Hungary’s finest cultural ambassadors bring us Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 3 for orchestra, mezzo-soprano, women’s choir, and children’s choir.
Founded by Iván Fischer in 1983, the Budapest Festival Orchestra (BFO) is rated among the top 10 orchestras in the world, regularly performing at the most important concert venues of the international music scene. The BFO has won two Gramophone Awards and was nominated for a Grammy in 2013 for its recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1. The BFO also received the Association of Music Critics of Argentina’s award for Best Foreign Symphony Orchestra in 2016, the Diapason d’Or for its recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 in 2014, and the Italian Toblacher Komponierhäuschen prize.
“There is no other ensemble in the world like the Budapest Festival Orchestra.” (
Evening Standard)
Conductor, composer, opera director, thinker, and educator, anchored in the tradition of the great musical polymaths, Iván Fischer’s focus is always the music. His work as the BFO’s Music Director has developed into one of the greatest musical success stories of the last 30 years. Maestro Fischer is founder of the Hungarian Mahler Society and patron of the British Kodály Academy. The president of the Republic of Hungary has awarded him the Gold Medal and the French government has honoured him as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
Mezzo-soprano Gerhild Romberger has always placed her artistic focus on concert singing, describing her special expressiveness and intimacy in this field. Her broad repertoire includes all the great alto and mezzo parts of oratorio and concert singing from the Baroque to the literature of the 20th century. Her work focuses on recitals, contemporary music and the works of Gustav Mahler. She holds a professorship for singing at the Hochschule für Musik in Detmold and has long been a sought-after teacher.
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is one of Canada’s oldest, largest, and best-known choral ensembles. Founded in 1894 by Augustus Vogt, the Choir presented its first concert in Massey Hall, as part of the hall’s inaugural season, on January 15, 1895. The Choir has flourished under the successive leadership of Herbert Fricker (1917-42), Sir Ernest MacMillan (1942-57), Frederick Silvester (1957-60) Walter Susskind (1960-64), Elmer Iseler (1964-97), Noel Edison (1997-2018), and now Jean-Sébastien Vallée.
The Toronto Children's Chorus (TCC) is a vibrant musical community that has been nurturing young voices for generations. The Chorus is led by internationally-acclaimed Artistic Director Dr. Zimfira Poloz (2022-present), who follows in the esteemed footsteps of Founder and Artistic Director Jean Ashworth Bartle C.M., O.Ont., and Artistic Director Elise Bradley, MNZM. TCC consists of eight choirs for ages six through 18 that provide exceptional music, vocal and performance training.
PROGRAM:
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor
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