This year the Elora Festival is introducing new artistic discussions.
On both Wednesdays of the festival there will be a roundtable discussion to offer a dialogue between various artists.
“Those are two different insights into something musical,” artistic director Noel Edison said at the April 10 announcement of this year’s festival line-up at Aboyne Hall.
The concert series will run from July 10 to 26.
July 10
There will be an opening night gala featuring the performance of Handel’s Solomon at 7:30pm by the Eloral Festival Singers, the Festival Orchestra and a variety of featured soloists. Prior to the concert there will be a talk at 6:45pm and after the concert there will be fireworks and a festive buffet. This will occur at the Gambrel Barn in Elora and costs $60 plus HST. For preferred seating it is $75 plus HST.
July 11
The first of the children’s programming initiatives will see Orphea and the Golden Harp performed at 3pm at St. John’s Church in Elora. The performance is aimed to encourage children to be interested in the classical component and will use marionettes, singers and dancers. The tickets are $35 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo, $20 for uGO.
Black Umfolosi, an a cappella and dance group from Zimbabwe will perform at Gambrel Barn at 7pm. Tickets are $45 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
The Mike Janzen Trio kicks off the festival’s Starlight Series. The jazz, blues and roots music group will play at 9:30pm at the Heritage Barn at the Museum and Archives in Elora. Tickets are $25 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo, $20 for uGO.
July 12
The Glory of Vivaldi performance will feature the Elora Festival Singers with a chamber ensemble performing the Venetian Baroque master’s Gloria, Magnificat and Oboe Concerto in C Major. The performance will take place at St. John’s Church at 2pm. The tickets are $35 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo, $20 for uGO.
Afternoon tea with the vicars is offered on the grounds of St. John’s church from 3-4pm.
Stewart Goodyear, a celebrated pianist, will perform at St. John’s Church at 4pm. The tickets are $35 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo, $20 for uGO.
July 15
At the first ever roundtable of the festival Rick Phillips will lead an exploration into Bach’s B Minor Mass with Edison, Christopher Jackson of Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, and members of the UK ensemble VOCES8. Tickets cost $60 plus HST.
Mark Masri is Canada’s newest tenor sensation. He will be performing at Gambrel Barn at 7:30pm. Tickets are $45 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
July 16
VOCES 8 will be making its Canadian debut at Knox Presbyterian Church in Elora. The ensemble is English and their repertoire ranges from the madrigals to opera, and from Purcell to Peggy Lee. The performance will take place at 8pm. Tickets are $40 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
July 17
The Elora Festival Kids Camp will be performing Pirates…the Sequel! At 4pm at Elora Public School. Tickets will only be available at the door.
Edison and the Elora Festival Singers will be joined by the singers of VOCES8 and Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal will perform Bach: B Minor Class. There will be a talk at 6:45pm with the concert commencing at 7:30pm. Tickets are $45 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
Hugh Brewster created a tribute to the Canadians who fought in the Second World War to mark the 70th anniversary of victory in Europe. Performing will be Shaw Festival actors and singers. There will also be archival footage and period music. Canada’s WWII in Words, Images and Song; Dark Days, Bright Victory will take place at St. John’s Church at 4pm. The tickets are $35 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo, $20 for uGO.
July 18
The Next Generation Leahy will perform at Gambrel Barn at 7:30pm. The performers include the Von Trapp-like family of Doug and Jennifer Leahy and their children who perform celtic-based songs. This is another component of the children’s programming initiatives. Tickets are $45 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
Frog and Henry is the second performance of the Starlight series. The two-man band will play traditional and original music on up to 12 different instruments at the Heritage Barn at 9:30pm. Tickets are $25 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
July 19
David Jalbert will preform his Soiree Parisienne recital of works by Satie, Poulenc and Stravinsky at St. John’s Church at 2pm. Tickets are $35 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
Afternoon tea with the vicars is offered on the grounds of St. John’s church from 3-4pm.
The Studio de Musique ancienne de Montreal choir will preform interpretations of renaissance and baroque vocal repertoire at St. John’s Church at 4pm. Tickets are $35 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
July 22
In the second roundtable discussion, a panel of artistic directors including Atis Bankas of Music Niagara, James Campbell of Festival of Sound, Edison and others will offer a look at Ontario’s major classical music festivals at the Wellington County Library Elora Branch at 4:30pm. Tickets cost $60 plus HST.
Organist David Baskeyfield will perform works by Bach, Mozart, Franck and Saint-Saens among others at St. John’s Church at 7:30pm. Tickets are $30 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
July 23
In the Choral Mystics performance the Elora Festival Singers will perform the works of John Tavener, Arvo Part, Patrick Hawes and Jocelyn Morlock. The show will take place at St. Joseph’s Church in Fergus at 8pm. Tickets are $35 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
July 24
The TorQ Percussion Quartet will perform numerous musical styles ranging from lyrical works for high-energy percussive show pieces. The performance will take place at Gambrel Barn at 7:30pm. Tickets are $40 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
July 25
Ships in the night is a showcase of motets, operas and instrumental music composed by Sandel and Vivaldi. The Nota Bene Baroque Players with the INNERchamper and soprano Anges Zsigovics will perform the showcase at St. John’s Church at 3pm. Tickets are $35 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
The Jackie Richardson Trio will perform gospel, jazz and blues with the Elora Festival Singers at Gambrel Barn at 7:30pm. Tickets are $40 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
The third installment of the Starlight Series will feature Glenn Buhr and the Button Factory Band. The band will perform vintage blues, jazz, country, roots music and art rock at the Heritage Barn at 9:30pm. Tickets are $25 plus HST, $5 for eyeGo and $20 for uGO.
July 26
The culmination of the festival is wrapped up in Nine Lessons and Carols for the Summer featuring readings, anthems and carols for summer. The final performance will take place at St. John’s Church at 2:30pm.
Tickets are available by phone at 519-846-0331, online at www.elorafestival.com or in person at the Elora Festival Office at 136 Metcalfe St. between 10am and 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
