Mezzo-soprano and countertenor
Suzie LeBlanc and Daniel Taylor are two of Canada’s most stunning voices as soloists. Together, they are sublime.
In 2004, their recording of Handel: Love Duets won a Juno for best classical album of the year. The same program, offered live in our wonderfully intimate venue, was the concert of a lifetime by two of the world’s greatest voices.
“Her tone is silvery, clear and floating …. her phrasing intimate like she’s singing just for you.”
– New Jersey Star Ledger
Suzie LeBlanc
Renowned Acadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc has been appointed to the Order of Canada, and has received awards including a Grammy for Lully’s Thésée, two Opus awards for Tempi con Variazioni and Messiaen, and a CINI award (Italy) for her leading role in the opera Orfeo by Sartorio.
Born in New Brunswick and trained in London, England, Suzie has enjoyed an international singing career. She has performed with symphony orchestras throughout Canada and the US, as well as at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam), Wigmore Hall in London, and the Konzerthaus in Vienna. On the opera stage, she has performed for De Nederlandse Opera, Festival de Beaune, Opéra de Montréal, the Boston Early Music Festival, Tanglewood, Festival Vancouver and Early Music Vancouver.
She has received honorary doctorates from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Mount Allison University, Moncton University and Mount St. Vincent University in recognition of her contributions to Acadian culture. She is the artistic director of Le Nouvel Opéra and heads a workshop every summer at the Orford Arts Centre Academy.
As well, Suzie played the feature role in the film Lost Song, directed by Rodrigue Jean, which won the Best Canadian Feature Award at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Learn more about Suzie
www.suzieleblanc.com
Daniel Taylor
Daniel Taylor is one of the most sought-after countertenors in the world. Recognized as “Canada’s star countertenor” and “Canada’s most prolific recording artist,” he can be heard in over 100 recordings and is a signed Sony Classical artist. Daniel has performed for royalty and on stages across the world.
Daniel has appeared in productions led by acclaimed directors such as Peter Sellars, Jonathan Miller and Robert LePage. He made his North American debut in G.F. Handel’s Cesare at the New York Metropolitan Opera, and took the title role in Gluck’s Orfeo at the Edinburgh Festival.
He completed undergraduate studies in English, philosophy and music at McGill University in Montreal. His graduate work in religion and music at the University of Montreal furthered his studies with the leaders of Britain’s Baroque specialist groups.
Daniel has served as professor for the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa, the Conservatoire de musique in Montreal, and at McGill University as well as at the University of Victoria. He was Artist in Residence at the Opéra de Montréal, at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, and Artistic Director of the Quebec International Festival of Sacred Music and the Choir of Early Music.
He was named Opus Prizes Discovery of the year in 1999 and Artist of the Year for 2004.
Learn more about Daniel
www.danieltaylor.ca
“The beauty of his voice will stop you in your tracks.”
– Gramaphone
