TAKE US BACH

by Rachel Williams

On March 12, the rehearsal room at Knox Presbyterian Church was filled with a flurry of excitement before showtime. With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, the Ottawa Bach choir was finally able to host in-person concerts again. Before, the Juno Award winning Ottawa Bach choir had to settle for virtual shows and pre-recorded events.

“We are overjoyed to be back,” said Lisette Canton, the founder, artistic director, and conductor of the choir.

“There is no other way to perform music… This is the art of live music and live performance.”

Contrary to its name, the Ottawa Bach Choir does not just perform in the Ottawa region but

is internationally renowned. They have toured in the United States, Germany, China, and several other countries. One of their highest achievements is performing at the Bachfest Leipzig in Germany, the home of the famous baroque composer.

“It’s an honour because we’ve been asked to tour and perform in some festivals in Bachfest

Leipzig. We are the only Canadian group to ever go, and we are going back for a second time in June this year. It’s wonderful, it’s exhilarating but it’s also a lot of work,” said choral singer Kathleen Radke.

“To be singing in the choir [at the church] where Johann Bach is actually buried. It’s a great honour and it means a lot to us. It’s a very moving experience.”

The lights dimmed and the angelic singing began. The choir sang a medley of French baroque classics. Though named the Bach choir, the group performs works of other classic and even contemporary composers.

My favourite piece in the set was the credo, sung beautifully in Latin. During the intermission, multiple attendees remarked on the transcendent feel of the performance. The musical talents of the guest organist, Matthew Larkin, paired wonderfully with the choir.

The Ottawa Bach Choir will be representing Canada at the Bachfest Leipzig again this June.

Learn more about the Ottawa Bach Choir on their website.

The JUNO award winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) has been invited to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide—and the only Canadian ensemble—to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach, performing with the Pauliner Baroque Ensemble. As part of its fifth European tour, the choir also embarks on  A Bach Pilgrimage, following its two performances at Bachfest Leipzig, to the places where Bach lived and worked, including Eisenach, Arnstadt, Mühlhausen, Weimar, and other influential venues in Wittenberg, Halle and Berlin, singing works by German Baroque masters, as well as Contemporary gems, including Canadian Kelly-Marie Murphy. Canadian soloists, soprano Jana Miller, countertenor Nicholas Burns, tenor Nils Brown and baritone David John Pike, along with organist Jonathan Oldengarm, join the choir on this historic tour.

“We are honoured to be invited to return to Bachfest Leipzig, performing in the Thomaskirche, where Bach was  employed for 27 years, in the worldwide presentation of his second cycle of chorale cantatas,” says Founder and  Artistic Director, Lisette Canton. We also travel throughout Germany to perform in the very places where Bach lived  and worked, including the Georgenkirche in Eisenach, Bach/Stadtkirche in Arnstadt, Bachkirche Divi Blasii in Mühlhausen, the Herderkirche St. Peter and Paul in Weimar, as well as the Schloßkirche in Wittenberg, where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses, the Händelhaus in Handel’s birthplace of Halle, and finishing in Berlin.”

The Ottawa Bach Choir, founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category “Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral”. The professional ensemble has also toured extensively in Canada, the United States, Europe, and China, and 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 and Artistic Director, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

Dr. Lisette Canton, conductor

with Canadian soloists soprano Jana Miller, countertenor Nicholas Burns, tenor Nils Brown, baritone David John Pike and organist Jonathan Oldengarm                                                   

Bachfest Leipzig 2022 and A Bach Pilgrimage Tour

June 13: Bachfest Leipzig “Mette”, Thomaskirche, Leipzig

June 17: Bachfest Leizpig, “Cantate Domino!”, Thomaskirche Leipzig

June 18: Schloßkirche, Wittenberg

June 19: Georgenkirche, Eisenach

June 20: Händelhaus, Halle; Bachkirche Divi Blasii, Mühlhausen

June 21: Bach/Stadtkirche, Arnstadt; Herderkirche St. Peter and Paul, Weimar

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO award winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the second concert of its 20^th anniversary season, French Baroque Treasures, on Saturday, March 12, 2022, 8:00 PM, at Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, in Ottawa. Featuring glorious music from the French Baroque period, including Charpentier’s chef d’œuvre, Missa assumpta est Maria and Dominus regnavit by Mondonville, the concert will be performed with organist Matthew Larkin and soloists from the choir.

