OSM / Festival bel canto

Kent Nagano will give the downbeat to the Festival Bel Canto

at the opening concert on August 15

Additional tickets available

Montreal, August 6, 2008 — The music director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano, will kick off the Festival Bel Canto in Knowlton on August 15. In the first part of the recital by soprano Jennifer Larmore he will be conducting a chamber orchestra made up of young musicians performing works by bel canto composers, including Donizetti.

Moreover, the OSM is happy to announce that, in response to a growing demand on the part of music lovers, additional tickets will go on sale today.

It will be remembered that this festival, a presentation of the OSM and of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome in association with Bombardier and devoted to the art of bel canto ("beautiful singing"), will take place in the historic village of Knowlton from August 15 to 24, 2008. In a rustic and intimate setting, six concerts spread out over two weekends will be presented in a tent accommodating 600 spectators. In addition to two performances in a concert version of the opera Norma, taking place on Sunday, August 17 and 24, at 3 p.m., festival-goers will hear mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore in recital with pianist Antoine Palloc, and – with the OSM under Kent Nagano – soprano June Anderson and four young singers from the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia as well as coloratura soprano Sumi Jo. On a more popular note, well-known singer Gino Vannelli will be doing a show of Italian songs inspired by his most recent album, entitled "Canto," with the Orchestre symphonique de Sherbrooke under the direction of Stéphane Laforest.

Free events

To reach as wide an audience as possible, the Festival has integrated into its programming concerts by the rising generation, master classes and Operamania, a series of lectures by musicologist Michel Veilleux. Admission to all these events is free. At the concerts, on August 16 Pascale Beaudin (soprano), Pierre-Étienne Bergeron (baritone) and Marie-Ève Scarfone (piano) of the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal will perform arias by Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi and Bellini. The Chœur classique de l'Estrie, on August 23, can be heard in choral excerpts from Rossini's Barber of Seville, Verdi's I Lombardi alla prima crociata and Nabucco, and Bellini's Norma. A concert featuring Marianne Fiset, Grand Prize winner at the Montreal International Music Competition in 2007, together with musicians from the OSM (flute, violin, viola and cello), will be offering quartets by Boccherini and Viotti as well as arias by Bellini and Franz Liszt's Tre sonetti di Petrarca, on August 23. Canadian soprano Kimi McLaren, meanwhile, will present a recital on August 24.

At the master classes, young performers will get to benefit from the enlightened advice of three of the most renowned singers on the international scene: Jennifer Larmore, June Anderson and Massimiliano Murrali.

This edition of the Festival is taking place under the distinguished patronage of Italian soprano Renata Scotto.

Tickets on sale now at 514-842-9951 or (toll-free) at 1-888-842-9951

or

www.festivalbelcanto.com

or

www.osm.ca

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is presented by Hydro-Québec

Barrie New Music Fest

The First Annual Barrie New Music Fest – Call for Artist Submissions

Event Overview

In a recent partnership, Admiral Entertainment and DOR Productions bring you the first annual Barrie New Music Fest.

The Barrie New Music Fest is a three-day live music venue festival in Barrie ON, scheduled for October 2, 3, and 4, 2008. The festival will feature over 50 artists/bands performing a series of concerts/showcases each night at Barrie's finest live music venues. The genres of music will range between venues but will include various rock, pop, folk, urban and acoustic acts over the three days. The festival will include music industry seminars and musical workshops on Saturday, October 4^th at the Travelodge (300 Bayfield St. Barrie).

Charitable Info

A portion of proceeds are going to the 'Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund', a bold non-profit initiative, designed to integrate, educate, celebrate and promote all facets of music therapy in Canada.

(www.musictherapytrust.ca)

Call For Artist/Band Submissions

Artists/bands interested in submitting material for showcasing opportunities can visit:

www.newmusicfest.ca for more information and submission guidelines.

Deadline for artist submissions is Sept 8, 2008!

Ticketing

There will be a wristband policy in effect for the three-day event at each participating venue. Wristbands are $15 allowing entry to all participating venues over the 3 day festival. Wristbands will be available 3 weeks prior to the event at each participating venue.

All ticketing outlets and information is listed at www.newmusicfest.ca

Barrie New Music Fest – 5 Confirmed Participating Venues - (More to be announced late August)

The Foundation Night Club The Last Class – Georgian College

34 Dunlop St. A Building – 1 Georgian Drive

Barrie, ON Barrie, ON

www.thefoundationnightclub.com

Kenzington deli & bar Tiff's Restaurant Bar

40 Dunlop St. East 130 Dunlop St. East

Barrie, ON Barrie, ON

www.kenzington.ca

Dine-esty Restaurant Lounge

28 Dunlop St. East

Barrie, ON

For more information, please visit: www.newmusicfest.ca

The Calgary International Film Festival Announces Partnership With Hot Docs

The Calgary International Film Festival Announces Partnership With Hot Docs

Calgary, AB – The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is pleased to announce that it has partnered with the Hot Docs documentary film festival to launch the immensely popular Doc Soup screening series in Calgary this fall.

