Upcoming events:
IgNITE! Composer Workshop
One of the most influential and respected composers on the scene today, Britain’s Michael Finnissy joins Aventa in the 2011 Ignite! Composer Workshop. Aventa’s annual workshop for emerging composers has proven to be an integral force in the Canadian new music scene.
In addition to works selected by jury from participating composers, this concert features Finnissy’s irreverent and wickedly amusing Mr. Punch for voice and ensemble. Celebrated Canadian soprano Helen Pridmore takes on the nine characters in this grotesque, dark comedy.
Saturday, September 10, 2011 2:00PM
Phillip T Young Recital Hall (University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building)
IgNITE! - Aventa Reading Session
Aventa Ensemble
Bill Linwood, conductor
- Alexis Raynault, Boom Boom Geoffrion est mort à Atlanta
- Anna Hostman, pine trees and blue sky
- Michael Finnissy, Shady Love
- Mason Koenig, Cotard
- Christopher Reiche, Construct
Sunday, September 11, 2011 8:00PM (Pre-concert talk 7:15PM)
Phillip T Young Recital Hall (University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building)
Aventa Ensemble
Helen Pridmore, soprano
Bill Linwood, conductor
- Michael Finnissy, Casual Nudity
- Chedo Barone, Paralipomena: Chopin
- Symon Henry, The Favorite Games (masques et interludes )
- Gabriel Dharmoo, Sur les rives de
- Alex Jang, Paredolia
- Michael Finnissy, Mr. Punch
Aventa National Tour
Monday, October 17, 2011 8:00PM
University of Regina, Saskatchewan
Aventa Ensemble
Bill Linwood, conductor
- Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
- Ana Sokolovic , Géométrie sentimentale
- Paul Frehner, Voluptuous Panic
- Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 8:00PM
Von Kuster Hall, University of Western Ontario
London, ON
Aventa Ensemble
Bill Linwood, conductor
- Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
- Ana Sokolovic , Géométrie sentimentale
- Paul Frehner, Voluptuous Panic
- Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio
Thursday, October 20, 2011 8:00PM
Tanzer Lieder
Conservatoire de musique et d'Art dramatique
Montreal, QC
Aventa Ensemble
Vincent Ranallo, baritone
Bill Linwood, conductor
- Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
- Ana Sokolovic, Tanzer Lieder
- Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio
- Paul Frehner, Voluptuous Panic
- Rodney Sharman, Cabaret Songs
- Ana Sokolovic , Géométrie sentimentale
Friday, October 21, 2011 8:00PM
Gallery 345
Toronto, ON
Aventa Ensemble
Vincent Ranallo, baritone
Bill Linwood, conductor
- Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
- Rodney Sharman, Cabaret Songs
- Ana Sokolovic , Géométrie sentimentale
- Ana Sokolovic, Tanzer Lieder
- Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio
Additional dates to be announced
Stormwatch
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 8:00PM (Pre-concert talk 7:15PM)
Phillip T Young Recital Hall (University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building)
Aventa Ensemble
Darnell Linwood, horn / John Lowry, violin / Miranda Wong, piano
Bill Linwood, conductor
- Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
- Peter Maxwell Davies , Stormwatch, Stormfall (premiere)*
- Justin Christensen, Hand I used to hold (premiere)
- Peter Maxwell Davies, De Assumtione Beatae Mariae Virginis
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is universally acknowledged as one of the foremost composers of our time. In 2004, he was appointed Master of the Queen’s Music, further recognizing the revolutionary influence he has had on the British contemporary music scene. His works often draw on the landscape of the Orkney Islands, where he has lived since 1971.
Justin Christensen is considered to be one of Canada’s leading emerging composers. Prior to the premiere of his 2011 work Hand I used to Hold, the Canada Council for the Arts will award Justin the 2011 Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music.
*Aventa wishes to acknowledge The Scottish Arts Council for their assistance in commissioning Sir Peter Maxwell Davies' Stormwatch, Stormfall
Living Toys
Friday, February 3, 2012 8:00PM (Pre-concert talk 7:15PM)
Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora Ave. Victoria, BC
Aventa Ensemble
Bill Linwood, conductor
- Anthony Genge, The Human Condition
- Gavin Bryars, Eight Irish Madrigals
- Thomas Adès, Living Toys
Presented in collaboration with the Victoria Symphony as part of their 2012 New Music Festival, Aventa is pleased to present the music of British composer Gavin Bryars alongside repertoire from Canada’s Anthony Genge and England’s Thomas Adès. From Bryars’ early iconic works The Sinking of the Titanic and Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet, to his current works for opera, dance and stage, he remains an internationally respected and influential composer.
Described by the New York Times as “one of the most accomplished and complete musicians of his generation”, British composer Thomas Adès has become one of the most imposing figures in contemporary music. Written when the composer was only 22 years of age, Living Toys has become a classic in the contemporary repertoire.
The Comedy of Change
Sunday, March 25, 2012 8:00PM (Pre-concert talk 7:15PM)
Phillip T Young Recital Hall (University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building)
Aventa Ensemble
Miranda Wong, piano
Bill Linwood, conductor
- Jeffrey Ryan, Dark Matters (premiere)*
- Julian Anderson, The Comedy of Change (Canadian premiere)
- Michael Oesterle, Tell Tales for piano solo, obbligato horn and ensemble (premiere)*
- Oliver Knussen, Two Organa
Described as “one of the most talented of his generation” by the Evening Standard, Aventa is proud to present the Canadian premiere of The Comedy of Change by Britain’s Julian Anderson. In an evening of premieres, Aventa also brings to the stage new works from British Columbia composer Jeffrey Ryan and Quebec composer Michael Oesterle.
Oliver Knussen has been described as one of Britain’s greatest living artists, with music that is instantly elegant, likeable, melancholic and exhilarating. "His works are often set in the childhood worlds of toys and storybooks and in that familiar, phantasmal place between waking and sleeping" - Adam Foulds, The Guardian
*Aventa wishes to acknowledge The Canada Council for the Arts
for their assistance in commissioning
Michael Oesterle's Tell Tales and Jeffrey Ryan's Dark Matter
