The Theatre of Early Music Founded by Artistic Director and Conductor Daniel Taylor, the Choir and Orchestra of the Theatre of Early Music (TEM) are sought-after interpreters of magnificent yet neglected choral and instrumental repertoire from four centuries. Their appearances include stunning a cappella programmes, with practices and aesthetics of former ages informing thought-provoking, passionate and committed reconstructions of music for historical events and major works from the oratorio tradition. With Daniel Taylor, the Choir and Orchestra of the TEM are new visitors to the world's most renowned concert halls and festivals and are building an exciting discography in partnership with Sony Classical Masterworks. Full Biography

News and Events Sony Classical Masterworks has signed Daniel Taylor as an Exclusive Recording Artist.....Read more IMG Artists to represent Daniel Taylor and the TEM for select touring projects..... Read more Theatre of Early Music are appointed as Artists-in-Residence at Conservatoire de musique de Montreal.....Read more Reviews are in: "If there is a better countertenor in the world, he is well-hidden....": critical praise for Daniel in concert at the Festival of Music and Beyond. .....Read more "Daniel Taylor’s early music choir holds audience spellbound...music lovers were standing and cheering the performance of the superb choir of the Theatre of Early Music..the choir sung with spine-tingling tone and blend, capped with a sublime performance of Allegri's Miserere...a brilliant choir." .....Read more Daniel Taylor and Agnes Zigovics at Bethlehem Bach Festival 2010.....Read more

 

 

Welcome to the world of the Theatre of Early Music

The Choir and Orchestra of the Theatre of Early Music (TEM) records exclusively for Sony Classical Masterworks.

The Choir and Orchestra of the Theatre of Early Music is an ensemble of some of the world’s finest musicians, sharing a particular passion for early music. Its formation is the result of a search by instrumentalists and singers for opportunities that would allow devotion and dedication to enter into the creative process.

The core of the TEM consists of an ensemble based in Canada that is primarily made up of young musicians. Their distinctive style, coupled with its artistic director Daniel Taylor’s expertise and enthusiasm, leads to captivating readings of magnificent but often neglected works.
In various combinations, leading international musicians in the field perform on the platform provided by the Theatre of Early Music in concerts conducted by Daniel Taylor in its regular series in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, on tours around the world and on recordings. The choir and orchestra of the TEM appear in some 30 concerts every year, recently having performed on stages in France, Argentina, Brazil, England and China. Future engagements include European, North American, South American and Asian tours in 2010 and 2011.

Guest artists performing with the TEM include Dame Emma Kirkby, Nancy Argenta, Karina Gauvin, Suzie Leblanc, Carolyn Sampson, Deborah York, Robin Blaze, James Bowman, Benjamin Butterfield, Charles Daniels, James Gilchrist, Michiel Schrey, Alexander Dobson, Michael George, Peter Harvey, Daniel Lichti and Stephen Varcoe. In Canada, the TEM is perhaps best-known for its performances of compositions from around the time of Bach; this includes choral literature by Kuhnau, Tunder and Bruhns as well as the early cantatas by Bach himself.

The Theatre of Early Music’s first recording on BIS, Couperin’s Leçons De Ténèbres (Blaze and Taylor) was released in March 2005; critics commented “Beauty of this recording bows to no other.” This highly-praised disc was followed by an imaginative Renaissance programme, Love Bade Me Welcome, featuring the actor Ralph Fiennes reading poetry as well as countertenor duets with Bowman and Taylor. Reviews were unanimous in their admiration for “the legendary countertenor James Bowman in magical duet with the remarkable young star Daniel Taylor.” The most recent release on the BIS label was the Vivaldi disc ‘Stabat Mater’ in June 2009, to be followed soon by the Pergolesi ‘Stabat Mater’ with Dame Emma Kirkby and Daniel Taylor.

