April 27, 2007 -

Ottawa, Canada -- Quebec pianist Andrée-Anne Perras-Fortin, a graduate of the NAC Young Artists Programme, performs in recital for the next Aber Diamond Debut Series concert presented by the National Arts Centre and CBC Radio Two on Friday, May 4 at noon in the Foyer of the NAC as part of the NAC's Quebec Scene. The hour-long recital features music by Chopin, Beethoven, Quebec composer Jacques Hétu and Ravel. It is hosted by Eric Friesen and will be broadcast on his Radio Two programme Studio Sparks. (Aber Diamond is pronounced "Abber" Diamond).

Admission to the recital is $4.00 with all proceeds going to the NAC Orchestra Bursary Trust Fund and the CBC Music in Schools Award. Additional donations are greatly appreciated.

The programme consists of Chopin's Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise, Beethoven's Sonata No. 30 in E major, Jacques Hétu's Impromptu, and Alborada del gracioso from Ravel's Miroirs.

Born in Quebec City, Andrée-Anne Perras-Fortin started her training at the Conservatoire de musique de Québec and also studied at McGill University with Richard Raymond where she obtained a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in performance with great honours: High Distinction, Outstanding Achievement in Piano Performance and Dean's Honour List. Other awards include Governor General's Medal of Canada and top prizes at the Canadian Music Competition and Radio-Canada "Jeunes Artistes" Competition. She is currently a doctoral student in piano performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Dr. Daniel Shapiro.

Andrée-Anne Perras-Fortin made her orchestral debut at age 13. Some of her performances have been broadcast by Radio-Canada and Radio Suisse-Romande. In recent summers, she has been invited to participate in several music festivals including the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Orford Arts Centre and the Académie de musique de Lausanne, in Switzerland. In collaboration with violinist Véronique Mathieu she has performed at chamber music festivals across Canada. Upcoming performances include recitals in Quebec City, Trois-Rivières and Sainte-Pétronille. An advocate of new music, she recently premiered the piece Shards for piano and electronics by Canadian composer Christien Ledroit.

The Aber Diamond Debut Series showcases talented young musicians from Canada and around the world. The recitals take place in the Foyer of the NAC at noon, and each will be broadcast across Canada on Eric Friesen's afternoon programme Studio Sparks on CBC Radio Two. Those listening at home can tune into the full three hours of Studio Sparks from noon to 15:00 and hear the recital in the middle hour at 13:00.

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

Jill LaForty,
CBC Radio National Music Producer
(613) 288-6461
jill_laforty@cbc.ca