2022-2023
A Celebration of William Byrd
Saturday May 6, 2023 - 7:30 PM
The Tallis Choir presents: A Celebration of William Byrd
Join us for a musical journey back in time as we celebrate the life and works of one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance era, William Byrd, on this 400th anniversary of his death.
Let yourselves be transported to another era by the sublime harmonies and intricate melodies of Byrd’s works.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Music For a Time of Plague
Saturday Mar 4, 2023 - 7:30 PM
The Tallis Choir presents: Music For a Time of Plague
If the Covid Pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we are not that much different than our forebears. Our medicines may be more effective but even they have their limitations. Plagues have been with us throughout human history and little has changed. In Music For a Time of Plague, we look back at how composers reacted to plagues and pandemics and how it affected their music. The featured composition will be John Sheppard’s monumental Media Vita which, it is believed, he wrote to commemorate the death of a close friend who died of influenza when it swept through London in 1557, killing up to one in ten people in the city.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
A Spanish Renaissance Christmas
Saturday Dec 3, 2022 - 7:30 PM
The Tallis Choir presents: A Spanish Renaissance Christmas, including the music of composers such as Victoria, Guerrero, Morales and Esquivel. Among the featured works will be Victoria’s motet O Magnum Mysterium and the Parody mass based on the motet.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
A Tribute to Our Queen
Saturday Oct 15, 2022 - 7:30 PM
The Tallis Choir pays homage to our recently deceased Sovereign with a programme in two parts:
The first half is a memorial, with music chosen to express the grief and sorrow experienced when suffering a loss, including the Funeral Sentences for Queen Mary by Henry Purcell and the glorious motets for double choir by William Harris: Faire is the Heaven and Bring Us O Lord.
The second half celebrates Her Majesty’s life and singular devotion to serving the people of all her realms with music from her coronation in 1953. Featured works include the Mass in G minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams and O Clap Your Hands by Orlando Gibbons.
2021-2022
Celebration for a Renaissance Pope
Saturday Jun 11, 2022 - 7:30 PM
A glorious presentation of pan-European music as might have been sung on the coronation anniversary of various pontiffs throughout the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.
Featuring: Missa Corona Spinea (Mass of the Crown of Thorns) by John Taverner
With works by Palestrina, Victoria, Hassler, Josquin des Prez and more
Special Notes: This concert will be presented with a brief intermission.
For this one concert, all tickets are a flat $20.
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A Christmas Journey
Saturday Dec 4, 2021 - 7:30 PM
Music and readings for the Christmas Season
Works by Howells, Lauridsen, Vaughan Williams, Willan, and others.
SPECIAL NOTES
•We are not charging admission for this concert! We will welcome voluntary contributions after the concert, with any amount contributed over $30 eligible for a donation receipt.
•For the safety of all, everyone in attendance is required to show proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 with accompanying valid photo-ID (for quicker entrance, please bring your enhanced certificate with QR code if you have it). Everyone is also required to observe social distancing and wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose the entire time while inside the venue.
•Doors open at 6:45 – please arrive as early as possible.
•For the sole purposes of Contact Tracing, we will be collecting names and minimal contact info for all in attendance. The information will be kept in a secure location and destroyed after the 14 day post-event period has passed.
St. Patrick’s Church, 141 McCaul St. (north of Dundas)
2019-2020
Palm Sunday to Easter
Saturday Mar 7, 2020 - 7:30 PM
An exploration of some of the finest music written for Holy Week over the past 500 years. Featuring Thomas Tallis’s setting of the Lamentations, music from Weelkes, Lotti, and more.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Palestrina – High Mass for Christmas Day
Saturday Nov 30, 2019 - 7:30 PM
The Choir is joined by period brass, strings, and organ for a thrilling evening featuring some of the finest works from the Prince of Music in an authentic recreation of a Renaissance-era high mass for the birth of Christ.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Victoria – Requiem for 6 Voices
Saturday Oct 19, 2019 - 7:30 PM
Experience one of the true musical masterpieces of the Spanish Renaissance, along with music by Victoria’s contemporaries, Rimonte, Guerrero, Anerio, Vasquez, and Lobo.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
2018-2019
Light Divine
Saturday May 4, 2019 - 7:30 PM
A light, shining in the darkness. It is a common metaphor, often used to represent goodness and truth, and has been an inspiration to composers throughout history. In our final subscription concert of the season, Tallis Choir examines the use of this metaphor in music over the last 10 centuries, from Gregorian and Byzantine chant to contemporary settings, including works by Victoria, Elgar, Harris and Whitacre.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Gesualdo in Holy Week
Saturday Mar 2, 2019 - 7:30 PM
Carlo Gesualdo led a very colourful life, but his notoriety stems from the juxtaposition of being both an accomplished musician and a murderer. His innovative style of composition featuring the liberal use of chromatic harmonies mirrored the violence in his life, and leaves the listener very much unsettled. His setting of the Tenebrae Responsaries is the featured work in this pre-Lenten concert, along with other works from the late 16th century.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
A Gabrieli Christmas
Saturday Dec 1, 2018 - 7:30 PM
The Tallis Choir is joined by period brass, strings and organ for a thrilling evening of poly-choral masterpieces by Gabrieli and his contemporaries.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
William Byrd: Loyal Subject & Subversive
Saturday Oct 13, 2018 - 7:30 PM
The music of one the Tudor Era’s greatest composers is featured along with music of his contemporaries in an examination of the difficult balancing act lead by William Byrd as he juggled his fervent Catholic beliefs with his loyalty to the Crown. Being one of Elizabeth I’s favourites allowed him some latitude, but he still had to tread carefully in a world where he could not speak openly about his personal faith. Featured works include the Mass for Four Voices and the Great Service.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
2017-2018
Milestones
Saturday May 12, 2018 - 7:30 PM
Our 40th Anniversary season concludes with a look to the past as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Canadian composer Healey Willan with several of his most beloved works, and celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation with music by Canadian composers including Daley, Larkin, and Ager.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Lenten Treasures
Saturday Mar 3, 2018 - 7:30 PM
Some of the most memorable choral music was written for the season of Lent. Join us as we explore 1,000 years of music that touches the depth of the soul. Featuring music of Tallis, Josquin, Allegri, Palestrina, Sanders, and Larkin.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Forty! Forty! Forty!
