Toronto, April 24, 2013 – The Ontario Arts Foundation is pleased to announce the second biennial Christina and Louis Quilico Awards Vocal Competition featuring the rising young stars of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio.
The competition will take place on May 13, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The competition will be adjudicated by a panel composed of Alexander Neef, General Director of the COC, Janet Stubbs, mezzo-soprano and Ensemble Studio alumna, and Stuart Hamilton, vocal coach, pianist and author. The young artists featured in the May 13th competition will perform for cash prizes singing one aria of their choice and one aria selected by the panel.
“Louis had wanted to establish this (award) before he died,” says Christina Petrowska Quilico. “It was really his vision to help young opera singers. Launching an award was something we could do to leave a legacy in memory of Louis’ success as a singer and as a support to future generations.”
This event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 5 p.m. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and is limited.
About the COC Ensemble Studio
Founded in 1980 by the Canadian Opera Company, the Ensemble Studio is Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals. The members of the Ensemble Studio are the COC’s resident artists and are important ambassadors for the company. Since the program’s inception, over 150 young professional Canadian singers, opera coaches, stage directors and conductors have acquired their first major professional operatic experience through the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio. Former members include Ben Heppner, Isabel Bayrakdarian, John Fanning, Wendy Nielsen, David Pomeroy, Joseph Kaiser, Lauren Segal and Krisztina Szabó.
Members of the Ensemble Studio receive a blend of advanced study and practical experience through an individually tailored, multi-year program, involving understudying and performing mainstage roles, intensive vocal coaching, language and acting studies, and career skills development, as well as participation in masterclasses with internationally renowned opera professionals.
About the Ontario Arts Foundation
Established in 1991 as a public charitable foundation, the Foundation holds over 300 endowments totaling more than $60 million and pays out over $2 million annually in support of the arts in Ontario.
About the Christina and Louis Quilico Awards
Christina Petrowska-Quilico established the Christina and Louis Quilico Fund in 2000 to honour her late husband, renowned baritone, Louis Quilico, and to recognize outstanding young singers, pianists and composers for voice. During his 45 years on the stage, Louis Quilico shared performing credits with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, José Carreras, Joan Sutherland and Renata Tebaldi. He was instrumental in furthering the careers of many young singers through his teaching and master classes. The Ontario Arts Foundation manages the endowment that funds the Christina and Louis Quilico Awards.
For more information, please contact:
|
Alan Walker |
|
Kristin McKinnon |