Richard and his wife Val Kuinka talk to Times Colonist journalist Amy Smart about their Highlands Opera Studio program.

Richard on the Highlands Opera Studio – Times Colonist – Feb’12

Read the interview on the Times Colonist website

Congratulations to Allyson McHardy and James Ehnes for their JUNO nominations. Unveiled today at a press conference in Toronto, Allyson’s recording of Caldara’s La Conversione di Clodoveo with Le Nouvel Opéra (ATMA) is up for Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral Performance and James Ehnes’s recording of Bartók’s Voilin Concertos and Viola Concerto (CHANDOS) is nominated in the category of Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble or Soloist with Large Ensemble.

The 2012 Juno Awards will be handed out at ceremonies in Ottawa on March 31st and April 1st. For more information on the JUNO Awards visit their website: junoawards.ca

“Come to have your eyes dazzled; stay to have your heart moved…Russell Braun is the lovelorn troubadour and no one, truly, can capture the essence of manly pain as well as he does. Add to this the burnished redwood of his voice, capable of the most powerful explosions as well as the gentlest covered notes and you have a work of art.” (Toronto Star, 3 February 2012)

COC Love From Afar – Toronto Star – Feb’12

Read the review on the Toronto Star website

January 20.2012…On Saturday, February 4, 2012, the Viennese Opera Ball will once again take over the National Gallery of Canada to dazzle its guests with incredible music, a menu that stays true to Viennese cuisine, with a Canadian twist, and a night filled with dancing to the music of Ottawa’s own Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra and the Stevens & Kennedy Band.

RBC Royal Bank of Canada has returned for a second year as the Title Sponsor of the Ball, underscoring the institution’s commitment to partnering and collaborating with the arts and cultural community.

PERFORMANCES
A unique feature of the Ball is the traditional demonstration of the Polonaise by the Debutantes and Cavaliers. Under the creative direction of Melissa Krulick of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 30 young dancers from 9 different schools have dedicated hours of their time to learning the intricate movements of the Polonaise and the special steps of a new choreography to Strauss’s much loved Wine, Women and Song.

The evening will also feature the Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra following a hiatus of several years. Conducted by the renowned maestro Kevin Mallon, the Orchestra will delight guests with their wonderful interpretation of Viennese music.

For the first time this year, the Ball will welcome Olympic Medalist Elizabeth Manley who will join Fred Astaire Dance Studio’s award-winning dancer Dan Labelle in a reprisal of their 2011 winning performance from the Dancing with the Stars competition in support of Easter Seals.

The Ball is also pleased to present two young singers from the Opera Lyra Ottawa Studio program, mezzo-soprano Arminè Kassabian and tenor David Lafleur who will perform duets from Verdi’s La Traviata and Johann Strauss’s Wiener Blut.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening is Rob Clipperton, former CBC Radio host and producer.

SPECIAL GUESTS
As host of the evening, His Excellency, Werner Brandstetter, Ambassador of Austria will welcome a number of special guests for the evening including the Chief Justice of Canada, the Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin;  Speaker of the House, the Hon. Andrew Scheer;  H.E. Wilhelmus Julius Geerts, Ambassador of the Netherlands; H.E. Shashishekhar M. Gavai, High Commissioner for India; H.E. Georg Witschel, Ambassador of Germany; H. E. Bernhard Matthias Brinkmann, Ambassador of the European Union ;  H.E. Piragibe Dos Santos Tarrago, Ambassador of Brazil, and MPP Yasir Naqvi.

BENEFICIARIES
Over the past 15 years, the Viennese Opera Ball has raised over $650,000 for programs that benefit youth across the city. The 2012 Ball will continue its support of two incredible local arts organizations: Opera Lyra Ottawa’s Opera Studio, a training program for aspiring young opera singers and OrKidstra, a remarkable musical instruction and instrument program for children in our capital city who could not otherwise afford it.

SPONSORS
This event would not be possible without its many sponsors ­– title sponsor RBC  Royal Bank of Canada; Gold Sponsors Frequentis, Mark Motors and Mariazellerland; Silver Sponsors Bytek, KPMG, MHPM Project Managers, and the Ottawa Citizen; Bronze Sponsors Porter Airlines, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Avison Young Intelligent Real Estate Solutions, Trinity Development Foundation, and CD Warehouse. We would also like to thank the many other businesses and individuals who have also made vital contributions to the success of the event.

