Press Release

Arion Baroque Orchestra – Montreal Series

A Colorful Season !

Magnificat

December 5, 2015

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

Montreal, November 24, 2015 – For the closing concert of this year’s Montreal Bach

Festival, Arion Baroque Orchestra will present Magnificat on Saturday, December 5, 7:30

pm, at Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. The orchestra and an outstanding lineup of singers,

directed by the ever fervent Alexander Weimann, will perform great works by Telemann,

Kuhnau, and Bach, in joyful preparation of Christmastide.

It seems fitting that Arion Baroque Orchestra, performing for the first time in such a grand

setting as Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica, should play two sacred masterworks, including

Bach’s celebrated Magnificat with the added interest of the four interpolated hymns

borrowed from the first version of the work. In Kuhnau as in Bach, solos and choir will be

sung by the five guest singers. Auguring also well are the glad tidings brought by a pair of

oboes and a bassoon in a cheery orchestral suite by Telemann.

“The music of these three German Baroque masters promises to resound jubilantly under

the basilica’s starry canopy,” says Artistic Director Claire Guimond. “What’s more, we are

especially thrilled by the presence of five exceptional singers!”

Alexander Weimann

Alexander Weimann is one of the most sought-after ensemble directors, soloists, and

chamber music partners of his generation. After traveling the world with ensembles like

Tragicomedia, and as frequent guest with Cantus Cölln, the Freiburger Barockorchester,

Gesualdo Consort and Tafelmusik, he now focuses on his activities as conductor of the

Pacific Baroque Orchestra Vancouver, and as music director of Les Voix Baroques, Le Nouvel

Opéra and Tempo Rubato.

Johanna Winkel, soprano, Germany

Johannette Zomer, soprano, The Netherlands

James Laing, alto, United Kingdom

Zachary Wilder, tenor, U.S.A.

Matthew Brook, bass-baritone, United Kingdom

(See bios at: www.arionbaroque.com/fr/magnificat)

Closing concert of

Program

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)

Ouverture for 2 oboes, bassoon, strings, and continuo, TWV 55: G5

Johann Kuhnau (1660-1722)

Cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Magnificat, BWV 243 (including the 4 interpolated hymns from BWV 243a)

Practical Info

Date and time: Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Prices: Single Tickets; $20 to $50

Subscriptions starting at $42

Tickets: Arion Orchestre Baroque: 514.355.1825 or www.arionbaroque.com,

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal: 110 Notre-Dame Street West

(Old Montreal) Place-d’Armes Metro Station

Arion Baroque Orchestra

Since its foundation in 1981 in Montreal, Arion has tapped into the creative energies of

Baroque composers such as Bach and Vivaldi by performing their works on period

instruments, thus rediscovering the radiant colors of their timeless masterpieces. Thanks to

Claire Guimond’s artistic vision, Arion is a cornerstone in the world of early music on period

instruments, both on the national and international stage.

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For more information:

Marilyne Laroche Corbeil

Director, Development and Partnerships

514.355.1825, ext. 25 / mlarochecorbeil@arionbaroque.com