Toronto, April 25th, 2024 — The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir unveils its upcoming 2024/2025 season, led by artistic director Jean-Sébastien Vallée. This season marks the organization’s 130th season, cementing a legacy of choral excellence and collaboration. TMChoir is also pleased to announce an all-new composer-in-residence and the appointment of Aaron Manswell to the role, whose commissions will be performed across several concerts throughout the season.
“It’s a great pleasure to join this legendary choir just in time to celebrate this milestone anniversary and the appointment of composer-in-residence, the extraordinarily talented Aaron Manswell. I’ve been inspired and energized by the passion and talent of this choir, as well as the breadth of programming we’ll be presenting next season,” said Daniela Nardi, Executive Director. “I am looking forward to sharing with our audiences and all Torontonians, the experience of this landmark season.”
The season launches in November with The Love Affair: Waltz & Tango, which features a program of works by Brahms and Palermi, alongside an instrumental ensemble led by Vallée. In addition, the TMChoir celebrates its 25th edition with their annual holiday tradition, Festival of Carols, at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. Visionaries: Vivaldi and DaVinci, featuring the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers and state-of-the-art video technology for this multimedia experience exploring The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci by Jocelyn Hagen. The final performance of the season is Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis at Roy Thomson Hall. The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir gave the Canadian premiere of this work nearly a century ago, in 1927, providing a fitting finale to the 130th season.
Composer-in-residence, Aaron Manswell’s commissions will be performed across several concerts throughout the season. He is a composer from Toronto, Ontario, who has had his songs premiered and recorded across North America, notably featured on the 2024 Billboard chart-topping album “Tapestry of Becoming” by Choral Arts Initiative.
Alongside their mainstage performances, the 2024/25 season features various workshops and community performances, offering communities additional chances to connect with choral music. Take the Podium, TMChoir’s annual Choral Conducting Symposium returns May 6-10, 2025. The program invites emerging conductors and those who wish to refine their skills to participate in a five-day series of workshops and masterclasses. Other beloved workshops like Singsation and Exchange: A Day Of Community Choral Workshops continue, with partnerships in the choral community with Orpheus Choir and Pax Christi Chorale. The anniversary season will also include a new commercial recording, Remember: 130 Years of Canadian Choral Music, which will be released on October 4, 2024, by ATMA Classique.
Continuing their long standing relationship with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the TMChoir is proud to be collaborating in performances of Mozart’s Requiem October 9-12, 2024 with conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, as well as the annual Messiah performances Dec 17-22, 2024 which will be conducted by TMChoir’s Artistic Director Jean-Sébastien Vallée for this special anniversary year.
“I’m overflowing with excitement to unveil our upcoming milestone: the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s 130th Anniversary Season! For over a century, we’ve connected with the hearts of Canadians and become an integral part of our nation’s musical history. As we celebrate this significant milestone, I invite you to join us in honoring our rich heritage while daring to discover the boundless possibilities of choral music.”- Jean-Sébastien Vallée, Artistic Director
Tickets on sale Friday, April 26 at 10 AM at www.tmchoir.org
2024/2025 Concert Season
The Love Affair: Waltz & Tango – November 3rd, 2024 at 3:00PM – Koerner Hall
The TMChoir conducted by Jean-Sébastien Vallée, featuring soprano Charlotte Siegel, and bandoneonist Jonathan Goldman.
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Artistic Director Jean-Sébastien Vallée open their 130th anniversary with an evening steeped in the language of love. Joined by the exquisite vocals of soprano Charlotte Siegel, be swept off your feet with the passionate melodies of Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer and the fiery embrace of Palmeri’s Misatango. To add to this special occasion, be among the first to hear the premiere of a stunning new commission by our composer-in-residence Aaron Manswell.
Festival of Carols – December 3rd & 4th, 2024 at 7:30PM – Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
The TMChoir and the TMSingers conducted by Jean-Sébastien Vallée, featuring organist Jonathan Oldengarm.
Celebrate the season with one of Toronto’s favourite holiday traditions! This year, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir celebrates the 25th anniversary of the beloved Festival of Carols! Sing along to your favourite holiday classics led by Maestro Jean-Sébastien Vallée and experience a sparkling evening of music that is bound to warm hearts and uplift spirits! To add to this festive celebration, delight in a special commissioned work by composer-in-residence Aaron Manswell. Join the tradition or start a new one with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.
Visionaries: Vivaldi & DaVinci – February 8th, 2025 at 7:30PM – Jeanne Lamon Hall
Performed by the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers, under the direction of Jean-Sébastien Vallée,
Featuring Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks and Antonio Vivaldi’s celestial Gloria, Visionaries delves into the timeless themes of human expression and divine exploration. The groundbreaking multimedia concert brings DaVinci’’s words and drawings to life with state-of-the-art video syncing technology, harmonized with the live voices of the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers in The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci. Both pieces beautifully reflect the profound complexity and beauty of life.
Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis – April 4th, 2025 at 8:00PM – Roy Thomson Hall
The TMChoir conducted by Jean-Sébastien Vallée, featuring soprano Tracy Cantin, mezzo-soprano Simona Genga, tenor Matt Cairns and baritone Brett Polegato.
Beethoven’s Missa solemnis, described by the composer as his greatest work, delivers a powerful experience of his genius. Conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée, leading the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir as well as top instrumentalists and soloists, makes this epic choral piece a fitting end to the choir’s 130th season. This performance also honours the choir’s long history, returning to a piece they premiered to Canadian audiences nearly a century ago.
| 24.25 Season Summary The Love Affair: Waltz & Tango November 3rd, 2024 at 3:00PM – Koerner Hall Festival of Carols December 3rd & 4th, 2024 at 7:30PM – Yorkminster Park Baptist Church Visionaries: Vivaldi & DaVinci February 8th, 2025 at 7:30PM – Jeanne Lamon Hall Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis April 4th, 2025 at 8:00PM – Roy Thomson Hall |
About Jean-Sébastien Vallée
An internationally recognized conductor, scholar, and pedagogue, Maestro Vallée has conducted ensembles throughout North America, Europe and Asia and has prepared choruses for leading orchestras. Vallée’s recent seasons include engagements with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, l’ Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, and the Liszt Ferenc Academy in Budapest.
About the TMChoir
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is proud to be one of Canada’s oldest, largest, and best-known choral organizations. Under the leadership of Maestro Jean-Sébastien Vallée, 2024-25 promises to be a season full of exhilarating performances, including collaborations with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Through its performances, educational programs and community engagement, the TMChoir aspires to introduce audiences to choral masterworks from the past and present—making both renowned and lesser-known pieces available, accessible, and inspirational to all. Within the TMChoir is a core ensemble of 24 professional singers known as the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers. Together, they form the 160-voice TMChoir of today. Visit tmchoir.org for 2024-25 programs and how to purchase tickets.
Source: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
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Media Relations:
Devon Klaas devon.klaas@tmchoir.org