Check out our website for more details:
www.vienneseoperaballottawa.com

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 For more information, please contact:
Moira Johnson Consulting
Viennese Opera Ball Coordinators
Tel: 613-565-0666
Email: moira@moirajohnson.com  or  megan@moirajohnson.com

Check out some of the interviews that Adrianne did as she prepared to reprise her acclaimed role of Tosca with the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto.

And the first reviews are in…

Adrianne Pieczonka appears as Tosca at the COC

“Adrianne Pieczonka’s Tosca the best thing in COC’s production of Puccini classic. [Pieczonka] uses her own theatrical shrewdness and innate likeability to scrape away the years of theatrical artifice from the role and offer us a diva-free zone. Her Tosca begins as a good-time girl, charming, playful, quick to become jealous, quicker to forgive, more anxious to discuss her late night rendezvous with her lover than worry about the finer points of Franco-Italian politics. But when reality intrudes in Act II and she comes face to face with the evil lust and intellectual duplicity of Baron Scarpia, she grows up very quickly indeed. At this crucial moment in the opera, Pieczonka sinks to the floor like a sad little rag doll who’s had all the stuffing torn out of her and, in a moment of silent clarity, looks at life anew. This means that the famous aria, “Vissi d’arte” becomes so much more than a beautiful chance for her to sing. As the simple words and haunting melody float upward, Pieczonka’s airy yet rich tones sound as though she was filling them with her soul, instead of mere breath. It’s a moment of transcendent beauty that carries the artist through her murder of Scarpia, her revulsion afterwards, and the grand sweeping arc of the final act that leaves her with no other choice than to leap from the battlements to join her lover in death. In Pieczonka’s hands, this becomes the stuff of tragedy, not melodrama.” (Toronto Star, 22 January 2012)

“Pieczonka leaps from note to note in a stunning display of mature artistry, tracing the path of her heroine’s descent into hell with surefooted skill.” (Toronto Sun, 22 January 2012)

“[Pieczonka] gave a luminous performance of Vissi d’arte in Act Two, sung while on her knees.” (Globe and Mail, 23 January 2012)

“…with vivid acting, a dignified bearing, and gleaming high notes [Adrianne Pieczonka] made a formidable impression.” (National Post, 22 January 2012)

James Ehnes spoke to Julie Amacher at Minnesota Public Radio about his latest recording featuring Violin Concerto, Serenade Melancolique, Valse Scherzo, and Souvenir d’un lieu cher with the Sydney Symphony and Vladimir Ashkenazy (Onyx).

Read or Listen to the Interview on Minnesota Public Radio’s website

November 28, 2011– Jim Hall, Chair of the Viennese Opera Ball Organizing Committee and President of Frequentis Canada, today announced details of the 16th Annual Viennese Opera Ball.

“As always, this glittering evening includes the traditional introduction of Debutantes and Cavaliers in a wonderful demonstration of true Viennese waltzes, a menu combining the best of Austrian cuisine with a special Canadian twist, exceptional wine, beautiful music and unlimited dancing! After an absence of several years, Ottawa’s own Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra, conducted by renowned Maestro Kevin Mallon will fill the hall with Viennese favourites and The Stevens & Kennedy Band will add their special brand of music to the evening. And of course, the whole event is enhanced by its setting: the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Canada with its unparalleled views of Ottawa’s winter wonderland.

We are delighted to welcome back RBC Royal Bank of Canada as our Title Sponsor for a second year. RBC Royal Bank and the Viennese Opera Ball both recognize the importance of supporting the community in which we live and that by working together we can create opportunities for young people to realize their potential.”

“The Viennese Opera Ball has become one of the premier events on the National Capital’s cultural scene. RBC is pleased to support it once again this year,”said Jeff Boyd, Regional President, Ontario North and East, RBC Royal Bank. “It underscores our commitment to partner and collaborate with the arts and cultural community in the same way we serve our clients: setting them up for success in everything they do.”

