Pinchas Zukerman leads NACO's first-ever performance of Brahms' German Requiem

Pinchas Zukerman leads NAC Orchestra in its first-ever performance of Brahms’ German Requiem on June 18-19

Ottawa (Canada) – Music Director Pinchas Zukerman leads the National Arts Centre Orchestra in its first-ever performance of Brahms’ sublime German Requiem (Ein deutsches Requiem) as a grand finale to the 2008-09 season with soprano Nicole Cabell (making her NAC Orchestra debut), baritone Nathan Berg, and three choirs combined under the direction of chorus master Duain Wolfe – the Ottawa Choral Society (Matthew Larkin, director), Ottawa Festival Chorus (Laurence Ewashko and Duain Wolfe, directors) and Cantata Singers of Ottawa (Michael Zaugg, director). These Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall open with Capital BrassWorks alternating with a women’s chorus in works by Bach and Brahms.

On Friday, June 19 only, there is a Musically Speaking pre-concert talk at 7 p.m. This exploration of the Brahms German Requiem will be led by star soprano-teacher Benita Valente (on the faculty of the NAC Summer Music Institute) and demonstrated by young soprano Maghan Stewart and baritone Jonathan Estabrooks accompanied by pianist Jean Desmarais. This entertaining and informative lecture-demonstration, hosted by Paul Lefebvre, is free.

Brahms considered calling this Requiem the “Human Requiem”. With a gentle setting of “How lovely is thy dwelling place” as its centrepiece, it is intended to comfort the bereaved and give them peace and hope. The composer’s crowning achievement, the German Requiem ranges from radiant to dramatic. Brahms began the Requiem when he was only 23 and suffering from the loss of Schumann, his dear friend and mentor – and he completed it three years after the death of his mother.

The opening half of this program features Capital Brassworks, a 12-member ensemble made up of brass players from the NAC Orchestra, in transcriptions of three Bach numbers, two of which are introduced by the respective chorales upon which they are based performed by a women’s choir singing unaccompanied – “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Jesus bleibet meine Freude) and “Sleepers, Wake” (Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme). As an interlude in this Bach encounter, the women’s choir joins two horns and a harp for a group of Brahms songs that, due to their unusual scoring, are rarely heard in live performance but which are among the most divinely beautiful ever written. The evening opens with Bach’s Fantasia in C major performed by Capital BrassWorks.

California-born soprano *Nicole Cabell, the 2005 Winner of the BBC Singer of the World Competition in Cardiff, and a DECCA recording artist, has received tremendous public and critical acclaim for her work in opera, concert and recital. This season included her debut season at the Metropolitan Opera, and this summer, she makes her Hollywood Bowl debut as Clara in Porgy and Bess. Next season she returns to the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony.

Baritone Nathan Berg made his debut at the National Arts Centre in 1998, and his most recent appearance was last season, singing Mendelssohn’s Elijah. A winner of prizes in the Royal Over-Seas League, Peter Pears, Kathleen Ferrier and Walther Gruner Lieder Competitions, Mr. Berg’s musicality and artistry continues to receive international critical acclaim. His operatic credits include the Canadian Opera Company, New York City Opera, and Bayerische Staatsoper.

*Nicole Cabell replaces soprano Erin Wall. (However Erin Wall will perform with the NAC Orchestra in Opera Under the Stars on July 24 as part of Orchestras in the Park.)

Tickets for these Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 and $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

NAC extends deadline for 40th Anniversary Prelude cover contest and offers a cash prize to the selected artists

Canada’s National Arts Centre announced today that they are extending the deadline for the 40^th anniversary Prelude cover contest to June 30, 2009 and, with the encouragement of the artistic community, the NAC will also be awarding the selected artists a $500.00 prize.

In celebration of its upcoming 40^th anniversary season, Canada’s National Arts Centre (NAC) is inviting visual artists from across Canada to submit cover artwork for the 2009-2010 season of its Prelude Magazine.

The NAC turns 40 on June 2^nd, 2009.

The National Arts Centre is looking for creative variations on the theme of “The Arts are Alive in Canada” through visual representation of any or all disciplines presented at the Centre—Theatre, Dance and Music— while also representing the cultural fabric of our country from coast to coast to coast.

Prelude Magazine is the National Arts Centre’s performing arts publication, distributed to patrons attending presentations at the NAC in the disciplines of music, theatre and dance. It is published four times a year: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. It has an average annual distribution of 300,000 copies.

For further information regarding the call for submission, contest guidelines and submission requirements, please visit www.nac-cna.ca/preludecontest. This contest is open to all Canadian residents. The contest is not open to staff or immediate families of the National Arts Centre, the NAC Foundation, St. Joseph Communications, Dollco Printing or anyone associated with the production of Prelude.

Deadline for submissions is June 30, 2009 at 5 p.m. EST.

NACO, June 10-11: NACO's first performance of Scheherazade; Kirill Gerstein plays Ravel's Concerto in G

Music Director Pinchas Zukerman leads the National Arts Centre Orchestra in its first-ever performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s glittering Scheherazade on Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall. These Mark Motor Audi Signature Series concerts also feature the NAC Orchestra debut of Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein presenting the sophisticated jazz stylings of Ravel’s sultry Concerto in G. The expanded orchestra for this concert, which opens with Copland’s majestic Fanfare for the Common Man, is made possible in part through the Friends of the NAC Orchestra Kilpatrick Fund.

There will be Musically Speaking Pre-concert Chats both nights at 7 p.m. in English titled “Classical and Jazz: Not Such Strange Bedfellows” featuring composer, arranger, musician and CBC Radio personality Andrew Craig, and hosted by CBC Radio’s Alan Neal.

Both nights, there will also be an intimate post-concert Jazz Café in the NAC’s Fourth Stage hosted by Alan Neal and Andrew Craig and featuring Ottawa’s star bassist John Geggie with his guests, pianist Edward Simon and Montreal drummer Jim Doxas. Their performance will consist of many original compositions as well as repertoire reflecting their interest in classical composers and the improvised jazz idiom. Tickets for the Jazz Café are sold separately from the NAC Orchestra concert and cost $15.

Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade will offer the NAC Orchestra concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki a chance to shine. In the composer’s musical setting of the Arabian Nights, it is the solo violin that personifies Scheherazade, the entrancing storyteller who postpones her death a thousand and one nights by bewitching the vengeful wife-killing Sultan with her exotic tales.

Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein is quickly proving to be one of today’s most promising and intriguing young artists. Born in 1979 in Voronezh, Russia, he went to the US at the age of 14 to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston later studying with Solomon Mikowsky at the Manhattan School of Music and Dmitri Bashkirov in Madrid. Gerstein received the First Prize at the 2001 Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition in Tel Aviv and was a recipient of a 2002 Gilmore Young Artist Award. He was also selected as Carnegie Hall’s “Rising Star” for the 2005-06 season.

Kirill Gerstein says: “I both love and admire the G-major Ravel piano concerto. It seamlessly combines influences from the world of Jazz, Spanish music, Mozart and the Baroque, all the while sounding unmistakably Ravel. The composer himself said that he wanted this concerto to be “entertaining” – and it is, in the best sense of the word. Within a compact form, there is a multitude of moods, serious emotion in the beautiful second movement, virtuosic solos for various instruments and sections of the orchestra as well as brilliant piano writing. I am very much looking forward to playing the piece with the NAC Orchestra and Maestro Zukerman.”

Tickets for these National Arts Centre Orchestra concerts led by Pinchas Zukerman with pianist Kirill Gerstein on Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 and $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at http://www.nac-cna.ca/.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

NACO, June 4-6: Dee Daniels is featured in the NAC Orchestra's Big Band Salute

Jeff Tyzik leads the amazing Dee Daniels and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in a sophisticated Big Band Salute from Thursday, June 4 to Saturday, June 6 at 8 p.m. in Southam Hall to bring the CTV Pops season to a spectacular conclusion. The concert takes a fresh look at great jazz standards of the 30s and 40s by the legendary Duke Ellington, Joplin, Gershwin and more. And you’ll love the silky jazz stylings of Dee Daniels whose four-octave range never fails to amaze and delight.

Dee Daniels will perform favourites such as Ellington’s “How Long Has This Been Going On”, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”, “I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good” and “Every Day I Have The Blues”; “Motherless Child”, and Arlen’s “Stormy Weather”, some of which have been arranged by conductor Jeff Tyzik. Maestro Tyzik will also lead the NAC Orchestra in a suite from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Ellington’s “Take the A Train” and “Satin Doll”, Joplin’s “The Entertainer” and “Sunflower Slow Drag”, and Morton’s “King Porter Stomp”. Drummer Dave Mancini will show off his percussion chops in a drum solo medley arranged by Tyzik.

Jeff Tyzik has earned a reputation as one of America’s foremost pops conductors. A consummate musician, Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences. He is in his fifteenth season as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and this season began a new role as Principal Pops Conductor of the Oregon Symphony while continuing to serve as Principal Pops Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Tyzik is also highly sought after as a guest conductor across North America, with recent guest appearances including the Boston Pops and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. He made his NAC Orchestra debut in May 2007 leading Sultry Nights with Eartha Kitt.

Dee Daniels is a crowd pleaser and a musician’s musician. Whether accompanying herself at the piano, fronting a trio, big band or symphony, she is a unique talent who transcends musical borders. Her style was born in her stepfather’s church choir in Oakland, California, honed through the R&B era and brought to full fruition during a five-year stay in Europe from 1982 to 1987. Dee Daniels’ international career includes performances in eleven African countries, Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong and Japan, as well as in North America and Europe. She has been inducted into the British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame, and has received the prestigious Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On June 9, she will receive an Honorary Doctorate from Capilano University in North Vancouver where she is a respected vocal clinician and mentor and where she created the Dee Daniels Jazz Vocal Scholarship. Her JAZZINIT CD was in the Top Ten CDs of 2007 on several Canadian and American polls.

Tickets for the NAC Orchestra’s “Big Band Salute” from June 4 to 6 in Southam Hall are on sale now at $29, $39, $49, $59, $69 and $86 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at http://www.nac-cna.ca/.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

NAC announces Summer Music at the National Arts Centre

Summer Music at the NAC includes

Orchestras in the Park, visiting orchestras and repertoire readings, and everything is FREE!

The National Arts Centre today announced details of Summer Music at the NAC, a line-up that includes four Orchestras in the Park concerts outdoors in LeBreton Flats Park presented in collaboration with the National Capital Commission; concerts by the l’Orchestre de la francophonie canadienne led by Pinchas Zukerman and Jean-Philippe Tremblay, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada led by Alain Trudel; Canada Day concerts and activities; plus a series of three “Repertoire Readings” of new music by Canadian composers. All concerts are free, though some require tickets that can be picked up in person at the NAC Box Office.

Summer at the NAC also features the unveiling of the new Le Café menu by Chef Michael Blackie.

From July 23 to 26 at 7:30 pm, the National Arts Centre Orchestra will present its third season of Orchestras in the Park in collaboration with the National Capital Commission in the special outdoor performance space developed at LeBreton Flats Park in front of the Canadian War Museum. Each of the four concerts will be preceded by a KidsZone of activities for youngsters.

Orchestras in the Park begins on Thursday, July 23 with the NAC Orchestra performing “Classics and Kuertis” featuring renowned Ottawa favourite Anton Kuerti at the piano with his son Julian Kuerti (associate conductor of the Boston Symphony, and an alumnus of the NAC Conductors Program) on the podium. This concert also features trumpet player Amy Horvey, this year’s recipient of the Richard Li Young Artist Chair, performing the Hummel Trumpet Concerto.

In “Opera Under the Stars” on Friday, July 24, conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni leads the NAC Orchestra, soprano Erin Wall, baritone James Westman, and tenor Antonio Figueroa – three sensational Canadian singers – in favourite arias from The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and more, joined by the Opera Lyra Ottawa Chorus directed by Laurence Ewashko.

On Saturday, July 25, the electrifying Natalie MacMaster, Cape Breton’s fiddling, step-dancing and vocal sensation, guarantees to have the audience on its feet cheering her and the NAC Orchestra in a night of Celtic delights with Jean-Marie Zeitouni once again on the podium.

Orchestras in the Park concludes on Sunday, July 26, when the Orchestre de la francophonie canadienne takes over the outdoor stage in “Beethoven’s Fifths” led by Music Director Jean-Philippe Tremblay and featuring pianist Hong Xu , the 2006 Laureate of the Honens International Piano Competition. Beethoven’s “Emperor” Piano Concerto No. 5 is followed by Beethoven’s mighty Fifth Symphony!

Orchestras in the Park concerts are free with no tickets required.

To kick off the month of July, visit the National Arts Centre for Canada Day festivities taking place all day long on Wednesday, July 1, including a massed choral performance by Unisong at 10 a.m. in Southam Hall and one concert by the NAC Orchestra led by Pinchas Zukerman at 2:30 p.m. featuring both the Unisong Choir and musicians of the NAC Young Artists Program, part of the Summer Music Institute .

The Orchestre de la francophonie canadienne will also pay a visit to Southam Hall on Thursday, July 2 with two more Beethoven symphonies and a piano concerto to coincide with the Orchestra’s summer recording project of all nine Beethoven symphonies. Jean-Philippe Tremblay will open the program with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1. Then Pinchas Zukerman, Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra will lead 14-year-old Calgary piano prodigy Jan Lisiecki in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and close the program with Beethoven’s Second Symphony.

On Tuesday, July 28, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada led by Alain Trudel makes its annual visit to the Capital. The program consists of Rob Teehan’s Dreams of Flying, a new work commissioned by the NYOC, Haydn’s Symphony No. 96 and Mahler’s Symphony No. 6.

Tickets for both the Orchestre de la francophonie canadienne and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada are free and can be picked up in person at the NAC Box Office.

And on July 7, 8 and 9, the National Arts Centre Orchestra will offer its services to four composers for “Repertoire Readings” of original works. These sessions, conducted by the NAC Composers Program Lead Composer Gary Kulesha, will take place in the NAC Rehearsal Hall and are open to the public, no tickets required, as long as space is available.

There are also numerous public concerts presented as part of the eleventh annual NAC Summer Music Institute during the month of June. These have been announced separately.

http://www.nac-cna.ca

NAC to mark its 40th birthday on June 2

Canada's National Arts Centre (NAC) will mark 40 years of unlimited possibilities on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at 8 p.m., during a special, free celebration in the NAC's Southam Hall, featuring Pinchas Zukerman and the National Arts Centre Orchestra, artists from The National Ballet of Canada, world renowned baritone Russell Braun and many more.

The 40^th Anniversary Celebration will be co-hosted by Canadian ballet icon Veronica Tennant – who was among the first dancers to perform on the Southam Hall stage (then known as the Opera) – and playwright Michel Marc Bouchard, a longtime NAC collaborator and creator of Lilies (Les Feluettes), considered one of the major works of Canadian Theatre.

Tickets for the evening are free and have been distributed on a first-come-first-served basis to NAC subscribers as well as to the public at large through a special lottery, which was widely advertised in the media over the last few weeks. Dignitaries from the world of politics, the arts and business will also be in attendance.

For this special celebration, the audience will be transported back to the National Arts Centre's opening week in June 1969 when William Shakespeare's ballet adaptation of Romeo and Juliet – with music by Sergei Prokofiev and choreography by the legendary John Cranko – was performed for the very first time at the NAC by The National Ballet of Canada.

In fact, Romeo and Juliet, with its universally enduring themes of love and youth will be featured prominently throughout the June 2 celebration: Pinchas Zukerman will lead the NAC Orchestra in a rendition of Tchaikovsky's mesmerizing Overture to Romeo and Juliet; The National Ballet of Canada dancers Chan Hon Goh and Zdenek Konvalina will perform the famous balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet, one of the most beautiful pas de deux ever choreographed; and young Quebec actors Steve Gagnon and Alexandrine Warren will perform some of the most memorable scenes from the theatre adaptation of Roméo et Juliette, conceived by Christian Lapointe and translated by Normand Chaurette.

Over the past four decades, the National Arts Centre has prided itself on celebrating and developing the very best artistic talent Canada has to offer. Therefore it is fitting that the
June 2 celebration will feature a work choreographed and performed by Matjash Mrozewski, one of the most exciting and original voices in the dance world today. It is also fitting that the orchestration for this work, called Bringing the Tiger Down from the Mountain II, was previously commissioned by the NAC from B.C. composer Alexina Louie. For this performance, Maestro Zukerman will lead the NAC Orchestra, featuring soloist Amanda Forsyth on the cello.

Other highlights of the 40^th Anniversary Celebration include brilliant baritone Russell Braun, one of Canada's best operatic voices, who will perform Richard Wagner's O du mein holder Abendstern with the NAC Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Zukerman. There will also be a performance of Elgar's Salut d'amour, Opus 12, by the NAC Orchestra featuring Maestro Zukerman on violin, as well as a performance of a special monologue and of Bertold Brecht and Kurt Weill's The Bilbao Song by Gemini Award-winner Diane D'Aquila under the direction of NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton..

NACO 2009 Bursary Competition winners announced.

The National Arts Centre (NAC) has announced the winners of the 2009 NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition following the finals held on Tuesday, May 19 in the NAC Salon. Eight finalists had been chosen from the 32 contestants heard in preliminary auditions held on May 16 and 17. The grand prize-winner of the 2009 NACO Bursary ($7,000) is Daniel Parker, cello (age 16).

This year’s winner of the Harold Crabtree Foundation Award of $5,000 is Antoine Malette-Chénier, harp (age 17). The Friends of the NAC Orchestra Award ($3,000) went to Lara Deutsch, flute (age 18), while Christopher Graham, trombone (age 22) won the NAC Vic Pomer Award ($2,000). The Piccolo Prix ($1,000) went to Denise Sun, bassoon (age 23). The NACO Special Prize for the best performance of prescribed orchestral excerpts went to Christopher Graham, trombone (age 22).

Honourable mentions of $150 went to Yolanda Bruno, violin (age 19), Emilie Grimes, viola (age 19) and Tamsin Johnston, English horn (age 24).

