Welcome to Early Music Vancouver’s interview series with this concert season’s artists, collaborators and friends of EMV.
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Interview with Tafelmusik Artistic Co-Director Cristina Zacharias hosted by Suzie LeBlanc, C.M.
In this interview with Tafelmusik’s Artistic Co-Director Cristina Zacharias we delve into the differences between modern and baroque violins, Zacharias’s journey with Tafelmusik, and what it’s like to co-direct the orchestra alongside two fellow musicians.
Interview with Soprano Amanda Forsythe hosted by Nicholas Burns
In this exclusive interview, host and countertenor Nicholas Burns sits down with renowned soprano Amanda Forsythe to discuss her upcoming concert programme, featuring Handel arias originally composed for Elisabeth Duparc (“La Francesina”), alongside Patrick Carrabré’s “The Mother Tree”, inspired by Suzanne Simard’s groundbreaking book “Finding the Mother Tree”. Forsythe also shares insights into her vocal technique, career journey, rehearsal process, and more.
Interview with Vancouver’s own Gallo Chamber Players hosted by Julia Halbert
As we prepare for our 55th anniversary summer festival, we invite you to get to know our 2025 Next Generation Artists, the Gallo Chamber Players from Vancouver. As a vital part of EMV’s future, these musicians share insights into their upcoming festival concert, “Bach and the Heavens”, as well as their soon-to-be-recorded album. They also reflect on how they got their start through EMV and UBC’s Baroque Orchestra Mentorship Programme (BOMP).
Get to know our 2025 Artist-in-Residence Magali Simard-Galdès in this interview hosted by Suzie LeBlanc, C.M.
Early Music Vancouver wishes to thank Les Ondes (www.lesondes.ca) for generously sharing the video of their performance featuring Magali Simard-Galdès (soprano), Julie Rivest (violin), Elinor Frey (cello), and Mélisande McNabney (harpsichord).
Meet the winners of our Annual Emerging Artist Competition – Agata Sorotokin & Antonio Pellegrino
Learn more about Agata Sorotokin and Antonio Pellegrino of A.S.A.P. Duo, the first-place winners of EMV’s 2025 Emerging Artist Competition. In this interview, they discuss their project, their journeys as artists, and much more.
55th Anniversary Special with Jose Verstappen hosted by Suzie LeBlanc & Alexander Weimann
In celebration of Early Music Vancouver’s 55th anniversary, EMV’s Artistic and Executive Director Suzie LeBlanc and Pacific Baroque Orchestra Music Director Alexander Weimann sat down with longtime EMV Artistic Director José Verstappen to reflect on his remarkable and impactful 35-year tenure at the helm of the organization, sharing both EMV’s history and his own career journey.
All About 17th-Century Music & the Baroque Violin with Robert Mealy
In this interview with baroque violinist and musical director Robert Mealy, learn about music of the 17th-century, Robert’s journey with the baroque violin and the origins of Quicksilver Baroque Ensemble.
Listen to the full interview hosted by Christina Hutten on Spotify or Apple Music.
VOCES8 – Behind the Global Phenomenon with Barnaby Smith
How does VOCES8 achieve their perfect vocal blend? What is their process for recording music? And how and why does the vocal ensemble tour with five different concert programs at once? Barnaby Smith, countertenor and Artistic Director of VOCES8, answers these questions and more in this exclusive interview.
Listen to the full interview hosted by Nicholas Burns on Spotify or Apple Music.
Benjamin Bagby: from Beowulf to Gregorius
In this interview, Benjamin Bagby sits down with EMV to share the story of Gregorius, a tale of sin and redemption. In addition to his brilliant storytelling, Ben reflects on his own life and work as an artist, while also reminiscing about his time teaching at Early Music Vancouver.
Listen to the full interview hosted by Suzie LeBlanc, C.M. on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. This episode of Notations was produced by Suzie LeBlanc, C.M.
What is a Countertenor? with Iestyn Davies
In this interview, Iestyn Davies discusses a range of topics from what a countertenor is to why we are drawn to melancholic music and details about his upcoming concert with Fretwork Viol Consort on November 26 at Christ Church Cathedral.
Iestyn’s article in The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/music/202…
Listen to the audio version of this interview on our podcast, Notations.