“We’re thrilled to have these dynamic partners helping us to cultivate wider Canadian audiences for documentaries,” says Chris McDonald, executive director of Hot Docs. “Both festivals have developed loyal followings and we’re certain that they’ll embrace Doc Soup as Toronto audiences have done.”

Launched in 2001, Hot Doc’s monthly Doc Soup screenings have become must-attend events for Toronto’s film-loving public. Running October to April, the series showcases the latest Canadian and international documentaries. Past Toronto editions has featured such notable Academy Award-nominated films as Capturing the Friedmans, Jesus Camp and No End In Site. As an added bonus, guest directors are in attendance at select screenings to introduce their films and engage in post-screening questions and answer sessions with audiences. With well over 1,000 subscribers and hundreds more single ticket buyers, Doc Soup screenings regularly sell out.

“This is a fantastic new opportunity for Calgarians to experience a diverse range of non-fiction work,” says Jacqueline Dupuis, executive director of CIFF. “We’re very excited to be working with Hot Docs to bring ground-breaking documentary films to Calgary on a year-round basis.”

Films selected for Doc Soup in Calgary and Vancouver will be premieres in those markets and guest directors will also be present at select screenings. Documentaries will be programmed by Sean Farnel, Hot Docs’ director of programming, and his team, in consultation with CIFF. To ensure the best available selection, Doc Soup films are programmed and announced a month prior to their screenings.

Calgary’s Doc Soup will run from November to April. Tentative screening dates are: November 5, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1 and May 6 (no screening in December). All screenings will take place at the Cineplex theatre at Eau Claire Market.

Subscriptions for all three Doc Soup series are currently available at www.docsoup.ca.

Subscription packages come with six free bonus admissions to films during CIFF. Limited quantities are available. Single tickets will also be sold for Doc Soup screenings, subject to availability.

About CIFF
Founded in 1998, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization based in Alberta, Canada. Inspired by the pioneering spirit and maverick ideals of the community, CIFF showcases films that break traditional boundaries and forge new cinematic ground. CIFF celebrates an unparalleled breadth and depth of cultural diversity through the meaningful, accessible, and artistic medium of film and engages thousands of artists to showcase the best films from filmmakers in over 100 countries around the world. CIFF is held annually at the end of September, screening over 200 films and hosting several gala events, awards, and special presentations. For more information visit www.calgaryfilm.com.

About Hot Docs
Hot Docs, North America's largest documentary festival, conference and market, will present its 16th annual edition from April 30 – May 10, 2009. An outstanding selection of 170+ documentaries from Canada and around the world will be presented to Toronto audiences and international delegates. Hot Docs will also mount a full roster of conference sessions and market events and services for documentary practitioners, including the renowned Toronto Documentary Forum, May 6 & 7, and The Doc Shop. For more information, please visit www.hotdocs.ca.

TSMF's Ariadne auf Naxos

TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Festival continues to garner critical acclaim

Strauss's opera Ariadne auf Naxos set to launch in two weeks

The 2008 Toronto Summer Music Festival continues to bask in the success of its third season after a first week of performances featuring virtuoso pianist André Laplante, international award-winning duo Mayumi Seiler, violin, and Tünde Kurucz, piano, and vocal Baroque authorities Suzie LeBlanc, soprano, and Daniel Taylor, countertenor. Ken Winters of the Globe and Mail writes: "The festival - concerts by major performers (and Academy faculty members) - is tapping deeply into a desirous public ordinarily abandoned during these months."

As part of the four-week festival a fully staged opera, Ariadne auf Naxos, featuring a double cast comprised of 18 singers from across the world, will take place from August 14-17, 2008. One of the most difficult operas written for the human voice, Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss is staged by prolific Austrian stage director Titus Hollweg (son of legendary tenor Werner Hollweg) and conducted by the Festival's Artistic Director Agnes Grossmann, who have worked together previously on Ariadne auf Naxos, and accompanied by the National Academy Orchestra.

"We received more than a hundred international applications from the highest caliber of emerging artists," said Grossmann. "It was exciting to hear these amazing artists and musicians and it enabled us to handpick a cast that includes some of the best singers from Canada and abroad."

The opera introduces new talent, including Swiss born soprano Désirée Till (Zerbinetta) as well as Canadian performers Gene Wu (Musiklehrer/Harlequin) and Christopher MacRae (Bacchus) from Calgary, Melinda Delorme (Ariadne) from Port Perry, Ghislaine Dionne (Ariadne) from Ottawa, and Christopher Enns (Scaramuccio/Offizier) from Winnipeg. A significant number of performers hail from Toronto: Steven Sherwood (Bacchus), Mia Harris (Komponist), Erica Iris Huang (Komponist), Teiya Kasahara (Zerbinetta), Neil Aronoff (Musiklehrer/Harlequin), Stephen Bell (Brighella/Tanzmeister), Patrick Jang (Brighella/Tanzmeister), David English (Truffaldin/Lakai), James Baldwin (Perückenmacher), Anna Bateman (Najade), Laura McAlpine (Dryade), and Ada Balon (Echo).

