Musique Royale

01/21/2025

Musique Royale is delighted to feature the gorgeous vocals of singer songwriter Karis Tees at our upcoming Cookie Concert on Saturday February 1st at 2pm, at the Lunenburg School of the Arts. We will hear music from Karis' first recording of original songs, "When It Comes Time", released last year. Karis Tees sings folk, choral, classical, and baroque music in churches, pubs, living rooms, concert halls, and around campfires. In 2023 she completed her Master of Music degree in Historical Performance Voice at the University of Toronto. All ages are invited for the concert, followed by a sweet treat!

Admission: $10 at the door, youth free (18 and under)
Date: Saturday, February 1, at 2pm
Location: Lunenburg School of the Arts, 6 Prince St, Lunenburg
Details: musiqueroyale.com

01/09/2025

Join Musique Royale at St John's Anglican Church in Lunenburg to hear a performance by flutist Patricia Creighton and pianist Peter Allen. Flutist Patricia Creighton is celebrated for her ravishing tone, deep natural musicality and great interpretative intuition. She is well known to Maritime audiences for her role as principal flautist with Symphony Nova Scotia from 1984 to 2022. Peter Allen is well known and loved by audiences throughout Canada for his captivating interpretations, regularly performing solo recitals, concertos with orchestra, and chamber music. Patricia and Peter have been collaborating for years and their upcoming concert includes works by Bach, Bartok, Poulenc, Rachmaninov, Copland, as well as an original piece composed by Patricia. Join us on Sunday January 19 at 3pm to hear these two exceptional musicians.

📅 Sunday January 19 at 3 pm
📍 St John’s Anglican Church, 64 Townsend St, Lunenburg
🎟️ Admission: $25 at the door • $20 advanced rate • Youth free (ages 18 and under)
🎻 Details at musiqueroyale.com

01/09/2025

Join Musique Royale at St John's Anglican Church in Lunenburg to hear a performance by flutist Patricia Creighton and pianist Peter Allen. Flutist Patricia Creighton is celebrated for her ravishing tone, deep natural musicality and great interpretative intuition. She is well known to Maritime audiences for her role as principal flautist with Symphony Nova Scotia from 1984 to 2022. Peter Allen is well known and loved by audiences throughout Canada for his captivating interpretations, regularly performing solo recitals, concertos with orchestra, and chamber music.

Patricia and Peter have been collaborating for years and their upcoming concert includes works by Bach, Bartok, Poulenc, Rachmaninov, Copland, as well as an original piece composed by Patricia. Join us on Sunday January 19 at 3pm to hear these two exceptional musicians.

📅Sunday January 19 at 3pm
📍St John's Anglican Church, Lunenburg
🎟️$25 at the door, $20 advance, youth free (ages 18 and under)
🎻Details at musiqueroyale.com

01/05/2025

Hi everyone, please note, two days remain that we can enjoy the special video recording of Capella Regalis' 2024 performance of A Chorister's Christmas online! Recorded by top-notch audio and video engineers, the broadcast features unique camera angles and excellent audio that bring the viewer truly "inside" the performance. Also special this year, at the end of the broadcast there are chorister interviews which follow. We are delighted that the choir offers this recording, so that choral lovers across Nova Scotia and beyond can enjoy this performance from the comfort of their homes, in the days that remain!

The broadcast is accessed with a pay-what-you-can ticket (suggested range of $10 - $25), and available for viewing until January 6 (Epiphany) at 11 PM Atlantic Standard Time. Enjoy beautiful carols, ancient and modern, arranged for choir, brass, and organ! Here is the link:

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/capellaregalischoirs/event/christmasbroadcast2024/

Duration: 63 minutes

Recorded live in the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax. Audio production by John D.S. Adams at Stonehouse Sound. Video production by Andrew Coll.

Beautiful carols, ancient and modern, performed by Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir, Paul Halley (organ), and Maritime Brass Quintet; directed by Nick Halley.

12/30/2024

As we linger within the twelve days of Christmas, join Musique Royale for Sunreturn, celebrating the passing year, and the return of the light for our Cookie Concert on January 4 at 2pm at the Lunenburg School of the Arts (6 Prince St). Presenting sacred songs and lively dance tunes from the medieval era to the 18th century, hear the vibrant playing of trio Jude Pelley (bouzouki, vocals), Jennifer Publicover, (flutes), and Anthony Rissesco (violin). The concert is followed by a sweet treat and all ages are welcome for this hourlong performance!

