Poetry Meets Opera: Renowned Conductor Lise D. Corton Leads Choral Master Class Workshop
(Huawen Network Comprehensive News) On March 16, 2025, the "Poetry Meets Opera" Choral Master Workshop, held by the Harmony & Melody Chorus to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, was successfully held in the Music Hall of the Department of Music at York University. The workshop was led by renowned international conductor Professor Lise Daoust, with assistance from Leo Li, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Harmony & Melody Chorus. Consul Wang Yifei and Consul Ma Zhensong, representatives from the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto, attended the event and conveyed congratulatory remarks from Consul General Luo Weidong. Yan Fei, President of the Canadian Chinese Writers Association, was also invited to attend and observe.
Professor Lisette Conton with guests and the Harmony Philharmonic management team
From left to right: Consul Ma Zhensong, Professor Lisette Coton, Consul Wang Yifei, Conductor Leo Li
This event attracted many choir and music enthusiasts to observe and learn on-site. The event brought together observing students from the Greater Toronto Area and distinguished guests. Outstanding artists such as Li Xiaodong, director of the Xinsheng Aile Choir, and soprano singer Huang Yan, jointly participated in this choral art event. Cai Hongmei, conductor of the Tsinghua University Alumni Art Troupe Choir, alumni representative Tang Hong, Zhang Wei, Chairman of the Canadian Entertainment Alliance, Yan Fei, President of the Canadian Chinese Writers Association, and Han Xiao, a reporter from Sing Tao Chinese Radio, along with other well-known figures from the cultural sector, as well as some members from the University of Toronto Students' Union and York University Students' Union, were also present to experience this artistic event where music and culture intertwined. Approximately one hundred people attended the event.
Renowned conductor Lisette Otondo and Yan Fei, President of the Canadian Chinese Writers Association
In his opening remarks, Leo Li, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Xinsheng Aloha Choir, stated that since its establishment, the choir has been committed to promoting the exchange of Chinese and Western music cultures. As the only Chinese choir currently active on the national-level choir conference stage in Canada, the Xinsheng Aloha Choir's musical performance quality has gained widespread recognition in the Greater Toronto Area's choral community. Leo Li extended special thanks to the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto for its support of the choir and expressed his sincere welcome to the guests present.
He then introduced the keynote speaker of this workshop, the internationally renowned conductor Professor Lisette Condon, highly praising her outstanding achievements in choral art and her influence in the field of choral art in Canada.
This workshop, led by Professor Lisette Condon with assistant conductor Leo Li, presented a musical dialogue bridging East and West to the live audience. All choir members and attending guests participated, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere brimming with artistic energy. After the vocalization session, guests expressed their satisfaction, praising this engaging and educational training method.
Professor Lisette Conton led the choir members in exploring classic Western choral works, including the "Anvil Chorus" from Verdi's opera *Il Trovatore*, the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" from the opera *Nabucco*, and selected movements from Vivaldi's *Gloria RV 589*. With her profound artistic accomplishment, Professor Conton enabled the choir members to gain a deeper understanding and grasp of Western opera choral works through meticulous voice part guidance, demonstrations of emotional expression, and analysis of musical styles.
At the same time, the choral performance of Chinese poetry during the workshop was a major highlight.Conductor Leo Li explained the differences and expressive forms of the ancient Chinese lyric "Pusa Man," the modern poem "The Good Old Days," and the expanded version of the classical poem "The Song of the Chile," guiding the choir members in exploring the beauty of the fusion between Chinese poetry and choral music. Through a comparative analysis of classic choral works from both Eastern and Western traditions, the members gained a deep practical understanding of musical expression across different cultural contexts, as well as the collision and fusion of Chinese and Western choral art.
It is worth noting that some members of the Xin Sheng Aile Choir will perform at Carnegie Hall in the United States in late May 2025. Under the direction of Professor Lisette Canton, they will perform Vivaldi's "Gloria RV 589" and Mozart's "Vesperae solennes de confessore K. 339."
To this end, Professor Lisette Condon specifically emphasized vocal part collaboration, tone unification, and stylistic control in this workshop. She encouraged the members to build a more solid musical foundation through this training and future rehearsals, and to be fully prepared for the upcoming international performance. She urged everyone to cherish this choral exchange opportunity and looks forward to witnessing the members' growth and breakthroughs on the stage of Carnegie Hall.
This master workshop concluded successfully in a relaxed yet rigorous artistic atmosphere. Professor Liset Candon's precise guidance and Leo Li's interpretation of Eastern music complemented each other, giving all participants a deeper understanding of the integration of Eastern and Western choral arts. The students present unanimously expressed that this was not only a rare opportunity to enhance their professional skills but also a unique journey of deeply experiencing the fusion of musical cultures.
The Xin Sheng Ai Le Choir will continue to uphold the concept of integrating the essence of Eastern and Western music, strive to build a bridge of friendship between Chinese and Canadian culture, and present more wonderful performances on the international stage. The successful holding of this event not only kicked off a series of activities to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada but also injected new vitality into the promotion of cultural exchanges between China and Canada. In the future, the choir will continue to be committed to promoting the exchange of Eastern and Western music and culture, and contributing to the development of choral art.
(Contributed by Xin Sheng Ai Le Choir)
