Atelier S

NEW WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING!

2007-12-17T07:47:00.000-05:00

It has finally come to pass and Atelier S finally has it's own website. Please visit us at http://atelier-s.org for the latest updates and full information on our studio lesson, workshop and performance activities.

See you there!

NEWSLETTER - FALL 2007

2007-10-18T07:10:00.000-05:00

NEWSLETTER – FALL 2007

Dear Friends in music,

It seems like 6 lifetimes have passed since my last update from last May. Where has the summer gone?! Summer for me and Atelier S was a wild and wonderful ride with so many new developments. Where does one begin? First of all, I really want to thank everyone who came out and supported our inaugural recital series “The Art of Song”. As ambitious as it was, the response was great and such that we are compelled to present a second season. Other than that, I think I will just stop here and let you read on about all the different and new activities going on here at Atelier S and I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you all in our audience this season.

Wishing you all a most inspired season!

Most sincerely

Stuart Graham

416.927.9105
Atelier.s@sympatico.ca
http://atelier-s.blogspot.com

The News: - Partnership with Counterpoint Community Orchestra
- Atelier S goes international!
- The Art of Song: recital series (edition 2008)
- Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, a role study workshop (April/May 2008)
- Atelier S members doing it out there....
- Studio openings

PARTNERSHIPS: Atelier S in collaboration with Counterpoint Community Orchestra.
The operative terms from this summer are collaboration and partnerships, expanding the resources available to our artist membership. After several discussions with conductor Taras Kowalczuk, I am very pleased to announce our partnership with the Counterpoint Community Orchestra. This is a brilliant opportunity for the singers of the performance program of Atelier S, offering them several opportunities over the next few years to rehearse and perform major works of the vocal/orchestral repertoire. Our first outing with Counterpoint will be this March 1, 2008 singing arias and ensembles from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Verdi’s Rigoletto, Puccini’s La Bohème, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin and Wagner’s Die Walküre. This event will feature the vocal talents of sopranos Hélène Ducharme, Dolores Tjart, mezzo-soprano Martha Spence, tenor Patrick Huang and baritone Stuart Graham. A short 11 days later on March 12, Counterpoint joins Atelier S in accompanying our solemn Easter concert of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. Other major upcoming events with Counterpoint include, a concert presentation of Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors for December 2008 and Rossini’s Stabat Mater in the spring of 2009. We are currently hearing auditions to cast these productions.

Atelier S goes international!....
Those of you in my inner circle may have already heard the ideas juggling in my head over the past 18 months. But, I am so very proud and excited to announce that Atelier S is going international with its new Summer Vocal Academy in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. Mexico is renowned for its cultural richness, both in its indigenous and Spanish colonial history, consistently being a hotbed for emerging artists no matter their medium. Painters ranging from Velasco to Rivera and Kahlo, cinematic history and prowess that rivals Hollywood and a musical environment that brought us singers like Placido Domingo and many new artists that are currently making a remarkable splash on the international scene. I have long believed that travel and direct experience of world cultures are a non-negotiable to the soul and development of us musicians. How can one achieve the insight of the composers and librettists if one has not tasted first-hand the perspective of the cultures and their history of where their works of art were born? Study of language is such an important portal into that experience.

I can’t be happier with how this has come to fruition. Atelier S is now in full partnership with our host, the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro and its Faculties of Fine Arts, Philosophy and Linguistics. The UAQ is internationally renowned for its prowess in language programs as many European universities have set up partnerships sending their students to Querétaro for their Spanish immersion. Querétaro, as a city, is found in the centre of Mexico just a 3 hour drive north of Mexico City. Querétaro’s current incarnation goes back to the times of the early Spanish colonial period of the 16th century and has been a city of much influence in Mexico’s political history, most notably as the birthplace of the Mexican Revolution. Since that time, Querétaro has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Atelier S’s 6 week program is exclusive to Canadian Singers and Pianists (specializing in collaboration in the vocal recital/operatic repertoire). In this initial outing, we will be concentrating on two works of Giacomo Puccini, Il Tabarro and Gianni Schicci. The successful candidates will receive daily language class, vocal/piano coaching and masterclasses and ensemble coachings in preparation for the concert tour.

I am thrilled to have pianist, pedagogue, collaborative artist and internationally respected coach Mme. Claudette Denys joining me on faculty. Mme. Denys enjoys a most distinguished career as one of Canada’s most sought after pianists and vocal coaches. Originally from Québec City, she has been instrumental in the success and careers of many of Canada’s top international lyric artists by serving on faculty of McGill University, the Banff Centre of the Arts, Conservatoire de Musique de Québec de Montréal and l’Opéra de Montréal and its Atelier Lyrique. She has collaborated with some of the greatest lyrique talents of the 20th century, including: John Vickers, Louis Quilico, Virginia Zeani and Tatiana Troyanos. She is also the official pianist for the masterclasses of Pierre Bernac, Raoul Jobin, Heinz Rehfuss, Hans Hotter, Daniel Ferro, Rose Brampton, Martin Isepp, Diana Soviero and Phyllis Curtain and accompanies at the International Singing Competitions of Rio de Janeiro, Budapest, Toulouse, Genève, Sienne, and Montréal.

For the program and its details, please refer to the information directly following this section in this communiqué.

Atеlίεя S Summer Vocal Academy and Spanish Language Immersion 2008
Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico
*Exclusive to Canadian Singers and Pianists*

Session: June 30 – August 16, 2008

Venues: Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Museo de la Ciudad, Museo Regional, Teatro Rosalío Solano

Faculty: Stuart Graham (voice)
Claudette Denys (piano)
Professors Ewald Hekking Sloof & François Vaucher (Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro - language course co-ordinators)

Collaborators: Mæstro Jorge Martínez-Marin, Director of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
Mæstro Vicente Lopéz Velarde Fonsecu, Director of Dept. Of Music, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro

Repertoire: Giacomo Puccini: Il Tabarro (to be sung in Italian)
Giacomo Puccini: Gianni Schicci (to be sung in Italian)
Pianists and singers are invited to bring their own solo recital repertoire as this will be compiled and presented in conjunction with the two operas

Structure: - 4 weeks of Spanish language intensive (43 hours of class – mornings Mon-Fri.). University diploma will be offered upon completion.
- Daily vocal/piano coachings/masterclasses and opera preparation with Stuart Graham and Claudette Denys.
- Il Tabarro and Gianni Schicci roles will be double cast.
- Singers are required to arrive to the course with their assigned roles learned, memorized and ready to perform. This will allow for a more profound exploration of roles and music through the rehearsal process.
- Pianists will be assigned to individual singers to collaborate on recital repertoire.
- Pianists will be assigned to learn EITHER Il Tabarro or Gianni Schicci and performance opportunities will be on a rotation basis depending on the cast they have been assigned to.
- Noontime and evening recitals in weeks 3 & 4 to be presented in various venues in Querétaro. (program to be compiled of various singers/pianists and their proposed solo repertoire.)
- 2 weeks of concert tour. Cities and venues including: Teatro de la Republica (Querétaro), International Chamber Music Festival (San Miguel d’Allende), Guanajuato (host city of Festival Cervantino), Catedral de Ecatapec, Sala Manuel M. Ponce – Palacio Bellas Artes (Mexico City), Castillo Chapultapec (Mexico City).

