This Sampler or “introductory” series is perfect for people who don’t know the Toronto Consort and want to try us out, or for those members of the audience who prefer an afternoon concert. This series consists of the ever-popular Praetorius Christmas Vespers on Sunday, December 12, 2010 and Songs of the Celestial Sirens on Sunday, May 8, 2011.

This new series will be held on Sunday afternoons at 3:30 pm at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre.

Praetorius Christmas Vespers December 12, 2010 The Toronto Consort has established one of Toronto’s most beloved Christmas traditions: the Praetorius Christmas Vespers. Singers, violins, cornetti, sackbuts, theorbos and keyboards are arranged around the balconies and stage of Trinity-St. Paul’s Church, as we recreate the joyful celebration of Christmas Vespers as it might have been heard under the direction of Michael Praetorius in 17th-century Germany. In the spirit of celebration, the audience joins with the assembled musical forces in singing favourite early Christmas carols. A sell-out in many previous seasons, for the 2010-11 season we have added a Sunday matinee to this perennial favourite.

“The music was balanced and period-perfect.
The whole effort felt authentic in a natural, unforced way...
Music Director David Fallis is a magician.”

Songs of the Celestial Sirens May 8, 2011 17th-century Italy witnessed one of the most extraordinary moments in the history of women’s music, with the incredible outpouring of repertoire written by and for women, especially found in the convents of northern Italy. At the Convent of Santa Radegonda in Milan, the compositions of one of the sisters, Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, performed by an ensemble of brilliant nuns, drew audiences in such numbers that on public feast days there was sometimes the fear that people might suffocate, so irresistible was the music of the “celestial sirens” as one commentator named them. We have assembled our own group of virtuoso female singers to recreate the thrill of this magnificent music.

“From this time and place come mighty contributions
to the history and evolution of classical Western music, and the
Consort renders it beautifully every time.”

All concerts performed at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor Street West (just west of Spadina). Friday and Saturday concerts begin at 8 pm. Sunday concerts begin at 3:30 pm.
Artists and programs are subject to change.

© 2010, Toronto Consort

 2010 -11 Season
 NEW! Sunday Sampler Series
 Ticket Information
 Club Consort for ages 30 and under
 Artistic Director's Message

"This dear band - so expert, so rhythmically alive, so humourous, at times so touching - has such an infectious good time doing what it does well, I just sit and smile. "

— The Globe and Mail

The Toronto Consort
427 Bloor Street West
Toronto ON
M5S 1X7
Box Office: (416) 964-6337
Administrative Office: (416) 966-1045
Fax: (416) 966-1759
info@torontoconsort.org