Students in the Don Wright Faculty of Music and classical music fans in the London, Ont. community will be treated to concerts by the world’s most celebrated performing artists through a new and unique partnership with the Vancouver Recital Society (VRS).
Generously supported by Western graduate Elaine Adair, BMus’73, MA’78, DCL’14, who envisioned the project alongside VRS founder and artistic director Leila Getz, the new Vancouver Recital Society Visiting Artist Series ensures both students and local audiences have “front-row access to world-class musicianship and artistry.”
All performances are free, with the first of the series taking place Sunday, April 14 bringing Canadian-Macedonian mezzo-soprano Ema Nikolovska and pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin to Western’s von Kuster Hall.
Unique partnership with premiere concert presenter
The VRS is one of the premiere concert presenters in North America, renowned for its debuts of rising stars and its concert series featuring the world’s most celebrated performing artists. Started by Getz in 1980, the VRS has hosted legendary artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Jessye Norman and Cecilia Bartoli.
Getz was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1995 for her community service in cultivating Canada’s musical landscape.
“Leila is a legend. Her eye for spotting unique and incredible talent is unparalleled,” said Don Wright Faculty of Music dean Michael Kim, adding he’s also “incredibly excited and grateful” for Adair’s support of the series, which will create new performance opportunities and nurture the growth of young, aspiring musicians.
“This one-of-a-kind opportunity aligns with our primary mission to give our students the best possible experience. It’s not just about the training we give them, it’s not just about the curriculum. It’s also about what they see and experience,” he said.
Kim says bringing world-class talent to Western also helps elevate the faculty’s brand internationally while “serving the cultural needs of our community.”
“The Don Wright Faculty of Music is one of the major cultural hubs for southwestern Ontario,” he said. “I think as a university, it’s important to give people living in the London area an opportunity to experience these performances without having to drive down the 401.”
Adair, a longstanding champion of the arts, agrees.
“For decades, Vancouver audiences have marvelled at Leila Getz’s genius in identifying new talent and bringing wonderful performances to the city. It’s my great pleasure to support this new project, allowing students at the Faculty of Music and audiences in London to share some of the same experiences.”
Meaningful conversations with musical artists
Fourth-year performance (voice) student Briana Sutherland is looking forward to the upcoming inaugural concert.
“It’s always wonderful to see any kind of performance, whether it’s instrumental, vocal or ensemble,” she said. “As a mezzo-soprano myself, it will be great to see someone of my voice type for a variety of reasons. It lets you put yourself in those shoes and see if it is something you could do or hope to do in the future. It’s also nice in a recital setting because you hear new repertoire you’ve never heard before.”
Sutherland, who is president of Western’s choir council and performed the role of Nancy in the recent Opera Western production of Albert Herring, also hopes to gain insights from a post-performance Q & A session moderated by Kim.
“I’m excited about the Q & A session because interacting with artists in that way opens that ‘fourth wall’ (a theatre convention in which an invisible, imaginary wall separates performers from the audience) to have meaningful conversations with the visiting professionals.”
As Sutherland considers her next steps beyond her upcoming graduation, she’s hoping to learn how Nikolovska navigated her own journey – from attending graduate school in Europe to forging connections that now have her performing worldwide.
Ones to watch
Ema Nikolovska (Kaupo Kikkas)
Acclaimed for her expressive abilities and vast repertoire, critics hail Nikolovska as “one to watch.” Named as a BBC New Generation Artist from 2019 to 2022, she also won first prize at the International Vocal Competition in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Ferrier Loveday Song Prize and was a prize winner at the Young Classical Artists Trust International Auditions.
Charles Richard-Hamelin (Julien Faugere)
BBC Music Magazine calls her collaborator, Canadian musician-pianist and past Parsons and Poole distinguished artist Charles Richard-Hamelin, “fluent, multi-talented and tonally seductive.”
Nikolovska will also be teaching a voice master class during her visit to Western.
“Our students can learn so much from how these artists model certain approaches to their music and to their careers, and our audiences are in for a real treat, watching this Canadian duo perform,” Kim said.
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All are welcome to attend the performance of Vancouver Recital Society visiting artists Ema Nikolovska and Charles Richard-Hamelin Sunday, April 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. in von Kuster Hall in the Music Building. More information.
