Welcome to the online home of Toronto-based Canadian tenor Christopher Mayell. Here you'll find a selection of recent works, photos, and list of past and future engagements. You can also find out how to contact me if you have any questions or comments. Thanks for visiting.
Praised for his "sweetly rendered, fluid and pliable tenor voice", Christopher Mayell is quickly making his mark as a rising star in Canada's opera houses and concerts halls.
From his acclaimed presentation of Britten's ALBERT HERRING in St. John's, Newfoundland, to his interpretation of Handel's SOLOMON in Victoria, British Columbia, Christopher maintains a hearty schedule of engagements across the country. Future performances include Verdi's FALSTAFF with Calgary Opera, Offenbach's LA VIE PARISIENNE with Toronto Operetta Theatre, and Haydn's LORD NELSON MASS with the Stratford Concert Choir.
Recent appearances include a debut performance of Bach's renowned Cantata No. 55 'ICH ARMER MENSCH' with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Bach's CHRISTMAS ORATORIO with the Kingston Symphony, Mozart's GREAT MASS IN C MINOR and Orff's CARMINA BURANA with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Mozart's REQUIEM with the Grammy-nominated Elora Festival Singers. He has also joined the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as well as Orchestra London for performances of Handel's glorious MESSIAH.
Christopher is enjoying a growing international presence, including a portrayal of the title role in a world-class production of ALBERT HERRING at the Aldeburgh Festival in England (alongside soprano Felicity Lott), as well as a nationwide tour of China.
Christopher is also a champion of new Canadian works, including Opera NUOVA's commissioned opera for younger audiences, THE LIVES OF LESSER THINGS, which toured extensively in Alberta. He also continues to work closely with Toronto's Tapestry New Opera Works in their development of new works, including Richard Payne's GET STUFFED!, and Aaron Gervais' OKSANA G. This season, he gave a debut performance with Toronto's Continuum New Music, performing a world-premier performance of 'FREDERICK'S DOCTOR', a narrative for tenor and instrumental ensemble.
Christopher is a proud alumnus of the Calgary Opera Emerging Artist Ensemble program, through which he performed roles in Verdi's RIGOLETTO, Moore's THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE (Canadian premier), and Richard Strauss' ARIADNE AUF NAXOS (featured on CBC Radio's Saturday Afternoon at the Opera). While in Calgary, he was also featured by the Spiritus Chamber Choir in a national CBC Radio broadcast performance of Respighi's LAUDATE PER LA NATIVITA DEL SIGNORE.
Christopher's endeavours are made possible by support from the Ontario Arts Council's Chalmers Professional Development Grant program, as well as through a generous grant from the Canadian Aldeburgh Foundation.
Respighi - Laudate per la Nativita del Signore
Handel - Di ad Irene tiranna infidele, from Atalanta
Donizetti - Una furtiva lagrima from L'elisir d'amore
Britten - Canticle III, 'Still Falls the Rain'
'What is One' from the new chamber opera, Fallujah, written by Tobin Stokes and Heather Raffo
Tuesday April 30th, 2013 at 8:00pm
Wednesday May 1st, 2013 at 8:00pm
Thursday May 2nd, 2013 at 8:00pm
Friday May 3rd, 2013 at 8:00pm
Saturday May 4th, 2013 at 8:00pm
Sunday May 5th, 2012 at 2:00pm
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
Jane Mallett Theatre
27 Front Street East
Toronto, Ontario
with...
Elizabeth DeGrazia, Soprano
Lauren Segal, Mezzo-Soprano
Larry Beckwith, Conductor
Guillermo Silva-Marin, Stage Director
Saturday, February 2nd, 2013
Wednesday, February 6th, 2013
Friday, February 8th, 2013
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
1415 14 Ave NW
Calgary, Alberta
with... Gaétan Laperriére, Baritone as Falstaff Laura Whalen, Soprano as Alice Ford James Westman, Baritone as Ford Eve-Lyn de la Haye, Soprano as Nanetta John Tessier, Tenor as Fenton Lynne McMurtry, Contralto as Dame Quickly Norine Burgess, Mezzo-Soprano as Meg Page Vasil Garvanliev, Baritone as Pistola Michel Corbeil, Tenor as Bardolfo
Christopher makes a return to Calgary Opera where he was a member of the Emerging Artists Training Program (2007-2009).
Tickets available online (Click here to visit site), by calling 403-262-7286, or at the door. Buy early! Performances often sell out.
