Canti Amori

A celebration of romantic love.

Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at 8PM
Trinity St. Paul's Centre

For Immediate Release - Toronto, May 5, 2003: Talisker Player crowns its third concert season with eclat and typical renaissance spirit, presenting Canti Amori -a musical celebration of summer, and of the pleasures of seduction, flirtation and infatuation on Tuesday, June 3 at 8 PM at Trinity St. Paul's Centre.

True to its reputation for innovative programming, Talisker Players presents on this occasion the world premiere of Love's Labour, a mini-opera by Toronto composer Ronald Royer with text from Shakespeare, starring the elegantly eclectic soprano Patricia O'Callaghan and the charismatic young tenor Colin Ainsworth with the instrumentalists of Talisker Players. Love's Labour is set for the two singers, with string quartet and clarinet, and built around a scene from The Taming of the Shrew, in which Katharina and Petruchio first meet. The scene is surrounded by songs, which provide introduction, comment and resolution. Love's Labour was commissioned by Talisker Players with the assistance of a grant from the Laidlaw Foundation.

The evening also includes two North American premieres: Cantiunculae Amoris, by Karl Heinz Fussl, premiered in Vienna in 1976, is a wry setting of amorous poems by Ovid and Petronius, for tenor and string quartet. To Julia, by Roger Quilter, one of the great English vocal writers from the turn of the 20th century, is a lovely setting of poetry by Robert Herrick in a rarely-heard version for tenor, string quartet and piano.

Rounding out the programme are works by the Montreal composer John Plant (Invocation to Aphrodite – text by Sappho – for soprano, string quartet and piano) and the amusingly inventive American Seymour Barab (Lovers – text by Sir John Suckling – for soprano, viola, cello, clarinet and piano).

Patricia O'Callaghan is one of Canada's most versatile singers, and has performed in every imaginable genre. The soprano with a busy international career and a fourth CD in production, was called "the most promising cabaret singer of her generation" by Billboard magazine. She continues to cross boundaries, from singing Polly Peachum in The Beggar's Opera to performing at the Genie Awards. This concert marks an awaited return to the more traditional recital setting for the classically trained singer.

Tenor Colin Ainsworth has already attracted national attention with his floating, lyric sound and engaging stage presence. This season's highlights include Messiah with the Elmer Iseler Singers, Charpentier's Médée with Opera Atelier, Castor in Rameau's Castor et Pollux with Opera in Concert, and a Wolf recital with Aldeburgh Connection.

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Media Contact: Francine Labelle/flINK
416-654-4406
labellefrancine@rogers.com

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