Chamberfest is coming back to Ottawa later this month, filling churches, museums, and galleries with the sounds of violin, piano, cello, orchestra, and more from July 18-27.
Featuring a genre-defying lineup, this year’s Ottawa Chamberfest is promising to make chamber music magic by presenting a dynamic range of shows “designed to captivate every kind of music lover.”
“Chamberfest is a celebration of what makes Canada’s music scene extraordinary,” writes Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak in a press release. “This year, we honour our musical roots while championing bold ideas and fresh voices. It’s about legacy, collaboration, and a future that shines even brighter.”
The Chamberfest salon concert, 2023. Photo by Curtis Perry.
Similar to previous years, Chamberfest will include six unique series: the Signature Series for large-scale concerts; the Marina Kun Series for intimate programs; Chamberfringe for bold, experimental shows; the Midday Matinee Series for daytime concerts; the Beechwood Series for Sunday performances in a sacred space; the New Music Now series for contemporary classic musical performances; and a new Prime Time Series for exclusive, up-close performances in front of the artists.
Many of these performances will be taking place at iconic Ottawa venues including the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, National Arts Centre’s Rossy Pavilion, Great Canadian Theatre Company and Beechwood Sacred Space. Chamberfest also extends beyond city limits with events in Gatineau and Almonte.
There are also several Ottawa-born musicians set to play this year.
Mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah (host of CBC’s Tempo) brings her smoky cabaret vibes alongside an 11-piece ensemble to kick off the festival’s concert series at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre at 7pm on July 19 – Julie’s birthday! She will channel the jazz-influenced elegance of the Roaring Twenties blended with the crooning 1950s throughout a programme that presents the golden age of chamber music. Think Gatsby – but Canadian.
The Bytown Sea Shanty Collective is another local artist set to play at Chamberfest this year, taking place on July 19 at 9:30pm at the Great Canadian Theatre Company (1233 Wellington St. W.).
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Wallis Giunta will premiere The Planets and their Musical Moons on July 23 at 7pm at the Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre (355 Cooper St.), fusing voice, myth, and celestial visuals in an astrology-inspired musical experience. The concert brings musical extracts from operas, art songs, and pieces for voice and two pianos – the latter delivered by two other Ottawa-born artists: Suren Barry of Montreal and Carson Becke of Wakefield.
Part of the Chamberfest programming also includes free, family-friendly events that combine the outdoors, music, and exercise. These events will be held around the National Arts Centre, Rideau Hall, Ottawa City Hall, The Record Centre, and Beechwood Sacred Space.
For more programming and schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit the Chamberfest website. A full festival pass costs $325, a three-day pass costs $120. You can also purchase single performance passes here at $39.
