Grammy-nominated Elora Festival Singers will perform Bach’s B minor Mass in Guelph on April 3 at 3pm.
The work represents the pinnacle of Bach’s creative genius. Noel Edison will conduct the Festival Singers with orchestra and soloists using the great acoustics of the Church of our Lady Immaculate.
Edison is established as one of the most versatile and charismatic conductors in the world today. As conductor and artistic director of two world-class Canadian ensembles, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Elora Festival Singers,
Edison is in demand for guest engagements with such orchestras as the Winnipeg Symphony and Toronto Symphony. In 2002, the University of Guelph conferred upon him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music and in 2009 he was appointed to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour.
He has put together a stellar cast of performers for this performance.
The Elora Festival Singers were founded in 1980 by Edison as the principal choral ensemble of the Elora Festival. Since 1997, the choir has been the professional core of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers, and is the choral ensemble-in-residence of the Elora Festival for four weeks each summer.
The Singers have established a reputation as one of the finest chamber choirs in Canada. They have 12 releases on the Naxos label.
The Elora Festival Singers and Edison were nominated for a 2011 Grammy in the category of Best Small Ensemble Performance for their Naxos CD Eric Whitacre: Choral Music.
Performing will be internationally renowned Acadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc, Canadian counter-tenor David Trudgen, Canadian tenor Isaiah Bell, Matthew Cassils
“This great spiritual work deserves a great spiritual space to really let it come alive,” said Edison. “The combination of this monumental work in this monumental space will be truly magical.”
The Elora Festival Singers 2010-2011 season will conclude on May 8 at St John’s Church, Elora with Oh Canada, a tribute to Canadian composers.
