Consortium Aurora Borealis is thrilled to revive a long-standing musical tradition, presenting “An Elizabethan Garland”, a costumed, courtly evening of ayres and dance music from the time of Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare! Recorder player Rob Van Wyck, violinist Madonna Lee, harpsichordist Elizabeth Ganiatsos, and soprano Krista Hansen will perform works for instruments and voice by key Elizabethan composers: Thomas Morley, the foremost composer of secular music of that age; the great William Byrd; renowned lutenist John Dowland, noted for his melancholy musical moods; and Thomas Campion, poet, composer and physician, as well as by several other representatives. 

Thunder Bay-born violinist Gregory Lewis returns home to perform for us as we of Consortium Aurora Borealis launch our exciting 46th concert season on September 14, at Trinity United Church because of needing to use the wonderful piano there. Performing a diverse program of virtuosity and lyricism, he will be joined by the acclaimed Canadian pianist Paul Williamson. We are most privileged to hear Gregory on a very special instrument, whose three-year use he won through a competition in the late summer of 2023. It’s the gorgeous 1768 “Miller” Gennaro Gagliano violin, generously on loan to him from the Canada Council for the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank. One year later, the critically-acclaimed Canadian cellist Cameron Crozman was awarded the use of an instrument by the same maker, a Gennaro Gaglianocello from around 1750.