“To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts – such is the duty of the artist.”
After a recital with Angela in Elora,
An audience member told Angela and I that she felt “transformed”. That she wasn’t the same after the concert than when she first came in, and that she wished everyone could experience this.
Another told us “I am not used to crying, but I admit I shed a few tears listening to you play.”
A third thanked us for “letting me experience the whole gamut of human emotions.”
Reviews from Missa Solemnis with The Mendelssohn Choir in April 2025
Review from Leslie Barcza for barczablog.com on April 5, 2025
Missa Solemnis from Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony | barczablog
“Missa Solemnis includes a gorgeous series of violin solos during the Sanctus resembling a violin concerto. Bénédicte Lauzière made a stunning account of this intriguing section, where Beethoven’s spirituality takes a somewhat secular form. For me this was the highlight of the evening.”
Review from Paula Citron at for Ludvigvan Toronto on April 7, 2025
“The Sanctus calls for a hauntingly beautiful orchestral interlude, (a Beethoven innovation), featuring a solo violin which symbolizes the elevation of the Host. Concertmaster Bénédicte Lauzière gave a poignant and touching rendering of one of Beethoven’s most exquisite adagio passages, accompanied by a sweet-sounding orchestra manifested by Vallée’s sublime reading of the score. It was a ravishing musical experience. ”