Musical Sundays Concert Series

Sunday July 2, 2023 – 11 a.m.

Marc Hervieux in Concert: an intimate performance

Tenor Marc Hervieux will offer an intimate recital for voice and piano, performing a selection of songs from his his albums Nostalgia 1 and 2 in English, Spanish, Italian and French.

The repertoire will include songs by renowned artists such as Charles Aznavour, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Elvis, Engelbert Humperdinck, Willie Nelson, Perry Como and others.

Marc Hervieux, on the creation of his albums Nostalgia 1 and 2: “I already had an album in mind, but the pandemic changed its form a bit. In April 2020, after a few weeks of forced downtime, I was sitting in my family room at home and suddenly, I saw myself as a young child listening to my parents’ records on the family stereo. Overwhelmed with nostalgia, I immediately wanted to revisit these songs, with humility and without reinventing them! Going back in time and reliving my childhood for a few songs, a time when I could have never imagined experiencing a year like the one we are all living through now.”

The Phaeton Piano Trio features three highly acclaimed German artists of international caliber: Friedemann Eichhorn, Peter Hörr and Florian Uhlig.

As successful soloists, they have performed on the most prestigious stages in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world for over two decades. A few years ago, they combined their talents to form the Phaeton Piano Trio and have been exploring the ensemble’s rich repertoire ever since. The Trio has been invited to perform in various countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland.

In 2016, they made their South American debut in Santiago de Chile. Since then, they have performed in major music cities in Europe, and in 2020 they made their North American debut with concerts at the Library of Congress in Washington and at the Frick Collection in New York.

“…one of the most exciting piano trios on the international concert scene.” – Rheinzeitung, Bad Kreuznach

“…the playing by the Phaeton was everything one could hope for. The three gentlemen seized our imagination with the urgency of their opening phrases. The flow of music from the keyboard underscores lambent sounds from the violin and cello; everything melds into a rich blend, which has the emotional pull of Olde World style and grace. My companion and I were soon swept into that world by the Phaeton’s inspired – and inspiring – playing.”  – Oberon (NYC)

Winners of two Echo-Klassik prizes, “Alliage” is a most charming alloy of four saxophones and a piano.

Unique to this ensemble is their ability to create the illusion of a large orchestra. The melodic and expressive-sounding saxophones combine with the orchestral fullness of a piano to create a listening experience of the highest quality. The quintet was founded by Quebec native Daniel Gauthier, currently the only professor for classical saxophone in Germany (Hochschule für Musik, Cologne) and the ensemble‘s leader and soprano. He is joined by three of today’s best soloists on saxophone: Miguel Valles Mateu, alto; Simon Hamrath, tenor; and Sebastian Pottmeier, baritone. The quintet is completed by the Korean pianist Jang Eun Bae, an experienced and well-versed chamber musician.

Get ready for a toe-tapping hour of Québec-Celtic “Trad” music and dance!

World-renowned Trad dancer Pierre Chartrand will be joined by Bronwyn Thies-Thompson (vocals), Alexis Chartrand (violin), and Nicolas Babineau (violin and guitar), to create an eclectic explosion of energetic rhythms.

The artists thank the Conseil des arts de Montréal for its financial support.

Pianist Guillaume Martineau highlights the highly permeable boundary between classical and jazz.

Very active on the Montreal jazz scene for almost a decade, the trio is completed by Éric Lagacé, former bassist for Oliver Jones, and drummer Mark Nelson. The concert will focus on jazz standards influenced by various world music styles, such as Duke Ellington’s Caravan, Jobim’s bossas (Desafinado), works of Latin origin (Poinciana), Afro-Cuban (Afro-Blue), klezmer (Bei mir bist du schön), and more.

“Guillaume Martineau’s musical universe is diverse and constantly evolving. He is a curious and versatile musician who accumulates experiences while remaining true to his passions.”

Join the multi-talented Montreal-based trio of Chris Barillaro, Jonathan Patterson, and Lisa Forget for a celebration of musical theatre!

From songs they have performed in shows to songs they wish they had sung, take a journey with them through some magical music that will put a smile on your face from ear to ear.

With twenty fingers and one piano, a concert by the Fortin-Poirier Duo is a performance of two minds, four hands, and… thousands of notes!

Wherever they go, the Fortin-Poirier Duo shines a spotlight on the art of piano duets. But above all, their performance is a testament to the close bond shared by two great friends, who captivate audiences with their colorful and dynamic show. Join the pianists on a journey through a selection of their favorite works!

Regarded as one of Canada’s most active and exceptional duos of their generation, the Fortin-Poirier Duo is known for its outstanding musical chemistry, as well as the deep sensitivity and remarkable rapport between its two performers. Since 2005, Amélie Fortin and Marie-Christine Poirier have brought the art of piano duets to thousands of listeners with their dynamic and unconventional approach.

To close out the Musical Sundays Concert Series, Ensemble Mirabilia will perform Antonio Vivaldi’s Luce e Ombra.

Founded by soprano Myriam Leblanc and flautist Grégoire Jeay, the Mirabilia Ensemble aims to promote primarily baroque music played on period instruments, while also occasionally exploring music from older or more contemporary times arranged for their ensemble. Mirabilia has given itself a broad horizon, allowing it to choose and disseminate a repertoire that will reach audiences of all backgrounds and ages while remaining in the classical realm.

Mirabilia also boasts a vocal dimension masterfully led by soprano Myriam Leblanc, whose growing reputation, exceptional voice, and vivacious performance style continually move audiences and effectively deliver the messages of the great composers of the past.

“The voice is the star: it is pure, crystalline and captivating for these qualities. The publication is therefore crucial for this: it draws our full attention to Myriam Leblanc as an eminent artist of the young generation of singers revealed in recent years.” – The Canadian, January 2021