The world of music comes to the village of Elora as the Elora Festival, now in its 33rd year, runs from July 13 to Aug. 5.
Artistic director Noel Edison has chosen a broad range of music for this summer, featuring traditional classical fare, along with concerts to appeal to other musical tastes.
Opening night features Mendelssohn’s epic portrayal of the life of Elijah. With stirring choruses and fiery solo movements, Mendelssohn is able to produce intensely dramatic scenes.
Guest soloists for the evening are soprano Leslie Ann Bradley, alto Leigh-Anne Martin, tenor Michael Colvin, and one of Britain’s most distinguished baritones, Peter Savidge.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, author and Titanic-expert Hugh Brewster, with the Elora Festival Singers and actors Christopher Newton and Brigitte Robinson, will present Unsinkable! The story of the Titanic, in Words, Images, & Song.
The following week, Paul Halley leads his ensemble and the Elora Festival Singers in the striking performance of Missa Gaia, a celebration of nature and life.
The piece integrates world music with sounds from the wild to celebrate the earth as a sacred space.
Nagata Shachu returns with a performance that is both visually and rhythmically stimulating. This group brings a spectacular display of Japanese taiko drumming and music to our stage.
Guest artists this summer include the Canadian superstars Ben Heppner, jazz legend Peter Appleyard, John McDermott, the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, and the Barra MacNeils.
Other highlights include the Vienna Piano Trio, New York Polyphony, one of the world’s finest vocal chamber ensembles, and the duo piano artistry of James Anagnoson and Leslie Kinton.
The 2012 Elora Festival will also feature the Grammy-nominated Elora Festival Singers in 10 different performances, including concerts featuring the music of Francis Poulenc, Eric Whitacre, and Benjamin Britten.
Other performances include Marvellous Mendelssohn, with works for choir and organ by Felix Mendelssohn, and Henry Purcell’s moving masterpiece Dido and Aeneas.
The Elora Festival Singers will take part in A Summer’s Evening on Broadway and the final performance of the season An Afternoon with Ben Heppner.
The Elora Festival runs from July 13 to Aug. 5. For more information contact 519-846-0331 or visit www.elorafestival.com.
