choristers, concerts, ConductorsJohn GregoryRachmaninoff, Elektra Women's Choir, Eric Whitacre, Ontario Arts Council, gregiej

A spring flourish of Russian Beauty from Cantala

choristers, concerts, ConductorsJohn GregoryRachmaninoff, Elektra Women's Choir, Eric Whitacre, Ontario Arts Council, gregiej

The Cantala Women’s Choir Spring concert Russian Beauty brought an extraordinary rendition of Sergei Rachmaninoff's six choral songs and more familiar choral music to Toronto.

Conductor, Nancy Singla remarked that she is inspired by both the beauty of Rachmaninoff and the Elektra Choir in Vancouver. It was a smart choice. The calibre of guest pianist, Asal Iranmehr added to the dramatic flair of this wonderful choral evening.

Cantala-Russian-Beauty-Asal-Iranmehr.jpg

"My mother, who is Russian, said that the concert was fantastic, and she cried numerous times. She also said that the Russian was clean, and she really enjoyed those pieces!” commented Ankita Khanda

Cantala Board Member, Nancy Dawe, wrapped up the evening by adding her gratitude to Ontario Arts Council for their support in this 10th Cantala season. Their two grants supported both the development of this concert and Singla’s big dream to record a CD. 

Cantala-Nancy-Singla-Russian-Beauty.jpg

“A significant part of growing the choir this year is that they travelled across the border last month to New York City and sang and worked with Eric Whitacre, who is an incredible composer and conductor. It's all those little things that are exciting in growth and delight of the choir.” 

Listen to a live recording from Saturday night of Rise Up, My Love here

“Maybe if we outgrow the space, then that's another sign of growth. We ran out of programs tonight. If you didn't get one that's a good sign. We will print more next time.” 

That next opportunity to see this first-rate choir will be the Christmas concert on Saturday, December 8, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields.

 

Guest post by John Gregory @gregiej

Cantala Board Member. INBOUND18 speaker, Journalist @gregiej, Mentor at Opencity Inc. on strategy and digital communications.

Conductors, choristers, concertsNancy Singlanew york choral scene, DCINY, eric whitacre, cantala womens choir, nancy singla, choirs, choral singing, singing, toronto choral scene, toronto womens choir, choir tour, 10th anniversary, lincoln centerComment

Cantala + New York in 2018

I never would have dreamed 10 years ago when I founded the Cantala Women’s Choir that I would take my choir to New York city for a musical adventure, but it’s becoming a reality.

Conductors, choristers, concertsNancy Singlanew york choral scene, DCINY, eric whitacre, cantala womens choir, nancy singla, choirs, choral singing, singing, toronto choral scene, toronto womens choir, choir tour, 10th anniversary, lincoln centerComment
concerts, Conductors, choristersNancy Singlacantala, cantala women's choir, cantala repertoire, cantala choir, christmas choral concert, benjamin britten, in the bleak midwinter, st.martin in the fields, toronto choral scene, toronto choir, toronto womens choir, toronto choirs, nancy singlaComment

Cantala Concert 2017: In the Bleak Midwinter

I've recently discovered a lesser-known work by Britten, A Boy is Born; a very demanding unaccompanied choral work for mixed choir. But lucky for us, the 5th movement In The Bleak Midwinter, is only for treble voices and Cantala is set to perform it in concert on December 9th, 2017, Toronto.

 

concerts, Conductors, choristersNancy Singlacantala, cantala women's choir, cantala repertoire, cantala choir, christmas choral concert, benjamin britten, in the bleak midwinter, st.martin in the fields, toronto choral scene, toronto choir, toronto womens choir, toronto choirs, nancy singlaComment
Conductors, concerts, choristersNancy Singlacantala womens choir, cantala repertoire, cantala choir, Doreen Rao, Nancy Singla, Choral music, toronto choral scene, toronto choral, Toronto Women's Choir, Singers, Piano music, Rachmaninoff, Kabalevsky, samuel barberComment

Russian Beauty: Spring Concert Program

The final concert of our 10th Season is quickly approaching and we are celebrating in many ways, including performing Rachmaninoff’s Six Choruses for Treble voices, op. 15; a special gem from the Women’s choral literature in May. 

Conductors, concerts, choristersNancy Singlacantala womens choir, cantala repertoire, cantala choir, Doreen Rao, Nancy Singla, Choral music, toronto choral scene, toronto choral, Toronto Women's Choir, Singers, Piano music, Rachmaninoff, Kabalevsky, samuel barberComment
Conductors, choristersNancy Singlanancy singla, benjamin britten, seasonal concert, christmas choral concert, cantala womens choir, toronto choral scene, toronto women's choir, choral singing, Choral music, choral bloggingComment

A Ceremony of Carols

The Cantala Women’s Choir is excited to perform next month their favourite seasonal work, the gorgeous, masterful choral piece, A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten.

Conductors, choristersNancy Singlanancy singla, benjamin britten, seasonal concert, christmas choral concert, cantala womens choir, toronto choral scene, toronto women's choir, choral singing, Choral music, choral bloggingComment
Conductors, concerts, choristersNancy Singlacantala women's choir, Cantala, cantala womens choir, catherine glaser climie, spring concert toronto, Spring concert, francis poulenc, benjamin britten, Nancy Singla, womens choir, toronto choir, toronto choirs, toronto choral singing, toronto choral concerts, toronto choral sceneComment

Transformative Choral Experiences with Cantala

Every year I tell Cantala that they are the closest I’ll ever get to driving a Mercedes Benz but this year I have upgraded them to a Tesla….

Conductors, concerts, choristersNancy Singlacantala women's choir, Cantala, cantala womens choir, catherine glaser climie, spring concert toronto, Spring concert, francis poulenc, benjamin britten, Nancy Singla, womens choir, toronto choir, toronto choirs, toronto choral singing, toronto choral concerts, toronto choral sceneComment