All-star artists headline the Golden Jubilee Gala at Roy Thomson Hall on October 10!
October 08, 2002 -
OTTAWA -- Canadian superstars of music, stage, and screen are set
to share the spotlight at The Golden Jubilee Gala at Toronto's
Roy Thomson Hall on October 10, 2002! Appearing in the glittering
line-up of artists is Canada's 'Musical Ambassador', jazz
legend Oscar Peterson; Quebec's queen of entertainment, Ginette
Reno; outstanding opera stars Michael Schade and Measha
Brueggergosman; and Canada's favourite rock band, The Tragically
Hip. The Master of Ceremonies for the Golden Jubilee Gala will be
acclaimed film and theatre actor Colm Feore, whose most recent
triumphs include the title role in the TV minseries Trudeau
and the lead male role in My Fair Lady at the Stratford
Festival - both of which garnered him superlative reviews.
The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, the Prime Minister of
Canada, is the official host of The Golden Jubilee Gala, which
celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Her Majesty the
Queen's Accession to the Throne. This spectacular
once-in-a-lifetime event has been produced by the Department of
Canadian Heritage and Canada's National Arts Centre (NAC).
A milestone in Canadian broadcasting, The Golden Jubilee Gala will
be broadcast live' across the country -- on both television and
radio -- by CBC and Radio-Canada. All Canadians are invited to tune
into this gala occasion on Thursday, October 10 when the 2-hour
broadcast begins at 20:00.
Visual highlights of the Gala will include the world premiere of a
new pas de deux to be performed by dazzling dancers Evelyn
Hart and Rex Harrington, and a special performance by the dynamic
Cirque du Soleil in a selection from their production Quidam.
Vocal highlights will be performances by exciting West Coast
mezzo-sporano Marion Newman and 12-year-old Glace Bay singing
sensation Aselin Debison, and an exhilarating retrospective of 50
years of Quebec popular music sung by Mario Pelchat, Julie
Massicotte, and Luck Mervil. The Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir
performs a traditional Irish song, complete with stepdancing and
fabulous fiddling by Richard Wood. The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
performs under the direction of Noel Edison and the Toronto Symphony
Orchestra is under the baton of Conductor Earl Stafford. The NAC is
also producing 'video pacs' of more than a dozen prominent
Canadian artists who have already been privileged to perform before
the Queen.
The Golden Jubilee Gala features some of the top names in Canadian
arts and entertainment, as well as many of the country's most
talented newcomers. It promises to be one of the most glamorous
occasions of the year, and a highlight of the Queen and the Duke of
Edinburgh's 12-day tour of Canada.
The National Arts Centre is honoured to have been asked to select
the artists and programme the performance. The Golden Jubilee Gala
was conceived by Cathy Levy and Peter Herrndorf of the NAC, as well
as by Pierre Boileau and Brian Robertson. Ms Levy, the Producer of
Dance Programming at the National Arts Centre, had the lead role in
producing The Golden Jubilee Gala. She brings unique experience to
the job: in spring of 2001, Cathy Levy organized A Celebration of
Canadian Artists at the Gooderham and Worts Historical Site in
Toronto in honour of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. The
director of The Golden Jubilee Gala is Pierre Boileau, set design is
by Russell David Chick, and lighting design is by Jean Renaud.
Says Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts
Centre, "There are so many remarkable performers in this country and
we have carefully chosen these wonderful artists. These singers,
dancers, actors, and musicians are representative of the wonderful
talent in each artistic discipline, and the audience will truly enjoy
it. We've selected a broad cross-section of talent for this
performance and we are confident that Her Majesty the Queen and His
Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh will enjoy an exciting
evening."
ARTISTS' BIOGRAPHIES
Equally at home singing classical and jazz, New Brunswick native
Measha Brueggergosman is a fast-rising opera star. The recipient of
many international awards, Measha (who is still under age 25)
combines postgraduate studies in Germany with appearances across
Canada, the U.S., and overseas.
One of Canada's most famous exports, Montreal-based Cirque du
Soleil amazes audiences worldwide with dramatic and visually
spectacular effects; each highly theatrical show features original
music, lighting, and costumes. This distinctive duet from
Quidam integrates vocals with high-caliber acrobatics.
