Music & Charcuterie

Arcady excitedly invites you to an afternoon featuring three rising stars of the Ontario vocal world! ‘Music and Charcuterie’ combines the best of Arcady’s Emerging Artist performances with an intimate escape at the Five Oaks Retreat Centre (‘The Upper Room’) at 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Patrons will enjoy an array of new music by Arcady composers as well as a fully catered charcuterie reception at this exclusive gathering. This indoor venue provides a beautiful setting for a program of nature-themed music on a late summer afternoon, with large windows providing a stunning elevated view of the vast Carolinian forest. Featured new art songs include ‘A Hope Carol’ by Emma Verdonk and a song cycle titled ‘Songs of the Heart’ by Benjamin Gabbay, as well as song cycles ‘Reflections’ and ‘Sleep brings no joy to me’ (text by Emily Brontë), ‘The evening sun’, and excerpts from ‘The Seasons’ (poems by Emily Dickinson) by Arcady’s director-composer Ronald Beckett. Also of note are new works by winners of Arcady’s past two RBC Emerging Composer Competitions: ‘Shore’ by Kip Johnson (2024), ‘To a stranger’ by David Archibald (2024), and ‘Back to Me’ by Darren Xu (2025). Vocal soloists include soprano Belle Cao, soprano Michaela Chiste, and mezzo Janelle Hutten all accompanied by Arcady Associate Composer Benjamin Gabbay. Secure your spot early for ‘Music and Charcuterie’ as seating is limited to 40 patrons! Tickets at $42 are available at www.arcady.ca, through email at info@arcady.ca, or by calling 519-428-3185. Reserve in advance. For more information, please visit arcady.ca.