Season 2022 / 2023
Season 2022/ 2023
Please review our Purchasing and COVID-19 policies prior to visiting the “Ticket Store.”
Be sure to visit this page often to see updates and details on Spring & Summer concerts, as they become available.
April 2023
RACHMANINOFF VESPERS
These performances are generouly sponsored by Marie Spencer in loving memory of a dear friend of Marie and Noel, Thomas Andrew Fitches (1945 – 2023).
Sunday April 2, 2023 (canceled due to illness)
Knox Presbyterian Church, 53 Church St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3C3
Friday April 7, 2023 – 7:30 pm
Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk Street Guelph, ON N1H 4H8
Saturday April 8, 2023 – 1:30 pm
Hart House (The Great Hall) – University of Toronto, 7 Hart House Circle, Toronto ON M5S 3H3
Hailed as “[…] the greatest musical achievement of the Russian Orthodox Church,” Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vespers is drawn from texts used in the church’s All-Night Vigil ceremony. Written in 1915 when Russia was embroiled in World War I, it invokes the chants and exquisitely rich harmonies of the Orthodox tradition in a work that is reflective and calm but has a deeply powerful impact. Performed a cappella, this concert will provide a haunting and profound musical experience.
Please be sure to reserve your spot by 10pm of the day prior to the performance date or purchase at-door at the venue.
REGULAR — $45
STUDENTS 18 and under — $25
(Prices include HST)
Please review our Purchasing and COVID-19 policies prior to visiting the “Ticket Store.”
Our media partner:
May 2023
SWEET EXPRESSIONS: Folksongs & Spirituals
Saturday May 6, 2023- 4:00 pm
St. Mark’s Anglican Church – 41 Byron St, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0
Sunday May 7, 2023 – 4:00 pm
Knox Presbyterian Church Elora, 51 Church Street, Elora ON N0B 1S0
Wednesday May 10, 2023 – 7:30 pm
Hart House (The Great Hall) – University of Toronto, 7 Hart House Cir, Toronto ON M5S 3H3
This concert title, SWEET EXPRESSIONS, is taken from a Spiritual Hymn “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” written by Doris Mae Akers (May 21, 1923 – July 26, 1995).
“Akers was a biracial African-American gospel music composer, arranger and singer who is considered to be “one of the most underrated gospel composers of the 20th century [who] wrote more than 500 songs. Known for her work with the Sky Pilot Choir, she was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001.” — Wikipedia
“Folk music is a living art form that tells and retells its history, even as it creates it. As with any vital art form, there are passionate debates. The very term folk song is contentious. Blues musician Big Bill Broonzy, upon being asked “What is folk music?” is purported to have answered, “All music is folk music…,” a comment that unleashed a decades-long feud among musicologists about the origins and definition of folk music.
Ultimately it doesn’t matter. What matters is that the music lives on, enriching our lives. […] We know that […] folk music originated in the oud strummers of the Middle East; the lute pickers of Europe; the balladeers and bawdy pub singers of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany; the fiddle bowers of eastern Europe; the n’goni pluckers of Africa; the chants, plaints, calls, and hollers that came from everywhere to the New World, bringing lyrics, melodies, marches, and polyrhythms that invented and expanded [..] musical horizon forevermore. […] the music ignored boundaries and slipped in and out of parochial communities, creating something bigger than the sum of its parts […]” — Ellen Harper
REGULAR — $45
STUDENTS 18 and under — $25
(Prices include HST)
Please review our Purchasing and COVID-19 policies prior to visiting the “Ticket Store.”
Past Events
December 2022
MESSIAH – (abridged)
16th
Sunday December 4, 2022 – 3:30 pm
Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk Street Guelph, ON N1H 4H8
Launch your festive season with this best-loved of all choral works.
Dr. Noel Edison draws on years of experience to interpret this magnificent oratorio in a way that is both fresh and powerful. With a splendid choir, outstanding soloists and full orchestra and performed amid the beauty and acoustic perfection of Guelph’s Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, this is a Messiah you will never forget!
Sponsored by: The Brewster family, in memory of Anne and Ormond Brewster
Please be sure to reserve your spot by 10pm of the day prior to the performance date or purchase at-door at the venue.
REGULAR — $50
STUDENTS 18 and under — $30
(Prices include HST)
Please review our Purchasing and COVID-19 policies prior to visiting the “Ticket Store.”
