December 22, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre will launch 2005 festively with its annual “Viennese New Year’s Celebration” of glorious music as sparkling as a glass of champagne. The concert on Saturday, January 1 at 14:30 in NAC’s Southam Hall, features Austrian conductor Christoph Campestrini returning for the second year to lead a 55-piece orchestra in waltzes and other orchestral delights. In addition selections from Viennese operetta will be sung by critically acclaimed Juno-winning soprano Karina Gauvin and mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, described as "simply one of the most exciting singers in the country right now", making her NAC debut.

Please note that this concert is NOT performed by the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Vienna evokes an enduring image as a city of infectious gaiety, ebullient spirits, bubbling champagne, glittering chandeliers, elegant ballrooms, splendid buildings and romantic strolls through the Prater.  The annual New Year’s Concert given by the Vienna Philharmonic in the opulent hall of the Musikverein is one of the city’s great traditions.  The National Arts Centre too has a tradition of New Year’s Concerts, each one a little different.  The lion’s share of the programme this year goes to Johann Strauss II, the “Waltz King” whose name is virtually synonymous with the city in which he spent his life.  But there are offerings from other Viennese composers as well.

The captivating Overture to von Suppé’s Light Cavalry gets things underway. Other “non-Strauss” offerings are Franz Schmidt’s lushly romantic Intermezzo from Notre Dame; Mozart’s lovely duet “Ah guarda, sorella” from Così fan tutte; Joseph Hellmesberger II’s Danse diabolique injecting a touch of spice into the Viennese bon-bons; Léo Delibes gorgeous duet from Lakmé, “Dôme épais le jasmin”; and Franz Lehár’s “Vilja” from The Merry Widow.

Johann Strauss II is represented by several wonderful works: the dreamy Wiener Blut (Viennese Blood); “Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein” from Die Fledermaus (The Bat); the Overture to Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron); the Tritsch-Tratsch polka (Chit-Chat); the little Persian March; Perpetuum mobile; and the “Czárdás” from Ritter Pásmán (Knight Pazmann). On the Beautiful Blue Danube is the perfect waltz to end the programme.

Born in Linz, Austria, Christoph Campestrini is one of the foremost young conducting talents of nineteenth and twentieth century repertoire, and has appeared with many of the world’s finest orchestras. He has led tours of the chamber orchestra of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and has had many engagements with the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg. He made his NAC debut conducting last season’s Viennese Celebration.

Karina Gauvin’s unique voice, remarkable technique, and accomplished musicianship, have charmed audiences worldwide from the Royal Opera House in London to Lincoln Center in New York. Her discography includes four Juno Award-nominated CDs, and her many awards include the Lieder Prize and the Public’s Prize at the ‘s-Hertogenbosch International Vocal Competition and First Prize of the CBC Radio National Competition.

Young Canadian mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó has quickly become one of the world’s most sought-after artists. She was a 1997 winner of the Mozart Competition, held under the auspices of the Canadian Opera Company, and in 1998 she joined the Canadian Opera’s Ensemble Studio. She has recently made several highly successful debuts in Europe and America.

To add to the celebratory atmosphere of the Viennese New Year’s Celebration, NAC Executive Chef Kurt Waldele has created a festive New Year’s luncheon menu, priced at $37.70 (including taxes and gratuities), which patrons may purchase separately.

Tickets for the concert are $40.90, $57.75, $71.00 or $74.25 with box seats at $90.00 (GST and facility included).

Tickets for both the concert and/or the luncheon can be purchased at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111.  Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Groups of 20 and more save up to 20% on NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances.  To book call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca