Sun Jul 30 21:30
Skye Consort & Emma Björling
This…collaboration between an Early Music folk fusion trio from Canada and a Swedish singer…immediately has the appeal of the unusual. (Issue 131, The Living Tradition)
At their Chamberfest debut, Skye Consort & Emma Björling will perform their “trans-Atlantic chamber folk” with arrangements of songs and tunes from Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, England, Québec, Acadia, and the USA, bringing old stories, melodies, and themes back to life in a contemporary musical setting.
About their album Skye Consort & Emma Björling, The Whole Note’s Barry Livingston says that “the songs are beautifully arranged, and Björling’s vocals are fully integrated into the ensemble, giving the music the feel of a true collaboration. One of the best folk recordings of 2019.”
Emma Björling, award-winning Swedish singer, composer, and arranger, met Alex Kehler (fiddle, nyckelharpa), Amanda Keesmaat (cello), and Seán Dagher (cittern/bouzouki, banjo) during a La Nef project in Montréal in October 2017 and “thanks to” Emma’s cancelled flight and their mutual love for each other’s celebrated musicianship, the Skye Consort & Emma Björling partnership was born.
With voice, fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion, each musician brings their unique slant to these musical traditions to create a program of whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions.
- Skye Consort & Emma Björlingensemble
More Concerts
Festival 2023
Experience five spectacular programs on our Signature Series, featuring large-scale collaborations between world-renowned musicians at Ottawa’s Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. The 2024 Signature Series is generously sponsored by Bytek Volkswagen & Carling Volvo.
Concerts immersed in Beechwood’s history and beauty, from its beloved sanctuary to the expansive grounds, complemented by the serene hours of the early morning.
These performances are outdoors. You will need to bring your own seating and weather protection if desired.
Sunrise Concerts are made possible with the generous support of Beechwood Cemetery.
New Music Now is a celebration of the breadth and vitality of today’s new classical culture. Explore the sonic range of today’s most creative musical minds at Chamberfest’s annual miniseries.
This series celebrates Canada’s world-class standard in chamber performance, featuring core string ensembles, solo piano, brass and vocal ensembles, and more! Taking place at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, these concerts are generously supported by Marina Kun (of Ottawa-based and internationally loved Kun Shoulder Rests).
Our Chamber Chats: Festival Edition features interactive interviews with festival musicians both online and in person.
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Our Chamberfringe shows take place at La Nouvelle Scène, Club SAW, and The Gladstone Theatre, providing a more casual setting where audiences can enjoy beverages and immerse themselves in the buzzing late-night atmosphere.
Fourteen-day Chamberfest 2021 passholders can exclusively enjoy musical experiences – from full-length concerts to bite-sized adventures – featuring Chamberfriends in Berlin, Paris, New York City, and North Macedonia. Including Hinrich Alpers, Quatuor Danel, Rob Kapilow, Lara St. John, and Simon Trpčeski.
The Live From… series is digital-only content, part of your Festival Livestream Pass and available in the Livestream Library until August 6. Single ticket access to Hinrich Alpers Live from Hanover and Quatuor Danel Live from Antwerp will be available in July, with the generous support of the Embassy of Germany and the Embassy of France. All digital content from Simon Trpčeski, Rob Kapilow, and Lara St. John is exclusive for Festival Livestream Passholders.
Held within Ottawa’s historic and beautiful Beechwood Cemetery, the Beechwood Series features performances that lend themselves to reflection and contemplation, both in its beloved Sacred Space and on the expansive grounds. The Beechwood Series is made possible with the generous support of Beechwood Cemetery
Celebrate the piano at the home of our longtime partners, Steinway Piano Gallery Ottawa.
The Steinway Series is made possible with the generous support of the Steinway Piano Gallery Ottawa.
Get out into the open air with various festival performers for al fresco concerts in downtown Ottawa.
These performances are outdoors. Seating will be limited, and you may need to bring your own weather protection if desired.
Eclectic programming resonates against a backdrop of vinyl, vintage speakers, and reel-to-reel at legendary music destination and beloved Wellington staple, The Record Centre. Here, artists are at play: exploring and expanding their creativity in this casual space.
Seating will not be available.
This summer, our festival offers a rich selection of online content broadcast live from Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre in Ottawa.
Chamberfest’s Community Engagement and Education pillar (CEE) engages community members of all ages through a diverse range of meaningful music experiences. Whether on stage, online, or on the streets, CEE changes lives through music.