A lecture the day before the opera by renowned Strauss expert, Bryan Gilliam, will give context to the story of Ariadne auf Naxos. Iain Scott returns this year for pre-opera talks on August 14, 15, and 16. The Festival culminates with "A Day at the Opera" which introduces opera lovers to Ariadne auf Naxos with a performance by master storyteller Clayton Scott, followed by a hands-on clay workshop at the Gardiner Museum, and concluding with the final opera performance of the TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL.

TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL CONCLUDES WITH ARIADNE AUF NAXOS

Ariadne auf Naxos: Thursday, August 14, 2008 to Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 7:30pm;

Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 2:00pm

At MacMillan Theatre (Edward Johnson Building, Faculty of Music, 80 Queen's Park)

Festival passes ($175 - $250) and single tickets ($27 - $50) are available online www.torontosummermusic.com or by calling 416.597.7840

TSMF continues until August 17, 2008

TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Elegant start to the Festival by pianist André Laplante;

more of the world's top interpretive artists still to comeŠ

After the brilliant opening concert of the 2008 Toronto Summer Music Festival, with Canadian pianist André Laplante at the historic Carlu, John Terauds of the Toronto Star wrote: "Laplante made magic as he performed Romantic pieces that are at the core of his specialty Š There was even more magic in the air, as the 1,000-strong audience gathered at the Carlu Š But there is much more inspirational music-making on offer to August 17 at the festival."

The Festival, now in its third year, runs until August 17 at various venues in Toronto. Artistic Director Agnes Grossmann's concept of programming an entire festival around a central theme, In the Fire of Conflict, is an innovative way to engage artists and audience in a spiritual and aesthetic conversation that creates an intense musical experience.

On August 5, MUSIC AND DANCE features dynamic cellist and Grammy-award winner, Denise Djokic, who will be joined by dance phenomenon Peggy Baker and percussionist Ryan Scott. The program pushes the barriers of convention in a sonic soundscape with the world premiere of In the Fire of Conflict, fusing classical music with elements of hip hop and play-back rapping, adding to the performance a new, younger sensibility.

PRESSLER AND FRIENDS, on August 9, brings pianist Menahem Pressler to the forefront. Honoured as one of the greatest chamber musicians of all time by the Concertgebouw and celebrated for his lifetime achievements by governments and cultural organizations around the world, Pressler will be accompanied by string superstars violinist Alexander Kerr, violist Roberto Diaz, and cellist Paul Watkins for a stellar piano quartet.

The four-week festival concludes with four fully-staged performances of Richard Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos, conducted by Maestra Agnes Grossmann with stage direction by Titus Hollweg. Artistic Director and conductor Agnes Grossmann is one of the very few women on the international conducting circuit. She has just completed an extensive conducting tour of Asia and Italy, and is also the only woman to have held the position of Artistic Director of the Vienna Boys' Choir (during their 500th anniversary celebrations). Stage Director Titus Hollweg, son of famous tenor Werner Hollweg, is well known in the European opera world and has collaborated with Agnes Grossmann on a previous production of Ariadne auf Naxos, after initially meeting her as a young artist while singing with the Vienna Boys' Choir.

For a full listings or all concerts, master classes, and lectures, visit www.torontosummermusic.com.

TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 22 - August 17, 2008

Violin/Piano Recital: Mayumi Seiler & Tünde Kurucz: Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 8pm _*

In the Fire of Conflict: Suzie LeBlanc and Daniel Taylor: Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 8:00pm ***

Music and Painting: Molinari String Quartet: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 8pm _*

Revolution and Tyranny in Europe: Leipzig String Quartet: Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 8pm ***

Music and Dance: Denise Djokic: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 8pm _*

Chamber Music Treasures: Anton Kuerti: Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 8pm ***

Pressler and Friends: Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 8pm ***

Music and Masks: Gryphon Trio: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 8pm _*

Ariadne auf Naxos: Thursday, August 14, 2008 to Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 7:30pm;

Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 2:00pm ***

Festival passes ($175 - $250) and single tickets ($27 - $50) are available

online www.torontosummermusic.com or by calling 416.597.7840

* At Walter Hall, *** At MacMillan Theatre (Edward Johnson Building, Faculty of Music, 80 Queen's Park)

Grand concert avec Michlèle Losier et Nathalie Paulin

Cors, hautbois, flûtes et trompettes sonnent l'arrivée

d'un nouveau printemps à Lamèque !

(Lamèque, 21 juillet 2008) - Tous sont conviés à Lamèque le samedi 26 juillet prochain pour célébrer l'arrivée d'un nouveau printemps dans le cadre du Grand Concert de la 33^e édition du Festival international de musique baroque. Le Laudate Dominum de Michel Corrette, basé sur le célèbre Printemps des Saisons de Vivaldi, des œuvres orchestrales à grand déploiement de Rameau et Vivaldi ainsi que le célèbre Gloria de Vivaldi marqueront le retour du Chœur de la Mission Saint-Charles. Le concert aura lieu à partir de 20 h à l'Église Sainte-Cécile de Petite-Rivière-de-l'île.

