Ottawa (Canada) – The Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the first concert of its 18th season of magnificent choral music, A Bach Christmas, on Saturday, November 30, 2019, 7:30 PM, at Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Road, in Toronto; and Sunday, December 1, 2019, 7:30 PM, at Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, in Ottawa. The concert features festive repertoire for Christmas by Bach, including the cantatas the choir will perform at Bachfest Leipzig 2020, Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht, BWV 124; Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 3; Was mein Gott will, das g’scheh allzeit, BWV 111, and more! This spectacular presentation includes the Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra, as well as Canadian soloists, soprano Meredith Hall, countertenor Nicholas Burns, tenor Philippe Gagné and bass Andrew Mahon.
“The OBC is thrilled to be invited to perform this rarely heard music by Bach at the most prestigious Bach festival in the world, Bachfest Leipzig, in June 2020, and we’ll share this beautiful music for the Christmas season with audiences in Ottawa and Toronto,” says Founder and Artistic Director, Lisette Canton. “You won’t want to miss these brilliant concerts with some of Canada’s most celebrated artists in such inspiring venues.”
The OBC’s seventh CD, Handel: Dixit Dominus, Bach & Schütz: Motets, was released on the ATMA Classique label and exclaimed as “among the very best” (American Record Guide) and “staggering and movingly performed” (Gramophone Magazine). The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2020,as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) asked to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach, in June 2020.
Founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, the OBC offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods, featuring some of Canada’s top choristers. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best.
The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, and Europe, and was invited to perform as Canada’s choral representative in the prestigious Meet in Beijing arts festival in Beijing, China, in April 2016. In 2014, the choir had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.
For interviews and information, please contact:
Dr. Lisette Canton, Founder & Artistic Director, 613-222-1882, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca
Listing information:
Ottawa Bach Choir
Dr. Lisette Canton, Conductor
A Bach Christmas
with Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra and soloists
Saturday, November 30, 2019, 7:30 PM: Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Road, Toronto
Sunday, December 1, 2019, 7:30 PM: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, Ottawa
Tickets: Reserved $50, Adult $40, Senior $35, Student $15, Children 12 and under are free
Tickets are available online: www.ottawabachchoir.ca, by phone: 613-270-1015, or at the following outlets:
Compact Music, 206 & 785 1/2 Bank Street, Ottawa
Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca
