L'Orchestre Internazionale d'Italia à Montréal !

Directement d’Italie et
pour la première fois au Canada

L’Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia
Avec artistes invités :
Francesca Ruospo, soprano
Claudio Marcotulli, guitare

10 novembre 2008, 20 h
Église St.James United
460, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montréal
Métro Place-des-Arts

Billets : 25 $ régulier / 20 $ Étudiant-Aîné
Billetterie et renseignements : 514.848.9696
www.cshow.ca

Montréal, 3 octobre 2008 – De la grande visite s’amène à Montréal le 10 novembre prochain ! En effet, pour célébrer le 150e anniversaire de naissance du célèbre compositeur Giacomo Puccini, le réputé Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia, dirigé par le chef d’orchestre canadien Kerry Stratton présentera un concert à l’Église Unie Saint-James dans le cadre de la toute première tournée canadienne de l’orchestre.

Se joigneront à l’orchestre le talentueux guitariste italien Claudio Marcotulli ainsi que la soprano Francesca Ruospo, présentée avec la permission de l’Accademia Teatro Alla Scala.

Au programme, quelques-uns des plus célèbres airs de Puccini, Rossini et Rodrigo, ainsi que deux œuvres présentées en grande première canadienne de deux compositeurs italiens, commandes de RAI trade. Une soirée magique aux effluves d’Italie à ne pas rater !

Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia
www.oidi.com
Fondé en 1986, l’Orchestre international d’Italie (Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia) est une émanation de l’Orchestre mondial des Jeunesses Musicales. Il s’est produit un peu partout en Europe, en Amérique latine et an Asie, tant dans des festivals que dans les salles les plus prestigieuses. Il a donné à ce jour plus de 900 concerts et participé à de nombreuses productions lyriques. Il a été dirigé par plusieurs chefs réputés et accompagné des solistes qui comptent parmi les plus célèbres de notre époque. En 1997, il a reçu le Prix européen de la culture pour les orchestres. Son port d’attache est l’antique et magnifique cité de Fermo située dans les Marches au cœur de l’Italie, tout près de l’Adriatique. Depuis 2003, il est l’orchestre en résidence du Teatro Venditio Basso à Ascoli Piceno. L’orchestre nous arrive tout droit d’Italie où il a donné des concerts sous la direction de Maestro Stratton les 24, 25 et 26 octobre.



Francesca Ruospo
Lauréate de nombreux prix, la soprano Francesca Ruospo s’est formée à l’Académie de la Scala de Milan. Elle a chanté dans plusieurs villes italiennes, ainsi qu’à Londres, Chicago, Abou Dhabi, Pékin et au Parlement européen. Elle fait ses débuts au Canada peu de temps après avoir tenu le rôle de La Comtesse dans une production des Noces de Figaro présentée à la Scala.

Claudio Marcotulli
www.claudiomarcotulli.it
Le guitariste italien Claudio Marcotulli, est considéré comme l’un des guitaristes les plus exceptionnels de sa génération pour la qualité de ses exécutions et de son captivant choix de répertoire. En 1984, il fut lauréat du concours René Bartoli ainsi que le premier prix à la compétition F. Tarrega d'Espagne. Claudio Marcotulli participé à plusieurs tournées mondiales et compte plusieurs albums à son actif sous étiquette Tres. Il a notamment donné plusieurs concerts avec l’Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia et le grand ténor italien Luciano Pavarotti.

***

Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia
Tournée canadienne :

2 novembre: Port Hope, Ontario
3 novembre: Toronto, Ontario
4 novembre: Welland, Ontario
5 novembre: Orillia, Ontario
6 novembre: Markham, Ontario
7 novembre: Milton, Ontario
8 novembre: Barrie, Ontario
9 novembre: Richmond Hill, Ontario
10 novembre: Montréal, Québec

La tournée canadienne de l’Orchestra Internazionale d’Italie est présentée par International Touring Productions et le International Resource Centre for Performing Arts.

Italian Orchestra makes Canadian Debut

GALA ITALIA: NOVEMBER 3 AT ROY THOMSON HALL FEATURES

CANADIAN DEBUT OF ORCHESTRA INTERNAZIONALE D’ITALIA

WITH OPERA SINGER & CLASSICAL GUITARIST

On the occasion of the 13^th edition of the annual Italian Wine-Tasting, the Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia - Italy’s flagship ensemble – will perform at Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto, as part of its Canadian debut tour, Monday, November 3 at 8 p.m. Canadian maestro Kerry Stratton will conduct the Orchestra in a concert called Gala Italia – featuring operatic arias and orchestral masterworks mainly celebrating the 150^th anniversary of the great Italian opera composer, Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924).

Tickets, $35; $25 seniors and students; and $20 group rate, are available through the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office, 416-872-4255, or via www.roythomson.com. For more information, call 416-362-1422 or visit www.sumarts.com.

The performance is supported by the Italian Trade Office, Italian Cultural Institute, International Touring Productions, the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists, and The New Classical 96.3 FM.

Joining Maestro Stratton and the Orchestra is soprano Francesca Ruospo from Italy’s Accademia Teatro alla Scala in Milan, in her Canadian debut. Award-winning Italian classical guitarist and recording artist Claudio Marcotulli also makes his Canadian debut, in the famed work for guitar and orchestra, Concierto de Aranjuez by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo.

Among the musical highlights are Capriccio Sinfonico by Puccini and favorite arias from his operas. As well, the tour features the premieres of two new works by Italian composers, commissioned by Rai Trade, a branch of Italian Radio and Television network – Carlo Boccadoro’s Fasi Lunari (Lunar Phases) and Gianluca Podio’s Di Fedro il gioco nascosto (Phaedrus’ Hidden Game).

This is the fourth tour in the International Visiting Orchestra Series, designed to bring world ensembles to the Canadian public.

With Maestro Stratton directing, the Canadian debut tour of the Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia comprises performances in eight Ontario locations and a concluding concert in Montreal on November 10. Besides the November 3 Toronto concert, the Ontario dates are Port Hope (November 2), Welland (November 4), Orillia (November 5), Markham (November 6), Milton (November 7), Barrie (November 8), and Richmond Hill (November 9).

ORCHESTRA INTERNAZIONALE D’ITALIA – www.oidi.com

Founded in 1986, the Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia grew out of the international orchestra of Jeunesses Musicales. It has gone on to perform throughout Europe, in Central and South America and in Asia, in festivals and concert halls, giving more than 900 symphonic concerts and performing for important opera festival productions. Many of the world’s greatest conductors and soloists have appeared as guests. In 1997, it received the European Prize for Culture as Symphonic Orchestra. Home base is the ancient and beautiful city of Fermo near the Adriatic Sea in central Italy’s Marche region. Since 2003, it has been resident orchestra of the Ventidio Basso Theatre in Ascoli Piceno.

The Orchestra comes to Canada direct from Italy, where it is giving a number of concerts under Maestro Stratton, performances that include Ascoli Piceno, October 24; Pesaro, October 25; and Fermo, October 26.

FRANCESCA RUOSPO, SOPRANO

Still in her 20s, soprano FRANCESCA RUOSPO comes to Canada directly from La Scala, Milan, where she is starring at the Countess in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro in October. Born near the southern Italian city of Bari, she switched from piano studies to voice, going on to win scholarships, and top prizes in the Mario Lanza, Tito Schipa and Leyla Gencer international competitions. Having completed the two-year training at the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, she has sung operatic roles in Italy, and appeared internationally, performing in Chicago, in Strasbourg for the European Parliament, and in London, Abu Dhabi and Beijing.

CLAUDIO MARCOTULLI, GUITAR – www.claudiomarcotulli.it/ (Italian); www.claudiomarcotulli.it/english.html (English).