Application and Audition Deadline: February 1, 2008
- Admission only to Singers and Pianists that are Canadian Citizens or hold Landed Immigrant Status.
- To apply, please send (either by email or regular post): resumé, bio, photo (publicity headshot) along with two letters of reference/recommendation from noted professionals in the field (teachers, coaches, conductors, directors) to: Atelier S, 40 Alexander St. Suite 1510, Toronto, ON M4Y 1B5 OR email to atelier.s@sympatico.ca .
- Live auditions may be arranged in either Toronto or Montreal.
- Demo CDs are admitted if accompanied with application package (note: demo CDs must have been recorded within the past 12 months without supplementary engineering)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Art of Song: recital series (edition 2008)
The artists and programming have been selected and we are thrilled to announce the upcoming The Art of Song: recital series (edition 2008). The format has shifted a bit from last season’s experience as this year we are presenting only three solo recitals and bringing in larger ensemble efforts with our Easter concert of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater (March 12, 2008) and finishing the year with 4 performances (May 23, 25, 28, 30, 2008) of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera (concert format). Our 2008 season begins on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 with the luscious talents of coloratura soprano Jennifer Rasor. Ms. Rasor is an alumnist of L’Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique and has graced many operatic stages with acclaim in Canada and Europe. Highlights in her program include song of Jean Coulthard, Edvard Grieg and Aaron Copland’s Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson. Our second solo program takes place on Wednesday, April 5, 2008 presenting myself, baritone Stuart Graham, along with pianist Dr. Christopher Foley and the Atelier S chorus, presenting Ravel’s Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs and Act II, sc ii of Wagner’s Die Walküre. Our third solo offering presents the most promising talent of mezzo-soprano Liliana Piazza on April 30, 2008. Currently in her first year of study of a Master’s in Vocal Performance at Montreal’s McGill University she is no stranger to the Toronto stages and has sung to critical acclaim most notably with Toronto’s Opera in Concert. Highlights in her program include songs of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Brahms and Barber. Please check out our blog at http://atelier-s.blogspot.com for any updates and full biographic and programming information.

The Art of Song
Recital Series (2008 edition)

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 – 7:30pm
College Street United Church
Jennifer Rasor, coloratura soprano
- Aaron Copland: Twelve poems of Emily Dickinson
- Songs of Edvard Grieg
- Songs of Jean Coulthard
Tickets: advance/$20, door/$25, music student/$10 at the door.

Wednesday March 12, 2008 – 7:30pm
St. Francis of Assissi Church
Artists and Orchestra of Atelier S perform
Stabat Mater by Giambattista Pergolesi
Featuring Dolores Tjart (soprano) and Martha Spence (mezzo-soprano)
Tickets: advance/$30, door/$35, music student/$15 at the door
Proceeds in Benefit of Social Outreach of St. Francis of Assissi Parish and Scholarship Fund for Atelier S Summer Vocal Academy, Querétaro, Mexico

Saturday April 5, 2008 – 7:30pm
College Street United Church
Stuart Graham (baritone) with Christopher Foley (piano)
- Maurice Ravel: Don Quichotte à Dulcinée
- Ralph Vaughan Williams: Five Mystical Songs (with chorus)
- Richard Wagner: Die Walküre, Act II, sc ii
Tickets: advance/$30, door/$35, music student/$15 at the door.

Wednesday April 30, 2008 – 7:30pm
College Street United Church
Liliana Piazza, mezzo-soprano
- Repertoire TBA
Tickets: advance/$20, door/$25, music student/$10 at the door.

In Concert: Giuseppe Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera
Featuring artists of Atelier S under the artistic direction of Stuart Graham and musical collaboration of Dr. Christopher Foley
May 21 (7:30pm), 23 (7:30pm), 25 (3:30pm), 28 (7:30pm) 2008
College St. United Church
Tickets: advance/$30, door/$35, music student/$15 at the door.

Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, a role study workshop (April/May 2008)... audition call for all roles (second cast)
These have been good times in the studio of Atelier S. I consider myself most fortunate to have such a rich pool of talent to create with. As has always been my affliction “As talent presents itself, I am compelled to create an event to allow it the opportunity to express...”. Thus, this concert outing of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera is born. That said, we have decided to open up the experience and hear auditions to develop a second cast for alternating performances. The workshop will begin March 31, 2008 and culminate in 4 performances at the end of May, 2008. Successful candidates will be required to come to the program with their roles well learned in order to make the best of this opportunity. For more information, or to set up an appointment for audition, please contact me directly.

_______________________________________________________________
Atelier S members doing it out there....

- Oct. 28, 2008 Patricia Haldane & Friends present “Sehnsucht” at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, Toronto, ON
- Nov. 1-15, 2008 Stuart Graham: masterclass and recital with pianist, Vicente Fonsecu at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, México.
- Dec. 16, 2008 Hélène Ducharme in recital at Mackenzie Hall, Windsor, ON.

Atelier S is currently accepting new students for this 2007-2008 performance season. Please contact us for further information and audition booking.

___________________________________________________________
Atеlίεя S and its mandate:
Atеlίεя S, is very pleased to announce that it has a new creative home and since September 1, 2006 all lessons, performance/master classes and student recitals are held in the sanctuary of College St. United Church. This move has opened up fantastic possibilities in support of the technical and artistic growth of the student members of Atelier S. We no longer offer just voice lessons/performance coaching, but have now created a fully structured performance program specialized for the transitioning artist who is working to bridge from the student career to the lyric profession. This new program includes a weekly lesson, bi-weekly performance/master class series, ensemble performance (opera and concert/oratorio repertoire), solo or shared recital and preferred status in performance classes featuring guest master teachers.

Stuart Graham, baritone, pedagogue, founder/artistic director Atеlίεя S
Saskatchewan born baritone Stuart Graham, received his formal education at the Faculty of Music of McGill University in Montréal, Canada, with the renowned Canadian baritone Mr. Bernard Turgeon. In 1998, he continued his studies with Diane Forlano at the Koninklijk Conservatorium, Den Haag, Nederlands, and since January of 2000, Mr. Graham enjoys the mentorship of Diana Soviero (Metropolitan Opera of New York) and Stuart Hamilton (Toronto). Since 1992 Stuart Graham has been heard in recital, oratorio and in opera in Canada, the United States and in Europe, enjoying successes accompanied by orchestras and ensembles, such as: l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, I Musici de Montréal, the Saskatoon Symphony, Silesian State Opera, Slovak State Philharmonic (Košice) and the Oakville Symphony Orchestra. His performance in the world premier of Edifice by Arlan Schultz was broadcast by CBC, the BBC, Radio-France and the Bavarian Radio. In 1993, Mr. Graham made his New York debut as invited artist in recital as part of the Riverside Chamber Music Series (Riverside Church, New York, NY.).

