We’re thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of virtuoso violinist Jeremy Bell, his 16th appearance with Consortium! He will captivate us through several dazzling Italian Baroque concerti. We celebrate the wizardry of two Venetian violinist/composers, the ever-popular Vivaldi, and Locatelli, the Paganini of the 18th century, but a musician regarded by Jeremy as the “Evel Knievel of the violin”! Jeremy Bell is joined by our fine string ensemble and harpsichord.

Consortium Aurora Borealis is delighted to present Thunder Bay’s Tamarack Wind Quintet in Concert. They will enchant with an intriguing and appealing programme of music in varied styles and moods, showing off the great diversity of timbre of their instruments. The musicians, section wind players of the TBSO, are enthusiastic professionals who enjoy performing together. They’ll win our hearts as they produce richly colourful and dynamic sounds, introducing us to some worthy composers we haven’t encountered before, and opening up a new realm of the wind repertoire. Performing are Heather Kilborn, flute; E-Chen Hsu, clarinet; Gwen Buttemer, oboe; Aviner Hardwick, bassoon, and Damian Rivers-Moore, horn. Consortium is pleased to offer them an outlet beyond their orchestral responsibilities, providing an opportunity for them to play for a warm, appreciative audience.

Consortium Aurora Borealis greets the New Year in style on January 10 with a concert of sublime Classic and Romantic String Quintets. Thrill to the rich sound of two violas in the inner voices. We introduce you to some absolutely gorgeous chamber music for strings, as we present two mature viola quintets written 103 years apart by Mozart and Brahms. We also bring to light an appealing quintet by a less-known composer, written just two years after Mozart’s. All three men were German speakers.