Concert to promote chamber music
When Dorothy Fieldman Fraiberg founded Allegra, a grassroots, not-for-profit organization, it was to provide chamber music programming for Montrealers free of charge. She has been its artistic director from the outset — and Allegra is now entering its 35th season.
“We want to make the music accessible to all,” she said. “I feel passionate about chamber music ... It is a labour of love.”
Fieldman Fraiberg, who is also a pianist, has assembled musicians, many drawn from the Orchestre Métropolitain and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, to perform an innovative program of works during a season of six concerts; they take place on the campus of McGill University, in Redpath Hall and Tanna Schulich Hall.
Allegra is steered by volunteers; there is minimal administrative overhead. Financial support comes from sponsors and family foundations — sponsors are the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Family Foundation, Power Corporation of Canada and the Banque Nationale — but Allegra relies on donations and proceeds from an annual gala to raise most of the funds that sustain it.
This year, Allegra’s benefit concert will be on Sept. 30 at Tanna Schulich Hall, 527 Sherbrooke St. W. It begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail dinatoire and a silent auction featuring gift certificates for restaurants, theatre tickets, tennis tickets, spa passes and more.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. With soprano Suzie LeBlanc as special guest, Fieldman Fraiberg on piano, Simon Aldrich on clarinet, Elvira Misbakhova on violin, Pierre Tourville on viola and Sheila Hannigan on cello, they will perform Franz Schubert’s Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, D. 965 for soprano, clarinet and piano; Gustav Mahler’s Ich bin der Welt Abhanden Gekommen, from Rückert Lieder, arranged by Aldrich for soprano, clarinet and strings; and Robert Schumann’s piano quartet, op.47. The concert will be followed by a dessert reception.
The event is a tribute to Montreal philanthropist Rosalind Goodman, a music lover and longtime Allegra board member; she died in August of 2014.
Tickets are available at three prices: $125, $200 and $300. Call 514-935-3933 or email allegra1@ videotron.ca.
Eight years ago Allegra added an afternoon program, Bach Before Bedtime, to introduce children to chamber music in a fun setting in which they interact with music, musicians and instruments. The 2015-16 season of six concerts will take place Tuesday afternoons at Tanna Schulich Hall.
“Our benefit concert is to provide children with a fun learning experience and fill the increasing void of classical music in our society,” Fieldman Fraiberg said.
Go to allegrachambermusic.com to learn more.
The fifth annual golf tournament of the West Island Palliative Care Residence, held Aug. 31 at the Beaconsfield Golf Club, generated net profits of $144,448. The event has raised nearly $540,000.
“Palliative care is quickly becoming one of the most pressing issues in our society,” said Teresa Dellar, executive director and co-founder of the Residence. “Caring for the terminally ill is about making life palatable, treating symptoms, enabling patients to die in dignity, comfort and in a homelike environment.”
The residence receives just onethird of its operating budget from the Quebec government and relies on community support and fundraising activities for the remaining $3 million. Major sponsors of the tournament included Quinn Sport Management, RBC, TD Securities, Len McDougall Financial Services and Cobra PUMA Golf.
Visit PalliativeCareResidence.com to learn more.