The Bursary Committee and Jury were chaired by Vernon G. Turner, Canada’s former Ambassador to the USSR and to Israel, and an active volunteer at the National Arts Centre.

The 2009 Bursary Committee consisted of NAC Orchestra concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki, violin Jessica Linnebach (upper strings), bassist Murielle Bruneau (lower strings), flutist Emily Smethurst (winds), French horn Jill Kirwan (brass and percussion), and Ross Francis, (Friends of NACO representative). The Committee included Kelly Abercrombie as the NAC Music representative. The Jury included Turner and Francis (non-voting members), and also included special guests Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer (music critic) and Rosalind Sartori (former NACO cellist), and special advisors Lucile Brais and Kenneth Simpson (non-voting members). Violinist Sally Benson replaced Jessica Linnebach who withdrew for conflict of interest.

The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) Bursary Competition was first held in 1981. The NACO Bursary was created by the musicians of the NAC Orchestra as a gesture of appreciation to the audiences who had been so supportive to the Orchestra during its first decade. It is meant to provide recognition and financial support to help further the development of young Canadian orchestral musicians who have connections to the National Capital Region (NCR). In subsequent years thanks to the generosity of additional organizations and individuals, other prizes have been added for a total in 2009 of $18,750. These prizes, in addition to the NACO Bursary, are the Harold Crabtree Foundation Award, created in 2003 by this Foundation which strongly believes in the importance of helping young people; the Friends of the NAC Orchestra Award created in 1993 to celebrate the Orchestra’s 25th anniversary season; the NAC Vic Pomer Award commemorating one of the founding violinists of NACO and a dedicated teacher who died in 2001 at age 70; the Piccolo Prix provided “to encourage and support our young artists” by NAC volunteer and Donors Circle member Cav. Pasqualina Pat Adamo, and the NACO Special Prize for the best performance of prescribed orchestral excerpts.

All prizes are intended for music students aged 16 to 24 whose principal or family residence is in the National Capital Region, or who have been following a recognized course of music study in the NCR in the previous year in preparation for careers as professional orchestral musicians. Each year, a jury identifies deserving recipients through audition and selection.

TD Canada Trust Family Adventures "Dance with the NAC Orchestra

Veronica Tennant and conductor Boris Brott co-host “Dance with the NAC Orchestra!” the final TD Canada Trust Family Adventures concert on May 23

Ottawa (Canada) – Family audiences will be swept off their feet by a fantastic exploration of dance music in all its glory when former prima ballerina Veronica Tennant co-hosts “Dance with the National Arts Centre Orchestra” led by Principal Youth and Family Conductor Boris Brott in Southam Hall on Saturday, May 23 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon. Waltzes, minuets, tap, step, salsa, tango – you’ll hear them all, while an array of dancers from The School of Dance move to the beat of our great NAC Orchestra. These bilingual TD Canada Trust Family Adventures are perfect for kids 5 and up and their grown-up friends.

The concert ticket includes “TuneTown”, pre-concert activities in the NAC Foyer organized by Friends of the NAC Orchestra 45 minutes prior to each concert, beginning at 12:45 p.m. for the first concert and 2:45 p.m. for the second concert.

Please note that Ottawa Race Weekend will lead to street closures around the downtown area. See below for the Parking Advisory.

“Dance with the NAC Orchestra” will include musical selections from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Nutcracker, Copland’s Rodeo, Johann Strauss Jr.’s On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Bernstein’s West Side Story, Anderson’s Blue Tango, and Ginastera’s “Malambo” from Estancio.

The “TuneTown” activities for “Dance with the NAC Orchestra” include The School of Dance providing short contemporary dance performances on the Main Lobby stage as well as stations throughout the lobby to demonstrate the “seven movements of dance”; a brass instrumental “petting zoo” organized by the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy; an Ottawa Public Library book display on the theme of dance; an activity station by Music for Young Children; a craft station where children can make fans which can be used in dance; and a station where children can look at and try on different types of dance shoes.

All TD Canada Trust Family Adventures feature NACOtron presented in collaboration with Rogers Television. Five television cameras positioned on stage and in the hall capture live video images of the musicians while they are performing, and these images are projected onto a giant screen above the stage allowing the audience to watch the action in close-up.

The Ottawa Citizen is the media partner of the TD Canada Trust Family Adventures with the NAC Orchestra.

Tickets for “Dance with the NAC Orchestra” on Saturday, May 23 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., including TuneTown Pre-Concert Activities, are $12.00 for children and $20.00 for adults (including GST and Facility Fee where applicable) and are on sale now at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Visit the National Arts Centre’s web site at www.nac-cna.ca.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

Parking Advisory

Street closures around NAC during the Ottawa Race weekend:

From 9 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2009 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2009:
Queen Elizabeth Dr. northbound (between Somerset and Laurier Bridge) from 09:00 - Traffic exiting NAC parking garage can turn right onto Laurier Ave. West
Laurier Ave. off Ramp closed onto QED

On Saturday, May 23, 2009:
Laurier Ave. (Nicholas St. to Elgin St.) 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Elgin St. (Laurier Ave. to Catherine St.) 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. (cross traffic allowed pre-race)
Elgin St. (Laurier Ave. to Wellington St.) 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. (lane closures)
Rideau St. (Elgin St. to Sussex Dr.) 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. (lane closures)
Colonel By Dr. (Daly St. to Bronson Ave.) 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Queen Elizabeth Dr. (Preston St. to NAC) 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. closed from Somerset St. W. to NAC (all weekend)

Traffic exiting NAC parking garage will be redirected to Albert Street exit all-day Sat.
Drive through traffic from the Box Office will be allowed to go into the garage at Canal entrance and to exit at Albert Street.
Traffic will be permitted to cross Elgin St. at Slater and Albert except for a short period of time.
Note that parking at the World Exchange Plaza Garage on Metcalfe is free on weekends.

World premiere of R. Murray Schafer commission

NAC Orchestra performs world premiere of R. Murray Schafer commission plus Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto with Angela Hewitt on May 20-21

The National Arts Centre Orchestra will present the world premiere performances of the NAC-commissioned work titled Dream-E-Scape by iconic Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer on Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall. These Ovation Series concerts feature Ottawa’s own world-renowned pianist Angela Hewitt performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Conductor Patrick Summers is also leading Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5, “Reformation” and Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3

Piano soloist Angela Hewitt will give Musically Speaking Pre-Concert Chats about Beethoven’s Fourth Concerto both nights at 7 pm (in English) hosted by CBC Radio Music Executive Producer Jill LaForty.

R. Murray Schafer, one of Canada’s most gifted, most articulate, most provocative, most eclectic and most performed composers, turned 75 last summer. Dream-E-Scape was commissioned in honour of that milestone. The NAC Orchestra celebrated Schafer in a four-day new music festival and education symposium in March 2008 during which 10 of his works were performed. Many activities of the symposium are archived in the Great Composers section of the NAC’s Performing Arts Education website ArtsAlive.ca.

The composer writes that “Dream-E-Scape was written in a streak of twenty-six days, scarcely without looking back or trying to remember what had been written the day before. I wanted to try to capture the dream experience of incoherence in which everything is shifting and blurred together. Now we witness one image, now another – shocking, alluring, repellent, voluptuous, risible – totally without consistency or order.”

Angela Hewitt is a phenomenal artist who has established herself at the highest level over the last few years not least through her superb, award-winning recordings for Hyperion. She has a vast repertoire ranging from Couperin to the contemporary and her discography includes CDs of Beethoven, Granados, Rameau, Olivier Messiaen, Ravel, Chopin, and J.S. Bach.

Hewitt says that Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto is among her top four favourite piano concertos, that “lift our spirits to another realm. They simply have, in an inspired performance, an emotional power that is transcendental, and moments that give us goose-bumps. In Beethoven’s Fourth, that moment for me comes at the end of the first-movement cadenza when the orchestra creeps in under a trill in the piano. How does Beethoven do it? Why does something so simple make us feel that way? It is a moment of incredible tenderness. We simply melt – only then to recover our strength for the forceful close. Perhaps it is that remarkable combination of power and tenderness that makes this piece so special.”

Tickets for these National Arts Centre Orchestra concerts with pianist Angela Hewitt and conductor Patrick Summers on Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 and $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

Finals of the NACO Bursary Competition.

Young musicians compete for $18,750 in prizes at the Finals of the NACO Bursary Competition 2009 on May 19

Up to eight young musicians with connections to the National Capital Region will compete for prizes totaling $18,750 at the Finals of the 2009 NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition to be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. in the National Arts Centre Salon. These finalists will be selected from 36 applicants who auditioned before a jury of National Arts Centre Orchestra musicians and guests on May 16 and 17. The winners will be announced and presented with certificates and cheques at the May 19 Finals. Admission is FREE, but donations to the NAC Orchestra Bursary Trust Fund are greatly appreciated.

Each finalist will perform short orchestral excerpts followed by a movement from a concerto or sonata that features their instrument, sometimes accompanied by piano. Refreshments will be served while the jury deliberates before the announcement of the winners.

The NACO Bursary Competition is open to music students in or from the region aged 16 to 24 who are following a recognized course of music study in preparation for careers as professional orchestral musicians. This year’s Bursary Committee and Jury are chaired by Vernon G. Turner, Canada’s former Ambassador to the USSR and to Israel, and an active volunteer at the National Arts Centre.

The NACO Bursary was established in 1979 to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of the founding of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and to thank the people of the National Capital Region for their support during the Orchestra’s first decade.. The first competition took place in 1981. The NACO Bursary Trust Fund provides funding for the NACO Bursary of $7,000; the NACO Vic Pomer Award of $2,000; and the NACO Special Prize for Best Orchestral Excerpts worth $750. The NACO Bursary Committee also has available three additional prizes to be awarded at the Jury’s discretion: the Harold Crabtree Foundation Award of $5,000; the Friends of the National Arts Centre Orchestra Award of $3,000, created in 1993 to celebrate the Orchestra’s 25^th season; and the Piccolo Prix of $1,000 initiated in 2001 by Pasqualina (Pat) Adamo.

www.nac-cna.ca

www.artsalive.ca

Star Trek’s Mr. Sulu joins Jack Everly for a Sci-Fi Spectacular

Star Trek's Mr. Sulu (George Takei) joins Jack Everly and the NAC Orchestra for a Sci-Fi Spectacular from April 23 to 25

Ottawa, Canada - Jack Everly and the National Arts Centre Orchestra boldly go where no orchestra has gone before when they bring the "Sci-Fi Spectacular" to Southam Hall… the final frontier… from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. George Takei (pronounced Ta-KAY), best known as helmsman Mr. Sulu from the original Star Trek television series and six Star Trek feature films, beams in as narrator for this concert, joined by tenor Mike Eldred, soprano Kristin Plumley, and the Laurence Ewashko Singers.

NAC Orchestra Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly raises his "lightsabre" to lead music from sci-fi and fantasy movie soundtracks, much of it by supercomposer John Williams, including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone; Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Somewhere in Time; Superman; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Day the Earth Stood Still, the latter in a special new arrangement by Jack of the 1951 movie score. Jack is also responsible for an arrangement titled Lost in Syndication - a medley of science fiction television show theme songs including The X-Files, The Jetsons, My Favourite Martian, The Twilight Zone, Lost in Space, The Outer Limits and Stargate. A dazzling laser light show adds special effects to a concert that is truly out of this world!

Roaming the NAC Foyers will be such Sci-Fi characters as Darth Vader, Boba Fet, Star Trek, Storm troopers etc. and audience members also are encouraged to dress up and come as their favourite space personality.

George Takei, best known for his portrayal of "Mr. Sulu" in the acclaimed television and film series Star Trek, is currently a recurring guest star on NBC's hit ensemble drama series Heroes. His five-decade career includes more than 40 feature films and hundreds of television guest-starring roles. He received a star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame in 1986 and he placed his signature and handprint in the forecourt of the landmark Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood in 1991. His many credits include a 1987 Grammy nomination in the "Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording" category.

Mike Eldred is one of North America's most in-demand and beloved tenors, starring on Broadway in the recent "final cast" of Les Misérables in the role of Jean Valjean. He has performed with many symphony orchestras as well as award-winning artists including Jim Brickman, Michael Bolton, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder and Trisha Yearwood. Mr. Eldred has released five solo recordings.

Kristen Plumley has portrayed such opera heroines as Norina (Don Pasquale), Zerlina (Don

Giovanni), Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Adele (Die Fledermaus) Despina (Così fan tutte) and Yum-Yum (The Mikado). Plumley's orchestral appearances include Mozart's Coronation Mass and Haydn's Mass in Time of War with the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.

Jack Everly is now his fifth year as Principal Pops Conductor of the NAC Orchestra. His many memorable concerts include On the Air: Music of the Fabulous 40s, The Beat Goes On, A Cole Porter Celebration, Pops Goes Vegas, and his recent tribute to the 70s: Disco Days and Boogie Nights. Everly is also the Principal Pops Conductor with the Baltimore and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestras, as well as Music Director for the Symphonic Pops Consortium.

Tickets for the NAC Orchestra's "Sci-Fi Spectacular" from April 23 to 25 in Southam Hall are on sale now at $29, $39, $49, $59, $69 and $86 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

30ème Salon du livre de l'Outaouais

Une soixantaine d'auteurs et d'éditeurs de la francophonie canadienne présents au 30ème Salon du livre de l'Outaouais

Ottawa, 28 mars 2009 - Le Salon du livre de l'Outaouais sera véritablement investi par une soixantaine d'auteurs et d'éditeurs de la francophonie canadienne qui se retrouveront dans le stand 19 du Regroupement des éditeurs canadiens-français (RÉCF). Cette année encore, plusieurs éditeurs de l'Ontario, mais aussi de l'Acadie et de l'Ouest canadien, profitent du 30e anniversaire du Salon du livre de l'Outaouais pour lancer des nouveaux titres en présence de leurs auteurs et permettre la rencontre du public et des auteurs lors de séances de signatures. Les éditeurs du RÉCF seront aussi à l'honneur lors du dévoilement des finalistes de l'édition 2009 du Prix des lecteurs de Radio-Canada, le 28 mars prochain.

Les Éditions L'Interligne se distinguent par ses auteurs finalistes ou lauréats des Prix des lecteurs de Radio-Canada. Gilles Dubois, lauréat du Prix des lecteurs Radio-Canada 2008 pour son roman pour adulte Akuna-Aki, meneur de chiens, lancera un roman pour adolescents, Aurélie Waterspoon. Ce titre figure parmi les trois finalistes du Prix des lecteurs 15-18 ans Radio-Canada et Centre FORA 2009 tout récemment annoncés. Toujours aux éditions L'interligne, l'oeuvre de Marguerite Andersen, Le figuier sur le toit, figurera parmi les cinq finalistes du Prix des lecteurs 2009 de Radio-Canada. Quant à Françoise Lepage, auteure pour la jeunesse reconnue par de nombreux prix, elle fait paraître Les chercheurs d'étoiles.

Pas moins de deux des cinq titres des finalistes du Prix des lecteurs des Radio-Canada 2009 sont publiés aux Éditions du Vermillon, Avec le temps de Paul Genuits et Cap Nord de Hédi Bouraoui. Les nouveautés seront également nombreuses aux Éditions du Vermillon. Jean-Louis Grosmaire présente un nouveau roman, Tout le monde vous aime Monsieur Salim, tandis que Lysette Brochu, dévoile un recueil de nouvelles pour adolescents, Tête froide, ainsi qu'un album pour les enfants, Camille et la fête de l'Action de grâce. Les Éditions du Vermillon convient les lecteurs de Gatineau et d'Ottawa à la découverte de leur production du printemps lors d'un lancement collectif, le samedi 28 mars à 16 h 30, Salle La Lièvre, en présence d'une dizaine de ses auteurs.

Les Éditions David pour leur part, organisent un lancement le vendredi 17 mars à 18 h, sur la scène Jacques-Poirier. Le nouveau roman de Katia Canciani, 178 secondes et le nouveau recueil de nouvelles de Claude Forand, R.I.P. Histoires mourantes seront en vedette. L'eau de vie de Daniel Marchildon est le 4^ème titre des éditeurs du RÉCF finaliste au Prix des lecteurs Radio-Canada 2009.

Les Éditions Prise de parole seront représentées par le dramaturge franco-ontarien, Michel Ouellette, et sa pièce Iphigénie en trichromie, alors que Rolande Faucher, biographe de l'homme politique franco-ontarien Jean-Robert Gauthier sera aussi de la partie.

De plus, Paul Roux, bédéiste bien connu dans la région, fait paraître un quatrième livre, Petite Angélique (Bouton d'or Acadie). Du Côté de l'Ouest canadien, Nadine Mackenzie, de Calgary, qui écrit aussi bien pour les enfants et les adultes, lance un nouveau roman La rançon de l'espionnage (Éditions de la nouvelle plume). Plusieurs autres auteurs seront présents. (Voir la liste des auteurs en séance de dédicace.)

Les cinq titres finalistes au Prix des lecteurs Radio-Canada 2009, parmi lesquels quatre sont publiés par les éditeurs du RÉCF, seront dévoilés lors d'une émission spéciale, enregistrée le vendredi 27 mars à 19 h 30, sur la scène Yves-Thériault. C'est l'animateur Claude Naubert de Radio-Canada qui dévoilera les livres finalistes de la neuvième édition du Prix des lecteurs. L'émission sera diffusée d'un océan à l'autre à l'antenne de Radio-Canada le samedi 28 mars 2009, de 10 h à 11 h.

NAC Orchestra musicians and Bursary winner perform Bursary Benefit Concert

NAC Orchestra musicians and Bursary winner perform chamber music at the NACO Bursary Benefit Concert on April 5

Ottawa, Canada – Ensembles of musicians of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, including six principal musicians plus concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki, will join together with last year’s winner of the NACO Bursary Competition to perform an afternoon of chamber music favourites in the NAC Salon on Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. The Bursary Benefit Concert is organized by the musicians of the NACO Bursary Committee to raise funds towards prizes for future Competition winners, some of whom will go on to pursue careers in professional orchestras.

The Friends of the National Arts Centre Orchestra have offered to match funds raised on the day up to $2,000, so those attending this musical matinee will know that the price of their ticket will go twice as far towards supporting talented local musicians.