December 21, 2012
CHAMBER SINGERS OF ALGOMA Handel's Messiah Role: Tenor Soloist
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Chamber Singers of Algoma
Handel's Messiah
Saturday, December 22nd, 2012 at 7:30pm
Central United Church
160 Spring Street
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
St. George's Cathedral
270 King Street East
Kingston, Ontario
Kathleen Radke, Soprano
Christopher Mayell, Tenor
Dave Barton, Guitar
The eternal advent hymn hints at the timeless delight of Christmas. Christopher Mayell makes his return to the KCC in this performance of the Bach Magnificat in D.
Kathleen Radke returns after a triumphant Messiah with KCC last season, and the choir is thrilled to also welcome guitarist Dave Barton.
Sunday, November 25th, 2012 at 2:00pm
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
Jane Mallett Theatre
27 Front Street East
Toronto, Ontario
Raphaelle Paquette as Armida
Edgar Ernesto Ramírez as Rinaldo
Christopher Mayell as Goffredo
Michael Ciufo as Genardo
Marco Petracchi as Idraote
Gregory Finney as Istarotte
Monday, October 22nd, 2012 at 8:00pm
The Music Gallery
197 John Street
Toronto, Ontario
Continuum Ensemble (visit website)
Marion Newman, Mezzo-Soprano (visit website)
Christopher Mayell, Tenor
Sanya Eng, Harp
Rob MacDonald, Guitar
Adrian Gross, Mandolin
Paul Rogers, Double Bass
Ways of speaking. Being able to speak at all. Communication, as well as the historical lens, is at the core of a concert that presents two linked theatrical works by Dutch composer Martijn Voorvelt based on the tangled up story of Sir Morell MacKenzie, inventor of the tracheotomy, and his treatment of the mute and dying German Emperor Friedrich III.
The following pieces will be presented:
Music for Klein and Beuys, by Christopher Butterfield Canzone Triste, by Nicolai Korndorf Brush Line, by Linda C. Smith Frederick's Doctor, by Martijn Voorvelt Petit Air II/ Friedrich's Tagebuch, by Martijn Voorvelt
Tickets available online (click here), or at the door.
Friday, August 10th, 2012
College Street United Church
452 College Street
Toronto, Ontario
Bill Shookhoff, Director
Allison Arends, Lakmé (website)
Christopher Mayell, Gérald
Michael York, Nilakantha (website)
Julie Ludwig, Miss Ellen (website)
The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G By composer Aaron Gervais and librettist Colleen Murphy
Monday, June 11th, 2012
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012
Ernest Balmer Studio
History Distillery District
55 Mill Street
Toronto, Ontario
Wayne Strongman, Music Director
Tom Diamond, Stage Director
Aaron Gervais, Composer
Colleen Murphy, Librettist
After a thrilling workshop presentation of the first Act of Oksana G. last winter, Tapestry New Opera will present the next stage of this electrifying new work by the Governor General's Award winning playwright, Colleen Murphy and SOCAN award-winning composer, Aaron Gervais.
Tickets available online (click here) or by phone at (416) 537-6066 ext 243.
Thursday, May 31st, 2012
The Al Green Theatre
750 Spadina Avenue (at Bloor)
Toronto, Ontario
Caitlin Smith, Conductor & Composer
Kristin Mueller-Heaslip, soprano
Christopher Mayell, tenor
Jeremy Ludwig, baritone
Geoffrey Sirett, bass-baritone
Part of Spectrum Music's final concert of the season, and featured alongside music of Ben Dietschi and Ben Mueller-Heaslip, When This War Ends is a chamber jazz opera with a uniquely Canadian perspective on world conflict.
There will also be a 7:30 p.m. pre-concert chat with Globe and Mail correspondent Graeme Smith and former Canadian diplomat Richard Colvin about their years in Afghanistan.
Tickets available at the spectrum website (click here).
Wednesday, May 16th, 7:30pm
Vancouver Playhouse
Toronto, Ontario
Charles Barber, Music Director
David Boothroyd, Piano
Global Civic Founder Sam Sullivan used to host private salons over dinner with about ten invited guests from a broad cross-section of the community.
His friend and mentor Prof. Abraham Rogatnick was a frequent guest and just before he died, he urged Sullivan to bring the benefits of the salon to a broader public.
The Public Salon aims to do just that.
Private Workshop
Final presentation on May 13th at 7:00pm
Frederic Wood Theatre, University of British Columbia
Dr. Charles Barber, Music Director/Conductor
John Wright, Stage Director
Tobin Stokes, Composer
Heather Raffo, Librettist
Fueled by continued generous support from the Annenburgh Foundation, an exciting three-day workshop of City Opera Vancouver's brand new commissioned chamber opera, Fallujah.
