Written in 1890 and premiered at the Birmingham Music Festival in 1891 under the direction of the composer himself, Dvorak’s Requiem is a compelling oratorio with a penetrating appreciation for the spirit of the text, and the perfect melding of music and expression that has earned this work a foremost place in the music world.  Artistic Director Robert Cooper notes, “By turns intimately moving, lyrically thrilling and blazingly triumphant, Dvorak’s Requiem ranks among his finest works and is a joyous testament to the human spirit.”

Johane Ansell, soprano A former Sidgwick Scholar, Ms. Ansell is quickly establishing herself as a versatile performer of both opera and concert repertoire.  She was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and trained at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Toronto. In Toronto she was a member of the Aradia Ensemble. She has recently completed the Opera Studio Nederland in Amsterdam, and performed with Opera Project in the UK, and Lyric Opera in Ireland.

Lauren Segal, mezzo-soprano has a voice that has been praised for its ‘gleaming in luscious timbre’. Highlighted recently during her time with the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, Ms. Segal has also performed with operas across Canada. Recently Ms. Segal has also been involved in the production of a number of short films with Acquamarina Productions entitled DESIRE: An Operatic Trilogy. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto Department of Physics.

Adam Luther, tenor recently completed his tenure as a member of the Canadian Opera Company Studio Ensemble, where he performed many main stage roles to great critical and audience acclaim. Mr. Luther has appeared on the stages of numerous operas across Canada and also as a soloist with many Canadian symphonies. Mr. Luther is a graduate of Wilfred Laurier University and the University of Toronto.

Giles Tomkins, bass baritone is widely praised for his vocal virtuosity and lyricism in an impressive range of repertoire. He has performed across Canada and the UK in a variety of operas and has become a familiar figure as Colline in La Boheme. Mr. Tomkins is equally at home on the concert stage and has performed with numerous Canadian symphonies and choral ensembles.

Talisker Players Orchestra Talisker Players is a unique ensemble of instrumentalists dedicated to collaborating with singers. They present one of the most interesting and innovative annual concert series in Toronto, and also perform throughout southern Ontario and across the country. The Talisker Players are Musicians in Residence at Massey College, University of Toronto.

Tickets can be purchased from the Brock University Box Office in St. Catharines 905-688-5550 ext. 3257; toll free 1-866-617-3257, online http://www.arts.brocku.ca, or from a member of the chorus.

Media contact Paul Price, 905-227-2356 or mailto:paul.price@cogeco.ca

This concert is graciously sponsored by Jeff and Kitty Cairns.