This Requiem was a celebration
;)
World-renowned soloists Sondra Radvanovsky (left), Elena Zaremba and conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin during the performance of Verdi’s Requiem during the second Hitting the High Notes benefit concert. Some 625 people attended the concert, raising $550,000 for the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal.
Photo by luigi d'astolfo
In the magnificent chapel of the Mother House of the Grey Nuns of Montreal on April 6, more than 625 classical music lovers and friends of Concordia University were treated to a world-class opera event.
The second Hitting the High Notes benefit concert featured an impressive performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem by four renowned soloists and the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal.
It is expected that the event will raise $550,000 for Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts and the Orchestre Métropolitain.
After a cocktail reception, the guests filled the majestic chapel and were welcomed by Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Catherine Wild, who introduced the performers.
Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Catherine Wild addressed the audience before the concert. Concordia's share of the money raised through the event will be used to support graduate students.
The soloists certainly hit the high notes.
The beautiful, powerful voices of tenor Franco Farina, bass-baritone James Morris and soprano Sondra Radvanovsky, all American-born, and Russian mezzo-soprano Elena Zaremba filled the chapel and thrilled the crowd.
Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, as always, led the Orchestre Métropolitain with verve. The soloists were accompanied by the Orchestre’s 80-person choir, which included several Concordians.
Following the show, 250 guests attended a gala dinner held in the splendidly decorated Mother House reception hall. They dined on rack of lamb with a pistachio crust prepared by caterer Dansereau.
Among the many dignitaries there were President Claude Lajeunesse, new chancellor David O’Brien, chair of Concor-dia’s Board of Governors Peter Kruyt and Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay.
The event co-chairs were Hans Black, Sophie Desmarais and Richard Renaud.
Black told the dinner audience, “Events such as Hitting the High Notes represent the best of Montreal by bringing people together for a supreme cultural event and for two great causes, the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal and Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts.”
The fundraising event was organized by a team from University Advancement & Alumni Relations under the guidance of Vice-President Kathy Assayag.
Last May, at the first Hitting the High Notes benefit concert, 500 people enjoyed soprano Renée Fleming and bass-baritone Bryn Terfel singing at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall.
The bar was set high — but this year’s concert and gala surpassed it.
Vice-President Assayag said, “Prestigious events such as Hitting the High Notes enhance the university’s profile in the community and raise the value of Concordia’s name.”
The concert was reviewed by La Presse and Le Devoir, and covered in the society pages of The Gazette.