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Coro Vivo Ottawa is a vibrant, friendly, community choir attracting members from across the National Capital Region.

Choir Information

Message from the Artistic Director for 2018-2019

Dear Choristers and Friends of Coro Vivo Ottawa,

As our 35th season gets underway, I’d like to share with you some exciting news about our upcoming concerts. The 2018 – 2019 season is of particular significance to me as this year marks the 10th season that I have shared with Coro Vivo. For the past nine seasons, I have had the honour of producing over 25 CVO concerts and sharing our music with over 8,000 concert-goers from across the National Capital Region. In addition, we have collaborated with several exceptional orchestras and choirs, and have toured nationally and internationally. I’m very proud to be entering the 10th season at the helm of this strong, capable and talented group of singers. The past season was a clear example of the practise that we’ve adopted in Coro Vivo Ottawa.

In December 2017, we joined forces with the Orchestre symphonique de Gatineau, the Choeur du Conservatoire, and four talented soloists, all under the baton of Maestro Yves Léveillé, to present Händel’s famous oratorio and perennial Christmas favourite: Messiah. In March 2018, we presented an outstanding programme featuring Morten Lauridsen’s Sure on this Shining Night. Alongside this beautiful piece, we presented works by Whitacre, Gjeilo, and other extraordinary 20th and 21stcentury composers. We closed our season in May 2018 with a celebration of music by the popular British band, The Beatles. Choristers and audience members enthusiastically embraced the exciting programme of new vocal arrangements of their timeless compositions in a concert entitled: The Beatles in SATB.

As we start rehearsals for this season, I am truly looking forward to the concerts we are preparing for our audiences this year. This is a year that will highlight the capabilities, talent and flexibility of this ensemble. To begin, I would like to welcome you to our first performance of the season: Winter Songs. I have chosen an eclectic programme of outstanding music to open our season. This programme combines the Romantic music of Johannes Brahms with new compositions by Eric Whitacre, Daniel E. Gawthorp and others. In addition to the inclusion of seasonal music, I am particularly proud to have works by Canadian and local composers, among them: Joanna Estelle, John Armstrong, Robert Ingari and Patty Gartshore. I look forward to seeing you at this concert as I’m sure that it will be a memorable experience both for the audience and the performers.

In spring 2019, we will return to the Shenkman Arts Centre with a masterpiece for choir and orchestra by Joseph Haydn. The Missa in Angustiis (Mass for Troubled Times), or “Nelson Mass” (Hob. XXII/11) as it as it is commonly referred to, was composed at a time of turmoil on the European landscape. It is often referred to as one of Haydn’s greatest compositions. One can hear the despair and anguish in the opening chords of the choir and orchestra. This unique mass is filled with incredible moments of drama, joy and reflectiveness. Our performance will be a choral collaboration with the Grand Choeur du Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau. We will be accompanied by a full professional orchestra and three outstanding soloists: Sophie de Cruz, soprano; Renée Lapointe, mezzo-soprano; and, Ryan Hofman, baritone.

Of special significance this 10th season will be our performance on May 25th, 2019. I’m pleased to announce that a significant number of Coro Vivo singers will be travelling to New York City to present Fauré’s immortal Requiem at the Stern Auditorium in Carnegie Hall. Our singers will join a larger ensemble of talented voices from across North America, accompanied by the New England Symphony, all under the baton of Dr. Lisette Canton. It was my honour to have received this special invitation and to be able to prepare a talented ensemble such as CVO for this important international commitment.

Whether in Ottawa or New York, I very much look forward to seeing you at our performances and truly hope that you will enjoy them as much as we enjoy preparing them.

Antonio Llaca, M.M

Coro Vivo Ottawa - Artistic Director


About Coro Vivo

Coro Vivo Ottawa is a vibrant, friendly, community choir attracting members from across the National Capital Region. We perform two to three major concerts per year and sing an eclectic repertoire; from classical works such as Brahms Requiem, Haydn Lord Nelson Mass and the Rutter Gloria, through Opera choruses, music from Broadway shows, and Folk music from around the world. For major performances, we often hire professional musicians and soloists.

We rehearse one evening per week; Tuesday evening, and one Saturday per month. Each rehearsal session lasts for three hours. Our seasons start in September and run through May. Our Christmas Concert is usually performed at Orleans United Church but our spring venues have included: St Joseph's Church, St Francois d’Assise Church, Dominion Chalmers United Church, Christ Church Cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral, St Andrews Presbyterian Church and Centrepointe Theatre.

Literally translated, Coro Vivo means "lively choir". While fitting, perhaps even more appropriate would be "joyous choir". We enjoy singing together and the ongoing challenge of singing better.

Auditions - Come join us!

Coro Vivo will be holding open auditions for all voices Tuesday, Dec. 4th!

These auditions will be held at Orleans United Church (1111 Orleans Blvd, Ottawa, ON) (directions), Tuesday Dec. 4 at 7:00 PM. To arrange an audition, or to sit in on one of our rehearsals, or to obtain more information, please contact CVO Membership.

Those interested in auditioning should complete an Audition Request Form in advance and forward it to us.

Artistic Personnel 
Antonio Llaca

Cuban born, Antonio Llaca is an active choral conductor, teacher, and clinician. He studied choral conducting and classical guitar both in Canada and in South America. In 2013, Mr. Llaca finished his Master’s in Choral Conducting from Université de Sherbrooke (Montreal). He has studied with masters such as Michael Zaugg, Christopher Jackson, Robert Ingari, Patrick Roux, Laurence Ewashko and Luis Zea.