His recent endeavours have taken him to further success with his recent solo recitals titled “Le Chasseur Perdu”, accompanied by Claudette Denys (l’Opéra de Montréal) and narrated by operalogue Stuart Hamilton at CBC Toronto’s Glenn Gould Studio (see photo above). As well as “Fate” accompanied by pianist José Hernández, with songs of Rachmaninoff, Poulenc and Mahler’s “Kindertotenlieder”. As well as the roles of Massakroff in Straus’ The Chocolate Soldier, as Horace Tabor in Moore’s The Ballad of Baby Doe, as Raphael and Adam in concert of Haydn’s The Creation, as Pimienta in the Canadian premier production of Roig’s Cecilia Valdes and as Prinz Tschang in The Land of Smiles of Franz Lehar. Other highlights include: Don Fernando in Beethoven’s Fidelio, Masetto, Don Giovanni and Count Almaviva in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro, as Gaveston of Boieldieu’s La Dame Blanche, as Prince Danilo in Lehar’s The Merry Widow, and as the four villains in Les Contes d’Hoffmann of Offenbach. One could also hear him in solo recitals Toronto, Montreal, Festival International de l’Art Vocale (Trois-Rivières), Holland, Belgium, Spain and throughout Central Europe under the auspices of the Janáček Academy in Brno (Košice Slovakia, Brno, Chateau Austerlitz, Polička, Krnov, Czech Republic) and while participating in major international singing competitions in Belgium (Concours International de Musique Reine Elisabeth [l’Opéra de Monnaie, Brussels]—semi-finalist), France (Concours l’Opéra National de Paris—finalist) and Spain (Concurso Internacional de Canto de Bilbao` [Teatro Arriaga, Bilbao]—finalist, Concurso Internacional de Canto Francisco Viñas [Opera Liceu, Barcelona]—finalist) where he received much personal encouragement from such renowned artists as Dame Joan Sutherland, José Van Dam, Stuart Burrows, Sena Jurinac, Fiorenza Cossotto, Teresa Berganza, Katia Ricciarelli, Diana Soviero, Mæstro Edoardo Mϋller and Anna Barovà.

As a pedagogue, Mr. Graham, now in his 13th year as a pedagogue, enjoys a solid reputation as a strong advocate and teacher of the lyric arts. A relative new comer to the Toronto scene (formerly of Montréal – affiliated with the Conservatoire de Musique de Québec á Montréal), Mr. Graham’s studio has quickly taken root and the artists under his tutelage have enjoyed much success, both at a student level and in the professional arena locally and points abroad. Other pedagogical credits include being studio répetiteur for the class of Anna Barová in the International Masterclasses at the Janáček Academy (Brno, Czech Rep.), and is regularly called upon to adjudicate graduate level recitals for the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto).

Season Finale: OPERA IN CONCERT: a celebration of the italian Bel Canto

2007-05-28T12:03:00.000-05:00

The Art of Song:
Recital Series

Opera in Concert: a celebration of Bel Canto
Arias & Ensembles from the operas of Rossini, Donizetti & Verdi
Wednesday, May 30 2007 7:30pm
College Street United Church
454 College St., Toronto, ON

tickets: $25

Featuring artists of Atelier S

Hélène Ducharme, soprano
Dolores Tjart, soprano
Martha Spence, mezzo-soprano
Brett Chapman, tenor
Patrick Huang, tenor
Jan Vaculik, baritone
Stuart Graham, baritone

With special guest:

Dr. Christopher Foley, piano

Where has the winter gone!!! As the beginning of June is staring at us, squarely in the eyes, so is our grand and final concert of this inaugural recital season of Atelier S’s, “The Art of Song”. As ambitious as it seemed, this series experience has been rewarding beyond words for myself and my fellow artists that have taken on the challenge to take the stage. Now comes our final offering of this 2006-07 season!

As we are on the doorstep of Toronto’s Little Italy, it seems most fitting that we celebrate the music of the culture that gave us this glorious art in the form of Grand Opera. This season finale brings the entire roster to the stage in celebration of the Italian Bel Canto repertoire featuring arias and ensembles from such great works at Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera , the glorious quartet from Rigoletto culminating in the grand sextet from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. We are very pleased to have Dr. Christopher Foley (pianist) joining us for this event. For those that have been watching Bravo!’s “Bathroom Divas”, you will recognize him as the featured accompanist from the 2nd season.

Please read on for full program details.

All concerts are held at College St. United Church (454 College St., Toronto, ON) with a start time of 7:30pm

We truly appreciate the support we continue to receive. And, if you have yet to join us, we hope we will soon have the pleasure of seeing you in our audience.

For further information or to reserve tickets, please contact us at 416.927.9105 or email at atelier.s@sympatico.ca
or visit us at http://atelier-s.blogspot.com for full program details.

Opera in Concert: a celebration of Bel Canto
Arias & Ensembles from the operas of Rossini, Donizetti & Verdi
Wednesday, May 30 2007 7:30pm
College Street United Church
454 College St., Toronto, ON

Programme:

Rossini: (Il Barbiere di Siviglia)
Rosina: "una voce poco fa"
Rosina/Figaro: "Dunque io son"
Rosina: Martha Spence
Figaro: Jan Vaculik

Rossini: (L'Italiana in Algeri)
Lindoro: Cavatina
Lindoro: Patrick Huang

Donizetti: (Don Pasquale)
Malatesta: "Bella siccome un angelo"
Norina: cavatina
Norina/Malatesta: "Pronta io son"
Malatesta: Jan Vaculik
Norina: Hélène Ducharme

Verdi: (Un Ballo in Maschera)
Renato/Amelia: "A tal colpe..."
Amelia: "Morró, ma prima in grazie"
Renato: "Alzati la tuo figlio.... Eri tu che macchiavi"
Amelia: Dolores Tjart
Renato: Stuart Graham

INTERMISSION

Verdi: (Rigoletto)
Gilda: "Caro nome"
Quartet - Duke/Maddalena/Gilda/Rigoletto: "Un dì, se ben rammentomi"
Gilda: Hélène Ducharme
Maddalena: Martha Spence
Duke: Patrick Huang
Rigoletto: Stuart Graham

Verdi: (La Forza del Destino)
Leonora: "Son giunta... grazie, o Dio!... Madre, madre, pietosa vergine"
Leonora: Dolores Tjart

Verdi: (Il Trovatore)
Azucena: "Stride la vampa"
Azucena: Martha Spence

Donizetti: (Lucía di Lammermoor)
Sextet - Edgardo, Enrico, Lucía, Raimondo, Alisa, Arturo: "Chi mi frena in tal momento”
Edgardo: Patrick Huang
Enrico: Stuart Graham
Lucía: Dolores Tjart
Raimondo: Jan Vaculik
Alisa: Martha Spence
Arturo: Brett Chapman

The Art of Song: Recital Series - MAY 2ND CONCERT POSTPONED TO MAY 9, 7:30PM

2007-04-30T22:04:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Due to illness, the May 2nd recital with

mezzo-soprano, Martha Spence and guest cellist, Karen Aitken,

has been postponed until May 9, 2007 7:30pm.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 7:30pm

College St. United Church, 454 College St., Toronto, ON

Tickets: $20.00

Featuring:
Martha Spence, mezzo-soprano
with special guest:
Karen Aitken, cello

Programme:

Mozart: “La Clemenza di Tito”

Aria: “Parto, parto”

Fauré: Opus 24

“Élégie” for Cello and Piano

Mahler:

“Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder” (Rückert Lieder)

“Lob des hohen Verstands”

“Nicht wiedersehen!” (Des Knaben Wunderhorn)

“Ablösung im Sommer” (Des Knaben Wunderhorn)

INTERMISSION

Berlioz:

“La morte de Cléopâtre”

The Art of Song: Recital Series - May 2007 Concerts

2007-04-22T20:08:00.000-05:00

This Winter/Spring season has flown by and it has been a most rewarding experience and with word from our audience this inaugural season of “The Art of Song” has not been in vain. As the month of May is quickly approaching from the horizon, we at Atelier S find ourselves in the “home stretch” with our final 3 musical outings, offering the familiar and not so familiar.

