LIGHT OF PARADISE
by Paul Mealor

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  • Paul Mealor is one of the world’s most ‘performed’ living composers and has composed music for some of the most important UK state, national and Royal occasions of the last ten years, including the wedding of The Prince and Princess of Wales (2011), King Charles’s 65th, 70th and 75th birthdays, two works for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s national Services of Thanksgiving (2022), two works for the Coronation (2023) – including the first ever setting of the Welsh Language at a Coronation, and three works for The Honours of Scotland Service (2023).

  • The mediaeval mystic, Margery Kempe (ca.1373-1448) is a fascinating figure. She freed herself from the restraint of marriage and embarked on pilgrimages to sacred sites in Europe and the Middle East, dressed usually in white. Kempe considered her travels as a series of divine trials and whilst nowadays she can be seen a suffering the symptoms of various mental illnesses, she distilled them into The Booke, a spiritual autobiography that she began in 1430, despite being illiterate.

    The manuscript was copied, probably shortly before 1450, by someone who signed himself Salthows; this scribe has been shown to be the Norwich monk Richard Salthouse. However after the 16th century Kempe's book was essentially lost; the only surviving manuscript was found again in 1934 the private library of the Butler-Bowdon family, and this is now in the British Library.

    The Light of Paradise is a work by Paul Mealor which was commissioned by the Zurich Chamber Singers. An hour long work for choir and saxophone quartet, Mealor describes it as a choral opera. Its fourteen movements, devotions Mealor calls them, are loosely based on the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross, using words by Kempe to create a narrative arc, presenting the story of her pilgrimage as well as unfolding her religious universe. 

    The result is neither opera nor oratorio, and mixes choral writing with solos and music for the saxophone quartet. Mealor creates a distinctive sound world all of his own. Whilst Mealor's musical style is a long way from that of Arvo Pärt, listening to The Light of Paradise you cannot help but think about the way Pärt reinvented the Lutheran passion in his own image. 

  • Renowned for their energy, unique sonority and fearless innovation, the four members of Quasar have been exploring the multiple facets of musical creation since its foundation in 1994. A highly versatile ensemble, they demonstrate exceptional artistry across a wide spectrum of genres and asthetics from acoustic works and improvisation to cutting-edge electronics, music-theatre and multidisciplinary productions

    Their artistic excellence has earned them 10 OPUS Awards from the Conseil québécois de la musique—including the coveted “Artist of the Year” prize—confirming their status as one of Canada’s most influential contemporary music ensembles.

    A powerhouse of artistic innovation, Quasar is celebrated for its close collaborations with today’s composers. By embracing research, experimentation, and bold creative risks, the quartet brings to life concerts that are daring, immersive, and unmistakably original. More than 200 new works have been commissioned and premiered by the ensemble, making a profound contribution to the development of contemporary repertoire and musical ideas.

    Based in Montreal, Quasar curates and produces a concert series each season and performs widely across Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Europe. The ensemble has been showcased at major international festivals, including Busan Maru (South Korea), Ars Musica (Brussels), the SALT Festival (Victoria), and Tonlagen (Dresden).

  • Paul is absolutely delighted to have been asked by The King to write a new work for The Coronation of Their Majesty’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla next month in Westminster Abbey.

    Paul Mealor’s ‘Coronation Kyrie’ marks the first Welsh language performance at a Coronation, to be sung by bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and the Choir of Westminster Abbey. On the inspiration for his composition, Mealor said:

    It is a meditative, introspective piece based on a blend between Gregorian chant and ‘Cerdd Dant’ (Welsh Penillion singing – an important part of eisteddfodau). I was inspired by the great Welsh tunes– Aberystwyth, Cwm Rhondda, Ar Lan Y Môr – and the composition is coloured by the harmonies of these songs. It is a cry from the deep soul of the hills and valleys of Wales for hope, peace, love and friendship.

2026 JUNO Award Nominee

Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble)

Benedict Sheehan: Ukrainian War Requiem
Performed by Axios Men’s Ensemble & The Tenors and Basses of Pro Coro Canada
Featuring John Tessier & Yuliia Zasimova
Conducted by Michael Zaugg

Congratulations to the other distinguished ensembles nominated this year:

Canadian Chamber Choir | Les Violons du Roy | Tafelmusik | Toronto Symphony Orchestra

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Plan Your concert Experience

  • When selecting a concert venue, ease of access for our audiences is top of mind, so we generally perform in spaces with ample parking nearby and nearby transit access.

    Prior to every concert, we will send an email to all ticket holders with specific directions to help you plan your transit or parking needs in advance! Send us an email at admin@procoro.ca if you have any concerns about access and accessibility for any of our concerts.

  • We typically open our doors 30 minutes prior to show time, sometimes earlier in cases of inclement weather or pre-concert events. We recommend arriving about 20-30 minutes prior to show time for a smooth experience getting through the front of house and finding seats before the concert begins. Don’t panic if you are running late—for most performances we can easily help you sneak in during applause.

    If you are choosing to drive to our concerts, arriving early can be extra important for ensuring you can easily find parking and get seated before the concert begins.

  • Whatever makes you feel comfortable and is appropriate for being in public! Some people like to dress up to attend a concert while others might prefer to attend in a t-shirt and jeans. A good rule of thumb is to dress the same way you would to go out to a sit-down restaurant. Remember to bring layers!

  • Pro Coro Canada concerts typically run between 1.5 to 2 hours, often with an intermission. If there is no intermission, this is typically indicated on the ticket page and in the program.

    Each concert varies in terms of how much talking there is between pieces, often depending on the atmosphere of the concert theme. New Year’s Eve, for instance, is a much more celebratory and conversational concert than Good Friday.

  • Please hold your applause until the end of each piece of music. For pieces with multiple movements (which will be indicated in your concert program), please wait until the end of the entire piece to applaud.

    If you’re unsure, your safest bet is to wait for the applause to begin and then join in!

What is a choir?

A choir is a group of singers who perform together, blending their voices to create a unified musical sound. For a professional choir, this goes beyond just singing; it involves rigorous training, exceptional vocal technique, and a deep commitment to artistic excellence. Each singer is a skilled musician, capable of intricate musicality and seamless vocal blending across a wide range of styles, from classical to contemporary.

The concept of choral singing has ancient roots, appearing in various forms across cultures, from the communal chants of early civilizations to the structured ensembles of ancient Greek drama and religious ceremonies. Choirs in the Western choral tradition are typically divided into voice sections—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—allowing for rich harmonies and complex musical textures. There is frequently further splitting of these parts to allow for more complex harmony to form. With 24 professional singers, Pro Coro Canada sometimes divides into 24 parts, having each artist perform their own part solo.

Ultimately, professional choirs enrich communities by sharing the beauty and power of choral music. They offer audiences deeply moving experiences and often engage in educational outreach, inspiring new generations and fostering a greater appreciation for the arts. This dedication solidifies their vital role in the cultural landscape, showcasing the transformative impact of the human voice united in song.