We are thrilled to welcome Irina Medvedeva on March 15, 2025 as our guest artist in this concert of ravishing arias from Italian Baroque opera. Her flexible, supple, yet powerful soprano voice will wow and delight us in exquisite music by three of the most celebrated 18th-century composers of this genre, Vivaldi, Handel, and Hasse. She is joined by violinists William Sirois and James Moat, violist Patrick Horn, cellist Peter Cosbey, and harpsichordist Elizabeth Ganiatsos. Moods will range from gentle, lyrical and pastoral to passionate, dramatic and fiery, with virtuosic display! Sinfonias, overtures, and dances for strings drawn from operas lend variety and give the singer a break. 

Consortium Aurora Borealis is pleased to transport you to a country and an era we rarely visit. With our “Hungarian Strings” concert, we turn our attention to Hungary, presenting some truly beautiful Romantic and folk-influenced music for strings. It takes place the day after Valentine’s. Since our music is infused with the spirit of Late Romanticism, it may well be the ideal post-Valentine’s Day concert! The music is warm and intimate, played by a superb, stylish string trio. 

Consortium Aurora Borealis heralds the New Year with ‘Café Paris’, an engaging concert performed by the popular Martin Blanchet Jazz Quintet, whose mellow moods will warm your spirits on a cold winter night! Their presentations delve into many different musical genres, from jazz to classical, with touches of world music. Known for their recognizable jazz arrangements of classic French repertoire, they’ll treat you to an unforgettable evening, recreating the intimate atmosphere of a Parisian café.

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.

I have invited our special guest, distinguished Canadian organist Christopher Dawes, to write the blog accompanying the concluding concert of our Consortium Aurora Borealis 45th Season. He will perform the programme “The Brilliance of Baroque Organ: Bach and Buxtehude”, which ties in perfectly with our organization’s desire to promote this particular period. His blog post will give us an interesting overview of what will be heard, with fascinating insights into the composers and the music which will be presented. You may find his bio under “About: Artists” on our website.

Consortium Aurora Borealis celebrates the flute! Penelope Clarke and Doris Dungan, who for many years made up the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra’s flute section, reunite to perform “Fanciful Flutes”, an endearing programme of Baroque and Classic-era solos, duos, and trios, with cellist Peter Cosbey.

Be prepared to be dazzled! Consortium Aurora Borealis has crafted a concert programme designed to delight and amaze! “Viva Vivaldi!”, an all-Baroque concert with an Italian theme, shows off the virtuosic dexterity and breadth of expression which the evening’s soloists will deliver.

We greet the New Year in style in the company of the immortal composers Mozart and Beethoven, with music written at the very end of the 18^th century. Our concert title of “Mozart Meets Beethoven” is very apt. Beethoven visited Vienna in early January 1787 for a few weeks when he was just sixteen and Mozart would just be turning thirty-one.