I just received a suprising and saddening piece of news: Co-founders and co-artistic directors Stephen ralls and Bruce Ubukata have decided that this season will be the last for the Aldeburgh Connection.
- Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
- Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
- CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019
Just this past Feburary, the duo organized what turned out to be one of the happiest, most talked-about musical events in a long time, when they celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Aldeburgh Connection at Koerner Hall with a parade of alumni that include a who’s who of this country’s great voices.
Since the early 1980s, the Aldeburgh Connection has been Toronto’s one consistent presenter of art song — always in clever, thematic packages, and focused on the finest of the city’s younger singers.
Losing this series and the audience and performer mentorship that it has represented is a huge blow. I wrote about how great this concert series and its founders are here.
The person who shared this news with me said that Ralls and Ubukata are healthy, but have decided it’s time to say goodbye to performing and presenting concerts, both here and at their country retreat in Bayfield, on Lake Huron.
This year’s season — as fine-looking as any — begins with a programme inspired by the late Robertson Davies on Oct. 21, and ends with a three-concert “Britten Festival of Song” in May, 2013. (All the details here.)
I won’t have a chance to speak to either Ralls or Ubukata for a day or two. I will update this post as soon as I hear anything more.
John Terauds
- Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
- Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
- CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019
