Music
I have never known life without classical music. I grew up observing my mom teaching piano, reluctantly playing the violin, and enthusiastically studying music theory. In my teens I began singing in choirs, an avenue of musical expression that soon supplanted the violin. In time I have grown to become an accomplished professional singer, performing as soloist and ensemble singer mainly in the field of early music (Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras).
Although my ignorance of popular music is extreme, I also enjoy some of it, as well as jazz and world music, and never cease to marvel at those musicians who are able to perform without the guide of written music.
Currently I am singing with an all-male quintet named Profeti della Quinta; audio samples are available on that site.
Curriculum vitae
Recordings:
- Soloist/Chorister – Aradia Baroque Ensemble:
- Vivaldi Dixit Dominus RV595, Gloria RV588, Nulla in mundo pax sincera RV 630 (Naxos CD 8.557445, 2004).
- “Charpentier: Messe de Minuit pour Noël” including Messe de Minuit pour Noël H9, Te Deum H146, and Dixit Dominus H204 (Naxos CD 8.557229, 2003).
- “Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Christmas Noëls and Motets, Volume 2” (Naxos CD 8.557036, 2002).
- Chorister – Tafelmusik Chamber Choir:
- “Chants Sacrés et Profanes” (CBC Records/Polygram, 2002): of 19th-20th century French choral works by Fauré, Debussy, Sains-Saëns, Poulenc, and Messiaen.
Singing:
- Testo in Monteverdi’s Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda with Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra under David Shemer. Feb 2006
- Soloist alongside Emma Kirkby, accompanied by members of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: concert featuring the music of Salamone Rossi and his contemporaries. Toronto, Feb 2005
- Philharmonia Singers, Israel:
- Ensemble soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with the Israel Philharmonic.
- Mendelssohn’s Walpurgis Nacht with the Israel Philharmonic.
- Mozart’s Requiem with Jerusalem Camerata.
- Opera Atelier–Tafelmusik co-productions (off-stage chorus), Toronto:
- Lully’s Persée under Hervé Niquet. May 2004 and Oct-Nov 2000
- Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride under Andrew Parrot. Oct-Nov 2003
- Charpentier’s Medée under Hervé Niquet. Nov 2002
- Opera Atelier (on-stage chorus), Toronto:
- Mozart’s The Magic Flute under David Fallis. Oct-Nov 2001
- Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro under David Fallis. May 2003
- Tafelmusik Baroque Chamber Choir, Toronto : 2000 – present
Tenor/haute-contre ensemble soloist and chorister with Canada’s premier Baroque choir, performing regularly with the world-renowed Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: - Soloist alongside Emma Kirkby: Salomone Rossi’s sacred and secular music sung one-per-part.
- Regular radio broadcasts (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) of live concerts.
- Mozart’s C-minor Mass with Karina Gauvin.
- CBC Records/Polygram CD: “Chants Sacrés et Profanes,” of 19 th-20 th century French choral works by Fauré, Debussy, Sains-Saëns, Poulenc, and Messiaen.
- Haydn’s The Seasons under Bruno Weil.
- Bach’s six motets and Lutheran masses.
- Annual performances of Handel’s Messiah.
- Airs and choruses from Handel oratorios, with Charles Daniels and Karina Gauvin.
- Mozart sacred music under Sigiswald Kuijken.
- Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Mondonville’s Dominus Regnavit with Emma Kirkby.
- Aradia Baroque Ensemble , Toronto:
- Concert performances of recorded repertoire (see above). 2001-2003
- Bach Ensemble , Toronto: Annual benefit performances of the entire Christmas Oratorio.
- Chorister, under Ivars Taurins: chamber performance with 13 singers. Nov 2002
- Chorister, under Bernard Labadie of Quebec’s Les Violons du Roy. Nov 2001
- Festival Ensemble , Europäisches Musikfest Stuttgart, Germany: Aug-Sept 2002
- Member of internationally assembled 80-voice choir plus full symphony orchestra, singing under Helmuth Rilling.
- Five-week, full-residence programme organised by the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart, involving intensive rehearsals, private and chamber coaching, performances, and touring.
- Performed Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Fidelio (semi-staged production) plus other choral works as part of the Europäisches Musikfest Stuttgart, and in venues including Berlin’s Philharmonie and Athens’ Herodeon by the Acropolis.
- Grace Church on-the-Hill Men-and-Boys’ choir, Toronto (section leader): 2001 – 2003
- Weekly rehearsals and services.
- Participated in August 2001 tour of England, singing in Winchester Cathedral and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
- Organiser/member of various chamber ensembles on an ad hoc basis. 1991 – present
- Elora Festival Singers , Elora, Ontario (chorister). 2001 – 2002
- St. Margaret’s Anglican Church , Toronto (section leader). 1999 – 2000
- St. Thomas’ Anglican Church , Toronto (baritone chorister). 1995 – 1996
- Deer Park United Church , Toronto (tenor and Baritone substitute chorister) 1994 – 2001
- Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir (baritone chorister). 1992 – 1996
Voice:
- Private study with Lynn Blaser, Toronto. 1995, 2002 – present
Violin:
- Private violin study (Jerusalem 1984–1990, Toronto 1992–1994), to the level of playing Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, Mendelssohn’s Concerto, etc.
- Played in various instrumental ensembles (youth orchestras, trios, quartets).
- Principal violinist in March 1995 production of Anne of Green Gables, Markham Theatre, Markham, Ontario.
Theory: 1985 – 1990
- Comprehensive study, privately and in small groups, of harmony, counterpoint, analysis, composition, history of Western music and culture.
- Intensive ear training, including solfège, sight singing, and dictation.
General musicianship:
- Consummate musicianship in all genres of classical and early music.
- Strong leadership skills in ensemble settings.
- Special interest in early and polyphonic music, including practical singing ability in Pythagorean (Medieval) and Pure (Renaissance–Baroque) intonation systems.
- Superb sight-singing ability.
- Absolute pitch.
Languages:
Fluent in English, Russian, Hebrew. Semi-fluent in French. Singing experience also in German, Italian, Spanish, German- and French-Latin vernacular forms.
Professional affiliations:
- Canadian Actors Equity Association.
- Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists.
Other education:
University of Toronto: 1996-1999 (B.A.), 2005 (Hon.B.A.)
- Degree: Honours Bachelor of Arts: Specialist in Philosophy, Minor in Chemistry.
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto: 1999 – 2004
- Diploma: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.