CONCERT AT THE BARN

from Digital Program 2023

Thank You 2023 Fresh Air Sponsors

Gino Quilico

THE ELMER ISELER SINGERS & HOST, BEN HEPPNER

The JUNO Award winning Elmer Iseler Singers (EIS), conducted by artistic director Lydia Adams since 1998, is singing its 45th concert season in 2023/24. Founded in 1979 by Dr. Elmer Iseler, the 20-voice professional chamber choir is honoured to receive invitations to collaborate with many major musical organizations, including Esprit Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Gryphon Trio, and the Canadian Brass. The EIS has also received a number of honours, most recently a 2018 JUNO Award and GRAMMY nomination for the Chandos recording of works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, featuring the Toronto Symphony under the baton of Peter Oundjian. The Elmer Iseler Singers is dedicated to performing the works of Canadian composers in Toronto and on its many tours across the country, on many CDS and in its concerts and workshops with community singers, emerging artists, composers and conductors. The EIS ensemble recently performed the world premiere and concert tour of Timothy Corlis’ meditational work, Om Saha Nãvavatu, inspired by Vedic texts and the poetry of Hindu and Buddhist spiritual masters. Spring programming included three world premieres of works by emerging and established Canadian composers, and a seven-concert tour of the Maritimes in March 2023. We look forward with great anticipation to a busy summer of concerts at major Music Festivals throughout Ontario.

LYDIA ADAMS, Conductor

An accomplished conductor, composer, arranger and pianist, Lydia Adams is now in her 24th season as Artistic Director of the Elmer Iseler Singers. For 35 years, she was also the Artistic Director of the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto, building it from a small community choir into a nationally recognized choral organization with an outstanding reputation for innovation, commissioning, recording, and presenting performances of established and contemporary works. Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Ms. Adams’ early and lifelong musical influence was her mother, Florence Adams. She studied piano with Marguerite MacDougall before receiving further musical education at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, and at the Royal College of Music and the National Opera Studio in London, England Ms. Adams has received numerous accolades for her contributions to Canadian music, including citations from the City of Scarborough, the Women’s International Network, and the Ontario Choral Federation. She has been awarded Honorary Degrees by Mount Allison University (Doctor of Music, 2003, for excellence in the Arts) and by Cape Breton University (Doctor of Letters, 2018, for her dedication “to the presentation and evolution of musical culture”).

Gino Quilico

Singers

Friday July14th 2023 at2:00PM &

Ben Heppner is renowned worldwide for his portrayals in the dramatic tenor repertoire. His career has taken him to opera stages and concert halls around the world. He is acclaimed for the beauty of his voice, incisive musicianship, and his generosity with his audience. His performances set new standards in his demanding repertoire.

Heppner studied music at the University of British Columbia and gained national attention in 1979 as the winner of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Talent Festival. In 1988, he won the Metropolitan Opera auditions and went on to collect three Junos and three Grammy Awards. Mr. Heppner is a Companion of the Order of Canada.

For the last eight years, Ben brought his voice and quirky humour to the airwaves of CBC Radio as the host of Saturday Afternoon at the Opera and Backstage. Recently he has been reassigned to a third dream career - that of vice-president of the ‘Honey-do’ corporation.

Ben Heppner and his Beloved live in Toronto. They have three grown children and five of the most adorable, witty and intelligent grands the world has ever seen. Heppner loves drinking coffee on the deck and touring the countryside on his motorcycle.

Before Mozart in the Meadow

11:30

AM to 1:15 PM

Before the merriment of Mozart, enjoy a delicious Viennese Lunch prepared by Trent Hills Chef Ron Csenar with delicious world class German wine pairings shared by Wine Buff Duarte da Silva from Prince Edward County. Meet the artists and relax in the beautiful Westben meadow. Mozart would have loved it!

Duarte da Silva, wine buff - Born in the Azores, Portugal, Duarte was introduced to the world of wine at a young age, his grandfathers being amataur winemakers. He developed an interest in all things wine from the vineyard to production, to promoting and selling wine. He has travelled to wine regions around the world in France, Spain, Portugal, Australia, USA and Canada. He currently lives in Prince Edward County, Canada's fast growing wine region and was most recently, the Executive Director of the Prince Edward County WinegrowersAssociation.

Ron Csenar is an award acknowledged and Red Seal Chef. Ron is well known for his previous ownership of Capers Tap House restaurant, established in 1997 in the beautiful town of Campbellford. Although semi-retired, Ron continues to be involved with Westben as well as, Fundraisers like the Dr’s Cook Off and the Incredible Edibles. Ron presently lives on the Trent River with his partner Nancy where they enjoy boating and hanging out with their canine friends Eddie and Frankie.