For those that are inclined to take in these 3 final concerts, Atelier S is offering a package deal to get all three concerts at a cost of $50 ($15 savings off of full ticket price – advance purchase only)

The first in these final recitals will be held Wednesday, May 2nd, featuring mezzo-soprano Martha Spence with special guest cellist Karen Aitken. Highlights of this program include excerpts of Gustav Mahler’s cycle “Des Knaben Wunderhorn”, “Élegie” of Gabriel Fauré, and the rarely performed dramatic scene for mezzo-soprano, “Cléopâtre” (La morte de Cléopâtre) by Hector Berlioz.

The second of the final three feature the soprano of Dolores Tjart on Wednesday, May 16th. Ms. Tjart is well known to Toronto audiences for her thrilling and engaging performances and this program will not disappoint. Program highlights include: “Sei Ariette” of Vincenzo Bellini, “La Bonne Chanson” of Gabriel Fauré, De Falla’s “Siete Canciones Populares Españolas” and McIntyre’s “Creek Bistro Specials”.

The season finale (Wednesday, May 30th) brings the entire roster to the stage in celebration of the Italian Bel Canto repertoire featuring arias and ensembles from such great works at Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera , Rigoletto culminating in the grand sextet from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor.

All concerts are held at College St. United Church (454 College St., Toronto, ON) with a start time of 7:30pm

We truly appreciate the support we continue to receive. And, if you have yet to join us, we hope we will soon have the pleasure of seeing you in our audience.

For further information or to reserve tickets, please contact us at 416.927.9105 or email at atelier.s@sympatico.ca
or visit us at http://atelier-s.blogspot.com

Stuart Graham
Founder & Artistic Director of Atеlίεя S

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Art of Song:
Recital Series

Featuring artists of Atelier S

SUBRCRIBE TO THE FINAL 3 CONCERTS FOR
$50
($15 off full ticket price - advance purchase only)

Wednesday, May 2, 2007 7:30pm
College St. United Church, 454 College St., Toronto, ON

Tickets: $20.00

Featuring:

Martha Spence, mezzo-soprano

with special guest:

Karen Aitken, cello

Programme:

Mozart: “La Clemenza di Tito”
Aria: “Parto, parto”

Fauré: Opus 24
“Élegie” for Cello and Piano

Mahler:
“Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder” (Rueckert Lieder)
“Lob des hohen Verstands”
“Nicht wiedersehen!” (Des Knaben Wunderhorn)
“Ablösung im Sommer” (Des Knaben Wunderhorn)

INTERMISSION

Berlioz:
“La morte de Cléopâtre”

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 7:30pm
College St. United Church, 454 College St., Toronto, ON

Tickets: $20.00

Featuring:

Dolores Tjart, soprano

Programme

Bellini: Sei Ariette
“Malinconia, Ninfa gentile”
“Vanne, o rosa fortunate”
“Bella Nice, che d’amore”
“Almen se non poss’io”
“Per pietà, bell’idol mio”
“Ma rendi pur contento”

Fauré: La Bonne Chanson (opus 61)
“Une Sainte en son aureole”
“Puisque l’aube grandit”
“La lune blanche luit dans les bois”
“J’allais par des chemins perfides”
“J’ai Presque peur, en vérité”
“Avant que tu ne t’en ailles”
“Donc, ce sera par un clair jour d’été”
“N’est-ce pas?”
“L’Hiver a cessé”

INTERMISSION

McIntyre: Creek Bistro Specials
(from the menu of the Creek in Cathedral Bistro, Regina, Saskatchewan)
Appetizers:
Gorgonzola Custard
Spinach and Bacon Salad
Calamari
Entrées:
Halibut Cheeks
Grilled Trout
Jim Beam Ribeye
Desserts
Clafoutis
Gingerbread
Madeleines

De Falla:
Siete Canciones Populares Españolas
El paño moruno
Seguidilla Murciana
Asturiana
Jota
Nana
Canción
Polo

Wednesday, May 30, 2007 7:30pm
College St. United Church, 454 College St., Toronto, ON

Tickets: $25.00

Featuring:

Hélène Ducharme, soprano
Dolores Tjart, soprano
Martha Spence, mezzo-soprano
Patrick Huang, tenor
Jan Vaculik, baritone
Stuart Graham, baritone

With
Dr. Christopher Foley, piano

Programme

Ensembles include:

Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Rosina e Figaro: “Dunque io son, tu non m’inganni”

Donizetti: Don Pasquale
Norina e Malatesta

Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera
Renato e Amelia: “A tal colpa è nulla il pianto”
Amelia: “Morrò, ma prima in grazia”
Renato: “Alzati! …. Eri tu che macchiavi quell’anima”

INTERMISSION

Verdi: Rigoletto
Quartet: “Un dì se ben rammentomi”

Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor
Sextet: “Chiraffrena il mio furore”

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED, SO ORDER EARLY!

Atelier S and its mandate:

Atelier S, is very please to announce that it has a new creative home and since September 1, 2006 all lessons, performance/master classes and student recitals are held in the sanctuary of College St. United Church. This move has opened up fantastic possibilities in support of the technical and artistic growth of the student members of Atelier S. We no longer offer just voice lessons/performance coaching, but have now created a fully structured performance program specialized for the transitioning artist who is working to bridge from the student career to the lyric profession. This new program includes a weekly lesson*, bi-weekly performance/master class series, ensemble performance (opera and concert/oratorio repertoire), solo or shared recital and preferred status in performance classes featuring guest master teachers (ie: Claudette Denys – Conservatoire de Montréal/l’Opéra de Montréal, and others TBA). Roles and solo assignments will be awarded only to members of the performance program. That said, a more relaxed program is always available for that passionate amateur who wishes to explore and enrich their technical and interpretive relationship with their music.

