The Toronto Consort

Latin-flavoured Christmas concerts at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, December 11 and 12

Toronto, November 19, 2009 — The Toronto Consort celebrates Christmas with a Latin flavour on December 11 and 12 at 8:00 pm with A Spanish Christmas at Trinity St. Paul's Centre. For tickets and information, call the box office at (416) 964-6337 or visit www.torontoconsort.org

Artistic Director David Fallis turns to 16th and 17th century Spain and Latin America to create this programme, which is by turns haunting, boisterous, and soulful. Vocal and instrumental selections take on a distinct Latin flavour with harp, guitar, castanets, tambourines, and drums. Special guests Sylvain Bergeron and Lucas Harris (guitars and lutes), Dominic Teresi (bajón, or early bassoon) and Julia Seager Scott (harp) join the nine members of the Consort, who add layers of musical texture with voices, hurdy-gurdy, recorder, dulcian, and organ.

One of Canada’s premiere period music ensembles, The Toronto Consort is known for inventive programming that breathes life into the music of the past. A Spanish Christmas opens the door to the world of Renaissance and Baroque-period Christmas celebrations in the Spanish-speaking nations of the world, on both sides of the Atlantic. The programme includes solemn motets, lively villançicos and jácaras, pieces in native languages and dialects, and others still with African rhythmic inflections.

The first half of the program is devoted to music by Renaissance Spanish masters, with two
a capella works to open the concert: Ave Maria, attributed to Victoria, and Virgen Sancta by Guerrero. Other selections include music by Santiago de Murcia, Ortiz and Cabanilles, audience favourite Riu, riu, chiu, and excerpts from Mateo Flecha the Elder’s colourful ensalada
La Guerra.

The second half of the program moves to Latin America, and features music by several Spanish-born composers who travelled to Latin America: Los que fueron de buen gusto by Juan de Padilla, a harp solo by Ribayas, Torrejón y Velascez’ beautiful lullabye Desvelado dueño mio, the allegorical Cavallero de armas blancas by José Ximénez, Salazar’s lively villancico Ta ra ra, and other selections by Gaspar Fernandes and Padillo.

New this season: The Toronto Consort launches Club Consort, a new program that offers concert tickets to people age 30 and under, for only $10 each (with valid photo ID). Club Consort members can bring a friend — of any age — for another $10.

The Consulate General of Spain is the December 11 Performance Sponsor.

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