Ottawa (Canada) – The National Arts Centre (NAC) is pleased to announce that Toronto’s Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra has been awarded the 2015 National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring in the Performing Arts. 

Tafelmusik is being recognized for its passion and commitment to arts touring and presenting in Canada and abroad.  The award will be presented at a special dinner during the Canadian Arts Presenting Association’s (CAPACOA) 27th annual conference on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Halifax Marriott Waterfront Hotel.

“Tafelmusik is honoured to have been selected for this year’s NAC Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring,” said Jeanne Lamon, Tafelmusik’s Chief Artistic Advisor.  “As one of Canada’s cultural ambassadors, Tafelmusik maintains a rigorous touring schedule both nationally and internationally. We are proud to present Canada on the world stage and to date, have visited more than 350 cities in 32 different countries. Bringing our music to audiences across Canada and the rest of the world means so much to us, and we are thrilled to accept this award.”

Tafelmusik, Canada’s award-winning orchestra on period instruments, has become an internationally recognized ensemble lauded by Gramophone Magazine as “one of the world’s top baroque orchestras.”  Delighting audiences worldwide for more than three decades, Toronto-based Tafelmusik now reaches millions of people through its extensive touring, critically-acclaimed recordings, broadcasts, new media, and artistic/community partnerships.

Tafelmusik has become a major force on the international scene, with a rigorous touring schedule that sees the orchestra on the road for seven to twelve weeks each year.  Since 1984, Tafelmusik has performed throughout Canada and the United States, as well as in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Israel, Greece, Australia, and New Zealand.  In February 2009, the orchestra made its debut at the legendary Carnegie Hall with two sold-out performances, and returned for concerts in 2011 and 2014. 

Established in 1992, the National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring honours exceptional achievement in fostering the touring of live performing arts in Canada.  The recipient is chosen from nominations solicited from within the industry and is selected by a committee composed of presenters, artists, administrators, the National Arts Centre and CAPACOA.  The recipient may be an individual, performing company, corporation or other organization. For more information about CAPACOA, please visit http://www.capacoa.ca.

The Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring consists of $2,500 and a specially designed porcelain sculpture by Paula Murray, one of Canada’s finest ceramic artists.    

Previous recipients include Alain Paré (2014), Peter Feldman (2013), Ballet Jörgen Canada (2011), La danse sur les routes du Québec (2010), Uriel Luft (2009), the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (2008), Judy Harquail (2007), Ottie Lockey (2006), Colin McIntyre (2005), CBC Radio/la radio de Radio-Canada (2004), Debut Atlantic (2003), Richard Stoker (2002), Nicholas Goldschmidt (2001), Bruce Owen (2000), the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (1999), David Haber (1998), Dr. Elmer Iseler (1997), Jean-Paul Gagnon (1996), Hugh Davidson (1995), Mark Porteous (1994), George Zukerman (1993), and CAPACOA (1992).

CAPACOA is a federally incorporated, non-profit pan-Canadian organization serving the performing arts touring and presenting field. The National Arts Centre is Canada’s pre-eminent showcase for the performing arts and the catalyst for the performing arts nationally. The National Arts Centre is home to the internationally acclaimed National Arts Centre Orchestra, and is a leader in the presentation of: classical music, dance, English and French theatre, variety and community programming.

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For more information, please contact:

Marilena Gaudio
Acting Operations Manager
CAPACOA
613-562-3515 
 

Carl Martin
Communications
National Arts Centre
(613)947-7000, ext. 560