing in North America.

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Media Contact:

Radka Poliakova, Sympho Inc.

Tel: 416-489-5038
E-mail: symphoinc@sympatico.ca

Website: http://breiner.ca

Showcasing Yuli Turovsky, James Ehnes, Ohad Naharin, Yannick Nezet-Seguin and Opera Moments on Art & Fine Living with Jona

February 8, 2008

For Immediate Release:

Art & Fine Living with Jona is a weekly radio program about classical arts, culture and upscale lifestyle trends, with a delightful mix of interviews, classical and jazz releases and educational series. This month, highlights include conversations with Israeli composer Ofer Ben-Amots; Cellist/conductor Yuli Turovsky; violinist James Ehnes; conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin; Jazz artist Bill Prouten and choregrapher Ohad Naharin. Recent interviews with violinist Jonathan Crow; opera vocalists Denis Sedov and Manon Feubel; film director Mike Newell and theatre director Daniel Brooks can be accessed and downloaded from Jona's page on the radio's website. The first segment in the Opera Moments series with Opera de Montreal Pierre Vachon can also be accessed from recent archives.

Art & Fine Living with Jona can be heard live on Radio Shalom CJRS 1650 AM on Sundays at 7pm and on Wednesdays at 3pm. Livestream on the radio website at: www.radio-shalom.ca, and archived on the show's page.

Contact:

Jona Rapoport

jonawriter@hotmail.com

Media Partner of:
The Centaur Theatre Company
The Opera de Montreal

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La Scena Musicale Février 2008 - en distribution

[English version]

Bon Nouvel An chinois!

Le numéro de février de La Scena Musicale, qui met en vedette le clarinettiste montréalais André Moisan, est disponible maintenant et peut être téléchargé à http://www.scena.org. Veuillez trouver l'éditorial au bas de ce message.

Le numéro de mars sera composé de La SCENA ainsi que La Scena Musicale. Il comprendra le Guide des festivals des arts internationaux et le Guide des camps d'été musicaux et artistiques. Voici les dates pour la production:

• calendrier régional (musique) : le 8 février (consultez http://calendrier-guide.scena.org)
  
• calendrier des arts : le 18 février (envoyez détails à artscal@scena.org)
• guides spéciaux : le 21 février (guides@scena.org)
  
• publicité (réservation et maquette) : le 22 février
• en kiosque : le 3 mars
  

Le numéro de printemps de The Music Scene Ontario sera en kiosque le 17 mars; les guides spéciaux seront les Festivals Internationaux des Arts et les Camps d'été pour la Musique et les Arts. Voici les dates pour la production:

• guides spéciaux : le 5 mars (guides@scena.org)
  
• publicités (réservation et maquette) : le 5 mars
• en kiosque : le 17 mars
  

Renseignements : http://ads.scena.org

-----

Éditorial (La Scena Musicale février 2008)

Repensant à l'année 2007, je suis fasciné par l'évolution de la technologie et l'accessibilité sans cesse croissante qu'elle permet. L'an dernier, le Met a profité des percées technologiques pour lancer les diffusions en direct de ses productions dans les salles de cinéma du monde entier. L'éclatant succès de l'entreprise en a surpris plus d'un et ce succès ne pourra qu'aller en s'accélérant en 2008, étant donné que même les reprises des présentations en HD remplissent partout les salles. Là où il y a de l'argent à faire, on peut s'attendre à voir arriver la concurrence et bientôt le Met ne sera plus seul dans ce marché (voir les Notes) - beau dilemme en perspective !

Je prévois que nous verrons cette année une convergence des vieilles technologies avec Internet. Il existe maintenant plus de 50 000 chaînes de radio sur Internet, dont 5000 font jouer de la musique classique. Imaginez un radiorécepteur pouvant syntoniser 50 000 chaînes ! On trouve maintenant des récepteurs de radio Internet sur le marché et LSM sera là pour vous guider dans ce nouvel univers de la musique.

Chef de file en musique et en arts en ligne, LSM continue également d'innover grâce à la technologie. Nous avons ajouté à notre site Web un nouveau blogue (http://blog.scena.org) qui offre des nouvelles, des critiques et des commentaires (plus de 70 affichages dans notre premier mois) et, récemment, des sections uniques comme les Anniversaires de musiciens (incluant certaines vidéos) et le Fil de presse LSM (http://newswire.scena.org), un service gratuit pour diffuser des communiqués de presse se rapportant à la musique et aux arts (plus de 80 communiqués affichés en un mois). En outre, toutes nos critiques de CD sont maintenant publiées en ligne avant même la sortie de la version imprimée du magazine. D'autres services s'ajouteront bientôt à l'intention de la communauté artistique. En mars, nous lancerons une section « Nouveautés » (pour les CD, DVD, livres, instruments et accessoires) dans notre magazine imprimé et en ligne.

