NEWS RELEASE
COLLINGWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL
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COLLINGWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL
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Join the Collingwood Music Festival on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. for an enchanting afternoon of holiday magic and musical brilliance in the welcoming ambience of First Presbyterian Church.
The festival is delighted to welcome back Canada’s most-celebrated baritone, Gino Quilico, for a very special performance titled “Songs of the Season.”
Quilico, who brought down the house during the 2024 festival’s sold-out finale, returns to captivate audiences with selections from his highly acclaimed album, "Secrets of Christmas."
Quilico, who brought down the house during the 2024 festival’s sold-out finale, returns to captivate audiences with selections from his highly acclaimed album, "Secrets of Christmas."
His rich, velvety voice will be accompanied by beloved local pianist, Christopher Burton, creating a concert brimming with festive charm and musical elegance.
Adding to the wonder of the season, soulful mezzo-soprano Viera Zmiyiwsky will grace the stage, performing heartwarming Ukrainian holiday and folk favourites.
Adding to the wonder of the season, soulful mezzo-soprano Viera Zmiyiwsky will grace the stage, performing heartwarming Ukrainian holiday and folk favourites.
Her performance, accompanied by Collingwood Music Festival’s Artistic Director and internationally-renowned pianist, Daniel Vnukowski, promises to transport audience members to a place of peace and joy.
As a highlight of the afternoon, Gino Quilico and Viera Zmiyiwsky will join forces for a stunning duet of the cherished classic, The Prayer, immortalized by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.
As Master of Ceremonies, Daniel Vnukowski will guide concert-goers through this sparkling celebration, adding his personal touch and insights to the program and making this a matinee not to be missed.
As Master of Ceremonies, Daniel Vnukowski will guide concert-goers through this sparkling celebration, adding his personal touch and insights to the program and making this a matinee not to be missed.
"Whether you’re a long-time music lover or looking to share a magical experience with your family, 'Songs of the Season' will leave you uplifted and inspired," said Vnukowski. "As well, be sure to save the dates for next year's festival: July 9 to 19!"
Songs of the Season concert tickets are $45 online / $55 at the door.
They are selling quickly and available for purchase online at: https://
About the artists
Gino Quilico’s career spans over 40 years, characterized by a remarkable career. He has performed more than 30 roles at the opera and on the most prestigious opera stages in the world: The Metropolitan Opera (NYC), La Scala (Milan), The Paris Opera, to name a few, and, and has sung under the direction of the greatest conductors of the symphonic world: Herbert Von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Kent Nagano and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Gino has participated in more than thirty opera recordings. In 1995, Most notably, was the recipient of a Grammy Award for his role in Berlioz’s Les Troyens with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and has performed to great success in musicals including Notre-Dame de Paris, by Plamondon-Cocciante playing the role of “Quasimodo”, and, the role of “Jean Valjean” in Les Misérables. His calling to share extends beyond the arts. In 1990, he was one of the few Canadians appointed Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Gino Quilico has always had the promotion of lyrical art at heart while being a worthy representative of Canadian culture. This involvement was highlighted when he was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his talent and dedication to this cause.
Christopher Burton has been Director of Music at Thornbury's Grace United Church for six years. He studied both violin and piano, receiving his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at University of Ottawa and also holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from McGill University, and a Doctorate in Musical Arts in Piano Accompaniment and Chamber Music from the Eastman School of Music. Most notably, during a brief career as a professional violinist, he performed in Smokey Robinson's onstage backup orchestra. His experience with the violin gives him a unique affinity to music for piano with strings. He is currently preparing the ten Sonatas for Piano and Violin by Beethoven, the two Cello Sonatas by Brahms, and Brahms’ monumental Piano Quintet. Christopher has a wealth of teaching experience, and, is equally at home performing solo and collaborative piano, and has conducted choirs, opera, musical theatre, and oratorio. He enjoys life in the Blue Mountains, singing in several choirs, while directing others, and has recently been teaching recorder, handbells and theory.
Viera Zmiyiwsky is a classically-trained artist performing regularly across Canada and the USA via her own her own events business, as well as in Europe. A graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Performance from University of Toronto, she in addition to being a trained mezzo-soprano, is also an accomplished violinist, having studied with esteemed North American instructors at University of Indiana.
Highlights of her performances include the Children's Wish Foundation, TIFF, Mercedes Benz, IKEA, University Club of Toronto, and Desjardins Insurance International, among many more. As an emerging film score composer, her most recent soundtrack received international recognition at the South Asian Film Festival and the LA Independent Film Festival. Viera values engaging with her community through teaching in workshops and mentorship programs; instilling in the next generation of young musicians a love for music and nurturing their talent and sparking creativity.
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