“Standing O,” or “On your feet.” It doesn’t matter how you may refer to a standing ovation; it’s what the
gesture means. For a performer, it can mean the world. To have your work recognized by hundreds of people in
attendance at a show, and having the ability to compel people to stand on their feet and applaud can be quite
powerful.
Although standing ovations have become more popular, they are usually most common with the talent associated
with classical music. Opera singers, symphonies and orchestras are more likely to encounter the critical
acclaim, for hitting the high notes during their emotionally stimulating performances.
To spotlight the astounding talent and tremendous hard work by classical singers, the Juno
Awards and the Canadian
Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS have put together “Ovation: Celebrating 40 years of the JUNO
Awards,” a special concert taking place during Juno
Week this March.
“It’s one of our 40th anniversary concerts. We’re celebrating classical music on this show,” says
Chris Topping, vice-president of events and special programming with CARAS.
“We’re going to have past Juno
nominees and winners making beautiful music.”
Marking the awards show’s return to its home city of Toronto, the Juno
Awards and CARAS
have put together a variety of different initiatives to celebrate the occasion. As a part of Juno
Week, CARAS
has composed a lineup of interactive events to lead up to the big finale, the awards show on March 27.
Although throughout the 40 years of the Juno
Awards a focus has been placed on mainstream artists, it is opera singers who are getting the limelight
during this special event.
“We’ve been trying to celebrate as many different genres as possible. This is one of the bigger ones that
we’re doing, at Roy
Thomson Hall,” says Topping. “We’re looking for platforms to elevate our Canadian artists.”
Juno’s “Ovation” concert is hosted by Peter Oundijan, music director of the Toronto
Symphony Orchestra. He will be joined by the talents of Measha
Brueggergosman, who is nominated for Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral Performance, Angèle
Dubeau & La Pietà, nominated for Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large
Ensemble Accompaniment, Tafelmusik
Baroque Orchestra, and the Gryphon
Trio, nominated for Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble. They will all be performing
during the concert.
“We have so much to celebrate. We want to involve and engage new audiences and that’s why we’re crossing into
all of these different platforms,” says Melanie Berry, president and CEO of CARAS.
“We’re hoping to engage new audiences, therefore new fans and hopefully to give something back… Maybe they
haven’t been there before, but they are big music fans so they are going to go for the music experience and
see another great cultural venue as well. So far, we’re spanning music… really casting the net wide, and we
want everyone to come out and celebrate and be engaged and proud of the Juno
Awards and the Canadian musicians.”
With some special guests expected to join the lineup, Topping says that coming up with the list of performers
was not easy but it’s about showcasing talent in all of the Juno
events lined up.
“Music is the thread that weaves these events together,” Berry said in the media conference for the
announcement of the Juno
Awards and nominees.
The past and present Juno
Award classical music nominees and winners provide a preview of what people can expect in March’s awards
show, says Topping.
“The full spectrum of Canadian music on display — live and loud.”
With a slew of classical Canadian talent showcased, this concert is a celebration that is not to be missed.
•
“Ovation: Celebrating 40 years of the JUNO
Awards” takes place at Roy
Thomson Hallon March 22 at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit roythomson.com.