The Choir and Orchestra of the Theatre of Early Music, led by Conductor Daniel Taylor, now records exclusively for Sony Classical Masterworks. The best-selling debut disc on the Sony label entitled The Voice of Bach was praised in Gramophone Magazine as “serious music-making of the highest order”. The disc received five stars from both BBC Music Magazine and Classic Music CD, was featured on BBC’s “Desert Island Discs” and received acclaim worldwide including reviews from the Times (London), the Globe and Mail (Toronto), the New York Times, the Guardian (London) and La Scena Musicale (Montreal).

The Theatre of Early Music is motivated by a desire to communicate both text and music to their audience. The TEM explores the depth and substance of the early choral and instrumental literature, sharing their passion and ideas with audiences worldwide. The key aspect involved in the approach of the Theatre of Early Music is revelation: just as in modern-day we have restored the frescoes of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, so do we hope to reveal the original beauty of ancient works. Therein we hope to understand, communicate and celebrate this inspirational music.

The TEM became a registered non-profit organization in 2002 and a charitable organization in August 2004. We continue to value and appreciate the generous contributions of music lovers across Canada

Quebec's Le Soleil described the Choir of the TEM conducted by Daniel Taylor in concert:
“Listening to the 20 pure angelic voices had already moved many to tears. The mix of light but exact timbres conserves a texture that is lithe yet at times sumptuous. The text is sustained and respects the music of the language. Clear intonation and balance were in evidence: unity and cohesion particularly strong. Daniel Taylor directs as he sings, this is to say with an ease and economy of gestures. The result is a most moving ensemble that could not be more supple, more pleasing. Every moment spoke to the audience and answered perfectly, providing it seemed what the audience was searching for. At a concert entitled ‘The Path to Paradise’, apparently, many had found their path.”

 Top

 

Sony Classical Masterworks Announces the signing of Daniel Taylor as an Exclusive Recording Artist. Sony Classical Masterworks, one of the largest major recording companies in the world, represents the finest musicians in the world including Yo-Yo Ma, Andrea Bocelli and Joshua Bell. Sony Classical are proud to begin an association with one of the world’s leading early music artists, the Canadian vocal star, Countertenor Daniel Taylor. Alexander Cowan, UK-based Senior marketing manager for Sony Masterworks International, comments: “Daniel Taylor is a world-class recording artist. We are looking to complement his touring activities with a succession of records to reaffirm his position as one of the most sought-after countertenors in the world.”

 Top

 

IMG Artists Europe and Asia: IMG Artists, the global leader in the artist management business, is pleased to announce the signing of Daniel Taylor and the Choir and Orchestra of the Theatre of Early Music. With an unparalleled degree of artistic and managerial talent, IMG is committed to breaking new ground in the ever-evolving world of the performing arts. IMG Artists and Daniel Taylor look forward to beginning their future touring collaborations. Daniel Taylor comments “I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with this brilliant management team which will compliment our work with local agents in South America, Canada and in France.” IMG Artists is the global leader in the arts management business, combining the highest standards of management with an incomparable range of services to its customers and clients alike. With offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Hanover, Lucca and Singapore, IMG Artists delivers an international suite of capabilities including the management and touring of the finest musicians, dance companies, orchestras, and attractions, as well as consulting and advisory work for sovereign clients, arts institutions, concert halls, and culturally engaged corporations. IMG Artists will continue to seek out distinctive partnerships and craft collaborative initiatives in the years to come.

 Top

 

The Theatre of Early Music are appointed as artists-in-residence at the Conservatoire de musique de Montreal.

Raffi Armenian, director of the Conservatoire de musique de Montreal, has announced the formation of the Baroque Institute at the Conservatoire de Montréal and the Conservatoire’s new collaboration with the Theatre of Early Music. Raffi Armenian comments “This is a wonderful new development for the Conservatoire and for the Baroque Institute.”
Daniel Taylor will join the Conservatoire as Professor of Voice. Musicians of the Theatre of Early Music include violinists Adrian Butterfield (Royal College of Music, London), Cynthia Roberts (Juliard School, NY), cellist Myron Lutske (Manhattan School, St. Luke's Chamber Orchestra), harpsichordist and conductors Laurence Cummings (Royal Academy of Music, London) and Matthew Halls (Kings Consort, London). Daniel Taylor and the Theatre of Early Music only days before signed for international representation with IMG Artists Management.