PROGRAM:

ROSSINI: Duo for cello and double bass in D major

Carole Sirois, cello

Joel Quarrington, double bass

BOZZA: Image for Solo Flute, Op. 38

Amelia Lyon*, flute

* 2008 NACO Bursary recipient

RAVEL: Mother Goose Suite

Joanna G’froerer, flute

Charles Hamann, oboe

Kimball Sykes, clarinet

Lawrence Vine, French horn

Christopher Millard, bassoon

DVORÁK: String Quintet in G major, Op.77

Yosuke Kawasaki, 1^st violin

Jessica Linnebach, 2^nd violin

Jethro Marks, viola

Carole Sirois, cello

Joel Quarrington, double bass

(subject to change)

The first NACO Bursary Competition was in 1981. The Bursary provides recognition and financial support to help further the development of young Canadian orchestral musicians who have connections to the National Capital Region. The first year, one prize of $1,000 was awarded. Thanks to the generosity of additional organizations and individuals, other prizes have been added for a total in 2009 of $18,750.

Don’t miss this fabulous concert and the special opportunity to contribute to the development of young musicians! Tickets for the Bursary Benefit Concert on April 5 are $15.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) and are on sale now at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca. Donations towards the NACO Bursary Competition will also be gratefully accepted at the door.

Opera Lyra Ottawa Presents Eugene Onegin by Pietr Ilych Tchaikovsky

Opera Lyra Ottawa Presents Eugene Onegin by Pietr Ilych Tchaikovsky

April 4 – 11, 2009 Southam Hall National Arts Centre

March 24 2009. Opera Lyra Ottawa (OLO) presents for the first time Tchaikovsky’s great romantic opera Eugene Onegin April 4, 6, 8 and 11, 2009 at the National Arts Centre. Exquisite singing, beautiful dancing and gorgeous music will transport audiences to 19th century St. Petersburg.

For this production, Opera Lyra Ottawa has brought together a stellar cast of Canadian and international singers led by baritone Russell Braun in the title role. With a voice that has been described as thrilling, glorious, powerful, elegant, soft-grained, and spine-tingling, Russell first sang the role of Onegin in San Francisco in 2004. Russian-born soprano Inna Dukach takes on the role of Tatiana, a beautiful and innocent young woman who falls passionately in love with Onegin. Acclaimed for her “appealing emotional vulnerability”…colourful shaping and shading” (Opera News), this is Inna Dukach’s first appearance with OLO. Richard Troxell brings an “intensity and sensitivity” to the role of Lenski who, through jealousy, is doomed to die by Onegin’s hand in a duel.

As Olga, “radiant and rich-voiced” Ottawa-based mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Turnbull is doomed to lose her lover Lenski in a flirtatious moment with Onegin. New Yorker Peter Volpe, who appears as Prince Gremin, was “especially impressive in both voice and stage presence” (Opera) in the same role in the recent Vancouver Opera presentation of Eugene Onegin. Highly appreciated for her dramatic stage presence, Polish mezzo-soprano Agnes Zwierko, makes her Canadian debut as Madame Larina bringing to the role a “dark and homogenous voice…and a well-established stage authority” (operaclick.com). Rounding out this superb cast are Emilia Boteva in the role of the maidservant Filippyevna, Hugues Saint-Gelais as Triquet, and Alexander Savtchenko as Zaretski.

Stage Director Joseph Bascetta, choreographer Jean Leger, and lighting designer Louise Guinand, using Neil Patel’s set design from the new Vancouver Opera, will recreate the luxury and elegance of 19^th century Russian high society on the stage of the NAC’s Southam Hall. Opera Lyra Ottawa’s Artistic Director and Conductor, Tyrone Paterson, will lead the National Arts Centre Orchestra and OLO’s Chorus.

Sung in Russian, with English and French Surtitles, performances of Eugene Onegin will begin at 8:00 pm. Pre-opera chats are presented free of charge to all patrons one-hour prior to each performance in the lobby. These offer an opportunity to learn more about the composer, context and historical significance of the opera.

The Story

Based on the epic Russian novel by Alexander Pushkin, Eugene Onegin is the story of a melancholic young aristocrat whose restlessness and yearning for meaning in his life leads to heartbreak and death.

Through his best friend Lenski, Onegin is introduced to the young and innocent Tatiana who is captivated by this aloof and serious young man. She professes her love for him in a letter but is rejected by Onegin who admits he was touched by her letter but adds that he would tire quickly of marriage – the most he can offer is a brother’s love. Crushed, Tatiana rushes away.

Some months later, Onegin and Lenski attend a party in honour of Tatiana’s name day given by Madame Larina at her country estate. Onegin dances with Tatiana but is clearly bored by his fellow guests and their provincial sensibilities. To get back at Lenski for dragging him to the party, Onegin dances with Tatiana’s sister Olga, who is betrothed to his friend. In a fit of jealousy, Lenski challenges Onegin to a duel. Although both men privately admit they would prefer to be laughing together than fighting a duel, pride does not allow them to back down; the duel is fought and Lenski is fatally shot.

Several years later, Onegin finds himself once again in St. Petersburg at a magnificent ball where he encounters Tatiana. She is no longer the girl he knew – she is now a confident, poised woman, married to Prince Gremin. This time it is Onegin who rights an impassioned letter, begging for Tatiana’s love. In a meeting at the Gremin’s town house, she finds the courage to reject him. As his pleas grow more ardent, Tatiana rushes from the room, leaving a distraught Onegin behind.

Background Notes:

In this era of email, Twitter, and text messaging, modern means of communication are seemingly endless—we are overloaded with digital ephemera—but in the nineteenth century the letter was the primary means of sharing news and gossip, and of cultivating friendships. So it is not surprising that letters play a pivotal role in our understanding of both the personal and public life of Tchaikovsky, especially in the writing of Eugene Onegin. It was in the late spring of 1877, during a social visit, that contralto Yelizaveta Lavrovskaya casually suggested to Tchaikovsky that he might write an opera based on Pushkin's beloved novel. This was a timely notion as he had been considering composing a vocal work on Tatiana’s letter scene for some time. He enlisted the assistance of his friend Konstantin Shilovsky to help him construct the libretto and together the two of them worked out a text that maintains a great deal of Pushkin’s original verses. Tchaikovsky exploited the episodic nature of the novel—indeed he titled his work a lyric drama rather than an opera—offering up juxtaposed vignettes of pivotal moments in these lives for our scrutiny. Though flying in the face of dramatic conventions, the resulting work espouses the contemporary penchant for realism in opera, the Russian equivalent of Verdi’s Traviata and Massenet’s Manon.

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 discounted price. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the NAC Box Office on the day of the performance from 2 to 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 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.

Opera Lyra Ottawa gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our sponsors who make the 2008-2009 season possible. We thank Bell, Season Sponsor, as well as our other Principal Sponsors: Bel-Air Lexus, Rio Tinto Alcan, Sun Life Financial, and Ottawa Citizen; Major Sponsors: Arosa Suites Hotel, Custom Printers, Kolegram and Handa Travel. Opera Lyra would also like to thank the following agencies for their support: the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Ottawa.

OCNA, le 28 mars : Le maestro Boris Brott dirige « Bravo Beethoven »

Le maestro Boris Brott dirige « Bravo Beethoven » – le prochain concert des Aventures familiales TD Canada Trust, le 28 mars

Ottawa (Canada) – Le grand Ludwig Van Beethoven est à l'honneur au cours du prochain concert de la série Aventures familiales TD Canada Trust avec l'Orchestre du Centre national des Arts sous la direction du premier chef des concerts jeunesse et famille Boris Brott, le samedi 28 mars à 13 h 30 et 15 h 30. Le concert « Bravo Beethoven » met en vedette le comédien d'Ottawa Peter Duschenes, du Théâtre Platypus, dans le rôle du compositeur, avec le violoniste Nikki Chooi, le percussionniste de l'OCNA Kenneth Simpson au synthétiseur et un rassemblement de chœurs de jeunes de la région et du secteur scolaire coordonné par Barbara Clark. Les Aventures familiales TD Canada Trust sont des concerts bilingues parfaitement adaptés aux enfants de cinq ans et plus accompagnés de leurs amis adultes.

Le billet inclut les activités « Dorémiville » présentées avant le concert dans le Foyer du CNA par les Amis de l'Orchestre du CNA, 45 minutes avant le début de chaque concert, soit à 12 h 45 pour le premier concert et 14 h 45 pour le second.

Retrouvez Ludwig van Beethoven (incarné par Peter Duschenes) tandis qu'il redécouvre sa propre musique grâce à une prothèse auditive du XXI^e siècle. Les jeunes spectateurs pourront partager la joie de Beethoven à l'écoute de chefs-d'œuvre musicaux tels que la Cinquième Symphonie, la Symphonie « Héroïque », « La Bataille de Vitoria » et la tempête de la Symphonie « Pastorale ». Nikki Chooi, violoniste originaire de Victoria, ancien élève des conservatoires de Victoria et du Collège Mount Royal, qui a également participé à l'Institut estival de musique du CNA, jouera un extrait du Concerto pour violon de Beethoven. À la fin du concert, les membres de l'auditoire seront invités à chanter avec le chœur d'enfants le magnifique « Hymne à la joie » de la Neuvième Symphonie!

Le Centre national des Arts Centre dédie ces concerts à la mémoire de Mario Duschenes, célèbre flûtiste, compositeur et chef d'orchestre (et père de Peter Duschenes) qui est mort un peu plus tôt cette année. Mario Duschenes a dirigé les tout premiers concerts de l'Orchestre du CNA destinés au public familial et a continué à exercer ce rôle de 1973 à 1988. Il a dirigé l'Orchestre du CNA pour la dernière fois en 2001 pour la présentation du spectacle musical Des rebuts et des rythmes, une commande du CNA qui a été reprise en janvier dernier sous son nouveau titre : Musique au clair de lune.

Les activités « Dorémiville » présentées à l'occasion du concert « Bravo Beethoven » comprennent une exposition de la Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa sur le thème de Beethoven; un coin d'activité animé par Musique pour Jeunes Enfants; une exposition touche-à-tout d'instruments à cordes présentée par l'Académie des orchestres des jeunes d'Ottawa; un coin de bricolage pour fabriquer des signets inspirés par Beethoven et une zone pour répéter l'Hymne à la joie de Beethoven en vue du concert. Le Chœur des jeunes de la région d'Ottawa, le Chœur d'enfants d'Ottawa, l'Ottawa Catholic School Board Choir, le chœur de jeunes filles Cantiamo d'Ottawa et l'École secondaire publique De La Salle disposeront de tables d'information.

Toutes les Aventures familiales TD Canada Trust bénéficient de l'OCNAtron présenté en collaboration avec la Télévision Rogers. Cinq caméras de télévision installées sur scène et dans la salle enregistrent en direct des images vidéo des musiciens pendant qu'ils jouent sur scène et les transmettent sur l'écran géant surplombant la scène, afin de permettre au public de suivre de près tout ce qui se passe.

L'Ottawa Citizen est le média partenaire des Aventures familiales TD Canada Trust avec l'Orchestre du CNA.

Les billets pour « Bravo Beethoven », spectacle présenté le samedi 28 mars à 13 h 30 et 15 h 30, incluant les activités « Dorémiville » avant le concert, sont en vente dès maintenant à 12 $ pour les enfants et 20 $ pour les adultes (TPS et frais d'établissement inclus dans les cas qui s'appliquent), à la Billetterie du CNA (du lundi au samedi de 10 h à 21 h) et par l'entremise du réseau Ticketmaster (frais de service en sus) au (613) 755-1111. Consultez le site Web du Centre national des Arts à l'adresse www.nac-cna.ca .

Formez un groupe de 10 personnes et plus et économisez de 15 % à 20 % sur le prix normal des billets pour l'Orchestre du CNA, la Danse et le Théâtre. Pour réserver, composez le 947-7000, poste 384, ou écrivez à grp@nac-cna.ca.

NACO, March 28: TD Canada Trust Family Adventures presents "Bravo Beethoven"

“Bravo Beethoven” led by Maestro Boris Brott – the next TD Canada Trust Family Adventures concert on March 28

Ottawa (Canada) – The great Ludwig Van Beethoven himself is celebrated in the next TD Canada Trust Family Adventures series concerts with the National Arts Centre Orchestra led by Principal Youth and Family Conductor Boris Brott on Saturday, March 28 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon. “Bravo Beethoven” features Ottawa performer Peter Duschenes of Platypus Theatre in the role of the composer, joined by violinist Nikki Chooi, NACO percussionist Kenneth Simpson on synthesizer, and a massed youth choir from community and school choirs coordinated by Barbara Clark. These bilingual TD Canada Trust Family Adventures are perfect for kids 5 and up and their grown-up friends.

The concert ticket includes “TuneTown”, pre-concert activities in the NAC Foyer organized by Friends of the NAC Orchestra 45 minutes prior to each concert, beginning at 12:45 p.m. for the first concert and 2:45 p.m. for the second concert.

Join Ludwig van Beethoven (played by Peter Duschenes) as he rediscovers the sounds of his music with the help of a 21^st century hearing device. Children can share Beethoven’s delight in listening to such musical masterpieces as the Fifth Symphony, the “Eroica” Symphony, “Wellington’s Victory”, and the Storm from the “Pastoral” Symphony. An excerpt from Beethoven’s Violin Concerto will feature Victoria-born violinist Nikki Chooi, a former student at the Victoria and Mount Royal College Conservatories and a participant in the NAC’s Summer Music Institute. For the grand finale, audience members are invited to join with the children’s choir in singing the magnificent “Ode to Joy”, from the Ninth Symphony!

The National Arts Centre is dedicating these concerts to the memory of Mario Duschenes, the famed Canadian flutist, composer and conductor (and father of Peter Duschenes) who died earlier this year. Mario Duschenes led the NAC Orchestra’s first-ever family concerts and continued to do so from 1973 to 1988. He last conducted the NAC Orchestra in 2001 in the NAC-commissioned score for Rhythm in Your Rubbish, which was reprised this January under its new title Music Under a Midnight Moon.

The “TuneTown” activities for “Bravo Beethoven” include an Ottawa Public Library book display on the theme of Beethoven; an activity station by Music for Young Children; a string instrument petting zoo with the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy; a craft station to make Beethoven bookmarks, and an area to sing along and rehearse Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” in preparation for participating in the concert. There will also be information displays from the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, the Ottawa Children’s Choir, the Ottawa Catholic School Board Choir, the Cantiamo Girls Choir of Ottawa, and École secondaire publique De La Salle.

All TD Canada Trust Family Adventures feature NACOtron presented in collaboration with Rogers Television. Five television cameras positioned on stage and in the hall capture live video images of the musicians while they are performing, and these images are projected onto a giant screen above the stage allowing the audience to watch the action in close-up.

The Ottawa Citizen is the media partner of the TD Canada Trust Family Adventures with the NAC Orchestra.

Tickets for Bravo Beethoven on Saturday, March 28 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., including TuneTown Pre-Concert Activities, are $12.00 for children and $20.00 for adults (including GST and Facility Fee where applicable) and are on sale now at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Visit the National Arts Centre’s web site at www.nac-cna.ca.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

NACO, March 25-26: Yefim Bronfman plays Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3

Yefim Bronfman tackles the formidable Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 led by Pinchas Zukerman on March 25-26

Ottawa (Canada) – The knuckle-busting Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3, an incredible unleashing of notes from beginning to jaw-dropping end, demands virtuoso piano technique which soloist Yefim Bronfman has in spades! Bronfman will tackle the “Rach 3” (made infamous in the Oscar-winning movie Shine) in Mark Motors Audi Signature Series concerts with the National Arts Centre Orchestra led by Music Director Pinchas Zukerman on Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall.

The programme opens with Weber’s evocative Oberon Overture, followed by Le bourgeois gentilhomme Suite, Richard Strauss’s clever musical adaptation of Molière’s classic comedy.

There are two “Musically Speaking” activities connected to these concerts. There will be a Pre-Concert Chat in French both nights at 7 p.m. titled “Romantique égaré au vingtième siècle” – a discussion with music critic Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer led by NAC Artistic Attaché Paul Lefebvre.

Then after each concert, audience members are invited to stay for a Post-Concert Talkback with conductor Pinchas Zukerman and piano soloist Yefim Bronfman hosted by Paul Lefebvre.

Sergei Rachmaninov was 6’6” tall with a hand span of 12 inches, which perhaps help explain why the New York Herald wrote that the Third Piano Concerto’s “great length and extreme difficulties bar it from performances by any but pianists of exceptional technical powers.”

Yefim Bronfman is widely regarded as one of the most talented virtuoso pianists performing today. His commanding technique and exceptional lyrical gifts have won him consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences worldwide, whether for his solo recitals, his prestigious orchestral engagements or his rapidly growing catalogue of recordings. As an “On Location” Artist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the 2008-09 season, is performing orchestral and chamber music in LA as well as a tour of the Far East. Other highlights of this season include a duo recital tour with Emanuel Ax and a solo recital tour traversing the US and Europe. Bronfman debuted with the NAC Orchestra in 1988 and his most recent appearance was in June 2008 playing Mozart’s Piano concerto K. 482. He won a Grammy award in 1997 for his recording of the three Bartók Piano Concertos with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Tickets for these Mark Motors Audi Signature Series concerts with pianist Yefim Bronfman, conductor Pinchas Zukerman and the NAC Orchestra on Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 and $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

NACO, March 16: Pinchas Zukerman and Marc Neikrug in recital

Ottawa (Canada) – The Bombardier Great Performers Series of recitals will feature the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Music Director Pinchas Zukerman, one of the world’s great violinists and violists, together with his recital partner, the pianist and composer Marc Neikrug (pronounced NIKE-roog), on Monday, March 16 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall. This recital – the first for Zukerman and Neikrug in Ottawa since 2005 – features music by Schubert, Janácek, Dvorák and Suk. Pinchas Zukerman and Marc Neikrug have performed together all over the world since 1975. This season alone, their recital schedule has taken them to Vienna, Philadelphia, New York and Chicago.

