The Toronto Consort

“Pure sonic sensuality … the perfect antidote to tinny seasonal Muzak fraying our nerves these days.” —Toronto Star

Toronto, November 15, 2010 —The Toronto Consort presents the complete Christmas Vespers by Michael Praetorius at Trinity St Paul’s Centre on December 10, 11, and 12. The Praetorius Vespers capture the intimacy and splendour of Christmas, and past performances of this audience favourite have consistently sold out. For tickets and information, call the box office at (416) 964-6337 or visit www.torontoconsort.org.

NEW THIS SEASON: The Toronto Consort has added a Sunday performance of the Christmas Vespers at 3:30 pm on December 12 — part of the new Sunday Sampler series.

Watch a short video of a rehearsal of Praetorius Christmas Vespers

The 9-member period ensemble under the direction of David Fallis grows to over 60-strong when it is joined by vocal soloists, sopranos Michele DeBoer, Dawn Bailey, Meghan Roberts; altos Laura Pudwell, Vicki St. Pierre, Peter Mahon; tenors Paul Jenkins, Bud Roach, David Arnot; basses John Pepper, Paul Oros, David Roth; The Toronto Chamber Choir and a host of period instruments, to recreate a 17th-century Lutheran Christmas service.

The Praetorius Christmas Vespers is a jewel of the early Baroque period based on the Lutheran church’s Vespers service. The Consort revisits this Christmas service the way it might have been performed under the direction of Michael Praetorius in a large church in 17th-century Germany: voices, recorders, sackbuts, violins, theorbos, viols and two organs are positioned around the church and in the balconies.

This early Baroque “surround-sound” experience culminates with the composer’s brilliant four-choir Magnificat, which is scored for 20 individual vocal and instrumental parts, and is interwoven with Christmas carols and other “best-loved German songs”, as specified by the composer.

Sections of the Vespers performed by all 60 musicians provide a stunning contrast to the more intimate moments when just 4 or 5 soloists sing a capella. The Consort’s recording of this work for is available through Marquis Classics.

In a review of a previous Consort performance of the Praetorius Vespers, the Toronto Star remarked, “Here's one tradition as pliable and diverse as they come. The enormous satisfaction it provided came via the imaginative mix-and-match skills of two remarkable musicians, Praetorius and Consort conductor David Fallis. Each in his own way blended pop with high art, fun with due reverence, all with an innate understanding that the music itself can make the season go better, and not vice versa.”

Media Contact: Luisa Trisi, Big Picture Communications (416) 481-1161 ltrisi@sympatico.ca