Artistic Director

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A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Welcome to another wonderful season of great music at Leith Summer Festival. Our beautiful venue will be filled once again with glorious sounds brought to you by the very best Canadian musicians. We are fortunate to begin the series with the inspired collaboration of Nancy Dahn and Timothy Steeves, 'Duo Concertante.' Partners in life and excellent musical ambassadors for their home base at Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland, they perform around the world and are known for their innovative programming. I've known and admired these two for a number of years and I'm constantly impressed by the fantastic work they do to energize the cultural life of their community while maintaining active, international performing careers . . and incidentally, they're the nicest folks you'd ever want to meet! It's a thrill for us to present one of Canada's finest vocalists, baritone Brett Polegato. Much in demand for his exciting portrayals of leading baritone roles at prestigious opera houses around the world, Brett also has a great love for the art of song. I'm delighted to collaborate with him on a programme of English song from Great Britain and North America . . an eclectic mix of folk song, art song and cabaret. Given our brilliant acoustic venue, this is a rare treat to hear and see Brett's artistry in such an intimate space. Our next performer is a rising young star in the world of jazz, and with local roots to boot. Pianist Chris Donnelly is making a huge impression on the Canadian and international scene. Juno nominee and National Jazz Awards, 'Best Keyboardist of the Year' for 2009 . . what more need be said? Another Leith Festival opportunity to catch a star performer in action, just a few feet from your seat! Not to be missed. Stellar it is, and known to be one of the finest ensembles performing today, the Penderecki String Quartet makes an always welcome return to Leith Festival. With the highest standard of musicianship and programming innovation, this ever popular chamber group will demonstrate once again why it is a constant favourite, of our audience and music lovers around the world. Our venue is ideal for the sound of singing strings . . again, you'll see why. The rafters of Leith Church will need to be reinforced before Duo Gelato hits the stage. Superlatives abound before, during and after a performance by these two amazing musicians. Multi-talented Peter De Sotto (founding member of the world famous Quartetto Gelato) is a virtuoso violinist, singer and entertainer. Breathtaking is one word to describe what he and the award winning accordionist, Alexander Sevastian, get up to. In the intimacy of Leith Church, it will be an unforgettable experience! I'm proud of our great 2010 season and thrilled to be able to bring such enormous talent to the Leith Summer Festival. Of course, it's the warmth and enthusiasm of our audiences that inspires greatness from the musicians and makes them want to come back . . please join us in our perfect concert space for all of these spectacular summer evenings. Robert Kortgaard Pianist Robert Kortgaard was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and grew up in Calgary, Alberta. He completed his Bachelor and Master's degrees at the Juilliard School in New York City. As a recipient of arts awards from the Canada Council, he furthered his musical studies in Italy and England. Mr. Kortgaard has performed as a soloist with major Canadian orchestras and has given recitals throughout Canada and the United States, as well as in England, Finland, Portugal, Italy, Indonesia, the Czech Republic and China. He is a favorite collaborator of many of Canada's finest instrumental soloists, vocalists and chamber groups. His performances are frequently heard on CBC Radio, and he has recorded for Centrediscs, Marquis Classics/EMI, CBC Records and Teldec. Mr. Kortgaard is Artistic Director of both the Indian River Festival on Prince Edward Island (recently nominated 'Event of the Year' by the East Coast Music Awards), and the Leith Summer Music Festival in Ontario. He was musician-in-residence at the University of New Brunswick from l993-l998, and has given piano masterclasses at Universities and Festivals in Canada, Indonesia and China. Mr. Kortgaard has performed with sopranos Isabel Bayrakdarian, Sumi Jo and Measha Brueggergosman, violinist Joshua Bell, and with Peter Tiefenbach and prima ballerina Veronica Tennant on a new production entitled 'Invitation to the Dance'. He has recorded French and German Cabaret programmes with mezzo-soprano Jean Stilwell for CBC Records. His CD with soprano Wendy Nielsen was nominated for both Juno and East Coast Music Awards. This season he and Ms. Nielsen will perform concerts in Japan and China. Recent engagements include tours with mezzo-soprano Susan Platts, soprano Suzie LeBlanc, the Elmer Iseler Singers, flutist Susan Hoeppner and several performances of duo piano repertoire with Peter Tiefenbach. He also performs and records with cabaret artist, soprano Patricia O'Callaghan.