Admission: $10 at the door (youth free, age 18 and under).
Saturday January 4 at 2 pm
Lunenburg School of the Arts, 6 Prince St, Lunenburg

About the artists:

Jude Pelley, bouzouki, vocals

Jude Pelley was born in Newfoundland and raised on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. Inspired by his father, who played with seminal Canadian folk-rock group, Figgy Duff, Jude spent his formative years playing with Bridgewater’s award-winning bluegrass band, Exit 13. Since then his musical adventures have included being a mainstay in Victoria’s vibrant professional music scene for 5 years; criss-crossing the country usually by train or waste-vegetable oil fuelled vehicles; hosting an annual festival on his property; running a small-scale acoustic music recording and production studio, Alone Stone Productions (he produced Juno winner Amelia Curran’s first two solo albums).

For the past 5 years he has composed music for a collaborative chamber music project. Lately Jude is involved in many musical projects – he plays in bluegrass and American old time music ensembles in the Annapolis Valley, and is one half of the Swedish music duo, Spruce Larks, with Halifax based nyckelharpa player Kirsty Money.

Jennifer Publicover, flutes

Jennifer Publicover leads a multi-faceted life performing on the wooden Irish flute, modern orchestral flute, and Baroque flute. She earned her Master’s degree in flute performance at the University of Toronto and her B.Mus at Mount Allison. An active collaborator in dance halls and on the concert stage, she has also recorded two albums as a member of the neo-traditional trio Papilio. In 2023 Jennifer became a member of the Halifax Rättvik Trio, a new trio exploring the traditional musics of Sweden and Canada and points in between along the North Atlantic. Their first album was released in August 2024. She freelances as an orchestral/theatre musician on the modern flute and a chamber and orchestral musician on the Baroque flute. Possessing a second master’s degree in environmental studies, Jennifer is also a published scholar on the use of music as an environmental education tool, and lectures at Saint Mary’s University on the history of Irish traditional music. She is the owner and director of the Halifax Institute of Traditional and Early Music, and is a sought-after flute teacher.

Anthony Rissesco, fiddle

Anthony Rissesco is a versatile violin player and teacher who tours regularly with award-winning singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant and with roots-rock band Pogey. As a member of the neo-traditional trio Papilio, Anthony has garnered ECMA and Nova Scotia Music Awards nominations. He is also a member of the popular Halifax band The Gig Dogs. Anthony has played with Symphony Nova Scotia, Anne Murray, and Peggy Seeger.

As a music student at Dalhousie University, Anthony studied classical violin under Phillippe Djokic. He has won fiddle competitions throughout Canada, including the Maritime Fiddle Championship. In 1990, he came third in the Canadian Open in Shelburne Ontario, and he was chosen to represent Nova Scotia at the Grand Masters Competition in Ottawa for six consecutive years.

12/30/2024

As we linger within the twelve days of Christmas, join Musique Royale for Sunreturn, celebrating the passing year, and the return of the light for our Cookie Concert on January 4 at 2pm at the Lunenburg School of the Arts (6 Prince St). Presenting sacred songs and lively dance tunes from the medieval era to the 18th century, hear the vibrant playing of trio Jude Pelley (bouzouki, vocals), Jennifer Publicover, (flutes), and Anthony Rissesco (violin). The concert is followed by a sweet treat and all ages are welcome for this hourlong performance!

Admission: $10 at the door (youth free, age 18 and under).
Saturday January 4 at 2 pm
Lunenburg School of the Arts, 6 Prince St, Lunenburg

12/21/2024

Hi dear friends,

For those who are able to make it despite the nasty weather, A Chorister's Christmas in Lunenburg IS A GO. Drive safe, and join us for this amazing, amazing performance! xoxo

Thank you, Janelle

12/12/2024

Advance reservations for "A Chorister's Christmas" are sold out. Some spots will be available at the door, subject to seating within the church on the evening of the performance.

Musique Royale presents Capella Regalis Men and Boys Choir performing their concert "A Chorister's Christmas" at St John's Anglican Church in Lunenburg on Saturday December 21st at 4pm, as the choir brings us a new edition of their cherished Christmas concert, now in its 15th season! Directed by Nick Halley, and featuring organist Paul Halley, the choir has prepared a unique musical celebration of Christmas that weaves together works from a 12th-century female mystic, folk songs arranged by 20th-century composers, traditional German and French carols, and hymns calling for hearty audience participation.

Capella Regalis is a Canadian charity dedicated to training singers and to offering excellent choral music presentations to the public. Founded in Nova Scotia by director Nick Halley in 2010 to build upon the best aspects of the centuries-old European tradition of church choirs and to revitalize this method of music training in Canada, Capella Regalis now comprises a Boys Choir, Girls Choir, and professional Men's Choir (including Young Men with recently changed voices). Our children's choirs are free and open to any child who passes a basic audition. (read more at capellaregalis.com/)

A free-will offering is accepted with proceeds going to the Lunenburg Interchurch Food Bank and Second Story Women’s Centre.