THE FIRST NOWELL
Saturday December 17, 2022 – 1:30 pm
Hart House University of Toronto, 7 Hart House Cir, Toronto ON M5S 3H3
Monday December 19, 2022 – 7:30 pm
Court House Theatre, 26 QUEEN ST, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE ON L0S 1J0
Wednesday December 21, 2022 – 7:30 pm
Knox Presbyterian Church Elora, 51 Church Street, Elora Ontario N0B 1S0
Join us for Dr. Edison’s personal and joyful musical journey towards Christmas Day:
“Even though I have been in the choral music business for over 45 years, I still look forward to the month of December with all the concerts and all the wonderful music that is written for the season. […]
The music of Christmas comes in many forms, shapes and emotions, but its principal element is one of nostalgia, memories of childhood, past gatherings with family and friends, adult memories of good times — and sometimes bad times — but it’s one that always conjures up a deep emotion of goodwill towards all. It’s amazing to think that a little newborn would somehow bring so much hope and humanity to our rather fragile world.”
Noel Edison
Please be sure to reserve your spot by 10pm of the day prior to the performance date or purchase at-door at the venue.
REGULAR — $45
STUDENTS 18 and under — $25
(Prices include HST)
Please review our Purchasing and COVID-19 policies prior to visiting the “Ticket Store.”
November 2022
Sunday November 20, 2022 – 4:00 pm
East Latvian Lutheran Community (St. Barnabas) , 361 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1P1
Sunday November 13, 2022 – 4:00 pm
Knox Presbyterian Church, 53 Church St, St Catharines ON L2R 3C3
Friday November 11, 2022 – 7:30 pm
Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk Street Guelph, ON. N1H 4H8
FAURÉ & DURUFLÉ REQUIEMS These concerts are dedicated to the people of Ukraine
Filled with rich, soulful melodies, Gabriel Fauré’s seven-part Requiem is one of the most moving works in the choral canon. Premiering in 1888 at La Madeleine in Paris, where Fauré was the organist, it was later performed at the composer’s own funeral in 1924.
Another masterpiece of French choral composition is Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, which was completed in 1947 with musical themes drawn from Gregorian chant. It has been described as “supremely beautiful.”
Together these two soul-stirring works guarantee a powerful listening experience.
Please be sure to reserve your spot by 10pm of the day prior to the performance date or purchase at-door at the venue.
REGULAR — $45
STUDENTS 18 and under — $25
(Prices include HST)
Please review our Purchasing and COVID-19 policies prior to visiting the “Ticket Store.”
December 2021
5th
Sunday, 3:30pm
Basilica of our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk Street, Guelph
– click for map –
Messiah
Sponsored by: The Brewster family, in memory of Anne and Ormond Brewster
Launch your festive season with this best-loved of all choral works.
Noel Edison draws on years of experience to interpret this magnificent oratorio in a way that is both fresh and powerful. With a splendid choir, outstanding soloists and full orchestra and performed amid the beauty and acoustic perfection of Guelph’s Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, this is a
Messiah you will never forget!
PRE-REGISTRATION & SALES FOR THIS PERFORMANCE ARE NOW CLOSED
December 2021
17th
Friday, 7:30pm
Basilica of our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk Street, Guelph
– click for map –
Festival of Carols
Sponsored by: Susan Newman and Wilf Trivett
Join us for a joyous celebration of the music of Christmas with carols new and old; and readings by Marilyn Lightstone and Colin Fox of seasonal poems and stories.
You’ll want to make this concert a family tradition!
Please note: The deadline for pre-registration and sales is 24 hours prior to the start of the performance. At this time we are not permitted to have at-door sales. Be sure to review our PURCHASING & COVID-19 policies prior to purchasing. Proof of full vaccination is required. Properly fitted masks must be worn at all times while inside the venue.
December 2021
20th
Monday, 7:30pm
Court House Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake
– click for map –
Festival of Carols
Sponsored by: Susan Newman and Wilf Trivett
Join us for a joyous celebration of the music of Christmas with carols new and old; and readings by Marilyn Lightstone and Colin Fox of seasonal poems and stories.
You’ll want to make this concert a family tradition!
Please note: The deadline for pre-registration and sales is 24 hours prior to the start of the performance. At this time we are not permitted to have at-door sales. Be sure to review our PURCHASING & COVID-19 policies prior to purchasing. Proof of full vaccination is required. Properly fitted masks must be worn at all times while inside the venue.