Pinchas Zukerman, described by Itzhak Perlman as the “greatest violist that ever was” opens the program on that instrument performing the Sonata “per Arpeggione” in A minor. Then he switches to violin for Janacek’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, Dvorák’s Four Romantic Pieces and the final two of Suk’s Four Pieces for Violin and Piano.

The two musicians describe their musical selections as follows: “The program was chosen for its wonderful variety of sounds and emotions. The first half highlights the sound of the viola alone, focusing on the single greatest piece played on that instrument. It is a work which can and begs to be heard in isolation. The second half is entirely Czech music. The Janácek Sonata is a work of tremendous originality, depth, and drama. It has a great impact on audiences and deserves to be played much more than it is. The remaining pieces are charming miniatures of particularly national character. The nice relationship is that Suk was not only a pupil of Dvorák but also his son-in-law.”

Pinchas Zukerman was named Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1998, and he continues to guest conduct and perform with the world’s finest orchestras. His current season comprises well over 100 concert engagements and travel to 17 countries including France, India, Israel, China, Turkey, Peru, New Zealand, Austria, Russia and the United Arab Emerates. He performs orchestra, solo recital and chamber music repertoire in 34 cities. He appears with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, of which he became Principal Guest Conductor in January 2009, in Moscow, Italy and Spain; the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on tour in the US; the Israel Philharmonic in New York’s Carnegie Hall, Bombay and Israel; the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Philharmonique de Radio France and Gulbenkian Orchestra.

Marc Neikrug has performed worldwide as a pianist, for over thirty years appearing regularly at major festivals and concert halls. He is also an internationally renowned composer whose chamber music, symphonic music, music-theater and opera have been performed by major orchestras all over the world and by artists including Zubin Mehta, Loren Maazel, Christoph Eschenbach, Christoph von Dohnanyi, Alan Gilbert, David Zinman, Leonard Slatkin, Lawrence Foster, Oliver Knussen, James Galway, and the Emerson, Vermeer, Tokyo and Orion Quartets.

His music-theater work Through Roses has since its premiere in 1980, had hundreds of performances in fifteen countries and has been translated into 11 languages. Last July it was performed by members of the NAC Orchestra at the Canadian War Museum.

Tickets for this Bombardier Great Performers recital featuring Pinchas Zukerman and Marc Neikrug on March 16 are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $45.00, $49.00, $59.00 and $69.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

2009 NAC Gala: a Magical Evening with Yo-Yo Ma and Pinchas Zukerman on Oct. 3

The 2009 NAC Gala offers a Magical Evening with Yo-Yo Ma and the NAC Orchestra led by Pinchas Zukerman on Oct. 3

Ottawa, Canada – “Yo-Yo Ma is the greatest cellist today. Everything he touches he turns to gold...gorgeous, almost voluptuous playing.” Boston Herald

The National Arts Centre is delighted to announce that superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma, “the most popular artist in classical music today,” will return as special guest for the 2009 NAC Gala on Saturday, October 3. Music Director Pinchas Zukerman will lead the National Arts Centre Orchestra for this “Magical Evening with Yo-Yo Ma”, presented by TELUS. The fundraising evening benefits the National Youth and Education Trust which provides funds for the NAC’s wide array of performing arts programming for young artists, young audiences and schools.

Yo-Yo Ma has been a cultural beacon for decades. Young and old flock to his sold-out concerts, coming away moved, thrilled, and inspired. This astonishing artist has performed at the Oscars, the Grammys, the Olympics, and recently before a live audience of over a million at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. He returns to the NAC Orchestra to perform Dvorák’s beloved Cello Concerto with the NAC’s own luminary Pinchas Zukerman leading the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Additional programming will be announced at a later date.

There will be a pre-concert reception for all patrons at 5:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 6:30 p.m. Those who purchase Encore Seating will join Gala sponsors at a post-concert reception, followed by dinner on the Southam Hall stage.

Subscribers who sign up for the 2009-2010 National Arts Centre Orchestra season, which will be announced on March 3, will benefit from a priority purchasing period from April 1 to 15 before tickets go on sale to the general public on May 18.

The NAC is honoured once again to have TELUS, Founding Partner of the National Youth and Education Trust, as the Presenting Sponsor of the Gala – a commitment that reflects TELUS’s continuing support of this primary resource for supporting the artistic development of young Canadians through educational materials, professional training, mentoring programs and young audience performances. The Trust is also supported by Michael Potter and Véronique Dhieux, supporters and patrons of the National Arts Centre Gala, and members of the NAC Foundation’s Donors’ Circle.

The NAC is delighted to announce that Janet Yale, TELUS’ executive vice president, Corporate Affairs, has agreed to chair the Gala Committee for the fourth year.

Yo-Yo Ma was born in 1955 to Chinese parents living in Paris. He began to study the cello with his father at age four and soon came with his family to New York, where he spent most of his formative years. Later, his principal teacher was Leonard Rose at the Juilliard School. He sought out a traditional liberal arts education to expand upon his conservatory training, graduating from Harvard University in 1976. He has received numerous awards, including 15 Grammy® Awards from his discography of over 75 albums, the Avery Fisher Prize (1978), the Glenn Gould Prize (1999), the National Medal of the Arts (2001), and the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award (2008). Appointed a CultureConnect Ambassador by the United States Department of State in 2002, Yo-Yo Ma has met with, trained and mentored thousands of students worldwide. In 2006, Secretary General Kofi Annan named him a U.N. Messenger of Peace and in 2007 Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon extended his appointment.

Pinchas Zukerman has been Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra since 1998, and his genius and prodigious technique have been a marvel to critics and audiences for over four decades. He is equally respected as a violinist, violist, conductor, and chamber musician while his dedication to teaching has been a major catalyst for many of the education initiatives supported by the National Youth and Education Trust. Pinchas Zukerman's discography contains over 100 titles, and has earned him 21 Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards. He was named first-prize winner of the 1969 Leventritt Competition, and, in 1983, President Reagan awarded him a Medal of Arts for his leadership in the musical world. In October 2002, he became the first recipient of the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence at the National Arts Awards Gala in New York City.

Pinchas Zukerman and the National Arts Centre Orchestra donate their services for the NAC’s annual Gala.

Concert tickets for the NAC Gala on Saturday, October 3 are priced at $70, $125 and $150 and include the pre-concert reception with wine and canapés at 5:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 6:30 p.m. These go on sale on April 1 to members of the NAC Donors Circle and to subscribers to the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s 2009-2010 season which goes on sale on March 3. Orders can be made only with a valid order form which will be accepted online, by mail, by fax, or dropped off in person in the NAC Box Office from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. This priority period lasts until April 15. The Box Office opens to the general public on May 18.

LotusLand Project crosses musical style and space

Upcoming shows in Montreal and Almonte on February 27 and 28





MONTREAL, February 17th, 2009. Next week offers a cross-continent and cross-style musical experience brought to Montreal and Ottawa by four of Canada's most prolific jazz musicians. In the LotusLand Project, Newfoundland-born violinist Mark Fewer from Montréal and pianist John Novacek from Los Angeles join Vancouver-based jazz musicians Jodi Proznik on double-bass and Brad Turner on trumpet and drums. Their successful hybrid show features a mix of 20th century classical and jazz music, ranging from Fritz Kreisler to George Antheil, from Charlie Chaplin to Stuff Smith and Phil Dwyer.





The LotusLand Project started in 2005 with a live broadcast commissioned by the CBC. Since then, LotusLand has continued to expand, with new works being written by jazz musicians and classical composers across the continent.



Its director Mark Fewer is a versatile virtuoso with a talent for moving between styles. 2009 has already seen him perform with a brass band, a percussion ensemble, and a string orchestra; his current projects feature a baroque orchestra, a string quartet, a piano trio, and a jazz quartet.



John Novacek, pianist of LotusLand, is a sought-after collaborative artist and arranger who gained a Grammy nomination in 2004.



Bassist Judi Proznik was recently nominated Bassist of the Year at the 2008 National Jazz Awards.



Trumpet player Brad Turner has won several Juno and multiple jazz awards and is one of Canada's most prominent jazz musicians of our day.





Show dates:



Feb 27, 2009: 5 pm St. James United Church, Montréal, 463 rue Sainte-Catherine West (Metro McGill)



Feb 28, 2009: 8 pm Almonte Old Town Hall, 14 Bridge St, Almonte, Ontario

National Arts Centre appoints Michael Blackie as its new Executive Chef

National Arts Centre appoints Michael Blackie as its new Executive Chef

Ottawa (Canada) – The National Arts Centre (NAC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Blackie as its new Executive Chef.

Chef Blackie is the highly successful culinary mastermind behind Perspectives Restaurant at the Brookstreet resort in Kanata, Ontario. After only three months under his leadership, Perspectives was awarded the coveted CAA/AAA four-diamond rating, which it has since maintained, becoming one of the top restaurants in Canada.

Chef Blackie begins his new role at the NAC on March 9.

“Michael Blackie is a creative force in the culinary world,” said NAC President and CEO Peter Herrndorf. “We are so pleased he is bringing his enormous talents to help build on the foundation of culinary excellence of Le Café and the NAC’s Restaurants and Catering departments established by Kurt Waldele. I have no doubt that our patrons will be delighted with their dining experience. Michael will leave them dreaming about their next visit and another taste of his incredible creations.”

“I’m over the moon and absolutely thrilled to have this opportunity to be able to work with such an incredible artistic team on the world stage at the National Arts Centre,” said Chef Blackie. “This is just massive for me.”

Michael was born in Leicestershire, England and raised in Montreal. Following his apprenticeship, he worked as chef with Jamie Kennedy at the Founders Club, a private food establishment at Toronto’s SkyDome (now the Rogers Centre). Mr. Blackie also held positions as Sous Chef at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle; Executive Chef at the Pierre Marques in Mexico; Executive Sous Chef at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong, which was voted “Best Hotel in Hong Kong” by Asiamoney Magazine and won both the “Gold List Award” and “Best Hotel in Asia” awards by Condé Nast; and Executive Chef at the Oberoi in Bali, Indonesia—a five-star hotel that was given the highest overall score in the “Leading Hotels of the World” Quality Awards in 2002.

Michael visited Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macau in April 2008 as Guest Chef on the “Canadian Asian Cuisine Tour,” and was a Host Chef on the “Exposing Canadian Cuisine” tour to Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Zurich, sponsored by Ontario Tourism and Air Canada in February 2008. In January 2007 Michael won the Silver Medal in the Canadian Culinary Championship in Whistler, B.C.

NAC Culinary Director Kurt Waldele is thrilled to welcome Chef Blackie as part of his team. Chef Waldele has made and continues to make an enormous contribution to the NAC. Known for his sumptuous and creative meals for both Le Café and catering clients, for over three decades Waldele has orchestrated many prestigious events, such as exceptional dinners for over 700 guests on the Southam Hall stage, beautiful summer garden parties for the Prime Minister’s office, and a reception on Parliament Hill for 900 to celebrate the inauguration of Canada’s new Governor General.

Chef Blackie will participate in a cooking demonstration and tasting event as part of BC Scene on April 23 at 7 p.m. The event, called What’s Left in the Deep Blue Sea, will also feature Robert Clark, Executive Chef of Vancouver’s award-winning C Restaurant. Tickets are $60 and will be on sale starting February 24^th at the NAC Box Office, through Ticketmaster at 613.755.1111 or online at www.bcscene.ca. The demonstration will be followed by tasting plates and accompanied by B.C. wines.

NACO, Jan. 28-29: Pinchas Zukerman leads a Haydn Celebration

Pinchas Zukerman plays Haydn’s Violin Concerto and leads the Lord Nelson Mass to honour Haydn’s 200^th anniversary on January 28 and 29

Ottawa, Canada – Pinchas Zukerman leads the National Arts Centre Orchestra in a celebration of Haydn in commemoration of the 200^th anniversary of his death showcasing the composer’s amazing contributions to the concerto and vocal repertoire. These Ovation Series concerts on Wednesday, January 28 and Thursday, January 29 at 8 p.m. in NAC’s Southam Hall open with Pinchas Zukerman demonstrating his mastery of the classical form with Haydn’s festive Violin Concerto No. 1 in C major, full of fast runs, double stops, and big changes in volume and pitch. Then audiences will experience the mighty Lord Nelson Mass, a work filled with both triumph and anguish composed by Haydn to honour Admiral Horatio Nelson’s destruction of Napoleon’s fleet at The Battle of the Nile in 1798.

The mass will be performed by a spectacular array of soloists and the combined vocal forces of four Ottawa choirs. The soloists are Ottawa soprano Donna Brown (who also returns the following weekend for a Music for a Sunday Afternoon chamber music concert); Grammy Award-winning American mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor making her NAC Orchestra debut; American tenor Lawrence Wiliford, an alumnus of the COC’s Ensemble Studio, and Canadian bass Robert Pomakov, in his fifth appearance with the NAC Orchestra. Chorus master Duain Wolfe has prepared the combined choral forces of the Cantata Singers of Ottawa (Michael Zaugg, director), Seventeen Voyces (Kevin Reeves, director); Ewashko Singers (Laurence Ewashko, director) and the Ottawa Festival Chorus (Laurence Ewashko and Duain Wolfe, directors).

There are three Musically Speaking events connected with the NAC Orchestra’s Haydn Celebration, presented in collaboration with a Haydn Symposium “Transcendence, Reality and Universality in the Music of Joseph Haydn” taking place in Ottawa (Jan. 28-30).

There are Musically Speaking Pre-Concert Chats in French both nights at 7 p.m. titled
“Haydn : Les messes d’un franc-maçon” with music critic Jean Jacques Van Vlasselaer.

There are Musically Speaking Post-Concert Talkbacks both nights led by music critic Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer in discussion with Austrian Haydn scholars Peter Revers, Peter-Maria Krakauer and Hartmut Krones.

And on January 28 only there is a Pre-Concert Talk in English from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the Panorama Room titled “Haydn’s Nelson Mass and the Aesthetics of Salvation” with Haydn scholar James Webster from Cornell University. This talk is the Keynote Opening Lecture of the Haydn Symposium presented by Carleton University and the Kunstuniversität Graz in association with the “Mozarteum” in Salzburg, with the NAC, and with the Kunstforum, Embassy of Austria. The Opening Remarks for the Symposium are from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. also in the Panorama Room. The public is invited to come at either 6 p.m. for the Remarks or at 6:30 p.m. just for the Lecture.

Tickets for these Ovation Series concerts on January 28 and 29 are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 and $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

Celebrate 25 Years of Passion with Opera Lyra Ottawa

Celebrate 25 Years of Passion

with

Opera Lyra Ottawa

Ottawa, ON — Opera Lyra Ottawa’s spectacular 2009-2010 25^th anniversary season features world-renowned tenor Michael Schade, appearing on the OLO stage for the first time, in Massenet’s romantic tragedy Manon, Ottawa’s own sensational Shannon Mercer takes on the role of Pamina in the season opener The Magic Flute, and the brilliant Greer Grimsley will make his OLO debut as Macbeth. An additional highlight of the season is the outstanding OLO Chorus and the internationally celebrated National Arts Centre Orchestra in all three operas.

2009-2010
25^th Anniversary Season

The Magic Flute by Mozart

September 12, 14, 16 & 19, 2009 at the National Arts Centre in Southam Hall

Macbeth by Verdi

March 27, 29, 31 & April 3, 2010 at the National arts Centre in Southam Hall

An opera-in-concert

Manon by Massenet

May 26, 2010 at the National Arts Centre in Southam Hall

OLO Opera Studio Production

The Bremen Town Musicians, Dean Burry

December 12 & 13 2009 at the National Arts Centre in the Fourth Stage

The season opens on September 12 with one of Mozart’s most beloved operas, The Magic Flute. OLO is pleased to welcome Pinchas Zukerman to the roster as Guest Conductor for this production. The spectacular set and costumes from the San Francisco Opera were designed by celebrated visual artist David Hockney for La Scala.

In March 2010, OLO presents Verdi’s great opera Macbeth for the first time. This tale of passion, murder, revenge and madness stars Greer Grimsley in the title role, Brenda Harris as Lady Macbeth and Andrew Funk as Banquo.

Canadian superstar tenor Michael Schade comes to the Capital for one-night-only as Des Grieux, when OLO brings Manon, Massenet’s heart-breaking story of love, betrayal and death to the NAC. Presented on May 26, this concert production features an all-Canadian cast including Nathalie Paulin as Manon, Brett Polegato as Lescaut, and Theodore Baerg as De Bretigny, and is produced in collaboration with the National Arts Centre. Opera Lyra Ottawa wishes to thank the National Arts Centre for its generous assistance of our 25th Anniversary performance.

Continuing its annual tradition of presenting Opera for Young Audiences, OLO has commissioned celebrated Canadian composer Dean Burry to create The Bremen Town Musicians, with a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster in the starring roles! This sparkling opera features artists of the OLO Opera Studio.

The 2009-2010 season also includes special event favourites such as the Italian Garden Party in July, the mid-winter Black and White Opera Soiree, the spring DIVA Auction and numerous opera-inspired activities presented throughout the year by our OLO Opera Studio artists.

Subscription and Ticket Information

Subscriptions: Start at $79 for Opera Lyra Ottawa’s 2009-2010 season are available beginning May 1, 2009; existing subscribers can renew until April 17, 2009. For more information, call Opera Lyra Ottawa at (613) 233-9200 ext. 221.

Single tickets, starting at $40 go on sale July 1, 2009 for The Magic Flute and September 12 for Macbeth and Manon. Visit www.operalyra.ca or call (613) 233-9200 ext 221.

About Opera Lyra Ottawa

Opera Lyra Ottawa has been an integral part of the Ottawa’s music community for 25 years. During this time close to 500,000 opera lovers have enjoyed over 100 operas featuring 800 artists and a myriad of other thrilling musical activities. OLO’s Opera Studio is a nationally respected advanced training program for emerging opera singers, conductors, repetiteurs, directors and stage managers, blending professional instruction and practical experience. Central to OLO’s vision is the belief in creating and developing the audiences of tomorrow. Each year, the company offers a variety of activities to introduce children, youth and families to opera.