Fallujah tells the story of a group of young U.S. Marines in Iraq, and the chilling effects of the war on them, their families, and the people of Iraq.
This work is still in development. Public presentations (including a premier in San Francisco) to follow.
April 27, 28 at 8:00pm
April 29 at 2:00pm
Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
Guillermo Silva-Marin, Director
Nicole Bellamy, Piano
Toronto Operetta Theatre ends its 2011-2012 season with music from Gilbert and Sullivan's most beloved operettas. Watch as characters from Gondoliers, The Mikado, Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, and Iolanthe find themselves in a confused and hilarious search for an operetta.
A genuine Savoyard "tour de force" from the masters of Britain's lyric theatre that's sure to delight!
Canadian Sinfonietta and Choir of St-Simon-the-Apostle
J.S. Bach's Passion According to St. John
Sunday, March 25 at 7:30pm
St. Simon-the-Apostle Anglican Church, Toronto
525 Bloor Street East
Robin Davis, Conductor
Anthony St Pierre, Pilatus
Nicholas Nanos, Christus
David Menzies, Evangelist
Members of the Canadian Sinfonietta chamber orchestra are joined by the St. Simon-the-Apostle Choir under the baton of Robin Davis.
Considered by many to be unmatched, this giant among the choral-orchestra repertoire brings to life the Passion of Christ with a profound level of intensity
and personal reflection equally relevant today.
Sunday, March 18 at 2:00pm
Christ Church Deer Park
1570 Yonge Street
Stephanie Martin, Conductor
Meghan Fleet, Blessed Virgin
Catharin Carew, Mary Magdalene
Christopher Mayell, St. John
Michael Robert-Broder, St. Peter
The Kingdom, an oratorio commissioned for the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival in 1906, continues the narrative of the lives of Jesus's disciples. It depicts the community of the early church, Pentecost, and the events of the next few days. The Kingdom is written for a large orchestra, a double chorus with semichorus, and four soloists representing: The Blessed Virgin (soprano), Mary Magdalene (contralto), St John (tenor), and St Peter (bass).
Stephanie Martin, artistic director of the award-winning Pax Christi Chorale, will lead the afternoon.
The event is open to everyone and no preparation is required.
Friday, March 16th 2012, 8:00pm
Saturday, March 17th 2012, 8:00pm
Gallery 345
345 Sorauren Avenue, Toronto
Joel Ivany, Director
Christopher Mokrzewski, Musical Director
Part of an evening of music by Britten, Weill, Reich, and Adams, set to life by director Joel Ivany, with choreography by Matjash Mrozewski.
The second of Britten's five canticles, Abraham and Isaac tells the story of the binding and sacrifice of Isaac, as commanded to Abraham by God. Ultimately telling a story of love - both earthly and divine - Britten's music is full of beauty and expression.
Tickets available online (click here) or at the door. Limited supply at door. Arrive early.
Friday, February 24th 2012, 7:30pm
Saturday, February 25th 2012, 8:00pm
Enmax Hall, Winspear Centre
William Eddins, conductor, organ & harpsichord
Jeanine De Bique, soprano
Christopher Mayell, tenor
Da Camera Singers
Cantilon Chamber Choir
Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton
Join the ESO for a night of glorious vocal music, featuring tenor Christopher Mayell and soprano Jeanine De Bique, as they make their ESO debuts. Three of Edmonton's finest choirs are also part of this night of vocal splendour.
Please note: This performance is currently only available as part of a Friday Masters subscription.
Contact the Edmonton Symphony for further information.
Tour of China, including Cavalleria Rustica and other opera scenes
Dates and cities TBA
After the success of Opera Jeunesses' previous China tour in October 2010, they have been invited back for a second, expanded tour. Last year's tour went to four cities: Shanghai, Shijiazhuang, Chengde, and Hangzhou.
Locations for this year's tour will be confirmed soon. The tour will include a fully-staged production, and an outdoor concert performance.
A WSO tradition! No work in the entire history of music transmits the urge to sing
more than Handel's Messiah! The Hallelujah Chorus is such a beloved part of the
musical repertoire, the special glow of the season comes alive the instant we hear its
stirring theme. Handel's matchless sense of timing, the music's visionary path from
darkness to light, the ongoing flow of beautiful arias, ensembles and magnificent
choruses guarantee a memorable experience.
The WSO welcomes the return of conductor Yuri Klaz, the Winnipeg Singers and a splendid
group of soloists for this annual Holiday happening.
