tyger, tyger

A journey through the mystical, marvellous world of William Blake.

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 29 and 30, 2007 at 8PM
Trinity St. Paul's Centre

For Immediate Release - Toronto, May 7, 2007: Toronto’s Talisker Players complete their 2006/2007 with a celebration of the art of William Blake, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 29 and 30 at Trinity St. Paul’s Centre.  Tyger, Tyger delves into the strange and beautiful world of the 19th-century English poet, painter and mystic, with musical settings of many of his best-known poems. The instrumentalists of Talisker Players are joined by two of Canada’s most splendid singers, mezzo soprano Norine Burgess and tenor Colin Ainsworth.

The title work is a new setting of Blake’s most famous poem, commissioned by Talisker Players from the acclaimed young composer Craig Galbraith, for mezzo soprano, string trio and clarinet. A previous work commissioned by the ensemble from Galbraith (The Fenian Cycle, 2004) went on to win the CBC’s Karen Kieser Prize. “The Tyger” is one of the most frequently quoted poems in the English language.

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

The programme naturally features English composers, who have perhaps the most instinctive understanding of Blake’s poetry. Malcolm Arnold’s hauntingly evocative Five William Blake Songs, for mezzo soprano and string quartet, are a highlight. An earlier generation will be represented with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ beautiful but seldom-heard Ten Blake Songs, for tenor and oboe, and Gordon Jacob’s charming Songs of Innocence, for tenor and string trio.

Canadian composers are also well represented, including Violet Archer’s short but captivating Two Songs for soprano and clarinet, Colin Eatock’s Tears of Gold, for mezzo soprano, cello and harpsichord, and Godfrey Ridout’s Seasons, for tenor, string quartet and piano.

As always, this Talisker Players production includes the spoken word. The acclaimed actor and director Ross Manson will read excerpts from “A Fearful Symmetry” by the University of Toronto literary icon Northrop Frye. Without doubt his most famous book, it explores the meaning of Blake’s art and its relevance in the modern world, with insight, grace and humour.

Tenor Colin Ainsworth has attracted international attention with his floating, lyric sound and engaging stage presence. He has appeared frequently with Toronto’s renowned Opera Atelier, in productions of Lully’s Armide, Monteverdi’s Orfeo, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Charpentier’s Actéon. He recently garnered critical acclaim in the title role of Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice. The Globe and Mail praised him for his “...rock-solid technique, excellent diction, and a virile tone.”, while the Toronto Star commented: “Tenor Colin Ainsworth is Orpheus incarnate, his high, lyric voice doing justice to the difficult vocal role.” Colin has also appeared with Opera in Concert, the Toronto Operetta Theatre, the Aldeburgh Connection and sings regularly with major Canadian orchestras. Recent engagements include his Glimmerglass Opera debut as Jean in Massenet’s Le Portrait de Manon, and Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice with the Greek National Opera. His discography comprises Castor from Rameau’s Castor et Pollux on the Naxos label and a new recording with the Aldeburgh Connection for Marquis Records. He also appears with Tafelmusik on a soon to be released CD of Bach and Mondonville for CBC Records.

Norine Burgess’s compelling stage presence and beauty of tone have brought her renown in opera houses and on concert stages around the world. In recent seasons, she has appeared in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte at the Vienna Volksoper, Gounod’s Faust with Vancouver Opera, Roméo et Juliette with Opera Ontario and Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffman with Calgary Opera. She premiered the role of Miss Mary Lloyd in Kalman’s Die Herzogin von Chicago, now available on DVD, at the Vienna Volksoper. She debuted at the Salzburg Festival in 1997 as the Second Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, reprising the role in 1999, and returning to the festival in 2000 for Cherubini’s Médée under the direction of Sir Charles MacKerras. Norine is equally acclaimed on the concert stage. She is a favourite with The Aldeburgh Connection, and has also appeared in recital and in oratorio across Canada and the U.S. as well as in Europe.

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

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