La soirée musicale sera précédée à 19 h 15 d'une causerie animée par le nouveau directeur artistique du festival, Mathieu Lussier. Lors de cette causerie, les auditeurs seront conviés à découvrir plus en détail les instruments de musique anciens et seront invités à suivre des pistes d'écoute lors du concert, rendant l'expérience encore plus stimulante !

Ce concert à grand déploiement marquera les débuts au Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque de la mezzo-soprano acadienne Michèle Losier, du jeune et dynamique chef d'orchestre canadien Jean-Marie Zeitouni et le retour de la très appréciée soprano Nathalie Paulin. Les violonistes Julie Wedman, Aisslinn Nosky et Chantal Rémillard donneront vie à des pages virtuoses et éblouissantes d'Antonio Vivaldi et Michel Corrette et tous les pupitres de l'orchestre seront mis en valeur dans une suite brillante et colorée de Les Paladins de Jean-Philippe Rameau.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni est chef d'orchestre associé avec Les Violons du Roy. Au fil des ans, il a dirigé l'ensemble dans plus d'une centaine de concerts en Amérique du Nord dans des répertoires allant de la musique baroque à la musique contemporaine. En 2006, il réalisait son premier disque avec Les Violons du Roy intitulé Piazzolla qui a remporté au printemps 2007 le prix JUNO du meilleur album classique, catégorie musique de chambre ou ensemble. Son second enregistrement avec Les Violons du Roy, dont la sortie est prévue à l'automne 2008, sera consacré à la musique de Bartók. Très présent sur la scène nord-américaine comme chef lyrique, il a dirigé plusieurs productions à l'Opéra de Montréal, à l'Opéra de Québec, au Banff Center, au Calgary Opera, au Edmonton Opera, au Glimmerglass Opera et au Cincinnati Opera. De 2002 à 2007, il a été assistant chef d'orchestre et directeur des chœurs de l'Opéra de Montréal et a assumé la direction musicale de l'Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal.

Les billets pour les concerts de la 33^e édition du Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque, qui se déroulera du 24 au 27 juillet prochain, sont présentement en vente auprès de la Billetterie Accès. L'accès aux concerts est gratuit pour tout enfant de 12 ans ou moins accompagné d'un adulte. Pour plus d'information sur les concerts et les artistes de la programmation, visitez le site Internet du Festival à www.festivalbaroque.com ou composez le 1-800-320-2276.

Shaw Festival Establishes Governors International Advisory Council

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, July 17, 2008 … The inaugural meeting of the newly established Shaw Festival Governors International Advisory Council, which takes place tomorrow at the Festival, will celebrate the international breadth of The Shaw’s audiences and the global reputation of the Festival’s work.

In late March the Shaw Festival’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to establish the Governors International Advisory Council. The Council will be a proactive body which represents the Festival in strategic centres across North America, with members acting as ambassadors for The Shaw. The Council will assist the Board in expanding The Shaw’s reach, reputation and base of support. Its establishment recognizes The Shaw’s position as a world-renowned theatre company whose audience is 40% American and drawn from all over Canada and the world. The group will consist of up to 16 Canadian and up to 16 American or International positions. (A position is comprised of an individual or a couple.)

Members of the Governors International Advisory Council are elected for their passion and commitment to the Shaw Festival, their residence in a geographic area with current or potential strength in stakeholder support, and their ability to build bridges between The Shaw and local, regional and national individuals and institutions.

The current membership of the Governors International Advisory Council, which is expected to continue to grow, is comprised of:

The Hon. Lincoln M. Alexander, Hamilton, ON

David and Carol Appel, Toronto, ON

Anthony Herbert Bogert, Chelsea, QC

Elizabeth T. Daly, Bryn Mawr, PA

Leslie L. and Anna Dan, Toronto, ON

James and Margaret Fleck, Toronto, ON

Susan Glass, Winnipeg, MB

Nona Macdonald Heaslip, Toronto, ON

Sir Michael Holroyd, London, England

William B.G. Humphries, Toronto, ON

Malcolm S. Macdonald, Chair, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Gerry C. Miovski, Westfield, NJ

Dr. Ross H. Paul, Windsor, ON

Walter and Cathleen Ross, Palm Beach, FL

Judy Goetz Sanger and Dr. Sirgay Sanger, New York, NY

James M. and Michal Wadsworth, Buffalo, NY

Gregg D. Watkins, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Des milliers s'attardent aux activités du Festival acadien international de Par-en-Bas

(Tusket, Nouvelle-Écosse 16 juillet 2008) – Ayant déjà complété presque la moitié de la programmation du tout premier « Festival acadien international de Par-en-Bas », les organisateurs sont ravis de voir que des milliers de gens d’ici et d’ailleurs répondent à l’appel de venir découvrir tout ce que le nouveau festival a à leur offrir. Et certains des plus grands moments sont encore à venir. Journées de bazar, ateliers divers, construction de barge de foin, spectacles de musique y inclut ceux de Zachary Richard, Grand Dérangement, Fayo, Pascal Lejeune, La Virée, Beauphare, Julian Babin, Dwight D’Eon et bien d’autres feront partie des activités de la deuxième et dernière semaine du festival.

