OCS 14-15 EN final.indd

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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