Taylor comments “The Theatre of Early Music is motivated by a desire to communicate both text and music to our audience. We explore the depth and substance of this choral and instrumental literature as we share our ideas and passion. We are very excited about the opportunity to share this goal with our students. Raffi Armenian offers new hope to young Quebec and Canadian students interested in early music and I appreciate his confidence and support.”

 Top

 

If there's a better countertenor in the world than Daniel Taylor, he keeps himself well hidden.

....the beauty of his sound and especially his phrasing are extraordinary.
He and some colleagues put on a brief concert of Lute Songs in St. John's at 11 p.m. Saturday.
In addition to the lutenist, David Jacques, the instrumentalists included viol da gamba players Susie Napper and Kyle Irving, and some of the singing was done by the silver-voiced young soprano Agnes Zsigovics. Her singing was equal to Taylor's in beauty.....
Among the highlights of the program were the opening duet, Come again, come again and Taylor's rendition of the familiar folk song O Waly, waly.
The late-night audience was substantial, if not at capacity, and the temperature in St. John's had been reduced from broil to a gentle bake.

Richard Todd, Ottawa Citizen, July 12, 2010

 

"Daniel Taylor’s early-music choir holds audience spellbound at Music and Beyond "

"That was celestial", said former federal cabinet minister Monique Begin July 11 at Knox Church, where she was among the music lovers who were standing and cheering the performance by the superb choir of the Theatre of Early Music at Julian Armour’s Music and Beyond classical music festival.

The group was founded and is directed by Ottawa counter-tenor Daniel Taylor, who conducted the singers in music from the 16th and 17th centuries. The Theatre of Early Music also includes an orchestra, but this concert featured the choir on its own.
"I didn’t know Daniel Taylor before this but I will now try always to listen to him," Ms Begin told me as we were leaving the church.

At the July 11 concert, the choir performed with spine-tingling beauty of tone and blend, in music by Tallis. William Byrd, Palestrina and others. The choir capped the concert with a sublime performance of Allegri’s Miserere, which also featured a lyrical dance performance by Coleman, Lemieux et Compagnie. Taylor has assembled a brilliant chamber choir, and the singers never sounded hard or shrill, even in some killer high notes.

Steve Mazey, Ottawa Citizen Monday, July 12 2010

 

 Top

 

Concert review: Bach Festival opener "Bach and Mary, Mother of God" performed lovingly

I recall a ring of my mother’s, a basket-weave pattern of strands of silver and gold, the two metals intertwined in a tight embrace. That’s the best way I can describe the melding of the voices of countertenor Daniel Taylor and soprano Agnes Zsigovics in Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s "Stabat Mater.," It was performed Friday at Packer Memorial Church, in the second half of the Bethlehem Bach Festival’s two-part program entitled "Bach and Mary, Mother of God."

The "Stabat Mater," in its festival debut, was for me the highlight of an entire evening of lovingly performed music.

Pergolesi’s sacred masterpiece is a work of great tenderness and somber beauty. Conductor Greg Funfgeld coaxed a lovely, rich chamber orchestra sound from the Bach Festival Orchestra strings, enhanced by the light touch of Charlotte Mattax Moersch on organ. The hauntingly beautiful voices of Taylor and Zsigovics, she in her festival debut, melted together like two precious metals, hers of bell-like clarity, his a more complex alchemy, with a sheen like liquid mercury.

Bach’s "Magnificat" was brisk and dramatic, with resplendent trumpet fanfares and solid, full-bodied choral sections. Joining Zsigovics was soprano Rosa Lamoreaux, with a voice a bit brighter and more transparent than Zsigovics’ creamy, velvety tone. Zsigovics’ soulful, yearning aria, "Quia respexit," with oboe obbligato by Mary Watt, was a highlight, as was "Esurientes implicit," sung by Taylor and accompanied by flutists Robin Kani and Susan Charlton.

By Steve Siegel, Special to The Morning Call, May 9, 2010

 Top