A new musical concept, The Schumann Letters has been enticing audiences with a unique combination of storytelling, piano music and song. Based on thousands of historic letters written between Robert Schumann and his love, Clara, the show explores Schumann’s life, love and music by delicately intertwining narration and Schumann’s own compositions. Written and narrated by JUNO/GEMINI winner Colin Fox, with Michael Kim, piano and Susan Gilmour Bailey, soprano, The Schumann Letters gives “each piece of music new meaning in the context of the details of the torturous lives of Robert and his wife, Clara (THE EXPOSITOR).

Having toured throughout the Prairie Provinces and Ontario, The Schumann Letters continues to build excitement for a show that offers an exquisite combination of drama, history and music. Often garnering standing ovations, this past season saw more than twenty performances in cities ranging from Outlook SK, to Toronto ON, and Fort McMurray AB to Winnipeg MB. Selected by Prairie Debut, The Schumann Letters was also a touring project for their 2009.2010 roster. Recently featured in a national CBC broadcast, the interest surrounding The Schumann Letters was instantly increased across the country. This summer will see the production in a number of summer festivals including the Ottawa Chamber Festival and Festival of the Sound. In addition, the 2010.2011 season will bring the show to the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario.

BIOGRAPHIES

Susan Gilmour Bailey, soprano

Born and raised in Manitoba, soprano Susan Gilmour Bailey emigrated to London in 1999 to complete her Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the Royal Academy of Music. Performing throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and North America, Susan enjoys a varied career of concert, Oratorio and opera. Ms. Bailey has appeared as a soloist with prestigious orchestras such as the London Sinfonia and the Vancouver and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras to name a few. She has also performed leading roles with opera companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Opera de Lille, Early Opera Company, Concert d’Astrée, Garington Opera, and the Cambridge Handel opera group, among others.

Michael Kim, piano

Michael Kim is a gifted pianist and performer, known for his outstanding technique and refined artistry. Winner of many prestigious awards, his performance highlights include a tour in Peru with Orchestra Sinfonica de Trujillo and the UK tour with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony. As a chamber musician, Michael has performed at the Brevard, Aspen, Banff, Huntsville, and Heifetz (Annapois, MD) festivals to name a few. Receiving his Master and Doctor of Musical Arts from The Julliard School, in August 2008, Dr. Kim was appointed Dean of Brandon University’s School of Music, in Brandon Manitoba, Canada.

Colin Fox, narrator

A multi-talented artist, Colin Fox has an extensive list of stage, film, television, and musical narrations to his credit. A Gemini award winner, Colin has performed in several critically acclaimed shows, including: PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paramormal, A & E’s Nero Wolfe, Wonderfalls, Law and Order, The Equalizer, Relic Hunter and Street Legal. His stage appearances include productions at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre, Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival and on Broadway. He has also narrated numerous audio books, one which received a JUNO Award. Mr. Fox has performed musical narrations with the Boston and Toronto Symphony Orchestras, the Hannaford Street Silber Band, guitarist Simon Wynberg, the Mendelssohn Choir, pianist Leslie Kinton, Gryphon Trio the Elora Festival Singers and has appeared at many music festivals across Ontario.