Summer Workshop Study Intensive of Art Song and Concert Repertoire: Open to Singers & Pianists

2007-04-15T15:20:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2007

The Art of Song 3:
Workshop study intensive of Art Song,
Concert Repertoire and Recital Techniques
For Singers and Pianists

With
Stuart Graham, baritone

June 4-July 20, 2007

with public performances:

July 19, 2007 7:30pm

July 20, 2007 7:30pm
College St. United Church

454, College St., Toronto, ON CANADA

For more program information or to make an appointment for audition,
please call: 416.927.9105
or email: atelier.s@sympatico.ca or visit: http://atelier-s.blogspot.com/

Atеlίεя S is proud to announce it’s upcoming summer workshop intensive “The Art of Song 3” with baritone Stuart Graham. With two previous editions, this study opportunity has proven to be a valuable tool for the emerging recital and concert artist. This seven-week program will concentrate on art song and concert (oratorio, cantata, etc.) repertoire, dealing with various styles, languages and performance practices of several historical periods, program development, marketing and stage techniques. Due to the concentrated nature of this workshop, acceptance into this program will be limited to 15 singers/pianists.

Included in the singer’s/pianist’s registration:

- 90 minutes/week of private coaching
- Weekly seminar on recital program development, promotion and marketing.
- Weekly masterclass on repertoire/recital technique/stage craft (including monologue development)
- Workshop concludes with 2 evenings of public performance at College St. United Church in Toronto. These events will be professionally recorded and made available to the participating singers and pianists for demo purposes.
- All classes, seminars and Masterclasses will take place in the sanctuary of College St. United Church, 454 College St., Toronto, ON.

Upon acceptance to the program:

- Each singer will be paired up with a pianist.
- each singer will submit, for approval, a repertoire list consisting of either 6 art songs (not necessarily of the same opus), or 4 art songs (of the same opus) and 2 concert arias (oratorio, mass, cantata, or other arias traditionally considered part of the concert repertoire).
- Each singer will come to the program with their text and music memorized.
- If casting permits, singers will be assigned ensemble excerpts (duet, trio, quartet) from oratorios, masses and cantatas.
- Workshop cost: $700.00 CA/participant.

Stuart Graham

Founder/Artistic Director Atеlίεя S

"Le Chasseur Perdu..." Stuart Graham & Claudette Denys in recital: CBC Glenn Gould Studio, Toronto

Saskatchewan born baritone received his formal education at the Faculty of Music of McGill University in Montréal, Canada, with the renowned Canadian baritone Mr. Bernard Turgeon. In 1998, he continued his studies with Diane Forlano at the Koninklijk Conservatorium, Den Haag, Nederlands, and since January of 2000, Mr. Graham enjoys the mentorship of Diana Soviero (Metropolitan Opera of New York) and Stuart Hamilton (Toronto). Since 1992 Stuart Graham has been heard in recital, oratorio and in opera in Canada, the United States and in Europe, enjoying successes accompanied by orchestras and ensembles, such as: l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, I Musici de Montréal, the Saskatoon Symphony, Silesian State Opera, Slovak State Philharmonic (Košice) and the Oakville Symphony Orchestra. His performance in the world premier of Edifice by Arlan Schultz was broadcast by CBC, the BBC, Radio-France and the Bavarian Radio. In 1993, Mr. Graham made his New York debut as invited artist in recital as part of the Riverside Chamber Music Series (Riverside Church, New York, NY.).

His recent endeavours have taken him to further success with his recent solo recitals titled “Le Chasseur Perdu”, accompanied by Claudette Denys (l’Opera de Montreal) and narrated by operalogue Stuart Hamilton at CBC Toronto’s Glenn Gould Studio (see photo above). As well as “Fate” accompanied by pianist José Hernández, with songs of Rachmaninoff, Poulenc and Mahler’s “Kindertotenlieder”. As well as the roles of Massakroff in Straus’ The Chocolate Soldier, as Horace Tabor in Moore’s The Ballad of Baby Doe, as Raphael and Adam in concert of Haydn’s The Creation, as Pimienta in the Canadian premier production of Roig’s Cecilia Valdes and as Prinz Tschang in The Land of Smiles of Franz Lehar. Other highlights include: Don Fernando in Beethoven’s Fidelio, Masetto, Don Giovanni and Count Almaviva in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro, as Gaveston of Boieldieu’s La Dame Blanche, as Prince Danilo in Lehar’s The Merry Widow, and as the four villains in Les Contes d’Hoffmann of Offenbach. One could also hear him in solo recitals Toronto, Montreal, Festival International de l’Art Vocale (Trois-Rivières), Holland, Belgium, Spain and throughout Central Europe under the auspices of the Janáček Academy in Brno (Košice Slovakia, Brno, Chateau Austerlitz, Polička, Krnov, Czech Republic) and while participating in major international singing competitions in Belgium (Concours International de Musique Reine Elisabeth [l’Opéra de Monnaie, Brussels]—semi-finalist), France (Concours l’Opéra National de Paris—finalist) and Spain (Concurso Internacional de Canto de Bilbao` [Teatro Arriaga, Bilbao]—finalist, Concurso Internacional de Canto Francisco Viñas [Opera Liceu, Barcelona]—finalist) where he received much personal encouragement from such renowned artists as Dame Joan Sutherland, José Van Dam, Stuart Burrows, Sena Jurinac, Fiorenza Cossotto, Teresa Berganza, Katia Ricciarelli, Diana Soviero, Mæstro Edoardo Mϋller and Anna Barovà.

As a pedagogue, Mr. Graham enjoys a solid reputation as a strong advocate and teacher of the lyric arts. A relative new comer to the Toronto scene (formerly of Montréal – affiliated with the Conservatoire de Musique de Québec á Montréal), Mr. Graham’s studio has quickly taken root and the artists under his tutelage have enjoyed much success, both at a student level and in the professional arena locally and points abroad. With Atеlίεя S, he regularly produces the summer workshop "Art of Song" and just recently produced and staged the workshop production of Puccini's Suor Angelica. Other pedagogical credits include being studio répetiteur for the class of Anna Barová in the International Masterclasses at the Janáček Academy (Brno, Czech Rep.), and is regularly called upon to adjudicate graduate level recitals for the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto).

Studio success stories:
· J.F. Letendre, vocalist – Sony London Career Development Contract, cast member of Luc Plamondon’s “Notre Dame de Paris” (Paris cast).
· Monik Vincent, actress/comedienne – Scholarship at l’École d’Humeur – Juste Pour Rire, Montréal, regular participant in “Just for Laughs” gala productions, artistic consultant and choreographer for Télévision Radio-Canada.
· Matthieu Levasseur, vocalist – Honours graduate at the Berkley School of Music, Boston, USA.
· Arlene Alvarado, soprano – 2005 1st prize winner Classical Singer International Competition (New York, NY), featured artist with Opera In Concert (Toronto), Altamura Festival (New York), Young Artist Opera Residency-Sarasota Opera (Florida).
· Terence Shawn, baritone - Gala Concert Performances of Verdi’s Don Carlo (role: Rodrigo)—New York, NY.
· Ryan Cunningham, vocalist - Role of Bobby Strong in Vancouver production of “Urinetown” (Jan. 2006)

Atеlίεя S and its mandate:

Atelier S, is very please to announce that it has a new creative home and since September 1, 2006 all lessons, performance/master classes and student recitals are held in the sanctuary of College St. United Church. This move has opened up fantastic possibilities in support of the technical and artistic growth of the student members of Atelier S. We no longer offer just voice lessons/performance coaching, but have now created a fully structured performance program specialized for the transitioning artist who is working to bridge from the student career to the lyric profession. This new program includes a weekly lesson, bi-weekly performance/master class series, ensemble performance (opera and concert/oratorio repertoire), solo or shared recital and preferred status in performance classes featuring guest master teachers (ie: Claudette Denys – Conservatoire de Montréal/l’Opéra de Montréal, and others TBA). Roles and solo assignments will be awarded only to members of the performance program. That said, a more relaxed program is always available for that passionate amateur who wishes to explore and enrich their technical and interpretive relationship with their music.