Italian guitarist Claudio Marcotulli, soloist for the Canadian tour, is considered one of the most distinguished guitarists of his generation, both for the quality of his performances and his intriguing choice of repertoire. He won the 1984 Concours René Bartoli in France and first prize in Spain’s F. Tarrega Competition. Marcotulli has enjoyed worldwide tours and recorded CDs of operatic melodies and Vivaldi concertos on the Ópera Tres label. Among his performances with the Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia were several involving the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

Italian Orchestra makes Toronto Debut November 3

GALA ITALIA: NOVEMBER 3 AT ROY THOMSON HALL FEATURES

CANADIAN DEBUT OF ORCHESTRA INTERNAZIONALE D’ITALIA

WITH RENOWNED OPERA SINGERS & CLASSICAL GUITARIST

On the occasion of the 13^th edition of “Italian Wine Tasting”, the Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia - Italy’s flagship ensemble – will perform at Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto, as part of its Canadian debut tour, Monday, November 3 at 8 p.m. Canadian maestro Kerry Stratton will conduct the Orchestra in a concert called Gala Italia – featuring operatic arias and orchestral masterworks mainly celebrating the 150^th anniversary of the great Italian opera composer, Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924).

Tickets, $35; $25 seniors and students; and $20 group rate, are available through the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office, 416-872-4255, or via www.roythomson.com. For more information, call 416-362-1422 or visit www.sumarts.com.

The event is presented under the auspices of the Consulate-General of Italy, International Touring Productions and the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists.

Joining Maestro Stratton and the Orchestra for the tour are renowned opera singers from Italy (TBA). Award-winning Italian classical guitarist and recording artist Claudio Marcotulli also makes his Canadian debut, in the famed work for guitar and orchestra, Fantasia para un gentilhombre (Fantasy for a Gentleman) by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo.

Among the musical highlights are Capriccio Sinfonico by Puccini and favorite arias from his operas. As well, the tour features the premieres of two new works by Italian composers, commissioned by Rai Trade, a branch of Italian Radio and Television network – Carlo Boccadoro’s Fasi Lunari and Gianluca Podio’s Di Fedro il gioco nascosto.

This is the fourth tour in the International Visiting Orchestra Series, designed to bring world ensembles to the Canadian public.

With Maestro Stratton directing, the Canadian debut tour of the Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia comprises performances in eight Ontario locations and a concluding concert in Montreal on November 10. Besides the November 3 Toronto concert, the Ontario dates are Port Hope (November 2), Welland (November 4), Orillia (November 5), Markham (November 6), Milton (November 7), Barrie (November 8), and Richmond Hill (November 9).

ORCHESTRA INTERNAZIONALE D’ITALIA – www.oidi.com

Founded in 1986, the Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia grew out of the international orchestra of Jeunesses Musicales. It has gone on to perform throughout Europe, in Central and South America and in Asia, in festivals and concert halls, giving more than 900 symphonic concerts and performing for important opera festival productions. Many of the world’s greatest conductors and soloists have appeared as guests. In 1997, it received the European Prize for Culture as Symphonic Orchestra. Home base is the ancient and beautiful city of Fermo near the Adriatic Sea in central Italy’s Marche region. Since 2003, it has been resident orchestra of the Ventidio Basso Theatre in Ascoli Piceno.

The Orchestra comes to Canada direct from Italy, where it is giving a number of concerts under Maestro Stratton, performances that include Ascoli Piceno, October 24; Pesaro, October 25; and Fermo, October 26.

CLAUDIO MARCOTULLI, GUITAR – www.claudiomarcotulli.it/ (Italian); www.claudiomarcotulli.it/english.html (English).

Italian guitarist Claudio Marcotulli, soloist for the Canadian tour, is considered one of the most distinguished guitarists of his generation, both for the quality of his performances and his intriguing choice of repertoire. He won the 1984 Concours René Bartoli in France and first prize in Spain’s F. Tarrega Competition. Marcotulli has enjoyed worldwide tours and recorded CDs of operatic melodies and Vivaldi concertos on the Ópera Tres label. Among his performances with the Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia were several involving the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

CANADIAN CONDUCTOR KERRY STRATTON HAS BUSY YEAR

IN CZECH REPUBLIC & ITALY AND AT HOME

Canadian conductor Kerry Stratton is in the midst of another busy season, making guest appearances with two European orchestras, giving performances with three Canadian orchestras, and adding more honors to his resume.

