The NAC mourns the passing of Sam Sniderman

The National Arts Centre (NAC) mourns the loss of Sam Sniderman, one of the country’s greatest promoters of Canadian musical talent, who passed away peacefully in Toronto on Sunday. The NAC has lowered its flag in Ottawa to pay tribute to Sniderman. NAC President and CEO Peter Herrndorf…

Celebrating Glenn Gould

Lang Lang plays Glenn Gould’s CD318 piano

The NAC Gala: A Resounding Success

The National Arts Centre Gala held on Saturday September 22 was a great success both artistically and financially. Lang Lang, the man known for his flying fingers and dazzling style, brought Saturday night’s NAC Gala crowd to their feet with stunning performances of Beethoven’s Piano…

Lang Lang gives the music lesson of a lifetime

Lang Lang’s masterclass, made possible by Bombardier,  was a stunning event – 3 student musicians took to the grand piano for a private lesson – in public! The NAC’s Southam Hall was chocked with Lang Lang fans, all wanting a photo, all listening intently to his constructive teaching…

The NAC marks Glenn Gould’s 80th Birthday

The National Arts Centre will mark Glenn Gould’s 80th birthday with a performance by world-class violinist and violist Pinchas Zukerman, the Music Director of the NAC Orchestra and renowned Canadian pianist, Angela Cheng. Cheng will perform on one of Glenn Gould’s most cherished pianos,…

Masterclass with pianist Lang Lang

You’re invited to attend the upcoming NAC masterclass with world-class pianist Lang Lang, taking place on Friday, September 21st in Southam Hall.  Please note that the masterclass begins at 2:00pm. Hailed by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Lang…

NAC podcasts this week: Conversations about La Bohème and hip-hop

NACOcast with Nicholas Atkinson In this week's episode of the NACOcast host Nicholas Atkinson discusses the extreme responses to opera. Some feel that it is an elitist art form attended by bejeweled woman and 'bejoweld' men. However, as Nicholas points out even the most stoic listener can…

Beyond the performance: Lang Lang is an educator

It will be quite a moment when Lang Lang takes the stage Saturday. He has performed for over a billion people at a time, and has taken the planet by storm. Those who follow classical music may have had Chinese pianist Lang Lang on their radar for many years, but for most of us it was his…

Crystal Pite -Kidd Pivot- Returns in Triumph to NAC Dance!

Those of you who follow Dance at the NAC -- and who doesn't?! -- will be thrilled to learn that the very first show of the 2012-2013 Dance season is The Tempest Replica by Crystal Pite/Kidd Pivot. Inspired by Shakespeare's final play -- and one of his most poignant -- multi-award-winning…

The Hexagon Project: Building bridges between technology and the performing arts

Classrooms of students from as far away as the United States and Mexico share their reactions to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with kids here in Canada... ...a talented young violinist living in a small community in Northern Canada receives one-on-one instruction from Pinchas…

Brigitte Haentjens opens her first season

Brigitte Haentjens decided to welcome her new audience in a warm embrace. The new Artistic Director of French Theatre opened her season with an intimate chat, in a new spot, the lobby of the Theatre. There were comfortable chairs, cheese and wine, and some great conversation. "I believe in…

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