Since 2009, Mr. Llaca has conducted Coro Vivo Ottawa (CVO) and currently teaches choral, as well as instrumental conducting at the University of Carleton in Ottawa. Mr. Llaca is currently with the Conservatoire de Musique de Gatineauwhere he conducts the choirs and orchestra. He is also a conductor with the Canadian Chinese Children’s choir of Canada (C5).

During his career, Mr. Llaca has held a number of positions including that of Choral Assistant to the Ottawa Festival Chorus at the National Arts Centre from 2007 to 2011, working closely with Maestro Ewashko, as well as with internationally acclaimed Choral Conductor, Duain Wolfe.

Mr. Llaca is an advocate for Canadian choral music, incorporating prominent Canadian content in his programming, as well as commissioning choral pieces for his concerts from local composers. Under his baton, in 2010, CVO premiered “Meditatus”, North America, a work by Jan Gunnar Hoff, and in 2015, marking the 30th anniversary of this ensemble, CVO premiered the Canadian work “Gold and Glory” commissioned from John Armstrong. Mr. Llaca has been known for his ability to program new works as well as seldom-performed or known works of music. He has brought to the Ottawa music scene the works of colonial composers such as William Billings, Esteban Salas, José Angel Lamas, and Manuel de Zumaya, among others.

As a guitarist, Mr. Llaca has had the opportunity to perform in several venues including various summer festivals in Ottawa. As a classical mandolin player, he has performed on several occasions with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Montreal's Orchestre Métropolitain.

Mr. Llaca has toured in Canada and Latin America with his ensembles. He is known to be a passionate conductor and pedagogue who is regarded for his musicality and knowledge of the choral art. Louise Léveillé Louise is an accomplished musician, holding Bachelor of Music and Master of Education degrees from the University of Ottawa. She is trained in solfege and choral technique, and has taught at the Suzuki Music Camp in Orford, Quebec.

For ten years Louise was an ear-training teacher at the University of Ottawa under the tutelage of renowned conductor Agnes Grossman. She studied piano with Jean-Paul Sevilla and Jacinthe Couture in Montreal, and has studied accompanying with Evelyn Greenberg.

Louise has had many invitations, from groups of all ages, to give workshops on ear training and accompaniment. She has served as accompanist for the University Choir and le Théâtre Lyrique de Hull, and has accompanied professional singers and instrumentalists when making recordings for the CBC.

Recently, Louise retired from her position as a full-time music and drama teacher with the French Public School Board, directing two choirs of 60 children per chorus, aged six – twelve. Placing first in their category for two years in a row at Kiwanis Music Festival, the children’s chorus was twice awarded the John G. Sutherland Trophy for choral excellence. Their 2016 win earned them a coveted spot at the provincial choral competition, where they came in first place in their category. Following their festival win, they placed first at the CBC Music in School Competition and second in the National Choirs competition.

Currently, Louise directs two children’s choirs for the Conservatoire de Musique de Gatineau, and she continues to be involved as a consultant and accompanist in the Ottawa music community.

2015 marked the 25th Anniversary of Louise’s involvement with Coro Vivo Ottawa. The choir is privileged to have this long-standing association, benefiting from her generosity, expertise and professional skills. She has accompanied Coro Vivo since 1990.


Coro Vivo is strongly committed to the community.
 Coro Vivo feels a strong commitment to its community, and is proud of this relationship and the spirit of mutual support. Members of the choir perform at senior residences, hospitals and civic events. The choir also performs special concerts for sponsors and participates in fundraisers for other community organizations.

Supporting Local Talent

At spring concerts and most Christmas concerts, Coro Vivo often hires professional musicians and soloists; frequently contributing over $10,000 in a season. The choir supports predominantly local up-and-coming vocalists and enjoys following their progress. Two such examples are Keith Miller, who has had roles in Metropolitan Opera productions of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Puccini's Turandot, and Bizet's Carmen, as well as Joyce El Khoury, who has had roles in Metropolitan Opera productions of Puccini's Suor Angelica, Mozart's La Nozze di Figaro and Verdi's Simon Boccanegra.

Supporting Its Sponsors

Coro Vivo is very fortunate to have donor support from its community. In addition to providing these sponsors with recognition in concert programs and on the website, the choir encourages its members to support these businesses in their daily activities.

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)

Coro Vivo is proud to have made its spring concert a benefit concert for CHEO. Since May 2006, the choir has raised over $55,000 for the hospital.

Canadian Amateur Musicians Association (CAMMAC) Since fall 1993, Coro Vivo has held an annual weekend workshop at the beautiful premises of CAMMAC in the Laurentian Mountains. On these occasions, the choir hires a guest music director to lead the workshop; including such illustrious names as: Laurence Ewashko, Isabel Bernaus, Robert Filion, Iwan Edwards, Barbara Clark, Mark Sirrett, Lisette Canton and Michael Zaugg.

Other Community Involvement

Coro Vivo Ottawa history

Coro Vivo Ottawa has been part of the Ottawa-Gatineau area since 1984.

Coro Vivo history 2010 to present

Coro Vivo history 2000 to 2009

Coro Vivo history 1990 to 1999

Coro Vivo history 1984 to 1989

In January of 1984, Coro Vivo Ottawa was founded as an east end community choir. With just seventeen members and originally called Blackburn Chorus, it soon grew into a much bigger choir of 60-65 singers, with city-wide membership and a varied and challenging repertoire. Some of the highlights include:

Coro Vivo Charitable Registration Number: 865866990RR0001

Copyright 2015 - Coro Vivo Ottawa