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Toronto Consort Announces 2006-2007 Season TORONTO, September 12, 2006 — Artistic Director David Fallis has announced plans for The Toronto Consort’s 2006-2007 season. One of Canada’s premiere period music ensembles, The Toronto Consort is known for inventive programming that transforms the evocative music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and early Baroque into living, breathing concert events for its enthusiastic audiences. The 2006-2007 concert programmes evoke a wide range of contrasts, from the adventurous world of Don Quixote’s Spain, to the brilliant Yuletide sounds of Michael Praetorius; from the sly, sexy comedy of 17th century Siena, to the exquisite serenity of the female monastic world. This season’s guest artists include harp virtuoso Maxine Eilander; The Chris Norman Ensemble with David Greenberg, violin; actor and stage director Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, dancers Anne-Marie Gardette and Pierre Chartrand, and commedia dell’arte artist Jean-François Gagnon. Subscriptions and ticket information are available through the box office at (416) 964-6337. 2006-2007 SEASON AT A GLANCE The Real Man of La Mancha Long before Captain Jack Sparrow and Pirates of the Caribbean, there was the swashbuckling hero Don Quixote, who sprang from the imagination of 17th century Spanish writer, Miguel Cervantes. The writer’s own life rivals that of any of his fictional characters: Cervantes fought in battles, gambled his fortunes, and was captured by pirates. His own writings provide the basis for a musical narrative of 17th-century Spain. One of the world’s leading experts on historical harp, Maxine Eilander, joins the Consort in bringing these irrepressible dances and haunting musical romances to life. Back by popular demand! The Praetorius Christmas Vespers is a jewel of the early Baroque based on the Lutheran church’s Vespers service. The has Consort has recorded the work for Marquis Classics and revisits this Christmas service the way it might have been performed in a large church in 17th-century Germany: voices, cornetti, sackbuts, violins, theorbos, viols and two organs will be positioned around the church and in the balconies. This early-baroque “surround-sound” experience is interwoven with Christmas carols sung by the audience and performers. The Vespers provide a perfect antidote to Christmas overload, and past performances of this work have sold out. Listen, Daughters of Light A wealth of exquisite music written for and by female monastics comes to us from the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. Hildegard of Bingen and Birgitta of Sweden are among many women who wrote music inspired by mystical ecstasy. Together with their anonymous sisters, they also wrote about different aspects of their remarkable lives — including, in some cases, their reluctance in keeping their vows. The programme concept and artistic direction is by the Consort’s own Katherine Hill, who has also performed with Sequentia ensemble for medieval music, Gabriel Garrido’s Ensemble Elyma, Ars Choralis Coeln and Scivias (Berlin). Piper in the Pantry The Toronto Consort is thrilled to welcome renowned Maritime flute player and piper Chris Norman and his ensemble of guitars, harmonium, bass, percussion and vocals. Halifax-born Norman has been hailed as the finest wooden flute player in the world, a musician whose “rootsy heritage shines through in every nuanced embellishment, trill, triple tonguing, and silky slide.” (Billboard Magazine). Guest fiddler and Consort favourite David Greenberg joins the Chris Norman Ensemble for a celebration of food, cooking and music. The menu includes a healthy helping of English, Irish and Scots musical traditions, and the audience is invited to sample traditional refreshments at intermission. The Night Games of Siena Love, Italian style! The Toronto Consort’s season finale is a staging of Orazio Vecchi’s outrageous madrigal comedy, Le Veglie di Siena. This lavish musical entertainment combines the talents of actor and stage director Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, dancers Anne-Marie Gardette and Pierre Chartrand, and commedia artist Jean-François Gagnon. They join the members of the Consort for a commedia dell’arte “Renaissance Revue” consisting of musical riddles, mimicry, double entendres and lusty play focused on the theme of love. The Consort has recorded excerpts from Le Veglie di Siena for a recent ATMA recording entitled Fireworks. New Toronto Consort Recording The Toronto Consort’s latest recording, The Da Vinci Collection, is slated for October release on the Marquis Classics label. Based on last season’s performances titled The Da Vinci Codex, this recording is a collection of music from Italy during the time of Leonardo da Vinci. Certainly Leonardo knew many of the composers represented on the recording, and might even have danced to some of the dance music. The Da Vinci Collection showcases the Consort’s instrumental virtuosity and rich vocal harmonies. The music ranges from the secular songs called frottole and lively dances to sacred works, and even a comedic song from Renaissance theatre.All concerts begin at 8:00 pm and take place at Media Contact:
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The Toronto Consort
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