12/10/2024

Musique Royale announces Handel’s Messiah performed by emerging artists at historic St John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg on Tuesday December 17 at 7 pm. For music lovers around the world, Handel’s Messiah brings families together to begin their Christmas celebrations. Annually, it’s the single most performed piece of classical music worldwide (The Guardian). Handel’s masterpiece in its original version was astonishingly written in three to four weeks.

While now it is performed with giant orchestras and choirs, Handel originally wrote Messiah for modest vocal and instrumental forces. Artistic director and singer Janelle Lucyk has congregated a troupe of young historical performance specialists from across Canada to create this pocket-sized Messiah which is aligned towards the original format, and she will be joined by soloists including soprano Sinead White, tenor Kerry Bursey, and bass Alexander Dobson.

The concert includes a sing-a-long Hallelujah chorus, where our audience is invited to join us, with a rehearsal preceding the performance at 6:30 pm to go over the music. Scores are provided at the door.
With the Hallelujah chorus as its centerpiece, Messiah can charm any listener, and drawing together some of Canada’s brightest emerging stars, Handel’s powerful music will light up Lunenburg this December.

Tickets: musiqueroyale.com
Admission: $30 at the door, $25 advance, youth free (18 and under)

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12/10/2024

A Rose in Winter is a joyous celebration of Christmas that brings the audience and performers fully into the profound beauty and poignancy of the holiday. The concert is a presentation of readings and music that showcases The Choir of the Cathedral of All Saints directed by Paul Halley. Join us at St John's Anglican Church (64 Townsend St) in Lunenburg on Saturday December 14 at 4pm.

A Rose in Winter, now in its third year, is the successor to fifteen years of A King’s Christmas, presented while Paul Halley was director of the King’s Chapel Choir. This in turn was the successor to fifteen years of Christmas Angelicus concerts in Connecticut with Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus, choirs Paul and his wife founded in 1992. And before that, A Chorister’s Christmas was the celebration of the season at The Cathedral of St. John The Divine in New York where Paul was Director of Music.

In this long tradition, a guest artist/narrator was engaged to help select and present the readings, but this year, Halley will select from among his choir to handle the narration of poetry and stories, since among these accomplished singers lay the not-so-hidden talents of actors, comedians, and poets.

This Christmas concert has been described by The Chronicle Herald as “annual magic”, and the celebration continues this year, with carols old and new, including four with audience joining in, and readings from the quietly expressive to the hilarious.

🎟 Tickets: musiqueroyale.com
$30 at the door, $25 advance, students $10

12/10/2024

Musique Royale announces Handel’s Messiah performed by emerging artists at historic St John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg on Tuesday December 17 at 7 pm. For music lovers around the world, Handel’s Messiah brings families together to begin their Christmas celebrations. Annually, it’s the single most performed piece of classical music worldwide (The Guardian). Handel’s masterpiece in its original version was astonishingly written in three to four weeks.
While now it is performed with giant orchestras and choirs, Handel originally wrote Messiah for modest vocal and instrumental forces. Artistic director and singer Janelle Lucyk has congregated a troupe of young historical performance specialists from across Canada to create this pocket-sized Messiah which is aligned towards the original format, and she will be joined by soloists including soprano Sinead White, tenor Kerry Bursey, and bass Alexander Dobson.
The concert includes a sing-a-long Hallelujah chorus, where our audience is invited to join us, with a rehearsal preceding the performance at 6:30 pm to go over the music. Scores are provided at the door.
With the Hallelujah chorus as its centerpiece, Messiah can charm any listener, and drawing together some of Canada’s brightest emerging stars, Handel’s powerful music will light up Lunenburg this December.
Tickets: musiqueroyale.com
Admission: $30 at the door, $25 advance, youth free (18 and under)

Musique Royale is an organization based in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, dedicated to promoting traditional and early music in historic venues throughout the province. Since its founding in 1985, Musique Royale has continued to celebrate venues of architectural and historic significance, and bring world-c...

12/08/2024

Musique Royale is delighted to present Capella Regalis Men and Boys Choir in Lunenburg on December 21st at 4pm for “A Chorister’s Christmas”, as the choir brings us a new edition of their cherished Christmas concert series, now in its 15th season! Directed by Nick Halley, and featuring organist Paul Halley, the choir has prepared a unique musical celebration of Christmas that weaves together works from a 12th-century female mystic, folk songs arranged by 20th-century composers, traditional German and French carols, and hymns calling for hearty audience participation.

Admission: Seats may be reserved in advance online (musiqueroyale.com), or by email ([email protected]). Attendees are welcome at the door for remaining spots. A free-will offering goes to Lunenburg Interchurch Food Bank and Second Story Women’s Centre.