Requiem: Wednesday, April 4 2007 7:30pm: College St. United Church

2007-03-30T08:50:00.000-05:00

Atеlίεя S
Stuart Graham, Founder/Artistic Director

In this time of reflection, Atelier S is very pleased to offer this solemn concert in this Easter/Passover season. Join Atelier S and its members (featuring soprano Dolores Tjart, mezzo-soprano Martha Spence, tenor Patrick Huang and baritone Jan Vaculik), with special guests, violinist Joseph Nachman and cellist Karen Glennie, this Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at 7:30pm in a concert of some of the most beautiful sacred music from the Requiem Masses of Mozart, Duruflé and Fauré. Highlights in the program include: “Die Mainacht” (J. Brahms), "Sancta Mater istud agas" (Stabat Mater - Rossini), 2nd movement from Schubert's Piano Trio in E flat (D. 929), "Pie Jesu" (Requiem - Durufle), "Libera Me" and "In Paradisum" of Fauré's Requiem.

For further information or to reserve tickets, please contact us at 416.927.9105 or email at atelier.s@sympatico.ca

Requiem
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 7:30pm
Tickets: $25.00

Featuring:
Dolores Tjart, soprano
Martha Spence, mezzo-soprano
Patrick Huang, tenor
Jan Vaculik, baritone
with special guests:
Joseph Nachman, violin
Karen Glennie, cello

Programme:
Brahms, J. : Die Mainacht

Schubert, F.: Piano Trio in E flat D. 929
Andante con moto

Rossini, G.: Stabat Mater
Quartet: "Sancta Mater istud agas"

INTERMISSION

Mozart, W.A.: Requiem
Introitus, Tuba Mirum, Recordare,
Larcrimosa, Benedictus

Webber, A.L.: Requiem
Pie Jesu

Duruflé, M.: Requiem
Pie Jesu

Fauré, G.: Requiem
Libera Me
In Paradisum

Atelier S: "The Art of Song": Recital Series, upcoming concerts March 21 andApril 4, 2007

2007-03-20T13:15:00.000-05:00

It was just a short 2 weeks ago that audiences were delighted by baritone Jan Vaculik and now we find ourselves on the cusp of another beautiful evening of song to bring in this long awaited springtime. I am so very pleased and excited to present our next artist, tenor Patrick Huang with special guests Joenne Dumitrascu (violin) and Brahm Goldhammer (piano). Mr. Huang, a wonderful and most expressive tenor, completed undergrad in vocal performance at the Faculty of Music of the University of Toronto and then went on to graduate studies in vocal performance that the distinguished Royal Academy of Music in London (England). Now, back in Toronto, Mr. Huang is honing his skills to enter what I believe will be a wonderful lyric career.

Please join us this Wednesday, March 21st 2007 at 7:30pm at College St. United Church in a celebration of the music of Hændel, Bach and Fauré. Please read on for full program details and we sincerely hope to see you in our audience.

Also,

In this time of reflection, Atelier S is very pleased to offer this solemn concert in this Easter/Passover season. Join Atelier S and its members this Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at 7:30pm in a concert of some of the most beautiful sacred music from the Requiem Masses of Mozart, Duruflé and Fauré. Highlights in the program include: “Die Mainacht” (J. Brahms), "Sancta Mater istud agas" (Stabat Mater - Rossini), 2nd movement from Schubert's Piano Trio in E flat (D. 929), "Pie Jesu" (Requiem - Durufle), "Libera Me" and "In Paradisum" of Fauré's Requiem.

For further information or to reserve tickets, please contact us at 416.927.9105 or email at atelier.s@sympatico.ca or visit http:atelier-s.blogspot.com.

Stuart Graham
Founder & Artistic Director of Atеlίεя S
416.927.9105
atelier.s@sympatico.ca
http://atelier-s.blogspot.com
The Art of Song:
Recital Series

Featuring artists of Atelier S

March 21, 2007 7:30pm
Patrick Huang, tenor
With special guest
Joenne Dumitrascu, violin
Works of Bach, Handel & Fauré

Tickets: $20.00

Programme
I.
Hændel, G.F.: Semele
Jupiter: “Lay your doubts and fears aside”

From Deutche Arien
(with Joenne Dumitrascu, violin)
“Süsser Blumen Ambraflocken
“In den angenehmen Büschen”
“Flammende Rose”

Bach, J.S.
Cantata no. 9: Es ist das Heil uns kommen her
“Wir waren schon zu tief gesunken”

Cantata no. 29: Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir
“Halleluja Stärk und Macht”

INTERMISSION

II.
Fauré, Gabriel
(with pianist, Brahm Goldhammer)

“Chanson d’amour”
“Notre amour”
“Green”
“C’est l’extase”
“Le parfum impérissable”
“Soir”
“Arpège”

Requiem
Solo and Ensemble excerpts from the Requiem Masses of Mozart, Duruflé and Fauré

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 7:30pm
Tickets: $25.00
(half of all proceeds in benefit of College St. United Church and its social outreach programs)

Featuring:
Dolores Tjart, soprano
Martha Spence, mezzo-soprano
Patrick Huang, tenor
Jan Vaculik, baritone

with special guests:
Joseph Nachman, violin
Karen Glennie, cello

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED, SO ORDER EARLY!!!!

Artists’ Biographies:

Patrick Huang, tenor
After graduating from the University of Toronto with an undergraduate degree in Music Performance, tenor Patrick Huang went on to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music under Ian Partridge. During his time in the UK he has performed with numerous regional orchestras in oratorio concerts, including works such as Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Easter Oratorio and St. Matthew’s Passion, Handel’s Messiah, as well as other cantatas and recently composed works. He has recorded with various choral ensembles, both in Canada and the UK, and has toured within Canada, the US and Germany.

Joenne Dumitrascu, violin
18-year-old violinist Joenne Dumitrascu was born in Romania but raised in Windsor, ON, Canada. She first picked up the violin at the age of six, and is currently a freshman at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, studying with renowned violinist Felicia Moye. Dumitrascu has performed regularly in master classes for Moshe Hammer, Arnold Steinhardt, Aaron Rosand, Scott St. John, the Guarneri String Quartet, the Kneisel Trio, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet among many others. She has competed extensively in past years, both at the national and international levels. She has won the Kiwanis Music Festival “Top Violinist” Award, and competed at three CMC Nationals. At 15, Dumitrascu tied the record as the youngest competitor at the prestigious Stulberg International Competition in the United States. In the past, Dumitrascu has been seen regularly in concert with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra and the WCCA Orchestra. Dumitrascu has also studied piano through the ARCT level. She has competed in equestrian competitions up to the national circuit and is hoping to pursue it later on after her violin studies. When she was younger, Dumitrascu played soccer but gave it up after she started high school at an all-performing arts academy, where she studied violin, piano and music theatre.