Saturday Nov 25, 2017 - 7:30 PM
In a Gala evening to celebrate our 40 years and our namesake, the choir is joined by alumni and friends to present the music of Thomas Tallis, including the incomparable 40-part Spem in Alium and the work believed to have inspired it, Striggio’s 40-part Ecce Beatam Lucem.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Six Bach Motets
Saturday Oct 14, 2017 - 7:30 PM
Only 6 choral motets by the Baroque master are believed to have survived.
Hear them all in one unforgettable evening as we kick off our 40th anniversary concert season.
Also featuring excerpts from Bach’s Cello Suite #1
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
2016-2017
Luther & Lassus: A Mighty Fortress
Saturday May 13, 2017 - 7:30 PM
Lassus: Missa Bell’Amfitrit’Altera • Dominum Refugium
Luther: Deutsche Messe • Ein Feste Burg
The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is marked in the dramatic clash and convergence of musical styles in 16th century Germany. With period brass and organ.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Requiem for a Renaissance King
Saturday Mar 4, 2017 - 7:30 PM
Lobo: Requiem • Magnificat Secundi Toni
John IV: Crux Fidelis • Cardoso: Lamentations
The magnificence of the Age of Discovery comes alive in a rare performance of the incomparable Requiem of Duarte Lobo for the funeral of Philip II of Portugal.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Monteverdi: Vespers for Christmas Eve
Saturday Dec 3, 2016 - 7:30 PM
Magnificat Primi Toni • Beatus Vir • Exulta Filia
Instrumental works by Cavalli & Grandi
A consort of period instruments and organ join forces with the choir to recreate the splendor of Christmas in St. Mark’s, Venice.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Music for Bloody Mary
Saturday Oct 15, 2016 - 7:30 PM
Taverner: Missa Sancti Wilhelmi Devotio
Sheppard: Gaude, Gaude, Gaude Virgo Maria
Tallis: Videte Miraculum • Loquebantur Variis Linguis
The 500th anniversary of the birth of Queen Mary I is celebrated with glorious polyphony from the Tudor Chapel Royal.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
2015-2016
‘Our Good Wills’ The World of Shakespeare & Byrd
Saturday May 14, 2016 - 7:30 PM
Byrd: Praise Our God
Te Deum
Ave Verum Corpus
Consort Songs and Music from the Plays by Johnson & Morley
Guest Artists: Philip Fournier, Organ
Felix Deak, Viola da Gamba
Lucas Harris, Lute
The two contemporary giants whose masterpieces changed the face of English drama and music.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Palestrina, Prince of Music
Saturday Mar 5, 2016 - 7:30 PM
Missa Papae Marcelli
Tu Es Petrus
O Magnum Mysterium
Salve Regina
The Papal Office of Compline
as it may have been celebrated by Pope Clement VIII in the Sistine Chapel on September 7, 1593
sung by candlelight
The crown of the High Renaissance in the magnificent music of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, the “Princeps Musicae”.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Charpentier: Midnight Mass for New France, 1725
Saturday Nov 28, 2015 - 7:30 PM
Charpentier: Messe de Minuit
The Huron Carol
Campra: Adoro Te
Works by Delalande, Raison & Lebegue
Organ Music from the Livre de Montréal
Guest Artists: Talisker Players
Philip Fournier, Organ
Period orchestra and organ join forces to recreate the Baroque celebration of Christmas Eve in 1725 in the colony of the Sun King.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Rachmaninoff: Vespers
Saturday Oct 17, 2015 - 7:30 PM
Rachmaninoff: Vespers
Works by Tavener & Pärt
Rachmaninoff’s dramatic tribute to the fallen of World War I resounds in the mystical acoustics of St. Patrick’s Church.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
2014-2015
Triumphs of Renaissance France
Saturday May 2, 2015 - 7:30 PM
Janequin: Missa La Bataille
Works by Mouton, Sermisy, Josquin & Goudimel
Period brass join the choir to evoke the 16th century splendour of the Chapelle Royale of Francis I.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Las Mañanitas: A Baroque High Mass in New Spain
Saturday Feb 28, 2015 - 7:30 PM
Padilla: Missa Ego Flos Campi
Works by Victoria, Guerrero, Cabezón & Fernández
With: Benjamin Stein, Guitar & Theorbo
A recreation of the fiesta of the Virgin of Guadalupe, December 12, 1650.