A gifted vocalist, 12-year-old phenomenon Aselin Debison is
emerging as a fast-rising star in Canadian music - and her new
contract with Sony Music Canada will soon introduce the young Cape
Breton singer's repertoire of Celtic tunes and folk material to
an international audience.
Multi-talented award-winning actor Colm Feore is well known for
his work in theatre, cinema, and on television. Most recently, he had
the title role in the TV miniseries Trudeau, was featured in
several movies, and starred as Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady
at the Stratford Festival.
Award-winning, internationally renowned dancers Evelyn Hart
(Principal Dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet) and Rex Harrington
(Principal Dancer with The National Ballet of Canada) transcend
flawless technique to reveal the emotional core of each character
they portray. Their extraordinary abilities and tremendous appeal
with audiences worldwide have catapulted them to the pinnacle of the
world of dance.
Blessed with dizzying charisma, uncommon energy, and a voice that
could move mountains, Julie Massicotte is one of Quebec's most
versatile singers. She has performed on major stages in Canada,
France, and Japan, and at festivals, major shows, and musical revues
around the world.
Actor-singer Luck Mervil, a Haiti native, began singing at age 4
- with a voice that is now an exceptionally rich and versatile
instrument. With multiple albums and Top Ten hits to his credit, Luck
Mervil has conquered the worlds of recordings, TV, and the stage
(with the huge hit Notre-Dame de Paris).
Now in its eleventh year, the 200-member Newfoundland Symphony
Youth Choir, under the direction of Susan Knight, has garnered
worldwide recognition for performances and for innovative projects.
The choir has toured the world, recorded four award-winning albums,
and has received wide critical acclaim and numerous international
prizes.
Mezzo-soprano Marion Newman grew up in Victoria, B.C. and has
appeared frequently in opera, and as a soloist with symphonies across
North America and overseas. She has also appeared numerous times on
CBC-TV as a soloist for the Aboriginal Achievement Awards.
A native of Dolbeau, Quebec, Mario Pelchat made his first public
appearance when he was barely 9 years old. Growing up in an
environment where music was omnipresent, Mario Pelchat has gone on to
win four Felix awards, three gold records, two platinum records, and
one platinum ticket.
Legendary jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson is truly a
giant of Canadian music. Born in Montreal, Oscar Peterson has
travelled the globe as "Canada's Musical Ambassador," and has
recorded with many of the jazz greats and with his various bands.
Oscar Peterson has over 300 compositions to his credit, including
award-winning motion picture scores.
Montreal-born Ginette Reno is a bone fide Canadian superstar.
Accomplished as both a singer and an actress, she has been thrilling
audiences and winning awards virtually since her debut more than
forty years ago. Long acknowledged as the Queen of Entertainment in
Quebec, Ms Reno has also performed sold-out shows in Los Angeles, Las
Vegas, New York, London, Paris, and cities around the world.
A native of Geneva, Switzerland, German-Canadian tenor Michael
Schade is one of the leading opera singers on the international
stage. He performs regularly around the world and has numerous
successful recordings to his credit.
Earl Stafford was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor
for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1984. He has also served on the
faculty of the Banff Centre School for the Arts, been Music Director
for Rainbow Stage, and is currently a guest conductor with many of
Canada's best orchestras.
Founded in 1894, the 180-voice Toronto Mendelssohn Choir under the
direction of Noel Edison performs, promotes, and develops major works
for large choir and has earned worldwide critical acclaim.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is now celebrating its
80th anniversary as Canada's foremost symphonic
ensemble. The TSO brings audiences the best in live orchestral music
- at their home venue of Roy Thomson Hall, during frequent
broadcasts on CBC Radio Two, and on regular international tours.
After 19 years and ten albums, with over 10 million albums sold
worldwide, The Tragically Hip remains one of Canada's most
popular groups. Touring constantly since 1988, the band from Kingston
has earned a legendary reputation for live performance. Their music
is their bond with each other and with the audience, a two-way mirror
that reflects the feelings of both creators and listeners.
Champion fiddler and stepdancer Richard Wood has five recordings
to his credit. In the great tradition of Maritime fiddling,
23-year-old Mr. Wood writes much of the music he records and
performs, blending Irish, Scottish and French influences with
elements of contemporary jazz and pop.