Atelier S and its mandate:

Atelier S, is very please to announce that it has a new creative home and since September 1, 2006 all lessons, performance/master classes and student recitals are held in the sanctuary of College St. United Church. This move has opened up fantastic possibilities in support of the technical and artistic growth of the student members of Atelier S. We no longer offer just voice lessons/performance coaching, but have now created a fully structured performance program specialized for the transitioning artist who is working to bridge from the student career to the lyric profession. This new program includes a weekly lesson*, bi-weekly performance/master class series, ensemble performance (opera and concert/oratorio repertoire), solo or shared recital and preferred status in performance classes featuring guest master teachers (ie: Claudette Denys – Conservatoire de Montréal/l’Opéra de Montréal, and others TBA). Roles and solo assignments will be awarded only to members of the performance program. That said, a more relaxed program is always available for that passionate amateur who wishes to explore and enrich their technical and interpretive relationship with their music.

Atelier S in Perforamance:"The Art of Song" Recital Series: Feb. 28-May 30, 2007

2007-02-02T13:41:00.000-05:00

Atеlίεя S

Stuart Graham, Founder/Artistic Director

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Atеlίεя S

Presents

“The Art of Song” Recital Series
February 28- May 30, 2007
College St. United Church
454 College St. W, Toronto, ON (corner of College/Bathurst)
tickets: $12.50 - $25.00
Full Series Subscription: $115.00 ($60 savings off of full ticket price)
À la carte: 6 concerts of your pick

(check individual listings for the “À la carte” price)

At the “doorstep” of Toronto’s Little Italy, Atelier S is very pleased to announce its upcoming inaugural 8-part recital series “Art of Song”, featuring member artists of Atelier S. Since September of 2006, Atelier S continues to enjoy its tenancy at College St. United Church (corner of College/Bathurst) as it has enabled much growth in its member artists and in the mandate of Atelier S. “As worthy talent presents itself, I am compelled to create an occasion for that voice to exercise and be heard”, says Stuart Graham (founder and artistic director of Atelier S). Such is the case here. Beginning Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 7:30pm, coloratura-soprano, Hélèn Ducharme brings up the curtain with a thrilling program singing Mozart’s “Exultate Jubilate”, Debussy’s “Prose Lyriques” and Erich Korngold’s rarely performed “Einfache Lieder”. Other featured artists of this series include: Jan Vaculik (baritone), Partick Huang (tenor) with Joenne Dumitrascu (violin), Stuart Graham (baritone), Martha Spence (mezzo-soprano) and soprano Dolores Tjart.

Other than the rich and diverse programming of these individual solo recitals, Atelier S brings to the season two feature ensemble concerts. April 4, 2007 will hear, in benefit of College St. United Church, a chamber version of Mozart’s Requiem, excerpts of Rossini’s Stabat Mater and Schubert’s Piano Trio in E flat. Closing this inaugural season, we will find the full studio cast celebrating the tradition of “bel canto” presenting in concert solo and ensemble excerpts from Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia”, Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale”, Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera” and rounding off the program with the famous quartet from Verdi’s “Rigoletto” and Donizetti’s sextet from “Lucía di Lammermoor”.

Please read on for more programming details and artist information of the “Art of Song” series.

Stuart Graham
Founder & Artistic Director of Atеlίεя S
416.927.9105
atelier.s@sympatico.ca
http://atelier-s.blogspot.com

The Art of Song:
Recital Series

Featured artists of Atelier S

February 28, 2007 7:30pm
Hélène Ducharme, soprano
Mozart: Exultate Jubilate
Debussy: Prose Lyrique
Korngold: Einfache Lieder
Single Ticket: $20.00
À la carte: $17.50

March 7, 2007 7:30pm
Jan Vaculik, baritone
Works of Brahms, Strauss & Dvořák
Single Ticket: $20.00
À la carte: $17.50

March 21, 2007 7:30pm
Patrick Huang, tenor
With special guest
Joenne Dumitrascu, violin
Works of Bach, Handel & Fauré
Single Ticket: $20.00
À la carte: $17.50

April 4, 2007 7:30pm
Mozart Requiem
Dolores Tjart, soprano
Martha Spence, alto
Patrick Huang, tenor
Jan Vaculik, baritone
*in benfit of College St. United Church
Single Ticket: $25.00
À la carte: $20.00

April 11, 2007 7:30pm
Stuart Graham, baritone
Ravel: Don Quichotte à Dulcinée
Wagner: Die Walküre
(Act II, sc. 2)
Single Ticket: $25.00
À la carte: $20.00

May 2, 2007 7:30pm
Martha Spence, mezzo-soprano
Mahler: assorted songs
Berlioz: La Morte de Cléopâtre
Single Ticket: $20.00
À la carte: $17.50

May 16, 2007 7:30pm
Dolores Tjart, soprano
Bellini: Sei Ariette
De Falla: Siete Canciones Populares Españolas
Single Ticket: $20.00
À la carte: $17.50

May 30, 2007 7:30pm
Opera Excerpts:
Celebrating the Bel Canto Repertoire
Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Donizetti: Don Pasquale
Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera
Verdi: Rigoletto
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor
Single Ticket: $25.00
À la carte: $20.00

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED, SO ORDER EARLY!!!!

Atelier S and its mandate:

Atelier S, is very please to announce that it has a new creative home and since September 1, 2006 all lessons, performance/master classes and student recitals are held in the sanctuary of College St. United Church. This move has opened up fantastic possibilities in support of the technical and artistic growth of the student members of Atelier S. We no longer offer just voice lessons/performance coaching, but have now created a fully structured performance program specialized for the transitioning artist who is working to bridge from the student career to the lyric profession. This new program includes a weekly lesson*, bi-weekly performance/master class series, ensemble performance (opera and concert/oratorio repertoire), solo or shared recital and preferred status in performance classes featuring guest master teachers (ie: Claudette Denys – Conservatoire de Montréal/l’Opéra de Montréal, and others TBA). Roles and solo assignments will be awarded only to members of the performance program. That said, a more relaxed program is always available for that passionate amateur who wishes to explore and enrich their technical and interpretive relationship with their music.

Artists’ Biographies:

Soprano, Hélène Ducharme has never shied away from expressing herself on stage. Always ready to experience new things she has evolved as an exciting performer to watch. Some of her past adventures include: A recent appearance with Atelier S’s production of Suor Angelica and as Chlorinda in a scene from Cenerentola, the Hysteria Festival where she created and performed “Paint My Number” with artist Suzanne MacRury. Re: Paint My Number “Helene Ducharme sang four classical numbers with style and sensitivity...” NOW Magazine. She has collaborated many times with Troy Yorke in his Cabaret Vulgare, “Coloratura Soprano Helene Ducharme soars through her scenes: she is the picture of regal dignity in her opening song from Carmen...” XTRA! Magazine. Always excited to try new things on stage, Helene has explored working with her voice and acting roles in the “Avant Guard”, film and in theatre. Some highlights include: Shaw Festival (play music) Gina Lori Riley (modern dance) Uncut (Feature movie singing appearance) Demolish (dark/cabaret performance) Thrill of a Lifetime (TV. appearance). Helene is happy and excited to be working with her teacher Stuart Graham and is looking forward to her recital in the spring of 2007.

