Handel’s Messiah – December 8, 2019 Saint-Joseph’s Oratory LiveEvents December 2, 2019 2857 HANDEL’S MESSIAH Presented in the Crypt of the Saint-Joseph’s Oratory for the very first time! Orchestre Classique de Montréal continues its 80th season with Handel’s masterpiece, featuring four excellent soloists and a magnificent choir, on Sunday, December 8th, at Saint-Joseph’s Oratory. The first-ever performance of the Messiah in the Oratory’s renowned crypt: a historic moment to mark the start of the holiday season! On this occasion, l’Orchestre Classique de Montréal welcomes soloists soprano Aline Kutan, mezzo-soprano Annamaria Popescu, tenor Zachary Rioux and baritone Gregory Dahl. Three choirs, representing approximately 60 singers, will also join forces to complete the ensemble: Les chantres musiciens, Les filles de l’île and the OCM’S Choir. That’s close to 90 artists brought together on stage to perform Handel’s classic oratorio! For over 20 years, Armenian-Canadian soprano Aline Kutan has pursued a brilliant career on the world’s greatest stages, performing both opera and recital. She has received several prizes and is featured on a number of award-winning recordings. She also teaches at Montreal’s Conservatoire de musique. Born in Grand-Sault, New-Brunswick, Zachary Rioux is currently Artist in Residence at the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. He is also a graduate of Toronto’s Glenn Gould School. In 2018, he was finalist for L’Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique program and performed at the Gala Talent. He was also part of IRCPA’s “Singing Stars: The Next Generation” concert, for which he was awarded the Louis Quilico grant. A young tenor to look out for! Canadian-Romanian mezzo-soprano Annamaria Popescu has thrived on the greatest stages of Europe, Asia and North America. She notably took part in 14 productions at the Teatro alla Scala (Milan), which made her the most prominently featured Canadian singer by the illustrious opera house. Both a teacher at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music and a specialist of Italian and French repertoires, she gives master classes in Italian interpretation and diction in many Canadian universities, conservatories and opera workshops. Canadian Baritone Gregory Dahl’s popularity in North America shows no sign of decline, as proven by his recent accomplishments: he has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, l’Opéra de Québec, the Canadian Opera Compagny, the Vancouver Opera, the Edmonton Opera, the Calgary Opera, the Kentucky Opera and l’Opéra de Montréal, where he recently performed in Lucia di Lammermoor. Artists Orchestre Classique de Montréal Boris Brott, Conductor Aline Kutan, Soprano Annamaria Popescu, Mezzo-Soprano Zachary Rioux, Tenor Gregory Dahl, Baritone Les Chantres Musiciens, Les Filles de L’île and OCM Chorus Sunday, December 8th, 3:00pm Saint-Joseph’s Oratory – 3800, Queen-Mary (free parking) For more information and tickets visit: www.orchestre.ca or call 514-487-5190