Beethoven’s complete Heiligenstadt Testament

October 1802 For my brothers Carl and [Johann]* Beethoven O you men who think or say that I am malevolent, stubborn or misanthropic, how greatly do you wrong me, you do not know the secret causes of my seeming so, from childhood my heart and mind were disposed to the gentle feelings of…

It is with great pleasure I welcome you to our exceptional 2012-2013...

It is with great pleasure I welcome you to our exceptional 2012-2013 season. This season consists of great music performed by a great orchestra and wonderful soloists and guest artists. I’m sure it will engage you with deeply emotional experiences. With this remarkable season, as we have…

The timeless love story of La Bohème

A designer that draws applause featured at NAC Gala

Designing clothes that draw applause from the audience, even before a top-ranked musician plays a single note drives Rosemarie Umetsu. The Toronto fashion designer now ranks amongst the world’s “best-dresser” list with clients that include the NAC’s Pinchas Zukerman, pianist Lang Lang,…

NAC podcasts: The music of Elgar and an interview with choreographer Mourad...

This week's podcasts include both music and dance. Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer discuss the musical artistry of Elgar and uncover the passionate artist behind the imposing mustache. In dance, choreographer Mourad Merzouki, Artistic Director of Le Centre Chorégraphique…

Isobel and Albert Adey: A Legacy in the Name of Love

Dr. Albert Adey loved the performing arts. He was a fervent music lover and a devoted patron of the NAC. Albert’s passion is evident in his collection of classical music. When he passed away he left behind no fewer than 2,000 records that have since been donated to an Ottawa school. It was…

B. A. Beef tartare

B. A. Beef tartare jasmine and shiso rice bomb | ume plum paint Serves 4 persons One of our most popular dishes at le café is steak tartare, a classic dish with a Blackie spin. I use ribeye because of the firmness and marbling of the meat. There is no egg yolk in this recipe, instead…

How to get the most out of your opera experience

I will be attending the Saturday night performance of La Bohème and since my opera knowledge is limited to Pavaroti and Bugs Bunny cartoons I thought I would do some research. The first place I visited was the Opera 101 section of OLO's website. In addition to opera terms and facts I…

Sally Benson’s Priceless Gift

It was an emotional moment for Sally Benson’s family. The long-time violinist with the NAC Orchestra passed away earlier this year after a very brief struggle with cancer. Her sister Jean said she was thrilled when she read Sally’s will and saw that she wanted her priceless violin, a 1761…

Sharing Music in the North

Launched in 2005, The NAC Music Alive Program (MAP) supports teaching musician visits and provides curriculum-based resources for schools in Alberta and Saskatchewan. In 2009, the program evolved to include schools in Nunavut. With support from the Government of Nunavut, RBC Foundation and…

Musical Collaborations

Twitter is a Buzz about The Lord of the Rings in Concert!

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings In Concert opened last night and the twitter world is a buzz: @Adam_Stacey Best moment of my life? ‪#NAC‬ ‪#LOTR‬ @dmitchellppf The Fellowship of the Rings performed live in concert at the ‪#NAC‬ in Ottawa. HUGE success! ‪#Tolkien‬…

The Lord of the Rings in Concert - Middle Earth Tavern

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of Rings In Concert kicked off last night with so much energy, from Howard Shore's pre-concert chat, to thrills and chills at intermission and no less than three standing ovations after the concert! Before the show, the buzz of the crowd was around…

Interview with composer Howard Shore

Lord of the Rings Pre-concert talk with Howard Shore

We are pleased to announce that Howard Shore, composer of The Lord of the Rings, will participate in a FREE pre-concert talk on Thursday, July 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the Fourth Stage. Paul Wells will host the live chat with Howard Shore, via video conference, and conductor Erik…