HONOURS & CONCERTS IN HUNTSVILLE – This July, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts paid tribute to arts contributors, including Kerry Stratton, who was given a statuette and called “leader and music director of the Huntsville Festival Orchestra and an ambassador for the festival throughout the province.” The event included Mozart’s Letters, in which he conducted the Festival Orchestra in music by Mozart, and read selected personal letters written by the great composer.

Saturday, August 9, Maestro Stratton returns to the Huntsville Festival in a summer pops program that includes works by Offenbach, Gershwin, Leroy Anderson, Morton Gould, Richard Rodgers, Tchaikovsky, Andrew Lloyd Webber and John Philip Sousa. The concert is sold out.

CZECH REPUBLIC – This July, Maestro Stratton made a return visit to the Czech Republic to conduct the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. They gave a pair of concerts in mid-July at the Cesky Krumlov Festival, performing works by Mozart, Benda and Vivaldi. This was Maestro Stratton’s return engagement with the orchestra, which he conducted in Europe – as well as leading the full-sized Czech Philharmonic – and subsequently toured in Canada last fall. The tour followed his receipt in the spring of 2007, of the Gratias Agit Award from the Czech Republic for his significant contribution to promoting the country’s musical culture.

ITALY – This October, Maestro Stratton makes his Italian debut, leading the country’s flagship ensemble, l’Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia. He will rehearse the orchestra and conduct it in concerts in the cities of Fermo, Ascoli Picena and Pesaro (October 24, 25, 26) in the Marche Region – an area considered the jewel of Italy’s Adriatic coastline, and described by the New York Times as “the new Tuscany.”

L’ORCHESTRA INTERNAZIONALE D’ITALIA IN CANADA – November 2-10, Maestro Stratton accompanies the Orchestra to Canada for its Canadian debut tour. Performances will take place in eight Ontario cities, including Toronto, November 3, and conclude in Montreal on November 10. Other tour dates include: November 2, Port Hope; November 4, Welland; November 5, Orillia; November 6, Markham; November 7, Milton; November 8, Barrie; November 9, Richmond Hill; November 10, Montreal.

Among the musical highlights are Puccini’s Capriccio Sinfonico, Preludio Sinfonico and arias, to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the beloved operatic composer’s birth; and Rodrigo’s famous Concierto de Aranjuez, with celebrated Italian guitarist Claudio Marcotulli as soloist. As well, the tour features the premieres of two new works by Italian composers, commissioned by Rai Trade, a branch of Italian Radio and Television network – Carlo Boccadoro’s Fasi Lunari and Gianluca Podio’s Di Fedro il gioco nascosto.

MORE CZECH MUSIC OPENS TORONTO PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S 21^ST SEASON – Thursday, September 18, Maestro Stratton begins his 21^st season as Music Director with the Toronto Philharmonia Orchestra. The program celebrates the 40^th anniversary of “Prague Spring” with Smetana’s iconic Ma Vlast (My Homeland).

Other highlights of the 2008-09 Philharmonia season include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, November 13, with Eve Rachel McLeod, soprano; Vicki St. Pierre, mezzo-soprano; Min Jin, tenor; and Nicolae Raiciu, baritone.

DELICIOUS FAVORITES WITH THE GRAND SALON ORCHESTRA – Kerry Stratton leads his Grand Salon Orchestra in three programs that remember the elegance of the early decades of the 1900s:

Sunday, September 28 in Brockville: Puttin’ On the Ritz, featuring the music of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and the Gershwin brothers, among others.

Saturday, October 4 at the Markham Theatre: Tea at the Savoy, including works by Albert W. Ketelbey, Noel Coward and Eric Coates, among others.

Friday, October 17 in Perth: Puttin’ On the Ritz.

In addition, Kerry Stratton has his own regular program, Conductor’s Choice, Sundays, 3-9 p.m. on Classical 96.3 FM. He is currently completing a weekday guest host stint, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

July 10 info night for Fall insider tour of Italy's Marche region

Info Night: Thursday, July 10 In Toronto

TEN DAYS OF HISTORY, MUSIC, SHOPPING & MORE

IN ITALY’S LE MARCHE REGION, OCTOBER 18-29, 2008

Italy’s Le Marche Region, the jewel of Italy’s Adriatic coastline, is described as “the new Tuscany” by the New York Times. A new 10-day insider tour, October 18-29, lets travelers drench themselves in the sights, sounds, tastes and history of Le Marche, and elegant shopping at considerable savings.

