Winnipeg Free Press
May 5, 2012
Holly Harris

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra closed its 2011/12 season with Gustav Mahler’s blockbuster Symphony No. 2 in C minor (Resurrection), a work of epic proportion and searing emotion that stirs the soul and quickens the heart with its fierce intensity.

The 90-minute program led by WSO maestro Alexander Mickelthwate showcased guest artists: Monica Huisman, soprano; Anita Krause, mezzo-soprano; the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir (Yuri Klaz, artistic director) and the Flin Flon Community Choir (Crystal Kolt, artistic director) with expanded orchestra. The WSO last performed the monumental work in 2001 conducted by former music director Bramwell Tovey.

Read the rest here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/wsos-mahler-stirs-the-soul-150275185.html

Winnipeg Free Press
May 5, 2012
Rob Williams

Keri Latimer’s children don’t get a credit on her new album, but if you listen closely, they’re on it.

“You can probably hear footsteps and stuff because they were running around when I was recording it,” says the Juno-winning songwriter, who recorded her debut solo album, Crowsfeet and Greyskull, in the kitchen/dining room of her Fort Rouge home.

The album title is not a Masters of the Universe reference (that was Castle Grayskull, FYI) but how she sees herself and her husband Devin Latimer — who plays bass on her album and in their roots band Nathan — in the future.

Read the rest here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/musical-class-of-2012-150274565.html

Winnipeg Free Press
April 28, 2012

THIS year marks the bicentenary of the Red River Selkirk Settlement — 1812 to 2012.

Here are some events to commemorate the momentous occasion.

– FRIDAY, NOV. 9 AND SATURDAY, NOV. 10: The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will perform Red River, a composition by renowned Winnipeg composer Sid Robinovitch, commissioned by the Seven Oaks Historical Society. The concerts are at the Centennial Concert Hall.

Read the rest here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/ourcityourworld/uk/events-mark-settlements-200th-anniversary-149344275.html

Winnipeg Free Press
April 26, 2012
Gwenda Nemerofsky

For many young musicians, attaining a position in a major orchestra is a wonderful dream. Not so for Winnipeg-born cellist Michael Nicolas. From 2008-2010, he held a tenured position as associate principal cello with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

“It was a great job and I had many friends,” the 29-year-old Nicolas said from his home in New York City. “I made the uncommon decision to move back to New York and be a freelance musician.”

Read the rest here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/cellist-nicolas-prefers-to-call-own-tune-149015205.html

Winnipeg Free Press
Maureen Scurfield – The Insider
April 25, 2012

PHILIP LEE SINGS PAUL McCARTNEY

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra gala Monday night packed the Winnipeg Convention Centre, celebrating its 64th birthday with Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee singing the line, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” to the delighted applause of more than 500 gala-goers. It was a sparkling night, with the WSO members playing to get people in the mood, and hot-pink and blue balloons containing draw numbers for a trip for two. A giant silent auction at the entrance entertained happy-hour arrivals.

WSO director Alexander Mickelthwate’s lively fashion-designer wife Abigail wore a stunning red-and-white dress, which shone in a room full of black cocktail dresses. Spotted over munchies — MC Laurie Mustard teasing CJOB gardening guru Dorothy Dobbie over the recent caller who wanted to know how to deal with her young male relative’s 40 “tomato” plants. Yours truly espied early silent auction bidders Karn and Joe Sandy, WSO director of marketing Lisa Abram, Princess Auto’s Mark Breslauer, lawyer Brenlee Carrington Trepel and jeweller Brent Trepel, Best Sleep Centre’s David Keane, and philanthropists Bonnie and John Buhler.

Read the rest here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/plug-in-marks-40-years-in-style-148836505.html

Winnipeg Free Press
April 24, 2012

THE Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg has announced the winners of its 2012 McLellan Competition for Solo Performance with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

This year, there was a tie for first prize, with pianist Madeline Hildebrand and soprano Jessica Strong sharing the $16,000 award. (Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Sproule was a finalist, but was forced to withdraw at the last minute due to illness.)

Read the rest here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/pianist-soprano-share-mclellan-music-prize-148636305.html

Winnipeg Free Press
April 23, 2012
Staff Writer

The Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg has announced the winners of its 2012 McLellan Competition for Solo Performance with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

This year, there was a tie for first prize, with pianist Madeline Hildebrand and soprano Jessica Strong sharing the $16,000 award. (Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Sproule was a finalist, but was forced to withdraw at the last minute due to illness.)

A second-place prize of $4,000 was split equally between Sproule and soprano Sarah Kirsch.

The finalists received the awards following the final competition concert with the WSO, April 20, at Jubilee Place Auditorium.

See the post here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/arts/Pianist-soprano-share-McLellan-music-prize-148560355.html

Winnipeg Free Press
April 23, 2012
Gwenda Nemerofsky

Manitoba Opera laid aside all stereotypes about opera being stuffy and inaccessible Saturday night with its feel-good production of Donizetti’s 1840 comic opera Daughter of the Regiment. In a show that had audience members shrieking with laughter and giving prolonged standing ovations, the all-Canadian cast made us proudly patriotic. Director Ann Hodges showed a singular touch for comedy in this impressive mounting.

Front and centre was rising star soprano and Winnipeg native Nikki Einfeld as Marie, the title character. Each time we hear Einfeld her instrument seems to have become more refined. On Saturday she was faultless. Trim and petite in her becoming military outfit, she was enchanting as the rough and tumble young woman raised by 23 “fathers” — soldiers of the 21st Regiment of the Grenadiers.

Read the rest here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/feel-good-opera-a-crowd-pleaser-all-canadian-cast-has-people-on-their-feet-148478715.html

Winnipeg Free Press
April 12, 2012
Gwenda Nemerofsky

When singer Alan Paul first joined the vocal quartet Manhattan Transfer in 1972, he never thought the gig would last for 40 years.

“We got together because we thought it would be lots of fun,” said the hearty-sounding 62-year-old on the phone from his Los Angeles home.

The American vocal quartet, consisting of Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel, Cheryl Bentyne and Paul, has over 30 recordings to its credit and is on the road for seven months of the year criss-crossing the globe on three to four major tours. Their unique mix of jazz and pop, enhanced by catchy rhythms and satisfying harmony has earned them longtime fans around the world.

Read the rest here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/arts/fun-led-manhattan-transfer-to-40-years-of-harmonization-147120705.html

Winnipeg Free Press
April 11, 2012
Jeanette Timmerman

Having out-of-town guests gives us the chance to check out some of Winnipeg’s more notable events and hotspots for the first time or revisit them after a long absence.

There are the “high on the list of what to do in Winnipeg” outings such as going to the Winnipeg Symphony, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the current exhibit at the WAG, The Forks, Assiniboine Park with its zoo, open spaces and art galleries with the only known painting of Winnie the Pooh, the Exchange District, Folklorama, the St. Boniface Museum…

Read the rest here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/forum/Floodway-gates-a-site-worth-seeing-146882045.html