Music From Dante’s Divine Comedy with Michele Pasotti
Seven hundred years ago the great poet Dante Alighieri died. In the same precise years Ars Nova was born. Dante probably did not see Ars Nova music on paper, but he certainly listened to the polyphony of his time which was finding a new way to be written. In those years Philippe de Vitry and Johannes de Muris published their treatises on musical writing, which they call Ars Nova, a new way of writing music that will pave the way for a century of great musical creativity. Michele Pasotti and Suzie LeBlanc discuss all of this and more in this episode.
Listen to the audio version of this interview on our podcast, Notations.
Bach’s Goldberg Variations with Alexander Weimann
Alexander Weimann explores J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations and discusses his new arrangement of this iconic work for baroque chamber orchestra.
Episode #26 Intimate Conversations with Emerging Artist Competition winner Eliot Dios
In this unique episode of Intimate Conversations, learn about emerging artist competition winner Eliot Dios and his winning project The Rite of Spring: Baroque Edition. In this episode Eliot shares how he and his ensemble Concerto Intempestivo chose to create a project based on Igor Stravinsky’s ballet. He also shares what the competition winnings will do for the future of the project.
This initiative is generously sponsored by Joanie and Samantha Anderson.
Learn more about Eliot and his ensemble here:
Episode #25 Intimate Conversations with Next Generation Artists Adrienne Hyde and Hans Grunwald hosted by Julia Halbert
Who are the artists leading the way in the next generation of early music? EMV’s 2024 Next Generation Artists Adrienne Hyde and Hans Grunwald are a great example of who they might be. Watch this interview to learn all about them and their concerts in the 2024 Summer Festival. Purchase tickets to their concerts https://www.earlymusic.bc.ca/tickets/2024-summer-festival-bach-untamed/
Enjoy more music from Adrienne and Hans:
Hans Grunwald – Dichterliebe songs 1 and 2 by Robert Schumann
Adrienne Hyde – Bach 4th Cello Suite, 2nd Bourée arr. for Viola da Gamba
Episode #24 Intimate Conversations – Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 Roundtable hosted by Suzie LeBlanc
Have you ever wondered about the history of Claudio Monteverdi’s Vespers? In this episode of Intimate Conversations, Suzie LeBlanc hosts an early music roundtable with three experts on this famous work, tenor Charles Daniels, cornettist Bruce Dickey and keyboardist and music director Alexander Weimann all of whom will perform in EMV’s production of this masterpiece on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Purchase your tickets at https://www.earlymusic.bc.ca/events/monteverdis-vespers-of-1610/
Enjoy more music from Alexander, Bruce and Charles:
Alexander Weimann performs Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 cadenza
Bach – Dir, dir Jehova, will ich singen BWV 299 – Daniels | Netherlands Bach Society
Palestrina – Nigra sum (divisions by Bruce Dickey)
Episode #23 Intimate Conversations with 2024 Artist-in-Residence Alon Sariel hosted by Suzie LeBlanc
Learn all about EMV’s 2024 Artist-in-Residence multi-instrumentalist Alon Sariel. In this interview Suzie and Alon discuss where his love of music began, his philanthropic work, and his concerts and course in EMV’s upcoming Summer Festival, “Bach Untamed”. Purchase tickets to the summer festival https://www.earlymusic.bc.ca/events/ Support his latest initiative, Vienna Mandolin Stories/ alonsariel
EMV’s 2024 Artist-in-Residence, Alon Sariel is generously sponsored by Birgit Westergaard and Norman Gladstone.
More music from Alon:
Mandolin Mondays Featuring Alon Sariel /// Excerpt from “Asturias”
Gigue (from Mandolin Partita no. 1)
Episode #22 Intimate Conversations with Isaiah Bell, Benjamin Butterfield and Timothy Carter hosted by Julia Halbert
What do these three Canadian tenors have in common? In their own words, its a “certain sensibility”. What might that sensibility be? It seems to be, weaving beautiful early and original works together to create a concert filled with laughs, heart and a few eyebrow raising moments.
Episode #21 Intimate Conversations with Peter Phillips hosted by Suzie LeBlanc
In this episode of Intimate Conversations, host Suzie LeBlanc sits down with acclaimed director of The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips to discuss his choir’s upcoming concert with EMV, the origins of the group, their newly composed works and more.
Episode #20 Intimate Conversations with Matthias Maute hosted by Suzie LeBlanc
In this episode of Intimate Conversations Suzie LeBlanc sits down with the conductor of Ensemble Caprice and Ensemble ArtChoral, Matthias Maute in advance of his upcoming concert, Handel: Hallelujah & Trumpets! on March 24. In their interview, Suzie and Matthias discuss his work as a composer, works by Handel and how he engages audiences in his concerts.
Episode #19 Intimate Conversations with Justin Taylor of Le Consort hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer
Regular host of Intimate Conversations, Sylvia L’Ecuyer sits down with French harpsichordist Justin Taylor of acclaimed ensemble Le Consort to discuss the music of composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and J.S. Bach which he will perform with his ensemble on March 2, 2024 in their concert, Treasures of the Baroque at Christ Church Cathedral. Along with brilliant composers, Sylvia and Justin touch on the history of his ensemble and Justin’s journey as a musician.
Episode #18 Intimate Conversations with Myriam Leblanc hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer
In this episode of Intimate Conversations, beloved host Sylvia L’Ecuyer sits down with soprano Myriam Leblanc to discuss her journey as an artist, her Ensemble Mirabilia and their upcoming concert, “L’Eterno Ritorno” featuring works by Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Caldara and more.
Episode #17 Intimate Conversations with Reginald Mobley & Alexander Weimann hosted by Bill Richardson
In this episode of Intimate Conversations, Bill Richardson sits down with counter tenor Reginald Mobley and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra’s music director Alexander Weimann to discuss EMV’s upcoming Lumen Festival running from January 12-14. Alexander Weimann also shares the excitement of his upcoming solo organ album, A Prayer for Peace.
Episode #16 Intimate Conversations with Jonathon Adams, Kari Turunen & Alexander Weimann hosted by Suzie LeBlanc, C.M.
In this episode of Intimate Conversations, Suzie LeBlanc chats with Baritone Jonathon Adams, Conductor Alexander Weimann, and Artistic Director of the Vancouver Chamber Choir Kari Turunen all about their upcoming production of Handel’s Messiah a collaboration with the Vancouver Chamber Choir. Each artist shares what their relationship with The Messiah has been like and you’ll even learn the true history of the famous piece.
Episode #15 Intimate Conversations with Vincent Dumestre hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer
Meet Vincent Dumestre, Director of Le Poème Harmonique, the stars of EMV’s next concert. In this interview, Sylvia and Vincent discuss the music of the Louvre and of Italian composers such as Francesco Cavalli who you will hear live in concert on October 20!
Episode #14 Intimate Conversations with Mélisande McNabney hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer
Meet our first solo keyboardist of the 2023/24 Season, Mélisande McNabney in her interview hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer. From piano inaugurations to tales of her musical family, Mélisande is sure to get you excited about her upcoming concert, Silver Apples of the Moon, a collaboration with The Chopin Society.
Episode #13 Intimate Conversations with Emerging Artist Competition Winner Emily Saville
Meet the winner of EMV’s first annual Emerging Artist Competition. Through her conversation with host Julia Halbert, Emily digs into her passion for music and voice and how the two can work in tandem.
Episode #12 Intimate Conversations with EMV’s 2023 Artist-in-Residence Catalina Vicens
In this episode of Intimate Conversations, EMV 2023 Artist-in-Residence Catalina Vicens chats with Suzie LeBlanc and Julia Halbert about her start in early music and how the works of Christine de Pizan and Martin le Franc have inspired her throughout her career. The conversation goes on to discuss the three concerts she is involved in at our Summer Festival – Our City of Ladies (with her ensemble Servir Antico), The Queen of Carthage (she is musical director) and her solo recital Songs Without Words plus her role as curator of the Tagliavini Collection and her excitement in coming to Vancouver for the first time.
Episode #11 Intimate Conversations with EMV’s Next Generation Artists Ai Horton, Elana Cooper and Jessica Korotkin
Meet EMV’s 2023 Next Generation Artists, soprano Ai Horton, violinist Elana Cooper and cellist Jessica Korotkin! In this interview, host Julia Halbert gets to know the Next Gen artists and learns about what they hope to bring to this year’s summer festival. From Bach Parodies to tales of their college experiences, you’ll surely get to know these three women before seeing them live in concert.
Music: Minuets 1 & 2 “Bach Parody Suite in F Major” by Jessica Korotkin
Episode #10 Intimate Conversations with Florence Bolton and Sébastien Marq
In this episode of Intimate Conversations, Florence Bolton and Sébastien Marq of La Rêveuse share how they incorporate bird sounds into their programme. They also teach us about how birds have influenced musicians when making music throughout history.
