Cantata Singers of Ottawa

Cantata Singers of Ottawa (CSO) is marking 60 years and Artistic Director Andrew McAnerney has programmed “A Season of Celebration.” 

CSO’s concert series for 2023–2024 includes Rachmaninoff’s Vespers (in November), Arctic Soundscapes with music from Arctic countries (in April), and the CSO@60 Anniversary Concert (in June) with works from the choir’s 60 years of music making, specially commissioned pieces, and Haydn’s Nelson Mass with The Ottawa Baroque Consort. 

Founded in 1964, the choir of approximately 45 voices has distinguished itself in the performance of music of many styles and musical periods from early music to minimalism, and is at home singing a cappella, with orchestra, or with small ensembles. The choir aspires to perform choral music to the highest standards, promotes choral music in Ottawa, and supports Canadian musical talent by commissioning Canadian composers, engaging Canadian musicians, providing scholarships to young Canadian singers, and including works by women and Canadian composers in seasonal programming. 

With the exception of the COVID period, CSO has performed annually with the National Arts Centre Orchestra under the baton of every NAC Artistic Director, plus visiting guest conductors, since the NAC’s opening in 1969.

The choir has been an invited guest at a number of Canadian music festivals, including Festival de Lanaudière and Festival of the Sound. It has also partnered with such well-known Canadian choirs as Pro Coro Canada of Edmonton, the Vancouver Chamber Choir, and Montreal’s St. Lawrence Choir in joint concerts. Thanks to numerous CBC and Radio Canada broadcasts, the choir is well known across Canada.