C’est à noter que lors du spectacle du 19 juillet avec Dwight D’Eon, au Village historique acadien, les portes ouvreront à compter de 19 h. Lors du spectacle du 23 juillet avec Fayo et autres, à l’École secondaire de Par-en-Bas, les portes ouvreront à 18h. Le 27 juillet, au terrain de ball de Wedgeport, pour le spectacle de Zachary Richard et autres, ont commencera à laisser les gens entrer sur le site à partir de 17h. Pour ceux qui n’ont pas réussi à se mettre la main sur une copie du guide officiel, vous pouvez vous familiariser avec toutes les possibilités qui vous sont offertes au sein de ce nouveau festival en visitant le site web: www.festivalacadien.net ou en téléphonant au 902-648-2931.

À propos du Festival acadien international de Par-en-Bas :

Grâce à de partenariats avec Radio-Canada, Tourisme Nouvelle-Écosse, l’Agence de développement du Sud-Ouest et plusieurs entreprises locaux, la création de ce festival est aussi le résultat de la fusion des quatre festivals acadiens de la région d’Argyle qui pour bien des années ponctuaient le calendrier estival des gens de Buttes-Amirault, Pubnico-Ouest, Sainte-Anne-Du-Ruisseau et Wedgeport. C’est le désir des organisateurs que cette fusion permettra aux gens d’ailleurs de découvrir un autre coin de l’Acadie en Nouvelle-Écosse qui est bien vivante. Rappelons aussi que cette région peut se vanter d’être la plus ancienne région acadienne encore habitée par des acadiens.

L'ensemble I Furiosi présente la musique baroque sous un visage nouveau

(Lamèque, 15 juillet 2008) - Un jeune et dynamique ensemble torontois présentera la musique baroque sous un visage nouveau et actuel dans le cadre de la 33^e édition du Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque le dimanche 27 juillet prochain. Ce concert fera suite au brunch annuel offert afin de souligner la clôture du festival. Les tourments de l’amour, son charme et ses tentations seront à l’honneur avec le fougueux ensemble torontois I Furiosi dans un programme appelé « L’Amour à tout prix ». C’est une invitation à découvrir le répertoire baroque italien et anglais en compagnie du claveciniste invité Hank Knox. Les gens sont invités à la Salle Mathieu-Duguay de Lamèque à midi, tout de suite après le brunch qui sera servi à 10 h, au Club de l’âge d’or.

L’ensemble baroque I Furiosi est un des ensembles les plus novateurs sur la scène internationale dans le domaine de la musique ancienne. Composé de quatre spécialistes de ce répertoire : Gabrielle McLaughlin (soprano), Aisslinn Nosky et Julia Wedman (violons) et Felix Deak (violoncelle et viole de gambe), ce groupe furieusement dynamique s’applique à communiquer au public d’aujourd’hui l’esthétique bizarre et flamboyante qui caractérisait la musique du 18^e siècle. En plus d’une série de concerts présentés à Toronto, I Furiosi a effectué des tournées aux États-Unis, en Allemagne, au Royaume-Uni, en Irlande et au Canada.

Hank Knox est membre fondateur de l’Ensemble Arion. Il travaille également avec Tafelmusik, le Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal et joue régulièrement avec l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Il est directeur du programme de musique ancienne à l'Université McGill, où il enseigne le clavecin et dirige l’Orchestre Baroque de McGill.

« Les tourments de l’amour, son charme et ses tentations chantés, joués par des musiciens passionnés, un atelier d’initiation aux instruments et à la musique baroque offert aux enfants, un brunch convivial et généreux : un festin pour tous les sens, la meilleure façon de terminer en beauté la 33^e édition du Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque ! », s’exclame le directeur artistique, Mathieu Lussier. L’entrée est gratuite pour les enfants de 12 ans et moins accompagnés d’un adulte pour le concert comme pour le brunch. Un atelier d’initiation aux instruments de musique baroque sera offert aux enfants durant le concert.

Les billets pour les concerts à la programmation de la 33^e édition du Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque, qui se déroulera du 24 au 27 juillet prochain, sont présentement en vente auprès de la Billetterie Accès. Pour plus d’information sur les concerts et les artistes à la programmation, visitez le site Internet du festival à www.festivalbaroque.com ou composez le 1-800-320-2276.

Shaw Festival: Belle Moral Previews

Previews begin at the Shaw Festival for Darkly Comic Belle Moral: A Natural History

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, July 14, 2008 … Previews began on Saturday in the Court House Theatre for the Shaw Festival’s production of Belle Moral: A Natural History, a spellbinding story by Ann-Marie MacDonald, one of Canada’s most beloved writers. The production is a remount of The Shaw’s hit 2005 production, the play’s world premiere.