Ce mois-ci, l'article-vedette est un portrait du clarinettiste André Moisan qui célèbre ses 30 ans avec l'OSM. Le récit de sa lutte pour vaincre le stress est particulièrement éclairant. Nous présentons aussi l'étoile montante Julie Boulianne, qui sera en février la Rosine de Rossini à l'Opéra de Montréal.

Nous poursuivons notre série sur le compositeur Claude Vivier et, en hommage aux héros de la musique, nous nous penchons sur la vie de Maria Callas d'un point de vue psychologique. Nous soulignons également la disparition de deux grands noms de la musique, Karlheinz Stockhausen et Oscar Peterson.

Ce numéro fait enfin le bilan de la 11e édition du Gala annuel des prix Opus présentés par le Conseil québécois de la musique (CQM), où on rendu hommage au musicien et compositeur Otto Joachim, toujours très actif à l'âge de 97 ans.

Au nom de toute l'équipe, je vous souhaite une merveilleuse année 2008, de la musique et de la santé ! N'oubliez pas de prendre votre exemplaire de La Scena Musicale.

Wah Keung Chan
Fondateur et rédacteur en chef
La Scena Musicale / La Scena

P.S. Cette année, la collecte de fonds annuelle de la Saint-Valentin de La Scena Musicale est jumelée à une soirée à l'opéra. Vous pourrez assister, le jeudi 14 février, à la présentation de l'Opéra de Montréal du Barbier de Séville de Rossini, l'histoire de deux jeunes amoureux qui surmontent les obstacles à leur union. Le prix comprend un enregistrement-cadeau de l'opéra de Rossini. Comme les billets sont offerts en quantités limitées, ne tardez pas à réserver. Visitez http://saintvalentin2008.scena.org pour l'information.

LSM est un organisme caritatif sans but lucratif et compte donc sur votre soutien de ses diverses activités de collecte de fonds et votre générosité.

--
Wah Keung Chan
Publisher/Editor
La Scena Musicale
La SCENA
The Music Scene
12 years of promoting music and the arts

5409 Waverly, Montreal, QC Canada H2T 2X8

http://www.scena.org
514-274-1128 (office/bureau)
514-815-0465 (cell)
wkchan@scena.org

--

Read the NEW La Scena Musicale Blog http://www.scena.org/blog for regular news on music and the arts.
Voyez le nouveau blogue de La Scena Musicale à http://www.scena.org/blog pour les dernières nouvelles sur la musique et les arts.

La Scena Musicale, Honourable Mention at the 2007 Canada National Magazine Awards, Arts & Entertainment category
La Scena Musicale, mention d'honneur aux Prix du magazine canadien de
2007, catégorie arts et spectacles

La Scena Musicale February 2008 In Distribution

[Version française]

Happy Chinese New Year!

The February issue of La Scena Musicale, which features Montreal clarinetist André Moisan on the cover, is out and available for download at http://www.scena.org. Please find the editorial from this issue at the bottom of this message.

The March issue will include both La SCENA and La Scena Musicale; special projects include International Arts Festivals and Summer Camps for both music and the arts. Here is the preliminary dates for the production:

• Music Calendar deadline: Feb. 8. Consult http://calendar-guide.scena.org
• Arts Calendar deadline: Feb. 18. Send listings to artscal@scena.org
• Deadline for Arts Festivals and Camps Guide: Feb. 21. Send info to guides@scena.org
  
• Advertising deadline (reservations and material): Feb. 22
• Distribution: March 3, 2008

The Spring issue of The Music Scene Ontario will be out on March 17, 2008. Special projects include International Arts Festivals and Summer Camps for both music and the arts. Here is the preliminary dates for the production:

• Deadline for Arts Festivals and Camps Guide: March 5. Send info to guides@scena.org
  
• Advertising deadline (reservations and material): March 5.
  
