SUN. FEB 9th – Rubén Vázquez, Piano, Liza McLellan, Cello & Romulo Delgato, Tenor (Single Ticket)

Romulo Delgado is an operatic tenor, composer, world music multi- instrumentalist, vocal coach and adjudicator. He was a region finalist at the Hans Gabor Belvedere International Opera competition in Vienna, Austria and trained in Toronto at the Royal Conservatory Music. His versatility as a performer has enchanted audiences all over North America and Europe.

His operatic roles currently include Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata, Don Jose in Bizet’s Carmen, The Duke of Mantua in Verdi’s Rigoletto, Edgardo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Idomeneo in Mozart’s Idomeneo, Mario Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca, Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth, Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Boheme and Riccardo in the Canadian premiere of Verdi’s Oberto.

Also in demand as a concert tenor soloist, his concert oratorio repertoire includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Gounod’s St. Cecilia Mass, Dubois’ the seven last words of Christ, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Handel’s Samson, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, Verdi’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah.

As a composer, his oratorio: The Cross of Christ had its world premiere under the baton of maestro Denis Mastromonaco. It is based on the seven last words of Christ on the Cross and arranged for four soloists and orchestra.

This moving and powerful oratorio explores the salvific meaning of suffering, the richness of hope, the deepness of faith and the everlasting love of God for humanity. Acclaimed for its cinematic qualities and its rich ethnic musical influences, The Cross of Christ’s music provides the sacred
text sublime magnitude and grandeur.

As a leading tenor, ultimately, what distinguishes Romulo’s singing is that “striking, powerful and ingratiating lyric tenor sound with all the money notes!” (Opera Canada). Whether on the opera stage, or enchanting audiences with his passion for world music passion, “Romulo Delgado’s free, vigorous, and lustrous tenor voice makes him one of Canada’s most unique performing artists.” (The Globe and Mail)

www.romulo.ca

Liza McLellan

Saskatchewan-born cellist Liza McLellan is currently writing, arranging and
performing music of all styles. These arrangements have been performed by
ensembles ranging in size from the string quartet right up to symphony orchestra.
She is currently cellist and writer/arranger for Yamaha and D’Addario sponsored
electric/acoustic string quartet Dévah. In 2022 she co-produced, wrote and
arranged all the music for their latest concept album entitled “Prometheus.” In
2019, Dévah Quartet recorded another full length album entitled “2112” – which
featured her arrangement of RUSH’s epic suite 2112, as well as her own original
suite called “Heaven and Hell”, also written for electric string quartet, drums, male
and female vocal soloists as well as choir.

From 2009 until 2019 Liza was cellist for Canada’s noteworthy crossover quartet
‘Quartetto Gelato,’ and was touring extensively. After starting her family, Liza left
the quartet to settle down, and is now a sought after freelance cellist in Toronto.
Recent work includes cello for the Mirvish productions of Shrek, Hadestown, Jagged
Little Pill, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jesus Christ
Superstar. She has taken part in numerous premieres with local ensembles like
Soundstreams Canada and New Music Concerts. She is an in-demand session and
recording artist for musical genres ranging from folk, to rock, pop and classical, and
has worked in nearly every recording studio in Toronto. Liza has taken part in
performing for numerous film scores (most notably by composer Michael Danna),
and can be heard in TV productions such as The Murdoch Mysteries and Wynonna
Earp. She has sat as an extra musician for numerous Canadian orchestras, most
notably the Toronto Symphony.

Rubén Vázquez

Rubén Vázquez was born in Havana, Cuba, where he graduated as Choir Conductor
and Professor from the Conservatory “Amadeo Roldan” in 1994. The following year
he moved to Toronto and continued his studies at Humber College and graduated
with a Bachelor of Music in 2006. In 2012, he achieved his Associate Diploma at The
Royal Conservatory (ARCT) in Piano Performance. In 2017, completed his Master of
Arts Degree at York University, where he studied music analysis, composition,
arranging and orchestration with Michael Coghlan, Alan Henderson, Jay Rahn, and
others. In April of 2022, Rubén completed his PhD at York University.
He has been teaching piano and music theory courses since arriving in Toronto.
Rubén specializes and teaches a variety of musical styles, including classical, jazz,
pop, Brazilian and Latin music. In 1995, he began to teach at the Thornhill School of
Music. Since 2002 until today, Rubén has been teaching piano, music theory, sight
singing and jazz ensembles at The Royal Conservatory of Music. He worked as
Teacher Assistant at York University where he taught music theory, harmony,
analysis, counterpoint, and piano proficiency. He is also teaching jazz ensembles at
Humber College.

Rubén has also been an active pianist and performer for a variety of distinguished
music ensembles and artists in Toronto such as the Three International Tenors,
Canadian icon Jane Bunnett, Luis Mario’s band “Cimarrón”, Nick Ali’s “Marrón
Matizado”, Romulo Delgado, Mitch Seekins, Alexis Baró, Diego Marulanda’s band
“Pacandé”, Ricky Franco’s P-Crew Salsa Band, Pablo Aceas’ band, Marta Elena’s
band, and others. He also worked as pianist for renowned salsa singers Tony Vega
and Ismael “Maelo” Ruiz. He performed at the Latin Grammy celebrations in 2004,
and at the Canadian Genie Awards with Jane Bunnett, and has participated in
several tours in Europe, South America, and the United States.