The tour is organized by Travelonly and the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists, in conjunction with Globus Tours. It includes first-class hotel accommodation, 10 breakfasts, seven dinners, motor coach travel throughout the region, day trips and excursions, plus two nights in Florence and four nights in Rome. A special treat for music-lovers is an open rehearsal and two different concerts in gorgeous theatres by Italy’s flagship musical ensemble, l’Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia, conducted by Canada’s Kerry Stratton.

An Information Night for the tour will take place Thursday, July 10, 6-8 p.m., at the Italian Cultural Institute, 496 Huron Street (north of Bloor) in Toronto.

Contacts for more information are Ann Summers Dossena of the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists, 416-362-1422, or sumintl@sympatico.ca; or Frances Logan, Travelonly consultant, 1-866-343-7725, or flogan@travelonly.com.

Le Marche’s vineyard-covered mountains and valleys offer a stunning patchwork of texture and color that make Agrotourism a major attraction. Besides the sumptuous environs, the area is home to historic grottos, artworks and sacred sites. Italy’s famed Verdicchio wine (white) and Rosso Conero (red) comes from this region, as do olive oils used in its distinctive cuisine that reflects the land and sea, seasonality and freshness.

The seaport capital, Ancona, is a busy hub of import/export activities. As a part of the industrial north, the region produces the finest Made in Italy products, among which are fashion wear, shoes, silver jewellery, furniture and musical instruments – all available to travelers at substantially lower local prices than in the large cities.

The birthplace of famed Italian composers Gioacchino Rossini, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and Gaspare Spontini, the region is also the proud location of many stunning opera theatres, as well as the famous Sterisferio Arena in Macerato, one of Europe’s premier summer opera venues. Among historic structures is a cathedral from the 1100s.

The city of Fermo will be home base in the Marche Region. Perched on a mountain top, Fermo boasts a breathtaking panorama – to the east, the valleys to the Adriatic, and to the west, valleys stretching out to the snow-covered Apennine Mountains. Run-outs each day will feature first class motor coaches with a personal tour director and guide, to centres from Pesaro in the north, to Urbino in the middle, and Ascoli Piceno in the south.

Fermo is also home to l’Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia, which Maestro Kerry Stratton will bring to Toronto, Montreal and seven other Ontario centres for performances November 2-10, 2008.

The International Resource Centre for Performing Artists is a non-profit, charitable organization that mentors performing artists to reach their potential on international stages, and builds audience awareness of their work and needs. The IRCPA is also creating cultural exchanges between Italy and Canada.

Boris Brott conducts Beethoven at famed Italian concert hall

December 19, 2007

For immediate release

Boris Brott conducts Beethoven at famed Italian concert hall

VERONA, ITALY –Boris Brott becomes the first Canadian to conduct the world famous Arena di Verona orchestra and choir - totalling more than 200 singers and musicians – when he takes to the podium to perform Beethoven's Ninth Symphony this weekend.

The Arena di Verona – built in 30 AD – is one of the best preserved amphitheatres in the world and has become renowned for opera performances by legends like Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi. Brott's performances will take place in the Teatro Filharmonico – the winter venue of the Arena's orchestra, opera and ballet companies.

"It's a thrill to make music here," says Brott. "Musicians here are so physically passionate about their music and they capture the true spirit of the work and share that with each other, the conductor and the audience."

A choir of 120 singers and orchestra of 90 players will be joined by international soloists Anna Katharina Behnk (soprano), Annely Peebo (mezzo), Kurt Azesberger (tenor) and Manfred Hemm (bass).

The performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral" in D minor, op. 125 take place on Saturday Dec. 22 and 23, 2007. Much like Handel's Messiah, Beethoven's Ninth is an annual Christmas musical tradition, particularly in Europe and Japan.

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For more information

Mary Pat Elliott

Community Relations, Brott Music '07

905.525.7664 x.10 or cell 905.512.3789