The Canadian Orpheus Male Choir Proudly Welcomes Tenor Richard Margison as Patron
Critically acclaimed operatic tenor Richard Margison OC, DMus, has become Patron of The Canadian Orpheus Male Choir (COMC). The choir anticipates a long and happy affiliation with him.
Hamilton, Canada, November 21, 2014 --(PR.com)-- “The choir is honoured to have the internationally renowned artist Richard Margison as our Patron,” COMC president Keith Thomas announced. “Not only is Richard an impressive classical singer, but he also shares our appreciation for contemporary pop and jazz songs, which he performs with his daughter in a show called ‘Back-to-Back’.’’
The COMC, a registered Canadian charity, has been singing to promote civic pride, to build community, to support charitable causes and to encourage artistic excellence in the greater Hamilton area since 1977.
“I was in my first choir when I was eight years old and have fond memories of my involvement with my high school choir as well,” Margison said.
“I was also in Metropolitan United Church Choir as a teen, and was in the Vancouver Opera Chorus and the Edmonton Opera Chorus while studying to become an opera singer.”
Hailed for his ringing top notes and spine-tingling power, Margison is renowned for his interpretations of Verdi, Puccini, Strauss and Beethoven. Recent seasons have included performances of Un Ballo in Maschera (Montréal, Hamburg, the ROH Covent Garden), Turandot (New York, Barcelona, Toronto), Aida (New York, Cincinnati, Montréal, Chicago, Oviedo), Il Trovatore (New York, Toronto, Berlin, San Francisco), the world premiere of Rattenbury, The Opera in Victoria, and concerts with his equally talented daughter, Lauren.
“I know firsthand what a positive effect the arts and singing, in particular, have on our lives,” said Margison.
“We are extremely lucky to live in a country that has such a rich choral tradition and so many wonderful singers. It truly enriches our lives and brings us all closer together.”
An Officer of the Order of Canada (2001) and recipient of a Diamond Jubilee Medal, Margison has received Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Giulio Gari and The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundations, and holds Honorary Doctorates from the University of Victoria (DMus), University of British Columbia (D. Litt) and McMaster University (D. Litt).
Margison’s discography comprises an all-Verdi recording (CBC Records), Fidelio (Chandos), Don Carlo (Philips) and Mazeppa (Deutsche Grammophon). His DVDs include Ariadne auf Naxos (Virgin Classics), Tosca, 1984 (Decca), and La Gioconda (TDK).
Margison and his wife, opera director Valerie Kuinka, created and direct the Highlands Opera Studio, which provides advanced operatic training to a select group of talented young professionals.
Thomas added: “The COMC offers an opportunity for men who have wondered if they could sing to give it a try and to learn, and, for those who already know they have a good voice, the choir provides a way to improve. We admire people who share their gifts with others, as Richard Margison does.”
About the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir
The COMC is an internationally known, Hamilton-based choir of some 45 members open to men ages 19-plus from all cultural backgrounds. The choir’s repertoire is extensive and varied, including popular tunes, jazz, songs from musicals, opera choruses, spirituals, ballads and folk songs.
The COMC has performed more than 450 concerts in venues such as the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall in London. Concert tours have taken the choir to the United States, Western Canada, the Maritime Provinces, Europe and elsewhere.
Over the years the choir has performed with many guest artists, most notably the bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, soprano Abigail Freeman, tenor Glyn Evans, violinist Martin Beaver, the Canadian Brass, and the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The choir is a registered charitable organisation which founded the David Davis Fund to provide supplementary funding for musically talented youth. The COMC has raised and donated some $800,000 to support charities, including service clubs, churches, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and The Hamilton Spectator Children’s Fund, among others.
This season, the choir aims to expand its membership and reinforce its ties in the community. Rehearsals are held on Mondays at 7:30pm in Peoples Church, 510 Mohawk Rd. West, Hamilton. Visit the choir's website for more information about the COMC.
The COMC, a registered Canadian charity, has been singing to promote civic pride, to build community, to support charitable causes and to encourage artistic excellence in the greater Hamilton area since 1977.
“I was in my first choir when I was eight years old and have fond memories of my involvement with my high school choir as well,” Margison said.
“I was also in Metropolitan United Church Choir as a teen, and was in the Vancouver Opera Chorus and the Edmonton Opera Chorus while studying to become an opera singer.”
Hailed for his ringing top notes and spine-tingling power, Margison is renowned for his interpretations of Verdi, Puccini, Strauss and Beethoven. Recent seasons have included performances of Un Ballo in Maschera (Montréal, Hamburg, the ROH Covent Garden), Turandot (New York, Barcelona, Toronto), Aida (New York, Cincinnati, Montréal, Chicago, Oviedo), Il Trovatore (New York, Toronto, Berlin, San Francisco), the world premiere of Rattenbury, The Opera in Victoria, and concerts with his equally talented daughter, Lauren.
“I know firsthand what a positive effect the arts and singing, in particular, have on our lives,” said Margison.
“We are extremely lucky to live in a country that has such a rich choral tradition and so many wonderful singers. It truly enriches our lives and brings us all closer together.”
An Officer of the Order of Canada (2001) and recipient of a Diamond Jubilee Medal, Margison has received Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Giulio Gari and The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundations, and holds Honorary Doctorates from the University of Victoria (DMus), University of British Columbia (D. Litt) and McMaster University (D. Litt).
Margison’s discography comprises an all-Verdi recording (CBC Records), Fidelio (Chandos), Don Carlo (Philips) and Mazeppa (Deutsche Grammophon). His DVDs include Ariadne auf Naxos (Virgin Classics), Tosca, 1984 (Decca), and La Gioconda (TDK).
Margison and his wife, opera director Valerie Kuinka, created and direct the Highlands Opera Studio, which provides advanced operatic training to a select group of talented young professionals.
Thomas added: “The COMC offers an opportunity for men who have wondered if they could sing to give it a try and to learn, and, for those who already know they have a good voice, the choir provides a way to improve. We admire people who share their gifts with others, as Richard Margison does.”
About the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir
The COMC is an internationally known, Hamilton-based choir of some 45 members open to men ages 19-plus from all cultural backgrounds. The choir’s repertoire is extensive and varied, including popular tunes, jazz, songs from musicals, opera choruses, spirituals, ballads and folk songs.
The COMC has performed more than 450 concerts in venues such as the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall in London. Concert tours have taken the choir to the United States, Western Canada, the Maritime Provinces, Europe and elsewhere.
Over the years the choir has performed with many guest artists, most notably the bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, soprano Abigail Freeman, tenor Glyn Evans, violinist Martin Beaver, the Canadian Brass, and the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The choir is a registered charitable organisation which founded the David Davis Fund to provide supplementary funding for musically talented youth. The COMC has raised and donated some $800,000 to support charities, including service clubs, churches, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and The Hamilton Spectator Children’s Fund, among others.
This season, the choir aims to expand its membership and reinforce its ties in the community. Rehearsals are held on Mondays at 7:30pm in Peoples Church, 510 Mohawk Rd. West, Hamilton. Visit the choir's website for more information about the COMC.
Contact
Moira Johnson
613-565-0666
www.moirajohnson.com
S Mackenzie
Marketing Director
Canadian Orpheus Male Choir
comc.marcom@gmail.com
613-565-0666
www.moirajohnson.com
S Mackenzie
Marketing Director
Canadian Orpheus Male Choir
comc.marcom@gmail.com
Contact
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