• Distribution: March 17, 2008

Info on Guides (Download PDF files):

• Music and Arts Camps
• International Music and Arts Festivals
  

For more info, visit http://ads.scena.org

-----

Editorial - La Scena Musicale 2008

As I look back on 2007, I cannot help but marvel at the pace of technology and its ability to enable accessibility. Last year, the Met made good use of technological advances when it introduced its Metropolitan Opera Live in HD telecasts at movie theatres around the world. Its resounding success has taken many by surprise and the momentum of this success can only be expected to accelerate in 2008, given that even encore presentations of the live performances are filling theatres everywhere. Where there's money to be made, competition is soon to follow and the Met will no longer be the only option in town (see the Notes section) - a nice dilemma for audiences to have!

This year, I predict that we will see the convergence of old technologies with the web. There are now over 50,000 internet radio stations, of which 5,000 play classical music. Imagine if your radio receiver could tune in to all 50,000 channels! Internet Radio Receivers are now on the market and LSM will be there to guide you through these exciting times.

As a global leader in music and arts online, LSM also continues to make good use of the available technology. We've added a new blog to our website http://www.scena.org offering news, reviews and commentary (we've had over 70 posts in our first month) and recently introduced unique features such as Today's Musician Birthdays (including selected videos) and LSM Newswire (http://newswire.scena.org) , a free service for disseminating music and arts press releases (more than 80 press releases have been posted in one month). As well, all of our CD reviews are now published online even before the print version of our magazine hits the stands! Watch for more services to be launched to further benefit the artistic community. In March, we will be introducing our "NEW RELEASES" section (for CDs, DVDs, books, instruments and accessories) in our print magazine and online.

This month's cover features clarinetist André Moisan who celebrates 30 years of playing with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. His battle to overcome stress makes for an interesting and insightful read. As well, we introduce Julie Boulianne as our rising star as she takes on the role of Rosina at the Opéra de Montréal.

We continue our series on composer Claude Vivier and as we honor our musical heroes, we take a look at Maria Callas' life from a psychological angle. With their recent passing, we pay homage to musical greats Karlheinz Stockhausen and Oscar Peterson.

This issue also takes a look at the 11th Annual Opus Awards presented by the Conseil québecois de la musique (CQM) as it honors musician and composer Otto Joachim who remains very active at 97.

On behalf of my team of staff and volunteers, I wish you a wonderful and healthy 2008! Remember to take the time to treat yourself to "La Scena Musicale."

Wah Keung Chan

Founding Editor and Publisher

La Scena Musicale

P.S. This year, La Scena Musicale's 3rd Annual Valentine's Day Fundraising initiative is An Evening at the Opera, which includes tickets to Opéra de Montréal's performance of Rossini's Barber of Seville, a story of young love overcoming adversity. Included in this package will be a gift bag containing a recording of the opera. Tickets are limited so please reserve early. Visit http://valentines2008.scena.org for more info.

As a non-profit charity, LSM counts on your active support of its various fundraising activities throughout the year as well as your generous donations.

--
Wah Keung Chan
Publisher/Editor
La Scena Musicale
La SCENA
The Music Scene
12 years of promoting music and the arts

5409 Waverly, Montreal, QC Canada H2T 2X8

http://www.scena.org
514-274-1128 (office/bureau)
514-815-0465 (cell)
wkchan@scena.org

--

Read the NEW La Scena Musicale Blog http://www.scena.org/blog for regular news on music and the arts.
Voyez le nouveau blogue de La Scena Musicale à http://www.scena.org/blog pour les dernières nouvelles sur la musique et les arts.

La Scena Musicale, Honourable Mention at the 2007 Canada National Magazine Awards, Arts & Entertainment category
La Scena Musicale, mention d'honneur aux Prix du magazine canadien de 2007, catégorie arts et spectacles

Hold the dates: 'night, Mother, Altera Vitae Productions at Mainline, March 19-30

Hold the Dates!

Altera Vitae Productions

Presents

'night, Mother

By Marsha Norman

Directed by Jesse Corbeil

Mark these dates in your spring calendar

Wednesday, March 19 – Sunday, March 30, 2008

Follow Jessie as she prepares to die, wrapping up her affairs as she throws her mother's life into turmoil. 'night, Mother is a heart-wrenching look at the 'could-have-beens' and 'if-onlys' that get in the way when what one should be doing most is listening.

'night, Mother

Altera Vitae Productions

At Mainline Theatre

3997 Blvd. St. Laurent

Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 pm

Matinees: Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 pm

2-for-1 matinees on March 22 and 23

Reservations: 514 823-8823 or askus@alteravitae.com

Charity Night: Tuesday, March 25, 10$ of every ticket sold is donated to FSOS –Family Survivors of Suicide (www.suicideaftermath.com)

www.alteravitae.com

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Media call is Wednesday, March 19.