On a foggy Scottish coast lies an ancestral home called Belle Moral. There, by day, young Pearl MacIsaac (Fiona Byrne) considers questions of science and nature, and by night, dreams of mythical creatures and mysterious brides. This is a house full of mystery – just who is in the attic and why does Pearl have an ear in a jar? Part magic, part philosophy and part whodunnit, the darkly comic play is also a rousing call for tolerance and diversity.

The play, a fascinating mix of mystery, science and comedy, was applauded in 2005 for its intelligence, sharp wit and compelling characters. Equally well-received was the direction, design, lighting and music of The Shaw’s production, which the Company is thrilled to bring back to the Court House stage this season.

Belle Moral: A Natural History has its origins in an earlier play of Ann-Marie MacDonald’s. The Arab’s Mouth was first produced in 1990 by Toronto’s Factory Theatre and its then-Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell, now of course The Shaw’s Artistic Director. Commissioned by The Shaw, the original play was significantly rewritten under the auspices of the Company’s play development programme.

Ann-Marie MacDonald is the award-winning author of the play Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), and the novels The Way the Crow Flies and Fall On Your Knees. She is also an actor and broadcast journalist.

The cast of Belle Moral: A Natural History also includes Jeff Meadows as Victor MacIsaac, Donna Belleville as Flora MacIsaac, and Peter Hutt as Dr. Seamus Reid, as well as Bernard Behrens, Martin Happer, Julie Martell, and Graeme Somerville.

Belle Moral: A Natural History is directed by Alisa Palmer, with design by Judith Bowden, lighting design by Kevin Lamotte, and original music composed by Paul Sportelli. The stage management team includes Stage Manager Meredith Macdonald and Assistant Stage Manager Evan R. Klassen.

Belle Moral: A Natural History began preview performances Saturday, July 12; opens Saturday, July 19; and plays in repertory until Sunday, October 5. For tickets and information, visit www.shawfest.com or call 1-800-511-7429 or 905-468-2172 (local).

Belle Moral: A Natural History is sponsored by Scotiabank Group.

The 2008 season is proudly presented by HSBC Bank Canada/HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

McMaster Summer Drama Festival

MCMASTER SUMMER DRAMA FESTIVAL MAKES ITS REPRISE IN THE HEART OF HAMILTON

HAMILTON, ON - The McMaster Summer Drama Festival (SDF) announces its eighteenth season, opening July 18, 2008 and running to July 26, 2008.

Artistic Director Andrew Hadden asserts, "This year's festival consists of four very unique shows. Each one is very bold in its own way. The audience will have the option to see a brutally honest and emotional drama (Closer), a quirky musical which explores contemporary pop culture (Six Women With Brain Death), a student-written adaptation of the classic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet (Fair Verona) and a play which reflects on life and regret (Edward Albee's Three Tall Women)."

"I believe that this year's season is proving to be our most ambitious," declares Production Stage Manager Monica Cairney. "Within our four shows we incorporate a musical, live and/or original music and multimedia, none of which have been used in this company in recent memory. These elements, on top of organizing and running a festival, have been a challenge but are also paving the way for more risks to be taken in the future."

This year's festival consists of:

CLOSER
Written by Patrick Marber
Directed by James Tyler Shearer
Starring Jim Malloy as Larry, Lacey Benedetti as Alice, Grant
Winestock as Dan, and Sarah Midghall as Anna.

Closer, a story about love caught up in false pretenses opened
in London in 1997 and quickly won the Evening Standard Award
for Best Comedy, and the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards and
Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Play.

FAIR VERONA
Adapted from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and other works
Directed by Kerri Bojman and Graham Jenner
Starring Duncan Thompson as Romeo, Emma Turner as Juliet, and
Meghan Banks, Nick Davies, Alexandra Holbrook and Alex White
as Verona.

Fair Verona, a 'rearrangement' of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet,
is a brand new work presented by Kerri Bojman and Graham Jenner.
"Fair Verona is a play about how a person's environment plays
a crucial role in his or her life; how a society's structure,
traditions, and unspoken rules can make or break a person's
ability to function or survive," says directors Bojman and Jenner.

SIX WOMEN WITH BRAIN DEATH OR EXPIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW
Book by Cheryl Benge, Christy Brandt, Mark Houston, Peggy
Pharr Wilson, Rosanna E. Coppedge, Ross Freese, Sandee
Johnson, and Valerie Fagan
Music and Lyrics by Mark Houston
Directed by Blythe Stewart
Starring Alexa Di Cresce as the Diva, Kathleen Dodd as Marge,
Zoë Godfrey Davies as Jolene, Max Goodis as the Prom Queen
Candidate, Krista Janke as Wanda, and Alison O'Neill as Veronica.

Six Women with Brain Death, since its inception in 1992, has
developed substantial underground popularity. Originally
performed in Kansas City, Missouri, the show moved to San
Diego, California, where Variety called the show "a lifesaver
for the theatre".

EDWARD ALBEE'S THREE TALL WOMEN
Directed by Amanda Nesbitt
Starring Alicia Micallef as A, Laura Pomeroy as B, Carly
Pokoradi as C, and Colin Nesbitt as the Son.

