Benefit concert at Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church - April 1, 2023

For many decades, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church on the Plateau-Mont-Royal has been the local heart of worship and cultural life, hosting many concerts of international quality. This year is no exception, although our concert on April 1st will be exceptional. This benefit event is being held as part of the 2021-2024 fundraising campaign for the preservation of the historic gem that is Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church.
Imagine a great classical concert, with full orchestra, choir and voices, resonating under a spectacular light show, all in one of the most majestic churches on the island.  

Program

Under the baton of the illustrious Maestro Louis Lavigueur, the artists will perform Mozart's Requiem Mass and the last and greatest Mass by Haydn, the Harmoniemesse: two works not to be missed this Lenten season.

Featuring:
Andréanne Brisson-Paquin, soprano
Rose Naggar-Tremblay, mezzo-soprano
Antonio Figueroa, tenor
Philippe Martel, bass
The Choeur classique de Montréal
The Sinfonia de Montréal Orchestra
    
Two options

General admission to Concert
•    $100 ($50 receipt for tax purposes)
•    Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
•    309 Rachel St. E.

Cocktail reception and Concert
•    Reserved seating
•    $150 ($50 receipt for tax purposes)
•    Doors open at 6:15 pm
•    4240 Drolet St.
 

Historical value of the Church

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church is poised to celebrate its 150th anniversary, with its first Mass having been celebrated by Father Maynard on June 28, 1874, in a stone church in the heart of what was then the little village of St-Jean-Baptiste.

This first church was destroyed by fire on January 29, 1889. Everything was burnt, including the presbytery and the splendid Sacred Heart chapel. The second church, consecrated with great pomp in June 1903, burned to the ground on June 27, 1911, when the west tower was struck by lightning, mere days after the inauguration of its grand organ. For the third time, the parishioners then rolled up their sleeves and proceeded to erect the present church, which was consecrated in 1915.

The neoclassical façade of the church features a magnificent portico with a phalanx of eight lofty columns framed by two octagonal copper-domed bell towers – the signature of Rachel Street. The stoical façade gives no hint of the magnificent baroque style interior. The third largest church on the island, it is richly decorated with nine marble altars and beautiful stained-glass windows. A closer look reveals the handiwork of Nincheri.  The church has three large Casavant Frères organs.  The majestic organ in the choir loft is colossal and well worth a visit!

Presented amid the luminous beauty and extraordinary acoustics of Saint Jean Baptiste Church, this benefit concert is an opportunity to help contribute to the conservation of an exceptional heritage monument and to ensure its future. 

For those who cannot attend the concert, further information can be found here concerning the fundraising campaign.

To learn more: info@eglisesjb.com