NAC Orchestra - L’Orchestre du CNA Tickets

The pre-concert Spring sonata was a most welcome breath of spring after getting there in a snow storm. The Emperor concerto was a hit as always and thoroughly enjoyable. The beautiful slow movement could be a bit slower. Post-concert talkback was humourous and nice to see the two relaxing and chatting. Too bad Biss said he has no plans to record the Emperor. Promised to be the first one to buy it if he does. PS: 4 consecutive nights of first class concerts at the NAC should be better co-ordinated. Only managed two.

While still an outstanding Messiah, this year's performance did not, in my opinion, quite meet the previous year's outstanding one. Last year's was Pinnock's and Pinnock simply knows that orchestra and gets from it exactly what he wants. This year's guest conductor, Graeme Jenkins was a bit plodding - the pace and intensity of the performance were not quite there. The soprano too, I thought was not quite as strong as that in 2009. Akin to last year as well, the tenor had to be replaced at the last minute and compared to last year's substitute - which might have been for the bass, I don't quite recall - this year's substitute was not quite as strong. Once again, the Cantata Singers and the Seventeen Voyces were superb! All in all an excellent evening but not quite as inspired as 2009. Bring on Pinnock!

The program was wonderful. Sarah Chang is a true virtuoso. Her animated performance was captivatingly beautiful.

The concert was fantastic - Sarah Chang was spectacular, and the orchestra was pitch-perfect and dynamic.

Compared to last year...there is no comparison. Thank you for addressing the issues raised in last year's reviews. Well done!

They were amazing!!! Would love to see them in concert that wasn't just Christmas!! Can't wait until they come back to Ottawa.

The whole performance was a big disappointment. The choir was rather this, and I saw it was the same choir used last year. Why wasn't the Ottawa Choral society used? In addition the Soprano was rather pittiful this time. And the Conductor, was it necessary to race through the performance like that, really? It was like the "aerobics" for the orchestra which could barely keep up - and the poor singers - they could barely breathe between notes!! You know the Messiah concert sells, no matter what, but it is a shame to go cheap on the performance with mediocre choir and soloists. But I guess the tone was set by the Conductor right off the bat. I hope you can do better next year. Thanks for the opportunity to vent. Bouboulina

I was expecting more Christmas songs, as the event title suggested. However, the Tenors were great! One area where improvement is much needed, is in the sound mixing; too often the music, particualrly the drums and electric guitars, drowned out the signing. An adjustment to the balancing would greatly improve the overall impression of the evening. I purchased tickets in the 92.00 rage and was seated in the 2nd row (FF). Given the overall experience, I would not do so again. There was no advantage to paying the much more; I would have had had the same experience had I paid for the 52.00 tickets.

The Canadian Tenors enlightened the evening and the whole winter actually!!

This show was excellent. The Canadian Tenors are not only super talented but they are also funny. I loved this show. Hope to see more of them.

Many songs gave me goosebumps. Being from the east coast "Out on the Mira" was a sentimental favourite but the most riveting by far was the Lord's Prayer. It was phenomenal Of course how can you not love O Holy Night. It is my favourite Christmas Carol by far. . My only negative was that they need to play to all areas of the theater. I found they stayed right in the center too much.

I am so very glad and happy I invested in tickets in support of such a phenomenal group. I applaud you. You are each unique and bring such a vast variety to the stage. I look forward to your next visit to Ottawa. I will indeed be front and centre, again! Congratulations to each of you. You have much to be extremely proud of. This is definitely a MUST see! I cannot stop talking about.

Quite honestly, the most magical, moving and unforgettable performance I have ever attended. I'm still humming the tunes. They were kind, funny, engaging, and above all provided a stupendous musical performance. I would see them again.

It was a great show and they all had tremendous voices,but, the orchestra overwhelms them..

Amazing, breath-taking, awesome...an evening I will never forget. I sincerely hope they come back soon as I would by tickets again in a second. Great show!!!!

What a nice show for Christmas. Recommended to everyone.

The performance was top notch. When they go as far as hiding the trumpets behind stage to give the intended feeling of coming from a distance you know they got the details right. The only complaints I have is nothing to do with the performance itself. The starting time of 7:00 was too early. Being someone who works during the week like most people it was a bit of a stretch to try to make it in after work and having dinner done too (Unless you wish to starve until the end of the performance). A more sensible time to start would be 8:00. Also annoying was the begging for money announcement.

Flawless performance, beautiful setting, unforgettable Christmas event of 2010! i would recommend "The Messiah" to everyone.

Dressing up and going out is a rare treat for me these days, but when I heard it was Stravinsky's Firebird, I just could not resist. I booked a single ticket in the front row, slightly right of centre, and left my children at home with the sitter. I went with black dress number 1 (of 4), a lacy wrap from Shepherds, and shoes by Nine West. I'm not going to lie in this forum, Bach makes me sleepy, and always will. Having said that, I survived the first piece with all its movements and did not clap at inappropriate times. I went in there with a clear head and open mind, which left me in a very good position to join Stravinsky though multiple descents into madness. I cried when the French horns came in. They were truly beautiful. I came for the Stravinsky, but nothing could have prepared me for the cellist Johannes Moser and the Dvorak piece. What a treat! The play between the soloist and the composer was magical. I was enchanted. This guy has an iPhone app? I have got to check it out later. I am glad I stayed around for the moderated discussion. I was curious about their outfits and the colloborative aspects of the performance. Money well spent, and I will find time to do this again soon.

The NAC orchestra proved that they play with a passion that can be tangibly felt. Dvorak was profoundly beautiful (as was the vibrant cellist). Bach was subtly and cleverly executed. And Stravinsky was DIVINE.