Musique Royale is an organization based in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, dedicated to promoting traditional and early music in historic venues throughout the province. Since its founding in 1985, Musique Royale has continued to celebrate venues of architectural and historic significance, and bring world-c...

12/08/2024

A Rose in Winter is a joyous celebration of Christmas that brings the audience and performers fully into the profound beauty and poignancy of the holiday. The concert is a presentation of readings and music that showcases The Choir of the Cathedral of All Saints directed by Paul Halley. Join us at St John's Anglican Church (64 Townsend St) in Lunenburg on Saturday December 14 at 4pm.

A Rose in Winter, now in its third year, is the successor to fifteen years of A King’s Christmas, presented while Paul Halley was director of the King’s Chapel Choir. This in turn was the successor to fifteen years of Christmas Angelicus concerts in Connecticut with Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus, choirs Paul and his wife founded in 1992. And before that, A Chorister’s Christmas was the celebration of the season at The Cathedral of St. John The Divine in New York where Paul was Director of Music. In this long tradition, a guest artist/narrator was engaged to help select and present the readings, but this year, Halley will select from among his choir to handle the narration of poetry and stories, since among these accomplished singers lay the not-so-hidden talents of actors, comedians, and poets.

This Christmas concert has been described by The Chronicle Herald as “annual magic”, and the celebration continues this year, with carols old and new, including four with audience joining in, and readings from the quietly expressive to the hilarious.

Admission: $30 at the door, $25 advance, students $10
Tickets: musiqueroyale.com

11/18/2024

On Saturday December 7 at 2 pm, hear Tiffany Liu's trio performing at the Lunenburg School of the Arts for our Cookie Concerts! Originally from China, Tiffany Liu is an accomplished P**a player with over two decades of dedicated practice and performance experience. The P**a is a traditional Chinese musical instrument, which has been played for almost two thousand years in China and is one of China's most popular instruments. Sometimes called the "Chinese lute", it has a pear-shaped wooden body with a varying number of frets.

Based in PEI, Tiffany was nominated this year for "Global Recording of the Year" at the ECMA's, and has performed at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, and Under The Spire in PEI. With an open heart and an unwavering spirit of exploration, she aims to share the beauty of the P**a and Asian music culture with a global audience. Tiffany is joined on stage by buitarist Ivan Garnica and percussionist Mark Carr-Rollitt. All ages are welcome at this hourlong performance, followed by a sweet treat!

📍 Lunenburg School of the Arts , 6 Prince St, Lunenburg
📅 Saturday December 7 at 2 pm
🎟️ Admission: $10 at the door (youth free, ages 18 and under).

details at musiqueroyale.com

11/14/2024

Musique Royale welcomes listeners for a morning of jazz as featured artist Peter-Anthony Togni will mesmerize and inspire with an hourlong piano performance on Saturday November 23 at 11 am.

🕊️ With music that is spiritually rooted and reaches up to the divine, he will bring us a series of his own compositions, with other jazz and some creative interpretations of Bach to round out the program. Peter-Anthony Togni's music ragnes from the ethereally quiet to the explosive outer limits of contemplation.

✈️ Togni has been heard everywhere from Toronto’s Roy Thompson Hall and the Moscow Conservatory, to the Oriental Arts Centre in Shanghai and the Vatican in Rome for His Holiness Pope John Paul II. His music is broadcast regularly in Canada on CBC, as well as internationally, including on the BBC, Classic FM, Deutsche Wella and Radio France.

📍 Join us in the intimate setting of Cecilia's Retreat in Mahone Bay (1199 Oakland Rd, RR2) to hear Peter up close.

🎟️ Admission is $35, by advance reservation due to limited seating at the venue. Please email [email protected] if you would like to attend.

🎵 Details at musiqueroyale.com

11/13/2024

Mount Allison University students studying vocal performance present “The Early Music Show”, an engaging and historically informed program of vocal repertoire from the Baroque period. This special performance is aimed at family audiences and those who are new to experiencing this rich and dramatic repertoire. Hear dazzling works by Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastien Bach, Georg Frideric Handel, Henry Purcell, Catarina Assandra, Jean-Baptist Lully, and many more! Join Musique Royale on Thursday November 14 at 7 pm at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (65 Fox St) in Lunenburg for this one-of-a-kind event!

Students from the Baroque Performance class and the Elliott Chorale ensemble have created an exciting performance, inviting audiences into the mesmerizing world of early music from the European art music realm. For this unique concert experience, students will collaborate with professional mentors, Ryan Gallagher (gamba and Baroque cello), Jonathan Stutchbery (lutes and guitars), Jimin Shin Dobson (Baroque violin), and Dr. Kiera Galway (conductor).

Admission: pay what you can, seats can be reserved in advance (http://tiny.cc/2t4vzz)

This concert is possible in partnership with Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada).