On May 17th and 18th enjoy a stirring and explorative evening of Mozart with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, as principal guest conductor John Storgårds returns to the NAC. This much-anticipated performance of Mozart’s Requiem marks the closure of the Air Canada Ovation Series of the 2016-2017 season.

The roster of internationally celebrated soloists includes:

• Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin,
• Canadian Mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy,
• Canadian Tenor Andrew Haji,
• Acclaimed American bass-baritone Christian van Horn and,
• The combined choral forces of the Capital Chamber Choir and the Cantata Singers of Ottawa.

Mozart’s breathtaking concert aria Exsultate, jubilate will be performed by Karina Gauvin, who has shown herself to be one of the most delightful sopranos. Her crystal-clear tones marked by a richness, her timing is precise and her skill make her performance of even the most difficult of passages a true pleasure. This piece will be followed by The Messenger by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov best known for his post-modern style. Produced only a decade ago, The Messenger was originally written for synthesizer, piano and string orchestra. It contains a pastiche of Mozart quotations blended to a soothing original score rich with complex tones and emotional depth.

“I do not write new music.  My music is a response to and an echo of what already exists.” Valentin Silvestrov

Mozart’s Requiem is the timeless centrepiece of this magnificent evening. His greatest masterpiece, the Requiem remained incomplete at the time of his death. Beloved by audiences worldwide, the majestic and spiritual Requiem for chorus, soloists and orchestra remains a truly divine chef-d'oeuvre.

“Performing Mozart’s Requiem is a special, demanding thing. Süssmayr did a rather good job… but the revised version by Franz Beyer – which we are playing tonight –is based on everything original Mozart wrote and, critically, on Süssmayr’s solutions, it makes this fantastic piece of music better, and closer to the “real original” Mozart.” John Storgårds

Canadian Soprano Karina Gauvin, well known for her masterful voice and riveting performances, returns to the NAC with vocals that are strong, clear and inexhaustible. Gauvin has performed with many prestigious orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra and has been showered with international awards including being named “Soloist of the Year” by the Communauté international des radios publiques de langue française.

Canadian mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy’s voice has been described as radiant, dusky, incandescent and sumptuous while her regal on-stage presence captivates and charms audiences. Mozart’s Requiem will shine at this performance as a key highlight in her vast operatic and orchestral repertoire. 

Andrew Haji, quickly becoming one of the most sought after Tenors, returns to the NAC after his stunning last minute debut during the 2015-2016  season in Handel’s Messiah. The University of Toronto graduate received the Grand Prix, the Press Prize and the Junior Jury Prize at the International Vocal Competition in the Netherlands and awards from the Marilyn Horne Song Competition and the Canadian Opera Company.

Hailing from Yale and the recipient of numerous awards, Christian van Horn has appeared in many of the world’s great opera house and concert halls including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, with the Berlin Philharmonic at the Salzburg Easter Festival and at Carnegie Hall. 

Join us for this in-depth and eye-opening performance of Mozart’s Requiem, May 17th and 18th. Tickets start at $25 and are available at the NAC Box Office or online at NAC-CNA.ca.

For additional information, visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Jennifer Cavanagh
Communications Officer
National Arts Centre Orchestra
613 915-0402
Jennifer.Cavanagh@nac-cna.ca