Edward Albee's unique brand of acerbic wit is quite clear
in his Pulitzer Prize-winning Three Tall Women: "Through the
story of the life of one woman the audience is asked to remind
themselves of all the strengths, weaknesses, prejudices, loves
and joys of being human," Director Amanda N. Nesbitt explains.
"There is a slight nod towards Theatre of the Absurd in order to
explore, realistically, everything from incontinence to
infidelity, from raising children to the compromises made and
the regrets gathered."

The McMaster Summer Drama Festival began in 1991, and has
since developed a reputation as one of the longest-running
summer community theatre groups. Their productions have
ranged from classical, to contemporary, to even original
works, and adaptations of films. The Festival consistently
caters to well over a thousand theatre goers each summer.

SHOW TIMES:

Closer – July 18, 20, 22, 24, 8 PM, July 19, 26, 2 PM
Fair Verona – July 20, 21, 23, 25, 26, 7 PM, July 19, 1 PM
Six Women With Brain Death – July 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 8 PM, July 20, 2 PM
Three Tall Women – July 18, 19, 22, 24, 7 PM, July 20, 26, 1 PM

TICKETS:

Adult -- $10 per show*
Student/Senior -- $8 per show*
Festival Pass Adult -- $30 (admission to four shows)**
Festival Pass Student/Senior -- $25 (admission to four shows)**

Tickets will be available at the door; reservations may be made at http://www.summerdramafestival.com/tickets.php.

Tickets are also available for sale at Compass Information Centre, in the McMaster University Student Centre.

*All seats are general admission.
**Certain conditions apply.

LOCATIONS:

Closer, Six Women With Brain Death – Hamilton Theatre Inc. Studio Theatre, 140 MacNab Street North, Hamilton.

Fair Verona, Three Tall Women – Faculty Hollow, McMaster,Campus, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton.

More detailed information about show locations available
from http://www.summerdramafestival.com.

New music for international summer music festival

Calgary, AB – Throughout the thirty days of the Morningside Music Bridge festival, works by famous composers, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Igor Stravinsky and Antonio Vivaldi will be performed at Mount Royal College and around the city.

But this year, newly-written music is also on the agenda. John Abram, an instructor at the Mount Royal Conservatory and music consultant for Morningside Music Bridge, has written a piece especially for the young musicians who will perform in the festival’s final gala, taking place July 31 at the EPCOR Centre’s Martha Cohen Theatre, starting at 7 p.m.

“Every year Morningside Music Bridge invites really excellent young musicians from around the world to take part, and you can basically throw the most difficult pieces from the classical repertoire at them. My goal was to write a new piece for string orchestra that will challenge them in a different way, based on ensemble playing versus solo playing,” says Abram.

The result is Pluck ─ a modern and fun composition of four movements. Abram describes the first movement as being very intense because of some unusual playing techniques that create a sense of tension; the second, he says, is very easy going at the beginning but becoming frenzied at the end; in the third movement, the music slows down and is quiet, featuring solo playing; the last movement follows without a break and is very fast and energetic, and rhythmically quite complicated.

Abram chose the title with equal deliberation. “At it’s most basic, Pluck refers to the plucking of the strings, but I also wanted a name that reflects the gusty nature of the students and the courage it takes to follow a career path in music,” Abram explains.

According to Paul Dornian, director of the Mount Royal Conservatory, Abram’s piece is the first of many organizers hope to commission with other composers over the coming years. “We, along with the sponsors, decided that it is part of our responsibility to upcoming generations of performers to encourage engaging new works of music that complement the historical repertories of Brahms, Beethoven and Mozart.”

As for Abram, he hopes the students and audience will enjoy his work. “I had an absolute blast composing the piece and hope everyone who hears it becomes lost in the music.”

La quintessence du génie de Bach au Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque

La quintessence du génie de Bach au

Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque

(Lamèque, 8 juillet 2008) - Le troisième concert de la 33^e édition du Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque marquera la première collaboration de Pascale Giguère, co-violon solo des Violons du Roy, et du brillant claveciniste Luc Beauséjour. Le public pourra entendre la quintessence de l'œuvre du célèbre Johann Sebastian Bach le samedi 26 juillet à 15 h. Le concert sera présenté à l'Église Saint-Antoine-de Padoue à Miscou.

Les deux grands interprètes canadiens joueront des œuvres pour violon et clavecin de Johann Sebastian Bach. La deuxième partita pour violon seul BWV1004, la cinquième suite française BWV816 et la sonate no 2 pour violon et clavecin BWV1015 en la majeur sont au programme de ce concert présenté sans entracte. La quintessence du génie de Bach, un violon seul déployant dans l'espace sonore une ligne d'une pureté inégalée. Pascale Giguère unira son instrument (un Giovanni Tononi Bell de 1700 prêté par le Conseil des arts du Canada) au clavecin de Luc Beauséjour.