“We are excited to present this glorious French music from the repertoire of the 18^th century by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, maître de musique at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, and Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville, maître de musique at the Chapelle Royale of Versailles,” says Founder and Artistic Director Lisette Canton. “This rarely heard music, full of majesty and drama, will be a thrilling discovery for our audiences.”

The Ottawa Bach Choir, founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods. 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, Europe, and China, and had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

The OBC won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach.

For interviews and information, please contact:

Dr. Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

with organist Matthew Larkin and soloists from the choir

Dr. Lisette Canton, conductor                                                   

French Baroque Treasures

Live In-Person (limited tickets available)

Saturday, March 12, 2022, 8:00 PM

Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, Ottawa

Tickets: Reserved $50, Adult $40, Senior $35, Student $20, Children 12 and under free

Please review our COVID-19 Response for In-Person Concerts on the website.

Tickets are available online: www.ottawabachchoir.ca

To view the concert in our Digital Concert Hall, please see the website.

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO award winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the first concert of its 20^th anniversary season, Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, on Saturday, November 27, 2021, 7:30 PM, at Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, in Ottawa. Considered the greatest work of art of all times and people, Bach’s masterpiece will feature Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra and Canadian soloists, soprano Meredith Hall, countertenor Nicholas Burns, tenor Nils Brown and bass David John Pike.

“Join the OBC and a spectacular cast of musicians in what is considered ‘the greatest musical work of art of all times and people’—Bach’s Mass in B Minor,” says Founder and Artistic Director, Lisette Canton. “It represents a timeless, crowning achievement of Bach’s musical and spiritual profundity, and continues to move listeners, placing it far above any work composed in Western history. We invite you to join us in this incredible musical experience to celebrate our 20^th anniversary.”

The Ottawa Bach Choir, founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods. 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, Europe, and China, and had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

The OBC won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach.

For interviews and information, please contact:

Emily O’Kane, Administrative Manager, emily.okane@ottawabachchoir.ca

Dr. Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director, lisette.canton@ottawabachchoir.ca

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

with Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra; Matthias Maute, artistic director

Soloists: soprano Meredith Hall, countertenor Nicholas Burns, tenor Nils Brown, bass David John Pike

Dr. Lisette Canton, conductor                                                   

Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232

Live In-Person (limited tickets available)

Saturday, November 27, 2021, 7:30PM

Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, Ottawa

Tickets: Reserved $50, Adult $40, Senior $35, Student $20, Children 12 and under free

Please review our COVID-19 Response for In-Person Concerts on the website.

Tickets are available online: www.ottawabachchoir.ca

To view the concert in our Digital Concert Hall, please see the website.

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

Ottawa (Canada)- The Ottawa Bach Choir is pleased to have been awarded a Resilient Communities Fund Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and to support efforts in rebuilding resilience and capacity for the return of healthy vibrant communities.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

The Resilient Communities Fund Grant has helped the Ottawa Bach Choir to reimagine its entire season, including the purchase health and safety supplies, equipment and capital, a larger virtual presence, including technical production for a new digital series of pre-recorded and livestreamed concerts in its new Digital Concert Hall, increased marketing and new possibilities for partnerships and artistic collaborations. “The resources from the Resilient Communities Fund Grant provided a bridge in the Ottawa Bach Choir’s artistic programming and community outreach, allowing for new technological advances for present and future concerts and events. We are grateful for this much-appreciated support through this grant initiative from the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” says Founder and Artistic Director, Dr. Lisette Canton.

The Ottawa Bach Choir, founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) won the 2020 JUNO Award for its album, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach.

What’s next for The Ottawa Bach Choir?

Bach: Mass in B Minor, Saturday, November 27, 2021, in honour of the OBC’s 20^th anniversary, the season begins with Bach’s masterpiece, considered the greatest work of all time and all people, with Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra and soloists, performed both in person and livestreamed in its Digital Concert Hall.

The OBC is thrilled to be able to gather safely once again, following all public health and safety protocols, and to continue singing together! The safety of our artists and patrons is our priority and we continue to work hard to create a safe space for all. In order to assist with our commitment to the well-being of our patrons, musicians, volunteers and staff, we are implementing protocols that address public health and safety. We are committed to closely monitoring COVID-19 in our province and city in order to best provide a safe environment and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Ottawa Bach Choir requires all staff, volunteers, contractors and singers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

We will, however, no longer check for vaccination status of our patrons.