THE VOB GIVES BACK!
Giving back to the community has always been a major source of pride for the Viennese Opera Ball with more than $650,000 raised over the past fifteen years. With a focus on arts and culture programs for young people, the 2012 Ball will donate its proceeds will continue its support of two incredible local arts organizations: Opera Lyra Ottawa’s Opera Studio, a training program for aspiring young opera singers and OrKidstra, a remarkable musical instruction and instrument program for children in our capital city who could not otherwise afford it.

Jim Hall commented: “With these partnerships, our Viennese Opera Ball is forging even stronger links to the community and increasing its commitment to promote, develop and strengthen these important cultural programs. We are delighted to be able to collaborate with these wonderful organizations to raise funds to help young people realize their dreams.”

SPONSORSHIP
The Viennese Opera Ball could not happen without its sponsors, partners and ticket buyers. This year we are introducing new levels of sponsorship along with some new rewards.We are pleased to welcome back sponsors Frequentis Canada, Mariazeller Land, MHPM, Gowlings and KPMG LLP. The Organizing Committee would also like to thank the Austrian Ambassador, His Excellency Mag. Werner Brandstetter, for his ongoing enthusiasm and support, and the long-standing assistance of the Austrian-Canadian Council and the Austrian Society Ottawa.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities and to purchase individual tickets, please contact Moira Johnson Consulting.

HISTORY
Launched in 1996 with the enthusiastic support of the Austrian Embassy and the Austrian-Canadian Council, Ottawa’s Viennese Opera Ball is one of only five international events modelled on the Opernball that are officially sanctioned by the Austrian Government. It quickly became a must-attend event on the Ottawa gala calendar.

www.vienneseoperaballottawa.com

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For more information, please contact:
Moira Johnson Consulting
Viennese Opera Ball Coordinators
Tel: 613 565 0666 Email: moira@moirajohnson.com megan@moirajohnson.com

The ADISQ nominations are out and two MJC artists are nominated. Congratulations to Allyson McHardy whose critically acclaimed recording of Caldara’s La Conversione di Clodoveo is nominated in the category of CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: VOCAL and to Shannon Mercer whose Salsa Baroque collaboration with Ensemble Caprice is nominated in the category of CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLOIST AND SMALL ENSEMBLE. The ADISQ Awards will be handed out at a ceremony in Montréal October 24. Check back for news!

Russell teams up with Susan Graham in the Canadian Opera Company’s “unforgettable production” of Iphigenia in Tauris!

COC Iphigenia – Toronto Star – Sept’11

Read the review on the Toronto Star website

09.01.2011 – “Heart of Europe”: The Dresden Music Festival from May 15 to June 3, 2012

“Heart of Europe”
The Dresden Music Festival from May 15 to June 3, 2012

At a press conference announcing the next edition of the Dresden Music Festival, Intendant Jan Vogler opened saying: “I am thrilled to put the spotlight of the 2012 Dresden Music Festival on the region that any musician or music lover will readily identify as the ‘Heart of Europe’: the triangle of Vienna-Budapest-Prague. Even today this strong heart has ensured that Europe, the musical Titan, enjoys a reputation throughout the world as the ‘cradle of music’. Whether it is imperial splendour, the French revolution, romanticism or the industrial revolution – everything between the Danube and the Vltava inspires the creation of music that radiates for all of humanity to enjoy.”

The Heart of this region beats to the rhythm of Bohemian, Hungarian and Austrian folk music, as well as to that of the Viennese Court. The musical traditions and styles of the Habsburg Empire’s multinational society made for a unique, inspiring mélange. In addition to this vitality, the dichotomy of the Habsburg monarchy’s brilliance on the one hand, and its disintegration on the other, led to a powerful creativity still evident to this day.

The 2012 Dresden Music Festival will allow the public to experience the musical outcome of this extraordinary phenomenon:

Internationally renowned artists from the Heart of Europe will include the Vienna Philharmonic with Daniel Barenboim, the Vienna Boys’ Choir, and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ingo Metzmacher and featuring pianist Martin Stadtfeld and violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja. Concert programs inspired by the year’s theme will be presented by Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano), Kristian Bezuidenhout (piano), Midori (violin), the Artemis Quartet, Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo-soprano), Hélène Grimaud (piano), the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
.
In addition to these musical discoveries from the region between the Danube and Vltava rivers, the Dresden Music Festival will feature the premiere performance of the Dresden Festival Orchestra, restoring the tradition of the ‘Orchestra di Dresda’. Conducted by the renowned specialist in historical performance, Ivor Bolton, this newly founded Orchestra will bring together some of the highest-profile baroque musicians in Europe, including concertmaster Giuliano Carmignola.

The 2012 “Orchestra in Residence” is the Curtis Symphony Orchestra made up of members of the renowned Curtis Institute of Philadelphia. Featuring soloists Jan Vogler and Ray Chen, the Orchestra will open the Festival in Dresden’s magnificent Frauenkirche. Acclaimed for their remarkable technical abilities, their flexibility and joy in music-making will be further highlighted at the chamber music marathon at the Volkswagen’s Transparent Factory as well as when they collaborate with music students from Dresden in a new edition of ‘Let’s Dance’.

OTHER PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Once again, the wealth of internationally celebrated artists will create a unique Festival atmosphere in 2012. Some of the upcoming highlights:
- British tenor Ian Bostridge commands an expressive power which serves the profound depth of Bach’s music particularly well. No venue could be more befitting than the Frauenkirche for his concert with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
- With Thomas Hengelbrock and the NDR Symphony Orchestra a promising new venture in the orchestral landscape presents itself in Dresden for the first time.
- The Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre under Valery Gergiev was an instant audience favourite when it first performed at the Festival. In 2012 Jan Vogler will be the featured soloist in a fascinating program featuring Bartók, Honegger and Strauss.
- The art of John Malkovich is even more impressive on stage than on the movie screen. Festival audiences have a chance to experience his craft when he performs ‘The Infernal Comedy’ together with Martin Haselböck.
- Breathtaking virtuosity and power are the hallmarks of Martin Grubinger’s playing. The effect of his performance will be emphasized even more in the ambience of the Festival’s new venue, a former industrial forge.
- The centerpiece of the grand finale will be the Filarmonica della Scala and Daniel Harding, who perform Dvorák’s Symphony No. 8 – one of the most beautiful works from the ‘Heart of Europe’.

PERSECUTED COMPOSERS
The region at the center of Europe is also characterized by a strong Jewish tradition, many
composers of which were persecuted, especially in the first half of the 20th Century. The following events, among others, are dedicated to them:

- ‘Music in Theresienstad’: a concert with the Pavel Haas Quartet at the former roof theater at the Magdeburg Barracks.
- Daniel Hope and Sebastian Knauer perform at the German Hygiene Museum.
- Concert of the Neue Jüdische Kammerphilharmonie (New Jewish Chamber Philharmonic) at the New Synagogue.

‘LA CASA DISABITATA’ RETURNS TO DRESDEN
For the first time in 177 years since the Princess Amalie of Saxony’s ‘La casa disabitata’ (the uninhabited house) was last performed, the 2012 Festival will present the opera at the Palais im Großen Garten. The performance is possible thanks to the return of the opera’s score from Russia after it was looted during World War II.

FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
- ‘Let’s Dance!’ 2012: Following its great success in 2010, ‘Let’s Dance’ returns to Dresden in a new edition. Led by Royston Maldoom, head of the Community Dance Movement, Dresden students will experience how dancing together overcomes borders of any kind.
- ‘All you can hear’ – the Dresden Fair (MESSE) becomes a festival hall. Encounter symphonic and chamber music in many forms and shapes – at a family-friendly price.
- ‘U30 Series’ – 50% discount for our festival friends under the age of 30. Events from this series can now be chosen freely and in any combination.

FESTIVAL PARTNERS
The Dresden Music Festival thanks its public and private partners – especially our principal sponsors, Volkswagen’s Transparent Factory and the Ostsächsische Sparkasse together with the Sparkassenversicherung Sachsen – who not only have made the 2012 program possible, but also help the Dresden Music Festival’s future development.

Tickets go on sale on October 1, 2011. The Customer Service Department is already taking ticket orders in writing at besucherservice@musikfestspiele.com.

For further information on the artists and programs please contact the press office at presse@musikfestspiele.com, Tel. +49 351 478 56 24/19.

Photos are available for download at www.musikfestspiele.com

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For more information:
Moira Johnson Consulting – Email: moira@moirajohnson.com
Susanne Lutz, Director, Communications & Sponsorship, Dresden Music Festival – Email: lutz@musikfestspiele.com