Canada’s favourite pastime — no, not hockey — is coming to the NAC stage.
Murdoch Mysteries in Concert will be in Ottawa from July 10-11, in a live event that takes you behind the curtain on the power of music in the Murdoch series. Hosted by Yannick Bisson, audiences will explore how some of the most iconic themes and motifs are created with composer Rob Carli.
“I’m really looking forward to being able to bring this to our nation’s capital, I think that’s very special,” says Bisson.
Murdoch Mysteries in Concert. Photo provided.
Audiences will experience a tour of the history of Murdoch, and also some repertoire from the world of classical music. Not only will you get to see how the world of television blends with the world of music, but audiences will also watch an episode of Murdoch Mysteries — “Murder in F Major” — accompanied by the NAC Orchestra.
Murdoch Mysteries has been on air for 18 seasons, with season 19 set to premier in the fall. Carli says that it’s because of the fans that they’ve continued to have so much success and perform series like Murdoch Mysteries in Concert.
“There continues to be an appetite for what we’re making, and that is just mind-blowing,” says Carli. “It’s because of the fans that we have this show running for 300-plus episodes, and now in our 19th season.”
The music of Murdoch is iconic to say the least, and the relationship between music and actor is all about keeping things fresh with the characters we all know and love.
“I think it’s really fun for me, and the nature of the show, I’m allowed to write sort of leitmotifs like that, that become associated with characters,” says Carli.
Photo of Yannick Bisson on set. Photo provided.
“It’s interesting for me, one of the things that I’ve been tasked with is to try to have the character be a touchstone,” says Bisson. “I’m sort of quality control on set in terms of us observing the period, and being careful not to slip too much into modern-day parlance…while also keeping the door slightly open for new creativity and new colours to add to the whole.”
For both Carli and Bisson, this show is a way to share what makes Murdoch so special to them with an Ottawa crowd.
“We act and work and produce the show in a studio, and so having that live performance aspect, even just a taste of it, is so refreshing and fun,” says Bisson.
“It’s really a treasure — that moment when the curtain comes up and we play the theme, and then we explore the show, and ultimately perform an episode in its entirety,” says Carli. “All of the things that you do alone in a studio, for hours and hours, come to life in an instant. There’s really nothing quite like it.”
Make sure to grab your tickets to Murdoch in Concert from July 10-11 at the NAC. Tickets can be purchased online.
