Solo Violin and the Ghost of an Architectural Masterpiece

Gathering Under the Dome-Solo Violin and the Ghost of an Architectural Masterpiece

Toronto’s beautiful, historic St. Anne’s Church burned down in June 2024. But thanks to a Toronto musician and an Ottawa building, its story continues.

During the COVID lockdown, violinist and composer Anne Lindsay sought solace within Toronto's historic St Anne's Church, renowned for its elegant Byzantine style, its decoration by some of Canada's most important artists (including members of the Group of Seven), and its superb acoustics. Under St. Anne's majestic dome Anne Lindsay recorded a luminous suite of pieces that became an album called Soloworks 2.

By the time Soloworks 2 was set to release in June 2024, St. Anne's had burned down – a disaster for Canadian heritage that was front-page news right across the country.

No audience ever heard Soloworks 2 performed there, and none ever will. That’s where the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (CDCC) comes in.

Built in 1914, the CDCC is in many ways an Ottawa doppelgänger of St. Anne’s with its Byzantine dome and outstanding acoustics. Soloworks 2 will be performed in this beautiful and resonant heritage building – the performance no one got to hear at St. Anne's.

The evening will begin with short introductory presentations on the architecture, art, and acoustics of St. Anne’s and of Dominion-Chalmers, by Carleton professors Peter Coffman, Brian Foss and James Wright.

Where: The Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, main entrance at 290 Lisgar Street.

When: Monday September 29th, 7:00 pm.

Admission: Free