Bell has been a dedicated and committed Opera Lyra Ottawa sponsor for 19 years and we are delighted that they will be onboard again as our Season Sponsor for the 25^th Anniversary season.

Opera Lyra Ottawa gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our sponsors for the 2008-2009 season. We thank Bell, Season Sponsor, as well as our other Principal Sponsors: Bel-Air Lexus, Rio Tinto, Sun Life Financial, and Ottawa Citizen; Major Sponsors: Arosa Suites Hotel, Custom Printers, Kolegram, 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.

Opera Lyra would like to thank Michael Potter for his continued generous support of the Young People’s Opera Matinee program.

NACO presents exhibit of photo portraits by NAC Orchestra violinist Lev Berenshteyn

NAC presents exhibit of photo portraits by NAC Orchestra violinist Lev Berenshteyn in Southam Hall Foyer

Ottawa, Canada – The National Arts Centre is presenting an exhibit of portrait photographs of musicians and members of the music community taken by longtime NAC Orchestra violinist Lev Berenshteyn. The exhibit entitled “Conversations with Lev” can be found on display in the Foyer of Southam Hall at the NAC.

Berenshteyn became seriously involved in photography four years ago, and takes photos at the NAC, on tour with the Orchestra and on his summer vacations in picturesque parts of Canada. For over a year he has been collecting portraits of visiting artists, musicians of the orchestra, NAC staff, and members of the Ottawa music community. A selection of 19 of these make up the current exhibit “Conversations with Lev”.

“I am very fortunate to have met these entirely different people who all share the same passion: music! They love music in its different forms and fashions, and we discuss and argue about it all the time. With these portraits I hope to say something about them, their personalities, and their stories.”

Lev Berenshteyn was born and educated in Russia, starting violin lessons at the age of seven. He began his professional career there, playing in a number of different orchestras before emigrating with his wife in 1979. After a brief stay in Vienna and a year in Rome he came to Canada, joining the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in 1980. He became a member of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1984. He is also a long-time member of the NAC “Musicians in the Schools” String Quintet, with whom he has given hundreds of performances in schools including on tour across Canada and in Israel, the U.S., and Mexico.

An earlier photo exhibit entitled “Skyscapes and Flowers” was presented by the NAC in 2007. Berenshteyn has also had his photos on exhibit at Cube Gallery, and this month at Santé Gallery, both in Ottawa.

“Conversations with Lev” will be on display in the Southam Hall Foyer for the winter.

Oliver Jones to mentor Dione Taylor as part of the 2009 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Mentorship

Oliver Jones to mentor Dione Taylor as part of the

2009 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Mentorship Program

Ottawa (Canada) –The National Arts Centre (NAC) is delighted to announce that distinguished jazz legend Oliver Jones has chosen to mentor Dione Taylor, an extraordinarily talented young singer, through the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Mentorship Program.

The program allows Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards recipients, who have received their country’s highest honour in the arts, the chance to give back to the next generation of artists. Mr. Jones received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in Popular Music in 2005.

This year’s recipients of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards will be announced at a press conference at the Young Centre in Toronto on March 2^nd.

The Mentorship Program, a partnership between the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation and the NAC, is designed to benefit emerging to mid-career artists. While numerous mentorships exist to support emerging artists, talented professionals in early to mid-career often find themselves in need of an infusion of creative guidance and could benefit from a national showcase opportunity. The Mentorship Program serves as a creative catalyst and as an investment in future Canadian artistic achievement.

“I’m so happy to be able to work with Dione and offer what guidance I can to such a sparkling young talent,” said Mr. Jones. “I feel honoured to have the chance to work with her and to perhaps play some small part in the growth of her career.”

Ms. Taylor expressed her appreciation for being chosen as part of the Mentorship Program: “It is an honour to be recognized in this way and for this opportunity to work with Mr. Oliver Jones. Mr. Jones has contributed so much to the music industry and is part of such a wonderful tradition that I so deeply respect.”

In addition to receiving coaching and career advice from Mr. Jones, Ms. Taylor will also perform at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala on May 9, 2009, and receive an honorarium.

“The National Arts Centre is proud we can help provide these kinds of opportunities that allow Canadian artists to benefit from the gifts and experience of some of Canada’s artistic icons,” said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre.

The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards are a celebration of excellence that introduces Canadians to new artists, raises awareness of achievements in varied disciplines, and invites Canadians to applaud the performing artists whose passion moves, entertains and inspires. Bell has been the Founding Sponsor of the Awards since 1992.

BIOGRAPHIES

Oliver Jones

Jazz pianist Oliver Jones is one of Canada's most beloved and admired musicians and most distinguished cultural ambassadors. Over the past six decades he has achieved legendary status in the international jazz community, toured tirelessly in Canada and around the world, and devoted much of his time to encouraging young Canadian musicians as they begin their careers. In addition to his performances in concert, in clubs, at prestigious international festivals, and with major orchestras across Canada, he has released 22 recordings.

He was born in Montréal, Quebec, in 1934, and studied piano with Daisy Peterson, his friend Oscar's sister. He made his stage debut at age five and started playing in clubs when he was nine. Though his father urged him to go into accounting, the young Oliver always knew he wanted to be a musician.

After a musically eclectic early life in Montréal, Mr. Jones worked as a pop-music director in Puerto Rico but came home in 1980 determined to stick to jazz. He got a job at Biddles, a legendary downtown club, and his career took off.

Mr. Jones' outstanding musical talent is matched by his immense modesty and generosity toward his audiences and fellow musicians, particularly young artists.

Oliver Jones "retired" in 1999 but still makes numerous appearances yearly, including numerous charity benefits and jazz festivals across Canada.

Awards and honours include the Order of Canada, the Order of Quebec, several Félix and Juno Awards, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Excellence in Music, and four honorary doctorates.

Dione Taylor

Dione Taylor burst onto the music scene in 2004 with her dynamic performance style and soulful voice that is steeped in the traditions of gospel, blues and jazz. Her debut recording Open Your Eyes quickly earned her Juno, Canadian Urban Music and National Jazz Award nominations and the disc was named one of the Top Recordings of 2004 by Canada’s premiere jazz radio station, Jazz.FM91.

A pastor’s daughter from Saskatchewan, music has always been an integral part of Ms. Taylor’s life. Born and raised in a family she describes as “really connected to the gift of song,” she began playing the organ at age four, and at the tender age of 10, became musical director and organist at The Shiloh Assembly Church (Apostolic) in Regina. Taylor received two Voice Scholarships upon high school graduation. She decided upon the University of Regina, where she majored in Voice (Classical and Opera). A career turning point came when Ms. Taylor enrolled at the world-renowned jazz program at the Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology. Dione excelled academically and received the college’s Thomas Kehoe Memorial Award for Outstanding Vocal Performance, graduating with honors from the program in 2003. While completing those studies, she entered an international competition for jazz students. She was selected as of one of six jazz musicians from around the world for the “Jazz and the New Generation” program. Led by Dr. Billy Taylor, it was sponsored by The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and its winners performed at a prestigious concert on the Millennium Stage.

An assured and charming performer, Ms. Taylor has already sung for presidents and royalty. In June 2004, a mere two weeks after releasing her debut CD, she was invited to participate in a concert celebrating Black Music Month in the United States at the White House for the President and First Lady. Less than a year later she performed alongside other stars for Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh and Joni Mitchell at the Saskatchewan Centennial Gala of the Arts. Other notable appearances include the 2005 Nightlife Jazz Tour, the Women’s Blues Revue at Toronto’s famed Massey Hall and the 2005 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, where she performed with soul divas Patti LaBelle and Ann Peebles, as well as the legendary Neville Brothers. In November 2006 Ms. Taylor had the honor of performing “The Weight” for Robbie Robertson of The Band at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala in tribute and recognition of his Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award.

With her second album, I Love Being Here With You (Marquis/EMI Music Canada), Taylor emerged as a fully formed and exciting young artist. While unmistakably a jazz album, I Love Being Here With You reflects her love and background in gospel, rhythm & blues and soul. Her rich and smoky voice has a truly soulful quality, one attractively complemented by her keenly trained musical ear. Her eclecticism is apparent as Ms. Taylor cites soul queen Aretha Franklin, jazz chanteuse Sarah Vaughan, opera diva Leontyne Price and smooth-voiced jazzman Johnny Hartman as inspirations and influences. I Love Being Here With You was produced by Doug Riley (Ray Charles, David Clayton-Thomas, The Brecker Brothers) and Sandy Mamane, and features Jake Langley, Guido Basso, Pat LaBarbera, Terry Clarke and international piano virtuoso Benny Green.

In November 2008, I Love Being Here With You was released in Japan, and in December 2008 Ms. Taylor will be performing a sold out Christmas concert at the Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo. Most recently Ms. Taylor was nominated for a Gemini Award in 2008 for her rendition of Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom,” which she performed alongside Oliver Jones at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala.

NACO, Jan. 24-25: "Beyond the Score" of Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony

The NAC Orchestra goes “Beyond the Score®” of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 on January 14 and 15

Ottawa (Canada) – The National Arts Centre Orchestra will go Beyond the Score® of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in an intense and entertaining multi-media exploration of the composer and his music on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall. These Audi Signature Series concerts will be led by conductor Edward Gardner, Music Director of English National Opera since 2007and now making his NAC Orchestra debut. Beyond the Score® is narrated by Bill Richardson, host of CBC Radio Two’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera and Sunday Afternoon in Concert. The writings of Tchaikovsky and those around him will be performed by actor Greg Kramer, who was last seen at the NAC in Shakespeare’s Dog and will return later this season in Peter Hinton’s The Changeling.

There will be Musically Speaking Pre-Concert Chats in French both nights at 7 p.m. titled “Au delà de la Quatrième symphonie de Tchaïkovski” with NAC Artistic Attaché Paul Lefebvre.

Beyond the Score® is produced by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The CSO has presented a number of compositions in this popular concert format to great critical success and sold-out houses.

Written and created by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s creative director Gerard McBurney, Beyond the Score® is designed not only for classical music aficionados, but also for newcomers looking to delve deeper into the world of classical music. The first half of the evening offers an examination of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 illustrated with projected images to share the illuminating stories found “inside” the music – its context in history, how it fits into the composer’s output of works, and the details of Tchaikovsky’s life that influenced its creation. Live musical examples performed by the NAC Orchestra of both Tchaikovsky and those who influenced him are called upon to illustrate the structure of the composition. After the intermission, concertgoers will return to Southam Hall with newly discovered knowledge to hear a performance of the Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony played in its entirety.

Beyond the Score® will be presented in English with French surtitles. Martha Gilmer of the CSO is the Executive Producer. Gerard McBurney is the Creative Director. Caroline Moores is the Production Stage Manager. The NAC Orchestra production is directed by Janet Irwin.

There is plenty of heart-wrenching material to explore in Tchaikovsky’s life around 1877, the year in which he wrote this symphony. Hoping to “cure” his homosexuality or at least give the appearance of “normalcy”, he impetuously married an emotionally unstable former student who was infatuated with him; separated from her just ten days later; attempted suicide shortly thereafter; and concurrently with all this, entered into an extraordinary relationship with a wealthy patroness whom he never met but with whom he exchanged what is perhaps the most famous body of correspondence in the history of music. His Fourth Symphony is unavoidably bound up in the external events of that fateful year.

Tickets for Beyond the Score® on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 and $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

NACO, Jan. 9: Debut Series begins with pianist Alexander Seredenko

NAC Orchestra’s 2009 Debut Series of recitals and “Exploration of the Concerto” begins on Jan. 9 with pianist Alexander Seredenko

Ottawa, Canada – The National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Debut Series, which gives talented rising star musicians the opportunity to perform in recital at the NAC, will begin a new season on Friday, January 9 with pianist Alexander Seredenko. The series of one-hour recitals takes place at noon in the NAC Salon. On this opening concert, Alexander Seredenko will perform Prokofiev’s Sonata No 2 in D minor and Liszt’s Sonata in B minor.

Admission is $3, with proceeds going to fund the NACO Bursary.

Each Debut Series noon-hour recital is connected to a Musically Speaking “Exploration of the Concerto” pre-concert talk the evening of the same day. Prior to the National Arts Centre Orchestra concert at 8 p.m., the young instrumentalist and his mentor will discuss and demonstrate the concerto to be performed on that program. On January 9 at 7 p.m. in the Salon, pianist Alexander Seredenko and his teacher teacher James Anagnoson, the Dean of the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music, will explore elements of the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 to be performed with the NAC Orchestra by pianist Jonathan Biss. Admission to the Pre-Concert Talk hosted by Paul Lefebvre is free.

Alexander Seredenko became a scholarship student at the Young Artists Performers Academy at the Royal Conservatory of Music, where he completed his ARCT diploma at the age of fourteen. He is currently pursuing his studies at The Glenn Gould School in Toronto where he is a full scholarship student of James Anagnoson. Alexander has won top prizes in National and International Piano music competitions. In March 2008 he became the first Canadian ever to receive the First Prize at the Thirteenth Hamamatsu International Piano Academy Competition in Japan. Most recently he won the Tom Thomas Concerto Competition at The Glenn Gould School and as a result will perform the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto with Maestro Peter Oundjian and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra at the Toronto Centre for the Arts in February of 2009. Alexander made his CBC radio debut in 2001 after winning the Canada wide network competition Up and Coming.

The NAC Debut Series continues with the following recitals and Musically Speaking Pre-Concert “Explorations of the Concerto”:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Shanshan Yao, violin

Jean Desmarais, piano

Michel Dozois, host

Salon at 12 noon: Noonhour recital

Salon at 7 p.m.: Exploration of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with violin teacher William van der Sloot (Mount Royal College Conservatory).

FRIDAY, MAY 15

Yina Tong, cello

Jean Desmarais, piano

Paul Lefebvre, host

Salon at 12 noon: Noonhour recital

Salon at 7 p.m.: Exploration of Herbert’s Cello Concerto No. 2 with cello teacher John Kadz (Mount Royal College Conservatory).

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

Jonathan Estabrooks, baritone

Jean Desmarais, piano

Paul Lefebvre, host

Salon at 12 noon: Noonhour recital

Salon at 7 p.m.: Exploration of the Choral Masterpiece: Brahms Requiem with star soprano-teacher Benita Valente with soprano Maghan Stewart and baritone Jonathan Estabrooks.

NACO, Jan 8-9: Pinchas Zukerman leads Beethoven's Fifth on an all-Beethoven program with pianist Jonathan Biss

Pinchas Zukerman leads Beethoven’s Fifth on an all-Beethoven program on January 8 and 9 that also features American pianist Jonathan Biss in the Piano Concerto No. 3

Ottawa (Canada) – Four instantly recognizable notes (“ba-ba-ba-BAH”) start you on a magnificent journey called Beethoven’s Fifth. Music Director Pinchas Zukerman will lead the way through this most celebrated and superb of all symphonies on an all-Beethoven program to begin the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s New Year on Thursday, January 8 and Friday, January 9 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall. These Bostonian Bravo Series concerts open with the brilliant young American pianist Jonathan Biss performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

The NAC is offering two ways for audiences to prepare for the experience. Beethoven’s Third Concerto is part of the NAC Orchestra’s online “Explore the Symphony” series of podcasts by music critic Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer hosted in separate English and French versions by NAC Orchestra assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier. The podcast can be found online in the podcast section of the NAC website www.nac-cna.ca, or in the Jan. 8-9 event listing, or in the NAC Orchestra under “Explore the Symphony”.

This concert also offers the first of this year’s “Musically Speaking” pre-concert performance-demonstrations featuring an artist on the Debut Series together with a teacher. On Friday, January 9 (one night only) at 7 p.m., concertgoers are invited to explore Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 as described by teacher James Anagnoson, the Dean of the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and demonstrated by young pianist Alexander Serendenko. This entertaining and informative lecture-demonstration, hosted by Paul Lefebvre, is free. (Alexander Serendenko will also perform a one-hour Debut Series recital at 12 noon on January 9 in the NAC Foyer.)

American pianist Jonathan Biss first performed Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto in 1999. He says, “Once when my favourite moment came – the hushed entry of the timpani after the cadenza – it hit me so hard I stopped breathing. This is not the wisest course of action when playing a concerto, but I can honestly say it was involuntary.”

Twenty-eight-year-old American pianist Jonathan Biss has already proved himself an accomplished and exceptional musician with a flourishing international reputation through his orchestral, recital, and chamber music performances in North America and Europe and through his EMI Classics recordings. He made his debut with the NAC Orchestra in 2002, and his most recent appearance at the NAC was in September 2007, playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman. Since he made his New York Philharmonic debut in 2001, Jonathan Biss has appeared with the foremost orchestras of the United States and Europe. This season includes debuts with the Colorado Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets for these Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, January 8 and Friday, January 9 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 and $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

Déclaration de la FCCF à l'annonce du nouveau Cabinet Charest : La responsabilité envers la francophonie canadienne serait-elle remise en question?

Communiqué Déclaration de la FCCF à l'annonce du nouveau Cabinet Charest : La responsabilité envers la francophonie canadienne serait-elle remise en question? Ottawa, 18 décembre 2008 - La Présidente de la FCCF, Mme Raymonde Boulay-Leblanc a émis la déclaration suivante suite à la nomination de M. Jacques Dupuis à titre de Ministre responsable des Affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes du nouveau Cabinet Charest. « La FCCF adresse toutes ses félicitations au nouveau ministre mais avoue être très inquiète car ce portefeuille perd le titre de ministre responsable de la Francophonie canadienne. À l'heure actuelle, alors que les milieux artistiques et culturels québécois et franco-canadiens à travers le pays vivent une crise sans précédent, la solidarité au sein de notre francophonie canadienne est non seulement de mise mais se doit de rester prioritaire. Dans la législature précédente, le poste de Ministre des Affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes et ministre responsable de la Francophonie canadienne occupé par M. Pelletier a toujours joué un rôle essentiel voire crucial dans la recomposition d'une francophonie pancanadienne unie et solidaire. La FCCF se pose des questions : en ces temps de crise économique, existe-t-il toujours une véritable volonté politique vis-à-vis de la francophonie canadienne, et finalement que va-t-il advenir des énoncés de la Politique en matière de francophonie canadienne du gouvernement du Québec? » Dans ce contexte particulier, la FCCF veut rencontrer prochainement le Premier Ministre du Québec et le Ministre responsable des Affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes et entend obtenir des réponses claires. Pour Mme Boulay-LebLanc « Il est évident que la FCCF va continuer de collaborer avec le gouvernement du Québec. Nous partageons une vision commune de notre avenir francophone. Il faut consolider voire augmenter les échanges avec la communauté artistique et culturelle québécoise ; nos artistes, nos organismes, nos créations apportent une pluralité de voix à la francophonie internationale et lui donnent une image plus riche. Aujourd'hui, nous devons rester solidaires et travailler ensemble pour favoriser l'essor de notre espace culturel francophone qui reste unique tant au Canada que dans le monde !