Episode #9 Bruce Dickey and Hana Blazikova hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer
In this episode of Intimate Conversations, guests Bruce Dickey and Hana Blazikova discuss how and why the cornetto and voice work so beautifully together and why they try to imitate each other. In addition, host Sylvia L’Ecuyer digs in to find out where the manuscripts for the On The Breath of Angels album were originally found.
Episode #8: The Consone Quartet hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer
In this episode of Intimate Conversations, host Sylvia L’Ecuyer sits down with three members of the Consone Quartet to discuss their journey as a group, the life and work of composer Fanny Mendelssohn and their upcoming concert Consone Quartet: BBC New Generation Artists.
Episode #7: Alexander Weimann and Reginald Mobley hosted by Bill Richardson
Writer and broadcaster Bill Richardson sat down with Countertenor Reginald Mobley and Alexander Weimann, director of the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, for an Intimate Conversation about music, what it means to “raise your voice,” their many years of friendship and the upcoming concert Raise, Raise the Voice.
Episode #6: Alexander Weimann and Matthew Jennejohn hosted by Bill Richardson
In this episode, author and broadcaster Bill Richardson chats with Pacific Baroque Orchestra’s music director Alexander Weimann and Matthew Jennejohn – oboe d’amore soloist and instrument maker. This information-packed conversation ranges from what Christmas was like for Bach, the contagious laughter in Cantata BWV 110, the joy of the Magnificat, Bach’s love of the oboe to the types of wood used in oboe construction and different ways to playing the cornetto and lots of other interesting insights into the music.
Episode #5: Thomas Dunford hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer
Thomas Dunford first picked up the lute at age nine, and it was love at first pluck. He talks about his passion for the instrument in this Intimate Conversation with musicologist Sylvia L’ Ecuyer. M. Dunford explains how the lute first developed from the Middle Eastern oud and how it has continued to evolve into the archlute he plays today. Other points of discussion include the challenges of adapting Bach’s music for the lute, modern music being currently written for this ancient instrument, his group Jupiter and his packed concert/travel schedule. Listen in and then join EMV for what is sure to be an extraordinary live concert on November 25. Buy tickets here.
Episode #4 (French version): Nicolas Sansarlat hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer
Écoutez cet entretien entre Sylvia Lecruyer, journaliste musicale et ancienne animatrice à Radio-Canada, et Raphael Boulay, ténor, au sujet de la recherche musicale approfondie de l’ensemble Diabolus in Musica. Quel type de musique jouait-on en France au Moyen Âge? Quelles étaient les divers sujets exprimés dans cette musique et que signifie le nom de l’ensemble?
Episode #3: Raphaël Boulay hosted by Sylvia L’Ecuyer
Music journalist and former Radio-Canada host Sylvia L’Ecuyer sits down (virtually) with Diabolus in Musica’s Raphaël Boulay for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation. They discuss the ensemble’s extensive musical research, what type of music was being written and played (and by who) in France in the Middle Ages, the various forms of love expressed in Medieval music and the meaning behind the group’s name. Draw up a chair and listen in. Purchase tickets to the concert on Oct 28 at 7:30 p.m here.
Episode #2: Rona Nadler of Infusion Baroque and Mike Fan hosted by Bill Richardson
Join broadcaster and author Bill Richardson in an ‘Intimate Conversation’ with actor/tenor Mike Fan and Infusion Baroque’s Rona Nadler as this discuss the scandal and theories that accompanied the unsolved murder of French composer Jean-Marie Leclair in 1764 including shady characters hanging about Leclair’s Marais home. Mr. Fan plays four characters – three of them suspects in the case including Leclair’s gardener and neighbour, Leclair’s widow, and Leclair’s nephew, who was an up-and-coming violinist. The fourth character is the police Inspector assigned to the case. The audience follows along as the musicians try to get on with their concert while the Inspector tries to solve a murder. Leclair’s music, weaves it way through the proceeding. Listen in to learn more about Leclair, his music, and his murder. Purchase a ticket here.
Episode #1: Kyriakos Kalaitzidis hosted by Aram Bajakian
Welcome to episode #1 of Intimate Conversations. In this episode, PhD student, guitarist and oudist Aram Bajakian chats with Kyriakos Kalaitzidis, oud player and music director of En Chordais. En Chordais is an early music ensemble based in Thessaloniki Greece and they will be performing alongside Constantinople in our Passport Series concert Treasures From Byzantine Manuscripts on September 23 and 24 in Victoria and Vancouver. Learn about the origins and history of these Byzantine manuscripts in this intimate conversation.
