ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CELEBRATION
April 1, 2026 | 7:00pm
Desautels Concert Hall, University of Manitoba
A Musical Tribute to Rita Menzies
About this Event
​​
To honour and celebrate the amazing contribution that Agassiz’s beloved former President and Festival Director, Rita Menzies, made to the musical and arts life of Winnipeg.
​
Featuring
Karl Stobbe, violin
Elation Pauls, violin
Elise Lavallée, viola
Minna Rose Chung, cello
Paul Marleyn, cello
Samuel Nadurak, cello
Tracy Dahl, soprano
Monica Huisman, soprano
Mel Braun, baritone
Paul Williamson, piano
Laura Loewen, piano
The Esprit Singers, Artistic Director Valdine Anderson
Rennie Regehr, speaker
Jeannette Menzies, speaker
Andrea Ratuski, host
​
Tickets $80
general admission and reception with a partial tax receipt.
$20
student admission
​​
​
​
​
For more information, phone (204) 228-3431
SPONSORED BY
Concert Program
Henry Purcell - If music be the food of love, Z379
​
Franz Schubert - Litanei auf das Fest Aller Seelen
Mel Braun baritone, Paul Williamson piano
​
Rennie Regehr - Memories of Rita
​
David Popper - Requiem for 3 cellos and piano, Opus, 66
Paul Marleyn cello, Minna Rose Chung cello, Sam Nadurak cello
​
Amy Beach - Chanson d’Amour, Opus 21, no. 1
Pauline Viardot - Die Sterne
Monica Huisman soprano, Minna Rose Chung cello, Laura Loewen piano
​
Sarah Quartel - Songs of Spring
Sister of the Sky
Fearless Heart
Sing Before Night
The Esprit Singers, with Artistic Director Valdine Anderson
​
Intermission
​
W.A. Mozart - Duo no. 1 in G for violin and viola, K423
Adagio
Rondeau: Allegro
Karl Stobbe violin, Elise Lavallée viola
​
Maurice Ravel - Piano Trio in A minor
Passacaille
Karl Stobbe violin, Paul Marleyn cello, Paul Williamson piano
​
W.A. Mozart - Alleluia
Gustav Mahler - Liebst du um Schönheit
arr. John Greer - My Love is like a red, red rose
Tracy Dahl soprano, Laura Loewen piano
​
Jeannette Menzies - Speaker
​
Robert Schumann - Piano Quintet in Eb, Opus 44
Allegro, ma non troppo
Karl Stobbe violin, Elation Pauls violin, Elise Lavallée viola, Paul Marleyn cello, Paul Williamson piano