Annabelle Canto, a children’s concert with a big heart – and a big voice -- opens the National Arts Centre’s 2010-2011 Kinderconcert Series. All Kinderconcerts -- presented by the NAC Orchestra and Jeunesses Musicales of Canada – feature music, instruments, theatre and storytelling. Perfect for families and children aged 3-8, the Kinderconcerts capture youngsters’ imaginations, providing tons of fun and discovery of the endless wonders of music.

Annabelle Canto is the amazing story of a young opera singer who happens to lose both her voice and her memory on the morning of an important concert... how unlucky can you get? Using spontaneity and humour, Annabelle and her pianist Henry set out on a quest to find her magical voice. Don’t miss this award-winning favourite! Annabelle Canto features Christina Tannous (soprano), and Dominic Boulianne (piano). Concept and stage direction is by François Racine.

Annabelle Canto is performed in English in the NAC’s Panorama Room (on the floor, so bring a cushion!) on Sunday November 21 at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (recommended for ages 3-6) and at 1:30 p.m. (recommended for ages 5-8). It is performed in French at 3 p.m. (recommended for ages 3-8).

There will also be pre-concert instrumental activities by Music for Young Children and string performances on the lobby stage by young players from Ottawa Suzuki Strings.

Upcoming Kinderconcerts include:

Sunday, January 30, 2011
ORFEA AND THE GOLDEN HARP
Brooke Dufton, soprano
Theatre Cotton Robes, concept
Lawrence Cotton, bass-baritone
Sue Miner, stage direction
Rachad Feizoullaev, piano
Young Orfea truly wants to bring her Grandfather back to the land of the living. With the help of her golden harp, she succeeds in convincing Charon, the fabled boatman, to help her cross the river Styx. Then begins a comical adventure in which our heroine meets some of opera’s famous characters.

Sunday, February 27, 2011
PETER AND THE WOLF
Impact Brass Quintet
Samuel Véro, trumpet
Frédéric Demers, trumpet
Maude Lussier, French horn
Jean-Michel Malouf, trombone
Philippe Legault, tuba
Hugo Bégin, piano
Anne Millaire, text and stage direction
The sounds of the trumpets, French horn, trombone, and tuba capture the characters of this classic story. In the company of his trusted friends, the fearless Peter sets out to capture the wolf. Join the Impact Brass Quintet while they revisit this famous musical tale with vigour, spirit... and laughter!

Sunday, June 19, 2011
HOW GREAT TURTLE REBUILT THE WORLD
Sixtrum Percussion Ensemble
Michel G. Barette, concept and stage direction
Alexis Diamond, translation
After the flood, Great Turtle washes up on the only speck of land spared by the waters, and now he has been chosen to rebuild the world destroyed by the storms. Despite the enormity of the task, Great Turtle tries to create a world filled with music! But his greatest challenge is ensuring that balance and harmony reign over the cacophony and pollution. An astonishing array of percussion instruments bring his adventure to life.

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Information:
Gerald Morris
Communications Officer, NAC Music
613-947-7000, ext. 335
[email] gmorris@nac-cna.ca