Ottawa Chamber Music Society present Festive Brass: Capital BrassWorks

Celebrate the holidays with Capital BrassWorks and the Ottawa Chamber Music Society!

Ottawa (December 8, 2008) - The Ottawa Chamber Music Society presents Capital BrassWorks on Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 pm at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, 355 Cooper Street, in Ottawa.

Capital BrassWorks has been delighting audiences in the National Capital Region and reaching out all over the country through broadcasts and recordings for nearly ten years, and is the only large brass ensemble in Canada that performs a regular series of concerts every year. The Ottawa Chamber Music Society is delighted to present this group of leading brass musicians in a festive concert to celebrate the holiday season.

"Brass music is especially appropriate around Christmas. Several years ago CBW presented a Christmas concert that was broadcast by Radio Canada. We eagerly look forward to presenting an exciting program of Baroque and Christmas favourites, including some new arrangements, as part of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society's concert series." – Nicholas Atkinson, Capital BrassWorks

Capital BrassWorks includes some of the most respected musicians in Canada drawn from the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Their repertoire spans Renaissance to Contemporary pieces with works by some of the best brass arrangers from around the world. Many of the works performed by the ensemble are either written or arranged by CBW musicians, and the group has premiered several original works by Canadian composers. Their December 14^th program will feature works by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Warlock, and many Christmas favourites.

The group has just released a third CD, Gabriel's Sister, featuring a variety of solos performed by trumpet virtuoso Karen Donnelly.

Tickets have been specially priced for the holidays and range from $15 - $47. Tickets can be purchased through the OCMS box office in person, by calling 613-234-8008, or can be purchased at the door. Special holiday subscriptions are available through the OCMS box office with benefits including access to the best seats in the house and up to 60% savings. Families are encouraged to attend this wonderful holiday concert with the offer of a Family Pack (2 adults, 2 children) starting as low as $70. In the spirit of the season, families can consider introducing additional children to the wonders of classical music for only $5 each. Ticket and subscription information is available by calling the OCMS box office at 613-234-8008.

***

Célébrez les fêtes avec Capital BrassWorks et la Société de musique de chambre d'Ottawa!

Ottawa (8 décembre 2008) – La Société de musique de chambre d'Ottawa présente Capital BrassWorks le dimanche 14 décembre, à 15h 00, à l'église unie Dominion-Chalmers, 355, rue Cooper, à Ottawa.

Depuis bientôt dix ans, Capital BrassWorks a enchanté les auditoires de la région de la Capitale nationale et a rayonné partout au pays grâce à ses émissions et enregistrements. Il est le plus gros ensemble de cuivres du Canada, qui se produit régulièrement dans une série de concerts à chaque année. La Société de musique de chambre d'Ottawa est heureuse de présenter ce groupe de musiciens des cuivres lors d'un jovial concert pour célébrer la période des fêtes.

"La musique avec cuivres est spécialement indiquée au temps de Noël. Il y a quelques années, CBW a présenté un concert de Noël, qui fut diffusé par Radio Canada. Nous avons vivement hâte de présenter ce captivant programme d'airs baroques et de Noël dont on raffole, y compris quelques nouveaux arrangements, le tout faisant partie de la série de concerts de la Société de musique de chambre d'Ottawa." – Nicholas Atkinson, Capital BrassWorks

Capital BrassWorks comprend quelques-uns des musiciens les plus respectés au Canada, provenant de l'Orchestre du Centre national des arts et de l'Orchestre symphonique d'Ottawa. Leur répertoire s'étend de la Renaissance aux pièces contemporaines, avec des œuvres des meilleurs arrangeurs pour cuivres au monde. Plusieurs des œuvres interprétées par l'ensemble ont été soit écrites, soit arrangées, par les musiciens de CBW; et le groupe a joué en première plusieurs œuvres originales de compositeurs canadiens. Leur programme du 14 décembre mettra à l'affiche des œuvres de Bach, Tchaikovsky, Warlock, et plusieurs airs favoris de Noël.

Le groupe vient juste de publier un troisième CD, Gabriel's Sister, comprenant des solos interprétés par la trompettiste virtuose Karen Donnelly.

Les billets sont à des prix spéciaux pour les fêtes et vont de 15 $ à 47 $. On peut les acheter en personne à la billetterie de la SMCO, en composant le 613-234-8008 ou à l'entrée. Des souscriptions spéciales pour le temps des fêtes sont disponibles à la billetterie et donnent accès aux meilleurs sièges de la salle, en permettant des économies allant jusqu'à 60 %. On encourage les familles à assister à ce merveilleux concert du temps des fêtes en leur offrant un format familial (2 adultes, 2 enfants), à partir d'aussi peu que 70 $. Dans l'esprit des fêtes, les familles peuvent également initier un enfant supplémentaire aux merveilles de la musique classique pour seulement 5 $. On peut obtenir billets et renseignements en appelant la billetterie de la SMCO au 613-234-8008.

NACO, Dec. 15-16: Christmas with The King's Singers and the NAC Orchestra

Christmas with the NAC Orchestra and the King’s Singers on December 15 and 16

Ottawa (Canada) – The National Arts Centre Orchestra’s annual Christmas concert features the celebrated King’s Singers in a festive yuletide program on Monday, December 15 and Tuesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall. The King’s Singers have just this month added a 2009 Grammy nomination to their 40^th anniversary celebrations. Christmas with the NAC Orchestra and The King’s Singers is led by Rob Fisher making his NAC Orchestra conducting debut.

For four decades, The King’s Singers have been one of most sought-after vocal ensembles in the world making hundreds of international appearances each season including top venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Centre, and Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Their nearly seventy recordings have garnered critical acclaim and significant awards, including a Grammy in 2001. This Christmas they released the holiday disc Rejoice and Be Merry! with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which will be featured in a television special on PBS on December 24. Their recent Grammy nomination is for Simple Gifts in the Best Classical Crossover Album category.

Performing both with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and in their familiar a capella style, the King’s Singers – David Hurley and Robin Tyson, countertenors; Paul Phoenix, tenor; Philip Lawson and Christopher Gabbitas, baritones; and Stephen Connolly, bass –

will present in three sets such songs as Noel Nouvelet, O Holy Night, Away in a Manger, The Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, the Wassail Song, Wexford Carol and Ding Dong Merrily on High. Between the sets, Rob Fisher will lead the musicians in orchestral works such as Rimsky-Korsakov’s Polonaise from the Christmas Eve Suite and Dance of the Clowns from The Snow Maiden; Anderson’s Bugler’s Holiday with principal trumpet Karen Donnelly and guest trumpets Michael Fedyshyn, and John Ellis; and Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves.

In describing the program, conductor Rob Fisher says: “Songs of joy, songs of faith, songs of anticipation – the holidays have inspired great music through the ages. This music connects us to our deepest feelings about the holidays, our loved ones, and the generations preceding ours… Sentimental soul that I am, I look forward to this music every year. For this program, the King’s Singers are performing music that spans many traditions over several centuries. Their choice of holiday music is as timeless as its presentation. May the music connect us all.”

Tickets for Christmas with the NAC Orchestra and the King’s Singers on Monday, December 15 and Tuesday December 16 at 7 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $40.00, $52.00, $62.00, $68.00 and $79.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

Louis Lortie performs Chopin led by Thomas Søndergård making North American debut

Canadian pianist Louis Lortie performs Chopin with NAC Orchestra led by Thomas Søndergård in his North American debut on December 11 and 12

Ottawa (Canada) – Louis Lortie, “…one of perhaps half a dozen pianists who it is worth dropping everything to go and hear,” according to London’s Daily Telegraph, performs Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, December 11 and Friday, December 12 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall. The NAC Orchestra will be led by Danish rising star conductor Thomas Søndergård who is making his North American debut with these concerts. The program opens with Concerto for Orchestra, a fresh creation by Canadian composer Ana Sokolovic which she says was inspired by Beethoven and Rossini. The lyric intensity of Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5, written as part of the composer’s 50^th birthday celebrations, concludes the evening.

There will be Musically Speaking Pre-Concert Chats titled “Chopin ou le maître de la petite forme” offered in French both nights at 7 p.m. by music critic Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer.

“It was pure, elegantly informed passion that drove the performance. … an exquisite presentation. …Thanks to Lortie, [it] was a night to remember.” Daytona Beach News Journal

Canadian pianist Louis Lortie has been praised for the fresh perspective and individuality he brings to a deliberately broad spectrum of the keyboard canon. He is known for his interpretation of Chopin, Ravel and Beethoven and often performs major contemporary works. He has performed under the baton of conductors Kurt Masur, Seiji Ozawa, and Charles Dutoit, to name just a few. In May, 2008, Mr. Lortie concluded his multi-year project to play and conduct all 27 Mozart Piano Concertos. This season he presents Death in Venice for the first time at the Orford Festival, a special recital with film of the canals, the paintings and the reflections of Venice. Mr. Lortie has made over 30 recordings on the Chandos label, ranging from Mozart to Stravinsky. As his schedule permits, he teaches at Italy’s renowned piano institute at Imola.

Conductor Thomas Søndergård, born in 1969, was described as ‘a sensation’ when he made his debut with the Royal Danish Opera in 2005 and is widely regarded as one of the very best young Danish conductors. He has now conducted all the Danish orchestras and has premiered many new Scandinavian works. Notable recent debuts have included CBSO, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo, Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, all of which resulted in immediate re-invitations. Concert plans for the current season and beyond include debuts with the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal and the Northern Sinfonia, as well as return visits to the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken and many Scandinavian orchestras.

Tickets for these Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, December 11 and Friday, December 12 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 and $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

Dec 14: Christmas FanFair concer presented by NACO Players' Association

National Arts Centre Orchestra Players’ Association presents

Christmas FanFair concert

Sunday, December 14

Bake sale 10:30 a.m. Concert 12 noon.

The musicians of the National Arts Centre Orchestra present their ever-popular annual Christmas FanFair Concert and Carol Sing-Along in support of the Snowsuit Fund and the Food Bank in the main foyer of the National Arts Centre at 12 noon.

Come early at 10:30 for the famous annual bake sale of home-baked seasonal specialties by the Friends of the NAC Orchestra. Light lunch and refreshments available for purchase in the foyer.

Hosted by Max Keeping, this free one-hour concert will feature the musicians of the NAC Orchestra conducted by Winston Webber and the renowned Ottawa Regional Youth Choir under director Kevin Reeves. There will also be, as usual, a few surprises along the way.

Of course, the concert will include the famous FANFAIR CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. Santa Claus himself will be in attendance! Bring the whole family!

Begun in 1989, this the second decade for the Christmas FanFair benefit produced by the musicians of the National Arts Centre Orchestra to benefit the Snowsuit Fund and the Food Bank.

Free parking until 14:00 at the NAC! (FanFair audience only)

Ottawa Chamber Music Society - Constantinople cancelled

Ottawa (December 1, 2008) – The Ottawa Chamber Music Society, the National Arts Centre and the Gryphon Trio announced today that they are canceling their co-presentation of Constantinople originally scheduled for two performances, on Wednesday February 4 and Thursday February 5 at 7:30 PM in the National Arts Centre Theatre.

"We deeply regret having to make this decision but it is the prudent thing to do in these uncertain economic times. Constantinople is the result of a remarkable artistic journey that the Gryphon Trio was looking forward to sharing with Ottawa audiences, but it is a complex and expensive production to mount. By withdrawing Constantinople at this time, we make it easier for the Society to concentrate its resources on its primary activity, the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival," stated co-Artistic Director and Gryphon Trio member Roman Borys.

In place of Constantinople, the Gryphon Trio and special guest mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah will present a benefit concert for the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival featuring a spectacular all-Beethoven program. The concert will take place at Dominion-Chalmers United Church and will include a selection of Beethoven's charming Op. 108 Scottish Songs, the Trio in G major Op. 1, No. 2, and will conclude with the Trio in B flat Op. 97 Archduke, one of the greatest chamber works of all time.

"The National Arts Centre supports this difficult decision. It's a challenging time for the arts in our community. The Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival has become a pillar of the classical music scene and we want to do what we can to see the Festival flourish for years to come," said Christopher Deacon, Managing Director NACO.

All Constantinople ticket holders have been personally contacted and offered a refund.

Single tickets for the benefit concert can be purchased for the special sale price of $30- $47 and are available at the Ottawa Chamber Music Society box office only or by calling 613-234-8008. Special holiday subscriptions are available through the OCMS box office with benefits including access to the best seats in the house and up to 60% savings.

***

Ottawa (1^er décembre 2008) – La Société de musique de chambre d'Ottawa, le Centre national des arts et le Gryphon Trio annoncent aujourd'hui qu'ils annulent leur coproduction de Constantinople qui devait être présentée les mercredi 4 et jeudi 5 février 2009 à 19h30 au Théâtre du Centre national des arts.

« Nous regrettons profondément de devoir prendre cette décision, que la prudence nous dicte en ces temps incertains. Constantinople, aboutissement d'un cheminement artistique remarquable que le Gryphon Trio souhaitait partager avec l'auditoire Outaouais, est complexe et coûteux à produire. En retirant Constantinople à ce moment, il sera plus facile à la Société de dédier ses énergies à son activité de premier plan, le Festival international de musique de chambre d'Ottawa » a déclaré le co-directeur artistique et membre du Gryphon Trio, Roman Borys.

En lieu et place de Constantinople, le Gryphon Trio et leur invitée spéciale, la mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah, présenteront en concert bénéfice pour le Festival international de musique de chambre d'Ottawa un programme tout- Beethoven. Le concert aura lieu le jeudi 5 février à 19h30, à l'Église-Unie Dominion-Chalmers. On y entendra entre autres des extraits des charmants Chants d'Écosse (Op. 108), le Trio in sol majeur Op. 1, No. 2 et le Trio en si bémol Op. 97 (Archiduc), l'une des plus grandes œuvres de chambre de tous les temps.

« Le Centre national des arts soutient cette difficile décision. Les temps sont durs pour notre communauté artistique. Le Festival international de musique de chambre d'Ottawa est devenu un pilier de la scène musical classique et nous tenons à faire tout ce que nous pouvons afin qu'il florisse dans les années à venir », a déclaré le directeur administratif de l'OCNA, Christopher Deacon.

Tous les détenteurs de billet pour Constantinople ont été personnellement contactés et ont reçu une offre de remboursement.

Les billets pour le concert bénéfice sont en vente au coût de 30 $ à 47 $ et sont disponibles uniquement auprès de la billetterie de la Société de musique de chambre d'Ottawa ou en appelant le 613-234-8008. Des abonnements spéciaux du temps des Fêtes sont disponibles auprès de la billetterie de la SMCO. Les bénéfices incluent l'accès aux meilleures places et des rabais allant jusqu'à 60.

Ensemble contemporain de Montréal+

Ensemble contemporain de Montréal+ performs Generation 2008 on November 10 at Dominion-Chalmers United Church

Ottawa (Canada) – The National Arts Centre (NAC) and the Ottawa Chamber Music Society present Generation 2008, a performance by Montreal’s stellar Ensemble contemporain de Montréal+ celebrating some of Canada’s most talented and exciting young composers.

The performance takes place at 8 p.m. on Monday, November 10th , 2008, at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, 355 Cooper Street, Ottawa. Admission for this performance is on a “pay-what-you-can” basis.

This performance will showcase new works from composers Scott Good, Brian Harman and Fuhong Shi – all of whom have participated in the NAC Summer Music Institute Program – and by Michael Berger. The concert will also feature soloists Tim Brady on electric guitar and Scott Good on trombone. (See attached biographies).

PROGRAM:

Kaleidoscope, Fuhong Shi

Skeleton, Michael Berger

Gregarious Machines, Brian Harman (Soloist: Tim Brady, electric guitar)

Shock Therapy Variations, Scott Good (Soloists: Tim Brady, electric guitar; Scott Good, trombone)

BIOGRAPHIES

Composers

Michael Berger (b. 1980, British Columbia)

A graduate of the University of Victoria (2005) and the University of Alberta (2007), Michael is presently pursuing doctoral studies at Stanford University. In 2007 he was awarded a SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship for research in physical interaction design for electroacoustic performance practice. His music is often driven by extra-musical concepts, but always with careful consideration of sound as a physical medium and of energy in performance.

Scott Good (b. 1972, Ontario)

Scott completed his Doctor of Music degree at the University of Toronto in composition (2005) and is now appointed composer in residence at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Rooted in the classical tradition, Scott’s music draws infl uence from a wide variety of sources such as rock, jazz, and baroque as well as more abstract and esoteric musical concepts, such as serialism, extended techniques, and free improvisation.

Brian Harman (b. 1981, Quebec)

Now completing his doctorate at McGill, Brian holds degrees from McGill University and the University of Toronto. In 2007 he won a SOCAN prize for his piece sink. His music plays with the interaction between various musical layers, and is often inspired by non-classical music.

Fuhong Shi (b. 1976, Ontario)

Fuhong graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and from the University of Victoria. She is now pursuing her doctoral studies in composition at the University of Toronto. She was awarded the 2007 Karen Kieser Prize in Canadian Music. In her music, she explores colouristic effects, lyricism, as well as percussive sonorities.

