February 27, 2023—Toronto Mendelssohn Choir presents Little Match Girl Passion—a musical vigil drawing awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness in our city. The TMChoir partners with Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity and Unity Kitchen, leaders for this important cause in our community, for this presentation.

The TMSingers, the Choir’s professional chamber ensemble, will perform David Lang’s Pulitzer Prize-winning choral work, The Little Match Girl Passion. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous tale about a poverty-stricken young woman sent out into the cold by her father to sell matches, this work leads us on a journey where hope and memories meet the harsh reality of the snowy streets. The evening’s program also includes excerpts of Bach’s St Matthew Passion and a new commission, Diaries of the Forgotten, by our inaugural composer-in-residence, Dr. Shireen Abu-Khader. This powerful new work is inspired by the composer’s research and direct discussions with unhoused individuals in our community, focussing on the lack of understanding and resources available to those struggling with mental health.

Audience members are invited to donate gently used clothing, particularly coats, scarves, socks, and hats. The generous staff and volunteers of Holy Trinity TO will be on site to share resources on their work and collect the donations. The Holy Trinity strives to work with others in the community to uproot the systemic injustice which entraps the weakest members of our society. “With this concert, we aim to use music to draw attention to this struggle in our city,” says Artistic Director Jean-Sébastien Vallée, “As a whole, it is a call to action. We are honoured to perform at this venue, where audiences can also pay respects to the Toronto Homeless Memorial outside.”

This program articulates the TMChoir’s dedication to creating meaningful and impactful educational and community programs, while using the power of many voices to bring awareness to relevant issues in our community.

This concert is made possible by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.

About the TMSingers
Led by Artistic Director and Conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée, the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers, the TMChoir’s professional vocal ensemble of 24-voices, premiered in October 2022 to critical acclaim. Their premiere concert, The Pilgrim’s Way, was hailed as a “musical journey… that will resonate long in the minds of artists and audience alike.” [Large Stage Live].

Learn more about Unity Kitchen and Holy Trinity TO on their website here.