Swing the Mass at Cinquième salle : Will Todd’s Mass in Blue for a rare occasion in Quebec

Interview by Frédéric Cardin
Genres and styles : Jazz

Additional Information

In 2003, British composer Will Todd (b. 1970) wrote a spectacular jazz choral work: Mass in Blue. Originally written for soloist, choir and big band, it will be performed for a rare occurrence in Quebec at Place des Arts’ Cinquième salle on Sunday, May 19 at 1pm. For the occasion, it will be performed in a more chamber version, but just as exciting, featuring a jazz quartet (piano, sax, double bass and drums) and a classical soprano as soloist. The hybrid, resolutely solar work, is extremely popular, though difficult to stage as it requires first-rate performers, well grounded in their jazz improvisatory impulses, but also in a need for classical technical rigor. A challenge taken up by young choral conductor Lorenzo Somma, recently seen as musical and choral director in productions such as Les Choristes and Hair. I caught up with the friendly musician to find out more about this work, which makes for a memorable listening experience, trust me. 

DETAILS AND TICKETS FOR MASS IN BLUE AT LA CINQUIÈME SALLE, SUNDAY MAY 19 AT 1PM

The interview is in French :

Latest 360 Content

Francis Choinière and his OPCM celebrate 10 years with Mahler

Francis Choinière and his OPCM celebrate 10 years with Mahler

The Space is a Headliner: The Story of Exposé Noir

The Space is a Headliner: The Story of Exposé Noir

Pro Musica | Sergey et Lusine Khachatryan, l’Arménie classique et… tout l’univers classique

Pro Musica | Sergey et Lusine Khachatryan, l’Arménie classique et… tout l’univers classique

Maria Gajraj : not your average organist and organ music. And that’s a wonderful thing!

Maria Gajraj : not your average organist and organ music. And that’s a wonderful thing!

Chanson québécoise franco | Louis-Dominique Lévesque Remembers

Chanson québécoise franco | Louis-Dominique Lévesque Remembers

FIMAV | Érick D’Orion, Sound Installation Explorer

FIMAV | Érick D’Orion, Sound Installation Explorer

23rd Piknic Electronik: All About The May Program!

23rd Piknic Electronik: All About The May Program!

Bryan Cheng and the OSL invite discovery

Bryan Cheng and the OSL invite discovery

Stereo Africa Festival – Ali Beta, The Troubadour Who Plays Afro-jazz

Stereo Africa Festival – Ali Beta, The Troubadour Who Plays Afro-jazz

Blair Thomson, Half Moon Run arranger for the OSM: Chapter 2!

Blair Thomson, Half Moon Run arranger for the OSM: Chapter 2!

FIMAV | Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, the museum of tremors

FIMAV | Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, the museum of tremors

A Place To Bury Strangers on Building Sonic Weapons and Playing Shows That Feel Like Car Crashes

A Place To Bury Strangers on Building Sonic Weapons and Playing Shows That Feel Like Car Crashes

Stereo Africa Festival, Through the Eyes of Montrealer Saphia Arhzaf

Stereo Africa Festival, Through the Eyes of Montrealer Saphia Arhzaf

A party with post-punk Brooklynites TVOD

A party with post-punk Brooklynites TVOD

FIRE! Orchestra at FIMAV: Power Trio Meets Canadian Community of Avant-Garde Players

FIRE! Orchestra at FIMAV: Power Trio Meets Canadian Community of Avant-Garde Players

Jazz at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal explained by Modibo Keita

Jazz at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal explained by Modibo Keita

Classica 2025 Presented by Marc Boucher: The Art of The Piano with Serhiy Salov and Jean-Philippe Sylvestre

Classica 2025 Presented by Marc Boucher: The Art of The Piano with Serhiy Salov and Jean-Philippe Sylvestre

Classica 2025 Presented by Marc Boucher: Women’s Cellos

Classica 2025 Presented by Marc Boucher: Women’s Cellos

Classica 2025 presented by Marc Boucher: The Köln Concert String Quartet

Classica 2025 presented by Marc Boucher: The Köln Concert String Quartet

SAT’s Substrat Sound Series: IRLʼs soundscapes

SAT’s Substrat Sound Series: IRLʼs soundscapes

The two voices of Bells Larsen, for the first and last time

The two voices of Bells Larsen, for the first and last time

Salle Bourgie 2025-26: we talk to the artistic director and general manager about the next season

Salle Bourgie 2025-26: we talk to the artistic director and general manager about the next season

Classica 2025 Presented By Marc Boucher: La Fille aux cheveux de lin

Classica 2025 Presented By Marc Boucher: La Fille aux cheveux de lin

Corie Rose Soumah & Hypercube at Le Vivier: So Much Material… Skill

Corie Rose Soumah & Hypercube at Le Vivier: So Much Material… Skill

Subscribe to our newsletter