Rideau Hall, Wednesday, September 26, 2007

It gives my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, our daughter Marie-Éden and me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall for an exceptional concert in this ballroom, which has always been central to the cultural life of this institution.

Over the years, some of Canada’s best cultural ambassadors have performed in this very space.

A few names that spring to mind are the Orford Quartet, the Purcell String Quartet, soprano Roxolana Roslak, performers Edith Butler and Robert Charlebois, mezzo-soprano Sonia Racine, pianist Marc-André Hamelin and, more recently, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Canada Council for the Arts, singer Lucie Idlout, violinist Marc Djokic and soprano Marie-Josée Lord.

Jean-Daniel and I firmly believe that artists are among a country’s most valuable resources. Through their art, they provide a visible and audible expression of our unique contribution to the nations of the world.

We are delighted this evening to present to you, in collaboration with the National Arts Centre, a concert by one of our greatest dramatic tenors. Ben Heppner has been praised in musical capitals all over the world for the intensity of his interpretations and the subtlety of his musical sensibility.

In 2002, Mr. Heppner was named an Officer of the Order of Canada to honour his invaluable contribution to Canada’s cultural vitality.

I cannot think of a more fitting way to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Order of Canada.

Mr. Heppner will be accompanied this evening by pianist John Hess, who is also considered an opera authority in Canada. Mr. Hess is one of Mr. Heppner’s close associates and they work together regularly all over the country.

We are also thrilled to have a number of young music students here with us this evening. I am certain they will greatly appreciate the mastery of the artists on stage and will be able to learn from them.

And now, without further ado, let the concert begin.

Let’s give the artists a warm welcome and thank them for the wonder they bring to our lives.