With special thanks to the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto for their patronage of our concert.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
CLICK HERE to download a copy of this concert’s programme.
Purcell's Messiah
Saturday Nov 29, 2014 - 7:30 PM
Purcell: Behold I Bring You Glad Tidings
Te Deum & Jubilate
Handel: Anthem for the Foundling Hospital (including the Hallelujah Chorus)
Guest Artists: Talisker Players
A Christmas celebration of Purcell’s magnificent settings of the Messiah texts. With Handel’s first London performance of his most famous chorus.
Tickets: $30, $25 and $10*
Songs of War and Remembrance
Saturday Oct 18, 2014 - 7:30 PM
Howells: Requiem
Distler: Dance of Death
Parry: Songs of Farewell
Works by Laing & Willan
The centenary remembrance of World War I in the dramatic choral music and poetry of war and peace.
With Guest Artist: Derek Boyes, Narrator
Soulpepper Theatre
2013-2014
The Merry Harp and the Viol
Saturday May 10, 2014 - 7:30 PM
Byrd: Elegy on the Death of Thomas Tallis
Gibbons: This Is the Record of John
Weelkes: The Sixth Service
Tomkins: Who Is This That Cometh?
A consort of viols joins the choir to explore the extraordinary repertoire of anthems and songs from the Tudor and Jacobean courts.
Requiem for Richard III
Saturday Mar 1, 2014 - 7:30 PM
Brumel: Requiem
Music from the Eton Choir Book
A recreation of a requiem mass for Richard III as it may have been celebrated on August 22, 1499 in the presence of Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy and sister of the late, lamented king. Music of the Chapel Royal of his Tudor usurper, Henry VII.
A Celebration of Carols & Psalms
Saturday Nov 30, 2013 - 7:30 PM
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine
Biebl: Ave Maria
A festive concert for the season with harp, piano and percussion.
Guest Artists:
Harpist: Kristin Theriault
Pianist: David Simon
Splendours of the Sistine Chapel
Saturday Oct 19, 2013 - 7:30 PM
Palestrina: Missa Lauda Sion
Tu Es Petrus
Allegri: Miserere
Works by Dufay, Josquin,
and Morales
The Golden Age of music in the artistic heart of the High Renaissance. Magnificent music from the papal court from Michelangelo to Bernini.
2012-2013
A Grand Concert for the Battle of York, 1813
Saturday Apr 27, 2013 - 7:30 PM
Haydn: Mass in Time of War
Boyce: Where Shall Wisdom Be Found
Beethoven: Wellington’s Victory
On April 27, 1813, the Napoleonic Wars struck home when American troops captured the town of York. Explore this global conflict in great music from Canada, America, Britain, France & Austria.
With guest artists:
Michele DeBoer, Soprano
Vicki St. Pierre, Alto
Paul Ziadé, Tenor
Andrew Mahon, Bass
Rachel Mahon, Organ
Members of the Choir of St. James Cathedral Talisker Players
Gesualdo: Murderer & Musician
Saturday Mar 2, 2013 - 7:30 PM
Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsaries
Works by Palestrina, Dering & Marenzio
Gesualdo was the dark shadow of the Renaissance: a brilliant composer and remorseless murderer. After 500 years, his profoundly tormented sacred music is still dramatic and compelling.
Christmas at the Tudor Court
Saturday Dec 1, 2012 - 7:30 PM
| Tallis: Missa Puer Natus Est Gaude Gloriosa Mater |
Byrd: This Day Christ Was Born Lulla, Lullaby |
The Tudor Chapel Royal resounds with a festive yuletide celebration from the reigns of Henry VIII to Elizabeth I.
Bach & The Romantics
Saturday Oct 13, 2012 - 7:30 PM
Bach:
Singet dem Herrn
Der Geist Hilft
Komm Jesu Komm
Lobet den Herrn
Brahms: Warum ist das Licht?
Bruckner: Christus Factus Est
Rheinberger: Abendlied
Mendelssohn: Psalm 43
The rediscovery of Bach in the 19th century moved the great Romantic composers to create masterpieces in homage to the Cantor of Leipzig. Experience the incomparable music of Bach and the works which he inspired.