Pascale Giguère est membre des Violons du Roy depuis 1995 et y occupe le poste de co-violon solo depuis mai 2000. À titre de soliste, on a pu l'entendre avec l'Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal, Les Violons du Roy, l'Orchestre symphonique de Laval, l'Orchestre des Grands Ballets Canadiens ainsi qu'avec l'Orchestre symphonique de Québec, sous la direction de Yoav Talmi. Depuis quelques saisons, elle est soliste invitée au Festival international du Domaine Forget et au Parry Sound Festival. Elle a également remporté plusieurs prix importants dont le premier prix au Concours de l'Orchestre symphonique de Québec et le prestigieux Prix d'Europe en 1993.

Grâce à la virtuosité, à l'élégance et à l'expressivité de son jeu, le claveciniste et organiste Luc Beauséjour a suscité autant l'enthousiasme du public que les éloges des critiques et des spécialistes. Consacré Interprète de l'année 2003 par le Conseil québécois de la musique, il a récolté, depuis quelques années, plusieurs récompenses au Québec. Il mène une carrière très active au Canada et à l'étranger. Il a joué en France, aux États-Unis, en Autriche, en Allemagne, en Hongrie, en Belgique et aux Bermudes. Il s'est produit, entre autres, à Boston, à Washington DC, à Paris, à Vienne, à Munich, à Montréal, au Festival international de Lanaudière, au Festival d'Uzès en France, au Festival d'Ambronay, au festival Un été à Bourges, au Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque et au Vancouver Early Music Festival.

Les billets pour les concerts de la programmation de la 33^e édition du Festival international de musique baroque de Lamèque, qui se déroulera du 24 au 27 juillet prochain, sont présentement en vente auprès de Billetterie Accès. Pour plus d'information sur les concerts et les artistes à la programmation, visitez le site Internet du festival à www.festivalbaroque.com, ou composez le 1-800-320-2276.

Le « Festival acadien international de Par-en-Bas » est arrivé !

Le « Festival acadien international de Par-en-Bas » est arrivé !

(Tusket, Nouvelle-Écosse 4 juillet 2008) – Le décompte est commencé pour le début du tout premier Festival acadien international de Par-en-Bas en la région acadienne d’Argyle, au sud-ouest de la Nouvelle-Écosse.

Le vendredi 11 juillet à 11 h, c’est au bureau municipal situé à Tusket que le rendez-vous est donné afin de lancer l’élan du festival avec une cérémonie officieuse où on servira de la bouffe et du gâteau, et où les gagnants du camp de musique pour jeunes tenus la semaine précédente nous divertiront avec quelques chansons. En soirée, à partir de 19 h, c’est un grand spectacle d’ouverture qui sera présenté au Village historique acadien de Pubnico-Ouest, où une prestation tout à fait spéciale a été préparée pour l’occasion. En effet, à la demande du directeur artistique du festival, Marc Poirier, les artistes George Belliveau, Paul Hébert et Monique Poirier ont mis ensemble un spectacle d’environ une heure les unissant en trio afin de marquer le début de ce festival de façon magique. Suite à eux, la magie continuera avec la présence d’Oumou Soumaré, originaire du Mali mais qui réside maintenant depuis quelques années en Acadie. Celle que l’on surnomme « La gazelle du désert » en surprendra plusieurs avec le dynamisme contagieux qu’elle dégage sur l’estrade. Suivront ensuite des feux d’artifices et le groupe Chatouille ma bourrique qui ne manque jamais la marque de livrer un plaisir fou. Rappelons que ce spectacle est pour tous les âges. Il y aura aussi un bar payant sur le site.

Le samedi 12 juillet est rempli d’activités communautaires et le dimanche 13 juillet, on aura une deuxième occasion de voir Oumou Soumaré qui présentera un spectacle à l’extérieur de l’École secondaire de Par-en-Bas, où le groupe Cadien et le duo Simon & André seront aussi partie de la fête. La musique sera précédée par une messe. Le tout débute à 10 h 30 et se terminera vers 15 h. En cas de pluie, le tout ira à l’intérieur.

Et de là, les activités continueront tout au long des deux prochaines semaines, jusqu’au 27 juillet. Pour ceux qui n’ont pas réussi à se mettre la main sur une copie du guide officiel, vous pouvez vous familiariser avec toutes les possibilités qui vous sont offertes au sein de ce nouveau festival en visitant le site web www.festivalacadien.net.

À propos du Festival acadien international de Par-en-Bas

Grâce à de partenariats avec Radio-Canada, Tourisme Nouvelle-Écosse, l’Agence de développement du Sud-Ouest et plusieurs entreprises locales, la création de ce festival est aussi le résultat de la fusion des quatre festivals acadiens de la région d’Argyle qui pour bien des années ponctuaient le calendrier estival des gens de Buttes-Amirault, Pubnico-Ouest, Sainte-Anne-Du-Ruisseau et Wedgeport. C’est le désir des organisateurs que cette fusion permettra aux gens d’ailleurs de découvrir un autre coin de l’Acadie en Nouvelle-Écosse qui est bien vivante. Rappelons aussi que cette région peut se vanter d’être la plus ancienne région acadienne encore habitée par des Acadiens.

ReggaeFest 5 - Red, White and Dread

Calgary Reggae Festival Society Canadian Reggae Music Summit and Showcase