Media opening night is Wednesday, March 19.

Press release to follow.

Media Contact: Janis Kirshner (514) 287-8912 jkirshner@sympatico.ca

Deux nouveaux professeurs émérites à l’UQAM

Montréal, le 6 février 2008 – L'UQAM a récemment décerné le statut de professeur émérite à deux professeurs de la Faculté des arts qui se sont démarqués par leur contribution exceptionnelle dans leur domaine respectif. : : Martine Époque, professeure retraitée du Département de danse et André G. Bourassa, professeur associé à l'École supérieure de théâtre.

Statut de professeur émérite

Le statut de professeur émérite est accordé à des professeurs qui ont terminé leur carrière à l'Université, et qui désirent maintenir une activité sur le plan de l'encadrement aux études avancées, de la recherche et de la création. En plus d'avoir un mérite universitaire exceptionnel, les professeurs choisis doivent avoir contribué de façon particulière au rayonnement de l'Université.

Martine Époque

Grâce à Martine Époque, figure-phare de la danse actuelle québécoise, et à sa vision bien spécifique de la danse, l'enseignement de la danse contemporaine a vécu un véritable essor. En 1968, elle fonde la troupe de danse Nouvelle Aire qui permet de former un grand nombre de danseurs québécois de calibre international tels Louise Bédard, Paul-André Fortier, Ginette Laurin, Louise Lecavalier et Édouard Lock. Ses chorégraphies, saluées pour leurs grandes qualités artistiques dans plusieurs pays, ont marqué l'histoire de la danse contemporaine.

Professeure à l'UQAM depuis 1980, Martine Époque a exercé une influence marquante à la Faculté des arts. En 1985, son implication mène à la création du Département de danse qu'elle dirige pendant de nombreuses années. Pionnière dans le domaine des recherches alliant danse et technologies, elle crée une série d'œuvres chorégraphiques multimédia.

Elle participe également, avec des collègues, à la fondation de plusieurs laboratoires de recherches dont le Laboratoire d'applications et de recherches en technochorégraphie, le LARTech, dont elle assume depuis la direction; le Centre interuniversitaire en arts médiatiques, le CIAM; et l'Institut de recherche/création en arts et technologies médiatiques, Hexagram. Ses travaux sont reconnus internationalement et régulièrement exposés dans le cadre de présentation des réalisations exemplaires de cet institut. Au cours des dernières années, elle compte parmi les chercheurs les plus actifs et les mieux financés de la Faculté des arts et de l'UQAM.

André G. Bourassa

André G. Bourassa a publié une quantité phénoménale d'articles et d'ouvrages fondamentaux qui portent notamment sur le surréalisme, la littérature, le théâtre et l'histoire du théâtre, dont « Refus global » et autres écrits (coauteur Gilles Lapointe, 1990) et Les nuits de la « Main » (écrit avec Jean-Marc Larrue, 1993). En 1979, il reçoit le prix France-Canada pour son livre Surréalisme et littérature québécoise. De 1979 à 1997, il fonde et dirige un projet d'édition critique des écrits de Paul-Émile Borduas.

Grâce à ses écrits, grâce à l'amplitude et l'éventail de sa carrière, tant nationale qu'internationale, grâce à ses réflexions très actuelles sur la pratique théâtrale et sa contribution québécoise à la constitution d'une mémoire du théâtre, André G. Bourassa est devenu un ambassadeur de notre littérature.

En plus de ses publications, il participe activement à la fondation de l'Association québécoise des professeurs de français, de la revue Lettres québécoises, de l'Association d'histoire du théâtre du Québec et du Canada et de la Société d'histoire du théâtre du Québec (SHTQ). Il dirige ensuite la revue l'Annuaire théâtral de la Société québécoise d'études théâtrales, l'ancienne SHTQ, qui décerne annuellement le « Prix André G. Bourassa » au meilleur article soumis à la revue.

Professeur à l'École supérieure de théâtre de l'UQAM depuis 1979, M. Bourassa est très impliqué au sein de son département et de l'Université, notamment dans le développement de nouveaux programmes d'études. Il a, entre autres, collaboré à la création du doctorat pluridisciplinaire en études et pratiques des arts. Retraité depuis 2001, il demeure rattaché à l'Université à titre de professeur associé.

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Source : Huguette Lucas, M.A

(08-049) Conseillère en relations avec la presse

Tél. : 514 987-3000, poste 6832

lucas.huguette@uqam.ca