 What to expect when attending an Ottawa Bach Choir event in person:

• We ask that if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms that you enjoy our performance streamed in our Digital Concert Hall and not attend the event in person.
• We ask that our patrons continue to implement mask requirements for indoor public spaces, and recommend that masks be worn in all indoor areas of the venue.
• We ask that you remain in your seat for the duration of the event.
• At the intermission and at the end of the concert, please minimize indoor social time and move efficiently through high-touch zones such as doorways and aisles. Visit with other patrons outdoors and distanced.
• Washrooms are open prior to, during, and after concerts.

The best way to receive up-to-date information on concerts is to sign up for our e-newsletter.

The Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) is excited to welcome you to its 20^th anniversary season of stunning choral music! The professional ensemble has not only travelled the world and received national and international recognition, it also has many ‘firsts’ to its credit, including a recent JUNO award for our album Handel: Dixit Dominus, Bach & Schütz: Motets! The choir will record its eighth album this season and has been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig, in June 2022 (postponed from 2020), as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach.

The choir is delighted to be able to safely offer an entire season of choral music in 2021-2022, with in-person live concerts as well as in our successful Digital Concert Hall. We also introduce our new Administrative Manager, Emily O’Kane, who brings passion and enthusiasm to the OBC.

The Season Series offers three magnificent concerts:

(1) Bach Motets, Available as of October 2, 2021, 8 PM, in OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

(2) Bach: Mass in B Minor, Saturday, November 27, 2021, 7:30 PM, Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St. & OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

(3) French Baroque Treasures, Saturday, March 12, 2022, 8 PM, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St. & OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

(4) Prelude Europe 2022, Saturday, May 7, 2022, 8 PM, St. Matthew’s Church, 130 Glebe Ave. & OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

Join us and come discover the best that choral music has to offer!

Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director  

DONATE BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND JUNE 30, 2021

The Great Canadian Giving Challenge is a contest sponsored by CanadaHelps that will give the Ottawa Bach Choir a chance to win a $20,000 prize! Every dollar donated between June 1 and June 30 gives the choir another chance at winning the grand prize. All donations will receive a tax receipt issued by CanadaHelps on behalf of the Ottawa Bach Choir.

Please consider giving through this wonderful opportunity so that the OBC can share with you a special 20th anniversary season in 2021-2022. We appreciate your ongoing support during this challenging time and thank you for making the OBC a part of your musical life!

Participate by clicking the link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-ottawa-bach-choir/

The JUNO Award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) will present the final concert of its 19th glorious season, Bach Motets, postponed to October 2021, in its new Digital Concert Hall. The concert features Bach’s brilliant Six Motets, including Singet dem Herrn, BWV 225; Der Geist hilft, BWV 226; Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227; Fürchte dich nicht, BWV 228; Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229; and Lobet den Herrn, BWV 230; performed with continuo. The choir will record this music at a later date for its 8th CD, due for release in 2022.

The OBC won the JUNO 2020 Award for its recording, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. Released on the ATMA Classique label, the album has been exclaimed as “staggering and movingly performed” (Gramophone Magazine), “among the very best” (American Record Guide) and “awe-inspiring” (The WholeNote).

The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, 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 2022.

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, Europe, and  China, and  had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

Dr. Lisette Canton, Conductor                                                   

Bach Motets

October 2021: Digital Concert Hall

Tickets: General $20

Tickets are available online: OBC Digital Concert Hall

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO Award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) is one of the choirs that will join the London Handel Orchestra in a blending of live and virtual performances of Handel’s Messiah to be presented on Monday, April 5, 2021, at 2 PM (EDT). Acclaimed baroque conductor, Laurence Cummings will lead soloists and the London Handel Orchestra in a live performance from St George’s, Hanover Square in London’s Mayfair – Handel’s own church. The choruses, recorded virtually, will be integrated digitally into the overall performance. The whole event will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube for global audiences to enjoy free of charge, and will be available on the London Handel Festival YouTube channel afterwards.

The OBC has won the JUNO 2020 Award for its recording, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. Released on the ATMA Classique label, the album has been exclaimed as “staggering and movingly performed” (Gramophone Magazine), “among the very best” (American Record Guide) and “awe-inspiring” (The WholeNote).

The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, 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, Europe, and  China, and  had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

Tickets can be obtained via the London Handel Festival.

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca