14 15 OTTAWA CHORAL SOCIETY The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but it is the most difficult to play. Richard Strauss Jordan de Souza Artistic Director and Principal Conductor hear the beauty Mireille Asselin David John Pike Donna Brown Canadian Brassworks Cécile Muhire Caroline Gélinas Charles Sy Philip Kalmanovitch Michele Capalbo Emilia Boteva David Pomeroy Mark Steven Doss Mathew Larkin Brian Doyle John Koensgen Paul Wells DEAR FRIENDS, As I enter my third season leading the Ottawa Choral Society, I continue to feel strongly encouraged by the commitment and passion that exists for the vocal arts here in our community of music lovers. It is your passion that inspires us to continue to evolve and shape our offerings to respond to the challenges our enthusiastic public supports. Our season begins with a heartfelt and solemn programme commemorating the outbreak of World War I. We are honoured that retired General John de Chastelain will be participating in this evening’s observance along with two outstanding soloists and our resident chamber orchestra for an evening of profoundly moving Canadian and English music that pays homage to the final sacrifice of so many. I feel strongly encouraged by the passion that exists for the vocal arts here in our community of music lovers. We return in early December with ‘Christmas with the Choral Society’, as we revisit last season’s joyful outreach to the community beyond our concert stage. This year offers more gifts of the season with hearty audience carolling and Ottawa raconteur Brian Doyle, soprano Donna Brown, and the Boys and Girls Choirs of Christ Church Cathedral. It promises to be a heartwarming occasion. The Society is proud of its ability to present a wide diversity of musical forms with stylistic elegance and epic might. We begin 2015 with an evening of Gilbert and Sullivan in which we will be joined by the exceptionally talented winners of our latest round of New Discoveries Auditions and well-known actor John Koensgen in a rousing romp through the “Topsy-turvy” world of this beloved Victorian theatrical duo. I look forward to seeing you there, JORDAN DE SOUZA Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Jordan de Souza Photo: Sophimage Photography As we anticipate our 75th anniversary season in 2015-16, we end the 14-15 season on a high note with Verdi’s timeless Requiem in collaboration with our friends of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. We’ll be joined by a stellar cast of soloists on the stage of the NAC in a celebration of where we’ve come from: and a toast to the future! In this 100th Anniversary year, we contemplate the onset of WWI with profound poetry, music, and archival audio and video Friday, November 7, 2014 St. Joseph’s Parish Church, 8:00 p.m. LEST WE FORGET On June 28, 1914, a shot rang out that erupted into a cataclysmic turmoil that would cause the map of Europe to be redrawn and leave untold millions among the fallen. One hundred years later, gathered around the cenotaph, the act of remembrance continues to evoke ambiguous emotions of confusion and exaltation. We are honoured to welcome retired General John de Chastelain as our distinguished guest speaker as we remember those who were lost and those who came home to live out lives scarred by the trauma of The Great War. Ottawa-born Mireille Asselin, who was deemed “superb” by the Los Angeles Times, and Canadian baritone David John Pike, whose recently-released CD received 5 stars from BBC Music Magazine, make their OCS debuts tonight to sing of heartache and homage, recollection and reconciliation, war and peace. Distinguished Guest, General John de Chastelain IN FLANDERS FIELDS, Michael Capon World Premiere of the orchestrated version FOUR SONGS OF REMEMBRANCE, Eric Robertson String Orchestra and Male Narrator THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, Andrew Ager Ottawa premiere of the composer’s expanded and orchestrated version DONA NOBIS PACEM, Ralph Vaughan Williams Mireille Asselin, soprano David John Pike, baritone Orchestra of the Ottawa Music Company Jordan de Souza, conductor Photo: Ernest Brooks, from the National Library of Scotland Join us for a family party that will be at the heart of your Christmas season CHRISTMAS with the ocs TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 Dominion-Chalmers United Church, 7:30 p.m. A constellation of the brightest stars in Ottawa’s galaxy lights up our stage tonight: world-celebrated soprano Donna Brown, renowned for the floating, angelic quality of her voice; inimitable raconteur and author of award-winning children’s literature, television and film, Brian Doyle; the clear, soaring voices of the children’s choirs of Christ Church Cathedral; organ virtuoso Matthew Larkin; and members of Ottawa’s premiere brass ensemble, Capital BrassWorks. We invite you to join us for a family party that will be at the heart of your Christmas season. Come-a-carolling with Jordan de Souza and the Choral Society! Remember to look for Sugar Plum Fairies and Nutcracker Princes who will be helping us to gather your gifts of warm clothing for men, gift cards, and cash donations in support of two of Ottawa’s wonderful charities, the Ottawa Mission, and The Candlelighters. Brian Doyle, storyteller Donna Brown, soprano Girls and Boys Choirs of Christ Church Cathedral Matthew Larkin, organ Capital BrassWorks (Ensemble) Jordan de Souza, conductor Turn Topsy-Turvy with the masterpieces of Victorian England’s D’Oyly Carte musical theatre gilbert & sullivan SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 Dominion-Chalmers United Church, 8:00 p.m. We step back in time tonight to the England of Queen Victoria as “impresario” Jordan de Souza, our exciting New Discoveries soloists, and the Choral Society introduce you to a world of swashbuckling pirates, mad maidens, saucy fairies, ghosts who come to life, a delightfully ridiculous MajorGeneral, and love-sick hanky panky with Yum Yum and Nanki-Poo. Beloved choruses, tongue-twisting patter songs, cheeky set pieces, and gloriously sentimental arias from the comic operas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan − this is the music that ruled Britannia and her colonies throughout the 20th century. Join us for an evening of unalloyed absurdity! John Koensgen as Sir Arthur Sullivan Starring New Discoveries Winners Cécile Muhire, soprano Caroline GÉlinas, mezzo-soprano Charles Sy, tenor Philip Kalmanovitch, baritone Scott Richardson, piano Jordan de Souza, conductor Giuseppe Verdi messa da requiem MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015 National Arts Centre, Southam Hall, 8:00 p.m. Alternately castigated as “an opera in ecclesiastical robes”, and lauded as ”one of the most awe-inspiring works ever composed”, since its first performance in1874, Verdi’s Grand Requiem Mass has brought both terror and solace to believers. It was performed around the world to mourn the victims of the bombing of the World Trade Towers; to grieve the horrific devastation of the Fukishima nuclear disaster; and by courageous prisoners held in captivity in the WWII concentration camp at Terezin. Verdi’s visceral rhythmic drive, sublime melodies, and dramatic contrasts express the intense emotions engendered by man’s dread of consuming hellfire and his hope of an eternal paradise. Tonight’s outstanding cast of celebrated Verdian artists join Jordan de Souza as he makes his debut performance on the stage of the National Arts Centre. Presented in collaboration with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Michele Capalbo, soprano Emilia Boteva, mezzo-soprano David Pomeroy, tenor Mark Steven Doss, bass-baritone Ottawa Symphony Orchestra Jordan de Souza, conductor Verdi at his most mighty and magnificent A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED Subscribers will receive a personal notice Charles Sy Cécile Muhire Caroline Gélinas Paul Wells, host NEW DISCOVERIES SHOWCASE RECITAL Hosted by OCS Friend, Paul Wells, winner of the prestigious 2014 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for political writing. Hear tomorrow’s opera stars today! Come and experience the artistry of these outstanding young soloists in a recital of beloved oratorio arias, and art songs partnered by keyboard artist, Jordan de Souza. PAUL WELLS, host PRIZE WINNERS First: CHARLES SY, tenor Second: CÉCILE MUHIRE, soprano Third: CAROLINE GÉLINAS, mezzo-soprano JORDAN DE SOUZA, piano Featuring the top-prize winners of the 2014 round of auditions SINGLE TICKETS Friday November 7, 2014 LEST WE FORGET THE OCS AT THE NAC OCTOBER 8, 9, 2014 Emmanuel Ax and Mozart PINCHAS ZUKERMAN, conductor A Ballad for Canada: MALCOLM FORSYTH DECEMBER 19, 2014 A Matt Dusk Christmas With The NAC Orchestra And special guest, MOLLY JOHNSON JUNE 19, 20, 2015 Beethoven’s Ninth PINCHAS ZUKERMAN, conductor “It seems remarkably hard to put on a Christmas concert that hits the right note, so to speak. Someone can (and should) put on a Messiah each year, and there will be at least a couple of concerts in which some worthy serious works by Bach, Buxtehude or other major composers will be heard. And that’s great. But there needs to be at least one event of reasonable quality that has something for everyone. This year, and not for the first time, it was the Ottawa Choral Society that nailed it.“ Christmas with the Choral Society Ottawa Citizen, December, 2013 Reserved General Student $45 $35 $10 Tuesday, December 2, 2014 CHRISTMAS WITH THE OCS Reserved General Student $35 $30 $10 Donations for our Charities appreciated Saturday, February 21, 2015 GILBERT& SULLIVAN Reserved General Student $35 $30 $10 Monday, April 27, 2015 VERDI REQUIEM NAC, Southam Hall (see next page for plan) 1 2 3 4 Regular $81.00 $66.00 $51.00 $36.00 Senior $69.00 $56.25 $43.50 $30.75 Student NA $33.50 $26.00 $18.50 Date to be announced NEW DISCOVERIES SHOWCASE RECITAL General $20 Children 16 and under Free for all concerts (April 27 excluded) Copywriting : Maggie McCoy Translation : Thierry Faure Proof-reading : Doug MacDonald Design: Llama Communications The information in this brochure was correct at the time of printing. SUBSCRIBE NOW & SAVE HIGH SOCIETY: ALL 4 CONCERTS Level one, regular seat full price at the Door $196 Regular Senior Student 1 $160 $145 NA 2 $146 $133 $55 3 $136 $125 $50 4 $126 $116 $45 FANFARE: CHOOSE 3 CONCERTS PLAN 1: CONCERTS 1, 2, 3 Regular, reserved seat, full price at the Door $115 SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE $$$ Subscribe by June 30, 2014 and receive a complimentary ticket to the New Discoveries Showcase Recital! SUBSCRIBERS WIN 6 WAYS. ORDER TODAY 1. Best prices 2. Best seats 3. Reserved seating – arrive later knowing your seat is saved 4. Save 15% on ALL 2014-2015 Ottawa Symphony Orchestra concerts 5. Save 15% on the THREE 2014-2015 NACO concerts in which the OCS is performing 6. Receive special offers from our partner organizations THREE EASY WAYS TO ORDER • www.ottawachoralsociety.com • [email protected] • 613-725-2560 Regular Senior Student $98 $92 $30 PLAN 2: CONCERTS 1, 2, 4 or 1, 3, 4 Level one, regular seat full price at the Door $161 Regular Senior Student 1 $130 $117 NA 2 $116 $105 $45 3 $106 $97 $40 4 $96 $88 $35 PLAN 3: CONCERTS 2, 3, 4 Level one, regular seat full price at the Door $151 Regular Senior Student 1 $122 $109 NA 2 $108 $97 $45 3 $98 $89 $40 4 $88 $80 $35 ADD THE SHOWCASE RECITAL TO ANY PLAN $15 - SAVE $5 4 3 2 2 2 1 3 1 1 2 1 3 Southam Hall
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