On July 30 and 31, past and present members of the The Rebanks Family Fellowship and International Performance Residency Program performed as part of The Weston Weekend of Music and Theatre. In collaboration with Theaturtle Productions, choreographer Neshama Nashman’s unique and moving setting of “Erbarme Dich” from J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion received its Canadian premiere. Rebanks fellows Jillian Bonner (2019-20 Rebanks Fellow, mezzo-soprano), Michael Bridge (2020-21 Rebanks Fellow, accordion), River Guard (2020-21 Rebanks Fellow, tenor) and Luri Lee (2013-14 Rebanks Fellow, violin) were all featured in these outdoor performances at Memorial Park, as well as Canadian dancer Martin ten Kortenaar, who is currently a soloist with the Dutch National Ballet.
Mezzo-soprano Jillian Bonner travelled to Toronto from Saint John, New Brunswick in order to participate in this project. “I had so much fun in Toronto in July, and it was all made possible thanks to the Rebanks Family Fellowship Program,” she said. “It was incredibly nourishing to my soul to collaborate with musicians of the calibre of Michael, River and Luri. After being unable to collaborate with others in person, or sing for an audience since March 2020, this whole experience meant everything to me.”
“Jillian had the unique experience of being a Rebanks fellow when the pandemic started,” said Alan Macdonald, Manager of the Rebanks Family Fellowship Program. “We were excited to be able to bring her back for this opportunity.”
Choreographer Neshama Nashman originally created this piece for Spanish dancer Miguel Martínez Pedro, and it was premiered to great acclaim this past June at the Ballett am Rhein in Düsseldorf. Due to ongoing travel restrictions, Martinez Pedro was unable to travel to Toronto, however dancer Martin ten Kortenaar happened to be in his hometown of Guelph visiting family members for the summer. He was expediently brought on board for this project.
“The dancer (Martin), performing the truly inspired choreography by Neshama Nashman elevated the Bach in a way I didn’t anticipate,” said Bonner. “When I learn a piece, I learn about the language, subtext, history and theory, and I felt like I knew this piece very well – until I sang it with the dancer. His movement references the text, but also some instrumental lines, phrasing, and pure emotion.”
Needless to say, all parties were thrilled to perform for a live audience.
“[Performing for a live audience] was sheer joy. Even though we were outside, and relatively far away from each other, I could feel their love and support. A little girl approached me after the concert and told me she loved to sing and asked me about opera: I really adore those moments, and I missed them so much."
The Royal Conservatory is grateful to the Rebanks Family and Weston Family Foundation, without whom these performances would not have been possible.