The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is a Canadian large vocal ensemble based in Toronto, Ontario.[1] It was co-founded in 1894 by Augustus S. Vogt and W. H. Hewlett to celebrate the opening of the Massey Hall.[2] The ensemble was originally an extension of the choir of Jarvis St. Baptist Church in Toronto which Vogt directed and Hewlett accompanied. It is named after the German composer, Felix Mendelssohn.
| Toronto Mendelssohn Choir | |
|---|---|
| Choir | |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Genre | Classical |
| Members | 160 |
| Chief conductor | Jean-Sébastien Vallée (www.jsvallee.com) |
| Associated groups | Toronto Mendelssohn Singers |
| Website | www |
The choir comprises 160 voices, among them a professional core of 24 singers known as the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers, who also perform independently[3]
The choir performs secular and sacred choral masterpieces in its own annual concert series, as well as regular performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The choir has toured in the United States and Europe, performing at the Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall,[4] Notre Dame Cathedral, the Kennedy Center,[5] and major venues in Vienna, Salzburg and Prague. In January 2010, the choir travelled to Vancouver to perform in the 2010 Cultural Olympiad.[6]
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir's outreach programs include Singsation Saturday Choral Workshops for singers, and an annual Choral Conductors' Symposium for emerging conductors.
Recordings
editSince 1926, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir has made or been featured in 20 recordings, the most popular being Handel's Messiah with Kathleen Battle, Florence Quivar, John Aler, Samuel Ramey and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Sir Andrew Davis (1987). The choir has appeared on movie soundtracks including Agnes of God and the award-winning soundtrack to Schindler's List (uncredited) under the direction of John Williams.[7] Albums under conductor Noel Edison include Berlioz: Requiem (1998) and A Festival of Carols (2006).
In 2024, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, under the direction of Artistic Director Jean-Sébastien Vallée, released Remember: 130 Years of Canadian Choral Music. This landmark recording celebrates the Choir's rich history and its longstanding commitment to Canadian choral music. Featuring a selection of works by prominent Canadian composers, Remember pays tribute to the ensemble's legacy while also highlighting its forward-looking artistic vision.
Conductors
edit- Augustus Vogt (1894–1917)
- Herbert A. Fricker (1917–42)
- Sir Ernest MacMillan (1942–57)
- Frederick Silvester (1957–60)
- Walter Susskind (1960–64)
- Elmer Iseler (1964–97)
- Noel Edison (1997–2018)
- Jean-Sébastien Vallée (2021– )
References
edit- ^ "Our history". Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "Young singers flock to Toronto Mendelssohn Choir". Toronto Star. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "Mendelssohn Singers" (PDF). Roy Thomson Hall. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "Performances: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir". BBC Proms. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ Walter Pitman (28 July 2008). Elmer Iseler: Choral Visionary. Dundurn. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-4597-1481-6.
- ^ "Vancouver Symphony tackles Mahler for Olympiad". CBC. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ William Littler; John Terauds (15 June 2013). Roy Thomson Hall: A Portrait. Dundurn. p. 87. ISBN 978-1-4597-1876-0.