Guest soloists

Tim Brady, electric guitar

Tim Brady is a composer and guitarist who has created music in a wide range of genres. He has been commissioned and performed by numerous ensembles and orchestras in North America, Europe and Australia. Brady regularly tours internationally as an electric guitar soloist, performing his own music as well as new works, which he commissions from other composers in his effort to create a new voice for the electric guitar. Tim Brady was awarded the Prix OPUS for «Composer of the Year» (2004), and the Jan V. Matejcek Award by SOCAN (2006).

Scott Good, trombone (See above)

Scott has served as a trombonist in many orchestras, including the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet Orchestra, Esprit and Orchestra London, among others. Many of his works and performances have been heard on CBC radio.

Harmonia Choir of Ottawa

Harmonia Choir of Ottawa, directed by Kurt Ala-Kantti, Joanne Moorcroft accompanist, presents Canada Remembers, an all-Canadian programme of remembrance, with guests the Cross Town Youth Chorus, on Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30 pm at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, corner of Kent and James.

This concert will also premiere a new work by the choir's Composer-in-Residence, Christopher Askwith, In Beechwood Cemetery utilizing the text by Archibald Lampham, as well as one of the finalists from this year's Choral Competition, Anita Pari, also a member of the Cross Town Youth Chorus, who will accompany the piece.

With the choir's usual flair for a variety of styles of music, the concert will have something for everyone, from composers across the country, to right here at home with pieces by Gatineau's Pierrette Froment-Savoie, and Dr. James Wright, with accompaniment ranging from piano and violin, to Accordion and Bodhran.

The choir loves to have new pieces to premiere, says Harmonia's Director Kurt Ala-Kantti. It's an added bonus to give such a young composer an opportunity like this to have her work performed, and to have her perform it as well.

Tickets are $15, $10 students and seniors, (FREE to children and youth)
will be available at the door, or from The Leading Note, 370 Elgin St.

More information from the choir's website: www.harmoniachoir.com

Harmonia Choir of Ottawa
Canada Remembers
with Cross Town Youth Chorus
Tuesday, Nov. 11th, 7:30 pm
St Barnabas Anglican Church, corner Kent and James
Works by Mark Sirett, Stephen Hatfield, James Wright, and more!

Tickets: $15; seniors $10 (children and youth free)
Available at the door or in advance at: Leading Note: 370 Elgin near
Gladstone 569-7883

NACO, Oct. 21-22: Pinchas Zukerman and Jon Kimura Parker give preview of Western Canada Tour repertoire

NAC Orchestra led by Music Director Pinchas Zukerman with piano soloist Jon Kimura Parker gives Ottawa a preview of its Western Canada Tour repertoire on Oct. 21-22

Ottawa, Ontario – The National Arts Centre Orchestra will set off on October 24 on a 20-day Western Canada Tour across four provinces and to Whitehorse – the latter marking the ensemble’s first-ever trip to the Yukon. While on tour, Music Director Pinchas Zukerman and musicians will be involved in more than 130 activities in 26 communities, reaching some 8,000 participants. On Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22 in Southam Hall, Pinchas Zukerman and guest pianist Jon Kimura Parker will give National Arts Centre audiences a preview of some of the repertoire they are taking on tour.

Jon Kimura Parker, one of Canada’s best known and most popular pianists, guarantees a definitive interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s iconic Concerto for Piano No. 1 in all its romantic ardour. Maestro Zukerman will also lead the Orchestra in the soaring melodies of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

There are free pre-concert talks at 7 p.m. both nights with William Littler, music columnist of the Toronto Star, hosted by Jill LaForty, Radio Music Producer of CBC Radio entitled “Tchaikovsky, the Loved and Hated”.

The NAC Orchestra musicians are joined by the five participants in the 2008-09 NAC Institute of Orchestral Studies. These apprentices have been selected by audition to rehearse, perform and be mentored by the NAC Orchestra musicians during five separate weeks throughout the season. They will join the Orchestra on tour for performances in five of the cities where the NAC Orchestra performs.

Concertgoers are invited to remain in Southam Hall after the concerts on October 21 and 22 for a post-concert talkback during which Jon Kimura Parker will interview the IOS apprentices.

Follow the NAC Orchestra’s Western Canada Tour online at www.NACOtour.ca where there are tour blogs, audio clips, a photo gallery, and more.

The National Arts Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges support for the Western Canada Tour from Presenting Partner EnCana, Signature Education Partner Agrium, and the NAC Friends, a generous group of supporters including True Energy Trust and SaskTel and a number of individual donors who have made the Western Canada Tour possible.

The extraordinary career of internationally acclaimed pianist Jon Kimura Parker has taken him from Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Festival Hall to Baffin Island and Zimbabwe. In recent seasons, he has performed as guest soloist with the New York Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic and the NHK Tokyo Orchestra.

Jon Kimura Parker has a long history with the National Arts Centre Orchestra including a 1998 tour in Canada and a 1996 tour in the Eastern U.S. This season, he is the NAC Orchestra’s first artist-in-residence appearing in concert and in recital, and playing an integral role in education outreach. The Vancouver-born musician is an Officer of The Order of Canada, this country’s highest civilian honour.

Tickets for these Mark Motors Audi Signature Series concerts on Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 with box seats at $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

NACO, Oct. 9-10: Measha Brueggergosman

Measha Brueggergosman sings Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 and Bolcom cabaret songs with the NAC Orchestra on October 9 and 10

Ottawa (Canada) – Marvellous Measha Brueggergosman, Canada’s soprano sensation, returns to the National Arts Centre Orchestra to sing *Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, a musical interpretation of an elegant memory poem by James Agee (poet, novelist and scriptwriter of The African Queen), as well as three cabaret songs by William Bolcom. These opening concerts of the Bostonian Bravo Series on Thursday, October 9 and Friday, October 10 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’s Southam Hall are led by young American conductor James Gaffigan making his NAC debut. Gaffigan will also lead the NAC Orchestra in Rossini’s Overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1.

James Gaffigan says, “This program is like the perfect dinner, the audience gets a taste of everything, without getting too full. A Rossini overture is the ideal appetizer in a concert program; it whets the appetite with loads of charming humour and unexpected drama in just eight minutes time. Measha then takes the stage with two contrasting but equally engaging vocal works. The first being the elegiac Knoxville: Summer of 1915 by Samuel Barber, followed by the effervescent cabaret songs of Wiliam Bolcom. These pieces will show the depth of diversity in these American composers as well as in Measha’s interpretive abilities. After intermission, the orchestra shifts gears to the classical meat and potatoes in Beethoven’s first symphony. This work combines the intensity often associated with the composer, as well as passages of alluring beauty.”

The cabaret songs by William Bolcom – “George”, “Total Stranger in the Garden” and “Amor” – will be heard in new orchestrations by the composer performed live for the first time in Canada after being recorded by Measha Brueggergosman on her Juno Award-winning Deutsche Grammophon recording entitled Surprise! She says, “What these songs do so brilliantly is to create highly theatrical mini-dramas in which the music is borne out by the texts – not the other way around. It’s catching the sly mix of the casual and the formal in these songs that is their particular challenge.”

Critically acclaimed by the international press as much for her innate musicianship and voluptuous voice as for a sovereign stage presence far beyond her years, Measha Brueggergosman has emerged as one of the most magnificent performers and vibrant personalities of the day. Her appearances this season include performances with Ensemble Intercontemporain, London Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and concerts with the Cleveland Orchestra in Cleveland, Miami, and at Carnegie Hall. She has performed several times with the NAC Orchestra, most recently this past July during “Orchestras in the Park”.

James Gaffigan, born in 1979, is the Associate Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and Music Director of CityMusic Cleveland, a chamber orchestra which presents free concerts throughout the city. His appearances as a guest conductor have included appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, and Tonhalle Orchestra, and this season he makes his debut with, among others, the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony as well as the NAC Orchestra.

Tickets for these Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, October 9 and Friday, October 10 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 with box seats at $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

*Measha Brueggergosman requested a change of programme. The Barber and Bolcom will be performed in place of the previously announced Les Nuits d’été by Berlioz.

National Arts Centre Roundtable

Broadcaster Valerie Pringle and daughter Catherine Pringle to act as keynote speakers for National Arts Centre Foundation Roundtable on Media, Communications and Technology:
Healthy Mental Development for Children and Youth

Ottawa (Canada) –The National Arts Centre is delighted to announce that broadcaster Valerie Pringle and her daughter Catherine Pringle, will be this year’s keynote speakers at the National Arts Centre’s (NAC) Foundation Roundtable called Media, Communications and Technology: Healthy Mental Development for Children and Youth, to be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. in the NAC Salon.

A prominent group of leaders in the medical and social policy fields, as well as arts supporters and senior public policy makers, will join Valerie and Catherine Pringle to discuss how media and the arts can contribute effectively and creatively to improved mental health for children and youth. Mother and daughter will also share their personal experience coping with mental illness.

Participants will discuss topics ranging from pure science to clinical applications, in a language that is both simple and engaging.

The Roundtable is held each year in tandem with the National Arts Centre’s Annual Gala, which raises funds for the Centre’s National Youth and Education Trust. The Trust supports the artistic development of young Canadians through educational resources, professional training, mentoring programmes and young audience performances. This year’s Gala, featuring Tony Bennett, takes place on the same day as the Roundtable.

“It is an honour for the National Arts Centre to host this important discussion with so many of Canada’s brightest minds, as well as leading Canadian arts supporters,” said Darrell Louise Gregersen, CEO of the National Arts Centre Foundation.

Roundtable participants include Dr. Stan Kutcher, Sun Life Chair in Adolescent Mental Health, Dalhousie University; Dr. Bruce Ballon, head of the Adolescent Clinical and Educational Services for Problem Gambling, Gaming and Internet Use at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH); Dr. Michael Rich, Director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Harvard and Children’s Hospital, Boston, and; Dr. David Wolfe, RBC Investments Chair in Children’s Mental Health Chair at the CAMH.

Beginning in 2002, three NAC roundtables on philanthropy in the performing arts explored the importance of adequate financial resources for arts organizations, to ensure that they can fulfill their vital role of fostering a creative culture in Canada. In 2005, the Roundtable began a series of discussions on healing and the arts, exploring the profound role that music and other performing arts play in different aspects of human health and development. Each year, results of the discussions from Roundtables are shared with more than 3,000 arts and health organizations.

The Roundtables have featured a wide range of Canadian and international participants including the Hon. Michael Wilson, Canadian Ambassador to the U.S.; Louise Blouin MacBain, international arts philanthropist; Richard Bradshaw, the late General Director of the Canadian Opera Company; Martha Piper, former University of British Columbia; President, James Wolfensohn, business leader, arts patron, former President of the World Bank and Chairman Emeritus of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Frank O’Dea, Second Cup co-founder, as well as a long list of federal Cabinet ministers.

The National Arts Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges Sun Life Financial as the Presenting Sponsor and the University of Ottawa and Rx&D as Associate Sponsors of the NAC Roundtable.

NAC Gala with Tony Bennett on Oct. 4

NAC Orchestra programme announced for NAC Gala with the legendary Tony Bennett on Oct. 4

Ottawa, Canada – The National Arts Centre Gala has been sold out for some time and lucky ticket-holders have a truly spectacular night ahead on Saturday, October 4. Tony Bennett, famously described by Frank Sinatra as “the best singer in the business”, together with his quartet will give a one-hour command performance in the second half of the Gala. And, to launch this night of glamour and style, Pinchas Zukerman will lead the NAC Orchestra in a complementary classical programme.

Two young Ottawa string virtuosos will join Maestro Zukerman and the Orchestra in the opening half. Stanley Leong, a 13-year-old cellist, and his brother 11-year-old violinist Kerson Leong will join forces to perform the Allegro from Vivaldi’s Concerto in B-flat major for Violin and Cello, filled with acrobatic highjinks requiring nimble fingers! Both have been multiple top prize winners in the Canadian Music Competition, and both participated in last summer’s Tenth Anniversary NAC Summer Music Institute in the Junior Strings Programme.

The five participants in this season’s Institute for Orchestral Studies (IOS) will be onstage performing with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. They are Emily Westell (violin, 23, Calgary, AB), Améline Chauvette-Groulx (violin, 25, Ottawa, ON), Tali Kravitz (viola, 24, Israel), Leat Sabbah (cello, 21, United States), and Theodore Chan (double bass, 24, Ottawa, ON).

The NAC Gala is a benefit for the National Youth and Education Trust, investing in young Canadians through the performing arts. Both the Summer Music Institute and the Institute for Orchestral Studies are among the NAC programmes that are supported by the National Youth and Education Trust.

Maestro Zukerman will also lead the NAC Orchestra in Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Haydn, and will close the first half with Ravel’s thrilling Bolero, an orchestral tour de force that is one of the most popular compositions in the entire classical repertoire.

In the second half Tony Bennett will take the stage with his quartet consisting of Lee Musiker (music director and piano), Gray Sargent (guitar), Jim Hughart (bass) and Harold Jones (drums). Mr. Bennett will announce his programme from the stage.

The Gala Committee NAC is chaired for the third year by Janet Yale, TELUS’ executive vice president, Corporate Affairs. Mrs. Laureen Harper is the Gala’s Honourary Chair.

There will be a pre-concert reception in the Foyer for all patrons at 5:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 6:30 p.m. Those who have purchased Encore Seating will join Gala sponsors at a post-concert reception in the Foyer, followed by dinner on the Southam Hall stage.

TELUS, Founding Partner of the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust, is the Presenting Sponsor of the annual Gala. This commitment reflects TELUS’s continuing support of the National Youth and Education Trust, a primary resource for supporting the artistic development of young Canadians through educational resources, professional training, mentoring programmes and young audience performances. The Trust is also supported by SunLife Financial, patrons of the Gala and the National Arts Centre Foundation Donors’ Circle.

Tony Bennett is the stuff of legends. His unforgettable voice has touched the heart and moved the souls of admirers around the globe. For nearly 60 years he has entertained us, yet has remained forever young and wowed generation after generation of new fans. He is an international treasure, honoured by the United Nations as a “Citizen of the World”. With over 50 million records sold world-wide and platinum and gold albums to his credit, Bennett has received thirteen Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His appearance with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the 1993 MTV Video Awards ceremony introduced him to a whole new generation with his recording “MTV Unplugged” garnering Grammy’s top award, “Album of the Year.” The New York Times declared “Tony Bennett has not just bridged the generation gap, he has demolished it.”

Tony Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond. He introduced a multitude of songs into the Great American Songbook that have since become standards for pop music. He has toured the world to sold-out audiences with rave reviews whenever he performs. To celebrate his 80^th birthday in 2006, Tony Bennett recorded Duets - An American Classic with some of the top names in contemporary music, including Bono, Michael Bublé, Elvis Costello, Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder.

The NAC Orchestra’s own Pinchas Zukerman was one of the instrumental superstars on Tony Bennett’s Duets – An American Classic. Named Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1998, Maestro Zukerman’s genius and prodigious technique have been a marvel to critics and audiences for over four decades. He is equally respected as a violinist, violist, conductor, and chamber musician while his dedication to teaching has been a major catalyst for many of the education initiatives supported by the National Youth and Education Trust. Pinchas Zukerman's discography contains over 100 titles, and has earned him 21 Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards. He was named first-prize winner of the 1969 Leventritt Competition, and, in 1983, President Reagan awarded him a Medal of Arts for his leadership in the musical world. In October 2002, he became the first recipient of the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence at the National Arts Awards Gala in New York City. Pinchas Zukerman and the National Arts Centre Orchestra donate their services for the NAC’s annual Gala.

Kerson Leong, violin, and Stanley Leong, cello

Kerson Leong is 11 and has already won the Grand Prize at the Canadian Music Competition for four straight years, each time achieving the highest mark of any age group or instrument. In the recent 2008 competition in Quebec City, the judges awarded him a mark of 99% for his stunning performance. He was recognized in the Galaxie Rising Star Program of the CBC and was also the youngest finalist in the 2006 nationwide CBC Mozart Variation Contest held to celebrate Mozart’s 250^th birthday anniversary.

Stanley Leong is 13 and has been a top prizewinner at the Canadian Music Competition for 6 years in a row. At the recent 2008 competition in Quebec City, he won First Prize once again and made his solo debut at the CMC Gala with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Yoav Talmi.

Both young musicians have been guest soloists with the NAC Orchestra at a TD Canada Trust Young People’s Concert, as well as with I Musici de Montreal, and have performed at the 2008 Ottawa Chamberfest and at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.

Mozart Brahms Festival includes Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, and more!

The NAC Orchestra launches its 08-09 season with a Mozart Brahms Festival led by Music Director Pinchas Zukerman, including special guests Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Janina Fialkowska, the Tokyo Quartet and more, Sept. 23-Oct 2

Ottawa, Canada – Pinchas Zukerman opens his tenth season as Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra on Tuesday, September 23 with a Mozart Brahms Festival that runs until Thursday, October 2. For ten magnificent days these two classical titans meet face to face in concerts featuring such superstars as violinist Itzhak Perlman, conductor Zubin Mehta, pianist Janina Fialkowska, the Tokyo and Escher String Quartets and Pinchas Zukerman as conductor, violinist and violist. Audiences will hear how each composer illuminates the other through orchestral, vocal, chamber and family concerts including pre- and post-concert talks given by media and musical celebrities. There are five orchestral concerts on September 23, 24 and 27, and October 1 and 2 in Southam Hall at 8 p.m.; four chamber music concerts at the National Gallery of Canada on September 26 and 28 and October 1 and 2 (at various times); and two separate daytime family events on September 27. (A chronological listing of concerts follows.)

The Festival includes pre-concert talks at 7 p.m. prior to each of the five orchestral concerts, in English on Sept. 23, 27 and Oct. 2, and in French on Sept. 24 and Oct. 1. Speakers include CBC Radio personalities Eric Friesen, Alan Neal and Jill LaForty, and music critics Richard Todd, Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer and François Tousignant. In addition, on Sept. 27 principal bassoon Christopher Millard will record a podcast with Pinchas Zukerman and his daughter Arianna Zukerman in front of a live audience for the Orchestra’s renowned NACOcast series.

