“Long summer days give way to dusky evenings that create an ideal atmosphere for our concerts at the Gambrel Barn, a unique indoor-outdoor venue,” says Artistic Director Mark Vuorinen. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream-themed concert felt like the right way to open the festival, and to shape its broader artistic direction.”
That atmosphere sets the tone for the 47th edition of the Elora Festival, running July 10 to August 2. “The Mendelssohn Overture and Vaughan Williams’s Serenade to Music introduce us to Shakespeare and the beauty of words set to music,” says Vuorinen. “We love to begin with a large orchestral concert, and the Mendelssohn evokes a wide range of emotions, from the opening woodwinds to the energy of the full ensemble.” The opening program also features Beethoven’s concert aria Ah! perfido!, offering a showcase for soprano Rachel Fenlon, alongside Beethoven’s Mass in C Major.
This year’s programming unfolds as a series of contrasts and encounters. “Our program welcomes many guest artists, including soprano Rachel Fenlon, [fiddler]Natalie MacMaster, [jazz singer and pianist]Laila Biali and American songwriter Gabriel Kahane. Each brings a distinct musical voice that, I hope, will resonate with a wide audience,” says Vuorinen. Fenlon moves within the classical world and art song specifically; MacMaster draws on Celtic and folk traditions; Biali brings a jazz-inflected approach to songwriting; and Kahane navigates between classical and indie idioms.
At the centre of it all are the Elora Singers, the resident ensemble that anchors the festival. “They perform everything from large oratorio works to premieres, music theatre and intimate early music. Moving across genres over three weeks is both exhilarating and demanding,” notes Vuorinen.
“We hope the audience will walk away having had a wonderful musical experience—whether they have come to hear a main-stage concert in the barn, had an early-morning musical walk in the woods, or an intimate recital in St. John’s Church,” he adds. “Elora is a beautiful village with plenty of amazing restaurants and cafés, unique shops and artist studios, and the natural beauty of the Elora Gorge and Grand River.”
Elora Festival runs July 10–26 in Elora, Ont. Full program at www.elorafestival.ca