18-year-old violinist Joenne Dumitrascu was born in Romania but raised in Windsor, ON, Canada. She first picked up the violin at the age of six, and is currently a freshman at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, studying with renowned violinist Felicia Moye. Dumitrascu has performed regularly in master classes for Moshe Hammer, Arnold Steinhardt, Aaron Rosand, Scott St. John, the Guarneri String Quartet, the Kneisel Trio, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet among many others. She has competed extensively in past years, both at the national and international levels. She has won the Kiwanis Music Festival “Top Violinist” Award, and competed at three CMC Nationals. At 15, Dumitrascu tied the record as the youngest competitor at the prestigious Stulberg International Competition in the United States. In the past, Dumitrascu has been seen regularly in concert with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra and the WCCA Orchestra. Dumitrascu has also studied piano through the ARCT level. She has competed in equestrian competitions up to the national circuit and is hoping to pursue it later on after her violin studies. When she was younger, Dumitrascu played soccer but gave it up after she started high school at an all-performing arts academy, where she studied violin, piano and music theatre.

After graduating from the University of Toronto with an undergraduate degree in Music Performance, tenor Patrick Huang went on to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music under Ian Partridge. During his time in the UK he has performed with numerous regional orchestras in oratorio concerts, including works such as Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Easter Oratorio and St. Matthew’s Passion, Handel’s Messiah, as well as other cantatas and recently composed works. He has recorded with various choral ensembles, both in Canada and the UK, and has toured within Canada, the US and Germany.

Mezzo-soprano and actor Martha Spence is a native of Toronto where she has performed with several opera companies and workshops. On stage Ms. Spence has appeared as Jo in Mark Adamo’s Little Women with TrypTych productions. Prior to that she also sang the roles of Dame Quickly in Falstaff, Marie and Margarita(Pasquale) in The Most Happy Fella and Nicklausse in Tales of Hoffmann, also with TrypTych. Some of her favourite roles include: Jane in Happy End, Gianetta in L’Elisir D’Amore and Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro. Her ensemble credits include Carmen with Opera Mississauga and several productions with Toronto Operetta Theatre, The Pirates of Penzance among them. She currently studies with Stuart Graham and Thomas Schilling.

Soprano, Dolores Tjart is well known on the Toronto music scene having been heard as featured artist with Opera York (Die Zauberflöte, La Bohème, Carmen), Tryptych Productions (Der Corregidor, Falstaff) and Toronto Opera Repertoire (Die Fledermaus, La Forza del Destino, Carmen, La Traviata) as well as ensemble member with Opera Mississauga. Dolores brings to her performance a rich and thrilling soprano that commands her audience.

Baritone, Jan Vaculik is an up-and-coming talent in the music industry. At the young age of 25 Jan has recently became a member of Canadian Opera Company and performed in the special production of Wangner’s ring cycle in the role of a chorus member. He has also toured throughout Germany with the Festival Ensemble Stuttgart performing Bach’s B minor Mass under the baton of world-renowned conductor Helmuth Rilling. In the year 2001, Jan also gave the North American premiere of the Croatian opera Nikola Subic Zrinjsky with the Royal Opera Canada. His other opera credits include roles of Colline (La Boheme), Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni), Sarastro (The Magic Flute), Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro). Mr. Vaculik is currently finishing his bachelor degree at The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music. Jan plans to continue studying at an International school Masters program.

Stuart Graham, baritone, pedagogue, founder/artistic director
Saskatchewan born baritone, Stuart Graham enjoys a solid reputation and growing renown as a strong advocate and teacher of the lyric arts. Still maintaining a vocal studio in Montreal, he is a relative new comer to the Toronto scene (formerly of Montréal—affiliated with the Conservatoire de Musique de Québec a Montréal), Mr. Graham’s studio has quickly taken root and the artists under his tutelage have enjoyed much success, both at a student level and in the professional arena locally and points abroad. Other pedagogical credits include: being studio repetiteur for the class of Anna Barová in the International Masterclasses at the Janáček Academy, Brno, Czech Republic (engaged for his expertise in the French and Bel Canto repertoire), and is regularly called upon to adjudicate graduate level recitals and exams at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto). In performance, Stuart Graham has been heard in recital, oratorio and in opera in Canada, the United States and in Europe, enjoying successes accompanied by orchestras and ensembles, such as: l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, I Musici de Montréal, the Saskatoon Symphony, Silesian State Opera, Slovak State Philharmonic (Košice), the Oakville Symphony Orchestra, Toronto’s Opera in Concert and Toronto Operetta Theatre. His performance in the world premier of Edifice by Arlan Schultz was broadcast by CBC, the BBC, Radio-France and the Bavarian Radio. In 1993, Mr. Graham made his New York debut as invited artist in recital as part of the Riverside Chamber Music Series (Riverside Church, New York, NY.). His recent endeavours have taken him to further success with his recent solo recitals titled “Le Chasseur Perdu”, accompanied by Claudette Denys (l’Opera de Montreal) and narrated by operalogue Stuart Hamilton at CBC Toronto’s Glenn Gould Studio. As well as “Fate” accompanied by pianist José Hernández, with songs of Rachmaninoff, Poulenc and Mahler’s “Kindertotenlieder”. As well as the roles of Massakroff in Straus’ The Chocolate Soldier, as Horace Tabor in Moore’s The Ballad of Baby Doe, as Raphael and Adam in concert of Haydn’s The Creation, as Pimienta in the Canadian premier production of Roig’s Cecilia Valdes and as Prinz Tschang in The Land of Smiles of Franz Lehar. Other highlights include: Don Fernando in Beethoven’s Fidelio, Masetto, Don Giovanni and Count Almaviva in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro, as Gaveston of Boieldieu’s La Dame Blanche, as Prince Danilo in Lehar’s The Merry Widow, and as the four villains in Les Contes d’Hoffmann of Offenbach. One could also hear him in solo recitals Toronto, Montreal, Festival International de l’Art Vocale (Trois-Rivières), Holland, Belgium, Spain and throughout Central Europe under the auspices of the Janáček Academy in Brno (Košice Slovakia, Brno, Chateau Austerlitz, Polička, Krnov, Czech Republic) and while participating in major international singing competitions in Belgium (Concours International de Musique Reine Elisabeth [l’Opéra de Monnaie, Brussels]—semi-finalist), France (Concours l’Opéra National de Paris—finalist) and Spain (Concurso Internacional de Canto de Bilbao` [Teatro Arriaga, Bilbao]—finalist, Concurso Internacional de Canto Francisco Viñas [Opera Liceu, Barcelona]—finalist) where he received much personal encouragement from such renowned artists as Dame Joan Sutherland, José Van Dam, Stuart Burrows, Sena Jurinac, Fiorenza Cossotto, Teresa Berganza, Katia Ricciarelli, Mæstro Edoardo Mϋller and Anna Barovà.