The musical content of the Festival includes all four Brahms symphonies, with Nos. 1, 3 and 4 conducted by Pinchas Zukerman and No. 2 conducted by Zubin Mehta in his NAC Orchestra debut. Mehta will also lead Pinchas Zukerman in the Brahms Violin Concerto; violinist Itzhak Perlman will join violist Zukerman for Mozart’s Duo for Violin and Viola in G major and Sinfonia Concertante; pianist Janina Fialkowska will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24; and Pinchas Zukerman will conduct Mozart’s Requiem with his daughter soprano Arianna Zukerman, mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson, tenor Wesley Rogers and bass John Fanning, with the Cantata Singers of Ottawa, the Ottawa Choral Society and the Ottawa Festival Chorus under chorus master Duain Wolfe. The concerts on Sept. 23 and 24 are also the opening concerts of the Mark Motors Audi Signature Series, and the concerts on Oct. 1 and 2 are the opening concerts of the Ovation Series.

CBC Radio 2 (103.3) is the official broadcast partner of the Festival. All four Brahms Symphonies plus the Violin Concerto are being recorded by CBC Radio 2 for broadcast on Tempo hosted by Julie Nesrallah and Sunday Afternoon in Concert hosted by Bill Richardson.

The world-famous Tokyo String Quartet will perform two different programmes combining Mozart, Brahms, Haydn and Webern on September 26 at 8 p.m. and on September 28 at 2 p.m. (the latter doubling as the opening chamber music concert of the Music for a Sunday Afternoon series). The rising star Escher Quartet, made up of four of Pinchas Zukerman’s students from the NAC Summer Music Institute and the Manhattan School of Music, will perform Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven in two different programmes in the Rideau Chapel of the National Gallery at 12 noon on October 1 and 2.

There are two family events on Saturday, September 27. The Shoestring Opera will present a show for children aged 5 to 8 based on Mozart’s Magic Flute in the Panorama Room at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m. there will be an interactive workshop exploring the NAC’s Flentrop Organ for ages 8 to 15 given by organist Thomas Annand and Ian MacKay of the Royal Canadian College of Organists.

COMPLETE MOZART BRAHMS FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING

ITZHAK AND PINCHAS

Tuesday, September 23 at 8 p.m.

Mark Motors Audi Signature Series and Mozart Brahms Festival

Pinchas Zukerman, conductor, viola

Itzhak Perlman, violin

MOZART Duo for violin and viola in G major

MOZART Sinfonia concertante

BRAHMS Symphony No. 1

Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in English)

“The Mozart/Brahms Connection”

with CBC Radio Network Host Eric Friesen

ITZHAK AND PINCHAS ENCORE

Wednesday, September 24 at 8 p.m.

Mark Motors Audi Signature Series and Mozart Brahms Festival

Pinchas Zukerman, conductor, viola

Itzhak Perlman, violin

MOZART Duo for violin and viola in G major

MOZART Sinfonia concertante

BRAHMS Symphony No. 4

Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in French)

“Aimez-vous Brahms? Et Mozart?”

with music critic Jean Jacques Van Vlasselaer

TOKYO STRING QUARTET

Friday, September 26 at 8 p.m.

Mozart Brahms Festival

National Gallery of Canada Auditorium

Tokyo String Quartet

HAYDN String Quartet No. 60 in G major, Op. 76, No. 1

MOZART String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat major, “Prussian 2”

BRAHMS String Quartet No. 1 in C minor

SHOESTRING MAGIC FLUTE

Saturday, September 27 at 11:00 (in English)

Mozart Brahms Festival

Panorama Room: mats for children and chairs for grown-ups (for ages 5-8)

Based on Mozart’s famous opera, Shoestring Opera presents the story of Allegra, lost in a dark forest on her way home from school. Enter Papageno, a feathered birdcatcher pursued by a Dragon – and the fun, adventure and glorious singing begin! Featuring two singer-actors, a cellist, a pianist and Mozart’s beautiful music this is an ideal child’s introduction to the joy of opera.

EXPLORE THE FLENTROP ORGAN

Saturday, September 27 at 3 p.m.

Mozart Brahms Festival

For ages 8-15

Southam Hall backstage

Thomas Annand, organ

Ian MacKay, Royal Canadian College of Organists

Ever wonder why the organ is called “the king of instruments”? Find out in this exciting interactive workshop especially for families held backstage in Southam Hall. Hear the music of Mozart and Brahms as your children explore the massive Flentrop organ, a thank-you gift to the NAC from the Dutch community in Canada.

MOZART’S TRANSCENDENT REQUIEM

Saturday, September 27 at 8 p.m.

Mozart Brahms Festival

Pinchas Zukerman, conductor

Arianna Zukerman, soprano

Heather Johnson, mezzo-soprano

Wesley Rogers, tenor

John Fanning, bass-baritone

Cantata Singers of Ottawa

Ottawa Choral Society

Ottawa Festival Chorus

Duain Wolfe, chorus master

MOZART Requiem

Musically Speaking Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in English)

“Eyeing Eternity”

CBC Radio host Alan Neal leads a discussion with CBC Radio Music Producer Jill LaForty

Musically Speaking Post-Concert Talkback (in English)

NACOcast host and principal bassoon Christopher Millard hosts a podcast with Pinchas Zukerman and his daughter Arianna Zukerman.

TOKYO STRING QUARTET

Sunday, September 28

Music for a Sunday Afternoon and Mozart Brahms Festival

National Gallery of Canada Auditorium at 2 p.m.

Tokyo String Quartet

Pinchas Zukerman, viola

Amanda Forsyth, cello

WEBERN String Quartet, Op. 28

HAYDN String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 50, No. 1
BRAHMS String Sextet No. 2 in G major, Op. 36

ESCHER STRING QUARTET

Wednesday, October 1 at 12 noon

Mozart Brahms Festival

National Gallery of Canada Rideau Chapel

Escher String Quartet

MOZART Quartet No. 14 in G major, K. 387
BEETHOVEN Quartet Op. 59, No. 3

MEHTA, ZUKERMAN AND BRAHMS

Wednesday, October 1 at 8 p.m.

Ovation Series and Mozart Brahms Festival

Zubin Mehta, conductor

Pinchas Zukerman, violin

BRAHMS Violin Concerto

BRAHMS Symphony No. 2

Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in French)

“Après l’art pour l’art, voici la musique pour la musique”

with Montreal music critic and composer François Tousignant

ESCHER STRING QUARTET

Thursday, October 2 at 12 noon

Mozart Brahms Festival

National Gallery of Canada Rideau Chapel

Escher String Quartet

MOZART Quartet No. 17, B-flat major, K. 458, "The Hunt"
BRAHMS Quartet No. 3 in B-flat major

THE PASSION OF MOZART AND BRAHMS

Thursday, October 2 at 8 p.m.

Ovation Series and Mozart Brahms Festival

Pinchas Zukerman, conductor

Janina Fialkowska, piano

MOZART Overture to Così fan tutte

MOZART Piano Concerto No. 24

BRAHMS Symphony No. 3

Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in English)

“What Mozart forgot to tell Brahms”

with Ottawa Citizen music critic Richard Todd

Tickets are on sale now at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Tickets for the NAC Orchestra concerts in Southam Hall at 8 p.m. (if available) are $39 to $115 on Sept. 23 and 24; $25 to $89 on Sept. 27 and Oct. 1; and $19 to $86 on Oct. 2 (5% GST and Facility Fee included). The Tokyo Quartet concerts in the Auditorium of the National Gallery are $29 and the Escher Quartet concerts in the Rideau Chapel are $ 20. The Shoestring Magic Flute and Explore the Flentrop Organ, both on Sept. 27, are $8 for children and $14 for adults.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets at $11 (subject to availability) are available for full-time students aged 13 to 29 between 2 p.m the day before a performance until 6 p.m the day of the performance, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card. Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca. Subscriptions are also still available by calling the Subscription Office at 613-947-7000, ext. 620.

NACO, Sept. 23-Oct 2: Mozart Brahms Festival includes Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, and more!

The NAC Orchestra launches its 08-09 season with a Mozart Brahms Festival led by Music Director Pinchas Zukerman, including special guests Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Janina Fialkowska, the Tokyo Quartet and more, Sept. 23-Oct 2

Ottawa, Canada – Pinchas Zukerman opens his tenth season as Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra on Tuesday, September 23 with a Mozart Brahms Festival that runs until Thursday, October 2. For ten magnificent days these two classical titans meet face to face in concerts featuring such superstars as violinist Itzhak Perlman, conductor Zubin Mehta, pianist Janina Fialkowska, the Tokyo and Escher String Quartets and Pinchas Zukerman as conductor, violinist and violist. Audiences will hear how each composer illuminates the other through orchestral, vocal, chamber and family concerts including pre- and post-concert talks given by media and musical celebrities. There are five orchestral concerts on September 23, 24 and 27, and October 1 and 2 in Southam Hall at 8 p.m.; four chamber music concerts at the National Gallery of Canada on September 26 and 28 and October 1 and 2 (at various times); and two separate daytime family events on September 27. (A chronological listing of concerts follows.)

The Festival includes pre-concert talks at 7 p.m. prior to each of the five orchestral concerts, in English on Sept. 23, 27 and Oct. 2, and in French on Sept. 24 and Oct. 1. Speakers include CBC Radio personalities Eric Friesen, Alan Neal and Jill LaForty, and music critics Richard Todd, Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer and François Tousignant. In addition, on Sept. 27 principal bassoon Christopher Millard will record a podcast with Pinchas Zukerman and his daughter Arianna Zukerman in front of a live audience for the Orchestra’s renowned NACOcast series.

The musical content of the Festival includes all four Brahms symphonies, with Nos. 1, 3 and 4 conducted by Pinchas Zukerman and No. 2 conducted by Zubin Mehta in his NAC Orchestra debut. Mehta will also lead Pinchas Zukerman in the Brahms Violin Concerto; violinist Itzhak Perlman will join violist Zukerman for Mozart’s Duo for Violin and Viola in G major and Sinfonia Concertante; pianist Janina Fialkowska will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24; and Pinchas Zukerman will conduct Mozart’s Requiem with his daughter soprano Arianna Zukerman, mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson, tenor Wesley Rogers and bass John Fanning, with the Cantata Singers of Ottawa, the Ottawa Choral Society and the Ottawa Festival Chorus under chorus master Duain Wolfe. The concerts on Sept. 23 and 24 are also the opening concerts of the Mark Motors Audi Signature Series, and the concerts on Oct. 1 and 2 are the opening concerts of the Ovation Series.

The world-famous Tokyo String Quartet will perform two different programmes combining Mozart, Brahms, Haydn and Webern on September 26 at 8 p.m. and on September 28 at 2 p.m. (the latter doubling as the opening chamber music concert of the Music for a Sunday Afternoon series). The rising star Escher Quartet, made up of four of Pinchas Zukerman’s students from the NAC Summer Music Institute and the Manhattan School of Music, will perform Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven in two different programmes in the Rideau Chapel of the National Gallery at 12 noon on October 1 and 2.

There are two family events on Saturday, September 27. The Shoestring Opera will present a show for children aged 5 to 8 based on Mozart’s Magic Flute in the Panorama Room at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m. there will be an interactive workshop exploring the NAC’s Flentrop Organ for ages 8 to 15 given by organist Thomas Annand and Ian MacKay of the Royal Canadian College of Organists.

COMPLETE MOZART BRAHMS FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING

ITZHAK AND PINCHAS

Tuesday, September 23 at 8 p.m.

Mark Motors Audi Signature Series and Mozart Brahms Festival

Pinchas Zukerman, conductor, viola

Itzhak Perlman, violin

MOZART Duo for violin and viola in G major

MOZART Sinfonia concertante

BRAHMS Symphony No. 1

Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in English)

“The Mozart/Brahms Connection”

with CBC Radio Network Host Eric Friesen

ITZHAK AND PINCHAS ENCORE

Wednesday, September 24 at 8 p.m.

Mark Motors Audi Signature Series and Mozart Brahms Festival

Pinchas Zukerman, conductor, viola

Itzhak Perlman, violin

MOZART Duo for violin and viola in G major

MOZART Sinfonia concertante

BRAHMS Symphony No. 4

Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in French)

“Aimez-vous Brahms? Et Mozart?”

with music critic Jean Jacques Van Vlasselaer

TOKYO STRING QUARTET

Friday, September 26 at 8 p.m.

Mozart Brahms Festival

National Gallery of Canada Auditorium

Tokyo String Quartet

HAYDN String Quartet No. 60 in G major, Op. 76, No. 1

MOZART String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat major, “Prussian 2”

BRAHMS String Quartet No. 1 in C minor

SHOESTRING MAGIC FLUTE

Saturday, September 27 at 11:00 (in English)

Mozart Brahms Festival

Panorama Room: mats for children and chairs for grown-ups (for ages 5-8)

Based on Mozart’s famous opera, Shoestring Opera presents the story of Allegra, lost in a dark forest on her way home from school. Enter Papageno, a feathered birdcatcher pursued by a Dragon – and the fun, adventure and glorious singing begin! Featuring two singer-actors, a cellist, a pianist and Mozart’s beautiful music this is an ideal child’s introduction to the joy of opera.

EXPLORE THE FLENTROP ORGAN

Saturday, September 27 at 3 p.m.

Mozart Brahms Festival

For ages 8-15

Southam Hall backstage

Thomas Annand, organ

Ian MacKay, Royal Canadian College of Organists

Ever wonder why the organ is called “the king of instruments”? Find out in this exciting interactive workshop especially for families held backstage in Southam Hall. Hear the music of Mozart and Brahms as your children explore the massive Flentrop organ, a thank-you gift to the NAC from the Dutch community in Canada.

MOZART’S TRANSCENDENT REQUIEM

Saturday, September 27 at 8 p.m.

Mozart Brahms Festival

Pinchas Zukerman, conductor

Arianna Zukerman, soprano

Heather Johnson, mezzo-soprano

Wesley Rogers, tenor

John Fanning, bass-baritone

Cantata Singers of Ottawa

Ottawa Choral Society

Ottawa Festival Chorus

Duain Wolfe, chorus master

MOZART Requiem

Musically Speaking Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in English)

“Eyeing Eternity”

CBC Radio host Alan Neal leads a discussion with CBC Radio Music Producer Jill LaForty

Musically Speaking Post-Concert Talkback (in English)

NACOcast host and principal bassoon Christopher Millard hosts a podcast with Pinchas Zukerman and his daughter Arianna Zukerman.

TOKYO STRING QUARTET

Sunday, September 28

Music for a Sunday Afternoon and Mozart Brahms Festival

National Gallery of Canada Auditorium at 2 p.m.

Tokyo String Quartet

Pinchas Zukerman, viola

Amanda Forsyth, cello

WEBERN String Quartet, Op. 28

HAYDN String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 50, No. 1
BRAHMS String Sextet No. 2 in G major, Op. 36

ESCHER STRING QUARTET

Wednesday, October 1 at 12 noon

Mozart Brahms Festival

National Gallery of Canada Rideau Chapel

Escher String Quartet

MOZART Quartet No. 14 in G major, K. 387
BEETHOVEN Quartet Op. 59, No. 3

MEHTA, ZUKERMAN AND BRAHMS

Wednesday, October 1 at 8 p.m.

Ovation Series and Mozart Brahms Festival

Zubin Mehta, conductor

Pinchas Zukerman, violin

BRAHMS Violin Concerto

BRAHMS Symphony No. 2

Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in French)

“Après l’art pour l’art, voici la musique pour la musique”

with Montreal music critic and composer François Tousignant

ESCHER STRING QUARTET

Thursday, October 2 at 12 noon

Mozart Brahms Festival

National Gallery of Canada Rideau Chapel

Escher String Quartet

MOZART Quartet No. 17, B-flat major, K. 458, "The Hunt"
BRAHMS Quartet No. 3 in B-flat major

THE PASSION OF MOZART AND BRAHMS

Thursday, October 2 at 8 p.m.

Ovation Series and Mozart Brahms Festival

Pinchas Zukerman, conductor

Janina Fialkowska, piano

MOZART Overture to Così fan tutte

MOZART Piano Concerto No. 24

BRAHMS Symphony No. 3

Pre-Concert Chat at 19:00 (in English)

“What Mozart forgot to tell Brahms”

with Ottawa Citizen music critic Richard Todd

Tickets are on sale now at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Tickets for the NAC Orchestra concerts in Southam Hall at 8 p.m. (if available) are $39 to $115 on Sept. 23 and 24; $25 to $89 on Sept. 27 and Oct. 1; and $19 to $86 on Oct. 2 (5% GST and Facility Fee included). The Tokyo Quartet concerts in the Auditorium of the National Gallery are $29 and the Escher Quartet concerts in the Rideau Chapel are $ 20. The Shoestring Magic Flute and Explore the Flentrop Organ, both on Sept. 27, are $8 for children and $14 for adults.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets at $11 (subject to availability) are available for full-time students aged 13 to 29 between 2 p.m the day before a performance until 6 p.m the day of the performance, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card. Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca. Subscriptions are also still available by calling the Subscription Office at 613-947-7000, ext. 620.

OLO Opera Studio set to embark for the 08-09 season

Opera Lyra Ottawa is pleased to announce this season's members of its opera training program, the OLO Opera Studio. With a stellar curriculum and faculty, this training program is focused on aiding the preparation of up-and-coming Canadian singers, stage directors, conductors/ repetiteurs and stage managers for professional operatic careers.

For the 2008-09 season the OLO Opera Studio welcomes 5 artists into the program:

· Christina Tannous,Soprano

· Valérie Arboit, Mezzo-soprano

· Marion Newman, Mezzo-soprano

· Michael Carty, Tenor

· Mark Gough, Baritone

The OLO Opera Studio program, which may be one to three years in length, is structured in three sessions which correspond with the opera productions of Opera Lyra Ottawa's season. These artists will receive a variety of training opportunities which include: music coaching; the opportunity to work under a professional stage director; master classes by performing soloists/teachers/ coaches; and various workshops to develop specific skills such as diction, acting, movement, stage combat, auditioning and career counselling.

Opera for Young Audiences – School Tours and performances at the NAC's Fourth Stage

This year, artists of the OLO Opera Studio will perform the opera Cinderella