Wednesday, December 7th 2011, 8:00pm
St. Paul's Cathedral, London
Timothy Vernon, conductor
Christopher Mayell, tenor
Other soloists TBA
Timothy Vernon is back for Orchestra London's seasonal favourite!
Part of Orchestra London's Cathedral Series.
Tickets available at Orchestra London's website.
Sunday, December 4th 2011, 8:00pm
Kingston Gospel Temple
Glen Fast, conductor
Virginia Hatfield, soprano
Marianne Bingdig, mezzo-soprano
Christopher Mayell, tenor
Geoffrey Sirett, baritone
Kingston Choral Society
One of Bach's gifts of the world, his famous Christmas Oratorio, starts the festive season off on a powerful note. Bach's musical interpretation of the Christmas story is the perfect prescription for this time of year. With exuberant trumpets, pastoral woodwinds, and jubilant choral voices we herald in the season as it was celebrated in days of old.
Late October 2011 (dates TBA)
Snape Maltings Concert Hall
Steuart Bedford, conductor
Oliver Meares, director
Britten-Pears Orchestra
Christopher Mayell, Albert
Dame Felicity Lott, Lady Billows
Set in a Suffolk village, Britten's one comic opera opens with the search for a virtuous girl to become May Queen. Some hope! - the impossibility of finding one results instead in the election of a boy of unquestionable chastity - Albert Herring. Britten and librettist Eric Crozier poke fun at the very English hypocrisy, but the combination of wit, mockery and tenderness, make this one of the composer's most admired works with a wonderful cast of memorable characters. Directed by rising young British director Oliver Meares and conducted by Britten's own collaborator, Steuart Bedford, this production will be performed at Aldeburgh's 2011 Britten Festival.
Friday, July 8th, 2011
Gambrel Barn
Elora, Ontario
Karina Gauvin, soprano
Jennifer Enns Modolo, mezzo-soprano
Christopher Mayell, tenor
Matthew Cassils, baritone
Elora Festival Singers
Elora Festival Orchestra
Noel Edison, conductor
Part of the Opening Weekend of the 2011 Elora Festival, this concert will feature Mozart's timeless choral masterpiece, his Reqiuem in D minor, alongside a performance of Mozart's Symphony No. 40. Featuring some of Canada's hottest talent, including the Grammy-nominated Elora Festival Singers.
The reviews are in!
"Christopher Mayell countered further with a sweetly rendered, fluid and pliable tenor." - Stephen Preece, The Record Read Full Review
"Mayell's clean and spirited tones appealed." - Geoff Chapman, theWholeNote Read Full Review
Tuesday, June 14th, 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 15th, 6:30pm
Ernest Balmer Studio
Toronto, Ontario
Tom Diamond, director/dramaturge
Wayne Strongman, Music director/dramaturge
Tapestry's final presentation in the 2010-2011 will showcase scenes from four different new opera works, currently in development.
These works were first forged in Tapestry's studios, during the company's annual LibLab sessions.
Waterfall by Norbert Palej, composer and Maja Ardal, librettist M'Dea Undone by Marjorie Chan, librettist and John Harris, composer Scenes from an Old Glasgow Pub by David Brock, librettist and Gareth Williams, composer Ruth by Michael Lewis MacLennan, librettist and Jeffrey Ryan, composer
Tickets available at http://www.tapestrynewopera.com/
May 29, 2011
PERTH CONCERTS J.S. Bach's Mass in B Minor Role: Tenor Soloist
Perth, Ontario
Perth Concerts
Bach's B Minor Mass
Sunday, May 29th, 7:30pm
St. Paul's United Church
Perth, Ontario
Considered to be one of the supreme achievements of Baroque choral music, the Mass consists of 27 exquisite pieces, 17 of which are for choir and the remainder for soloists.
The choirs of St. Paul's United Church, St. James Anglican Church and Friends will perform the Mass in B Minor by J.S. Bach at St. Paul's United Church, in Perth. Five professional soloists and a 21-member orchestra have been engaged to perform with the choirs. The choirs are under the direction of Peter Woodwark at St. James, and Brad Mills at St. Paul's.
Wednesday, May 11th, 7:30pm
Koerner Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music
Telus Centre for Performance and Learning
Toronto, Ontario
Noel Edison, conductor
Gillian Keith, soprano
Anita Krause, mezzo-soprano
Christopher Mayell, tenor
Thomas Goerz, baritone
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
Festival Orchestra
Enjoy an evening of Mozart's finest choral music, presented in the world-class acoustics of Koerner Hall, in the heart of Toronto.
