For Immediate Release: Toronto, March 31, 2006: The
Elmer Iseler Singers present a significant and timely tribute to the artistic brilliance of
Harry Freedman & Mary Morrison - two of Canada�s most active and visible musicians. On Friday, May 5, 2006 at 7:30 pm at Toronto�s Glenn Gould Studio, the late Harry Freedman and renowned Canadian soprano, Mary Morrison will be honoured in this concert designed to celebrate their immense contributions to the arts in this country and abroad. The evening stars special guest artists, the
Amadeus Chamber Singers, the Aeolian Winds and
Lawrence Cherney (English horn) performing a compelling program which includes Freedman�s
Voices, Pastorale, The Tokaido, 1838 and
Shakespeare Songs. The event also features the launch of
The Tokaido, a retrospective CD of Harry Freedman�s Choral Music on the Canadian Music Centre�s Centrediscs label, featuring the Elmer Iseler Singers. The evening concludes with a special presentation of Walter Pitman�s captivating new book,
Music Makers � The Lives of Harry Freedman and Mary Morrison, published by Dundurn Press. A lobby reception will follow.
�Harry Freedman is and forever will be a piece of the Canadian mosaic and a part of everyone who experienced him. �� Walter Pitman
MUSIC MAKERS : The Lives of Harry Freedman and Mary Morrison by Walter Pitman (Dundurn Press) examines and celebrates the extraordinary lives of composer Harry Freedman (1922-2005) and his partner, soprano Mary Morrison. Harry, with roots in jazz and popular music, was a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for 25 years. Canada's Composer of the Year in 1979, he has written an enormous repertoire that celebrates Canada and is sung and played around the world. After a stellar career in Canada as a popular singer and opera diva, Mary became an esteemed exponent of Canadian vocal works. A prestigious mentor and teacher of young Canadians now appearing on famous opera stages world-wide, she received the League of Composer's Music Citation in 1968 and won Canada's major award as Opera Educator in 2002.
The Elmer Iseler Singers is one of Canada's foremost professional chamber choirs. The 20-voice choir has gained an enviable international reputation since its debut performance in 1979. Now conducted by Lydia Adams, the group was founded by and nurtured under the direction of the late Dr. Elmer Iseler, the "Dean of Canadian Choral Conductors." The Elmer Iseler Singers have performed throughout Canada and the United States as well as internationally. With a repertoire that spans 500 years of choral music, the ensemble is known for its beauty of tone and wide interpretive range. Currently championed by the Winnipeg Free Press as ��showing true Olympic spirit,� Toronto�s Elmer Iseler Singers triumphed on their very recent tour to Midwest Canada. ��demonstrated the singers� versatility� they deserved the immediate and unanimous standing ovation the audience gave them�� �This polished ensemble seemed comfortable with the demands any composer could throw at them.�
�CELEBRATION�: Harry Freedman and Mary Morrison
Concert, CD Launch & Book Presentation
Friday, May 5, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
Glenn Gould Studio
250 Front St. West (Canadian Broadcasting Centre)
For tickets ($35 & $30), please call 416-217-0537
Group Rates Also Available
http://www.elmeriselersingers.com/- 30 �
