Music at Windrush Estate Winery
Having grown up in the Hockley Valley, I feel pretty knowledgeable about the happenings in that beautiful stretch of Ontario countryside. I’d seen the signs for the Windrush Estate Winery at the corner of Hockley Road and Third Line Adjala but had never been for a visit, despite the fact that it’s only two kilometers away from my parents’ home. It turns out that not only do Windrush produce some delightful VQA wines, they also regularly host world-class concerts in their purpose built Concert Hall.
I’d been looking for a venue to hold my Students’ Spring Concert, so it was a pleasant surprise when I received a call from Marilyn at Windrush inviting me to see a performance at their beautiful Chateau.
The Windrush Estate Winery is located at the very eastern end of Hockley Valley, north of Hockley Road on the Third Line of Adjala. The Chateau Windrush sits atop a prominence overlooking the densely forested valley below. The views from the Chateau are breathtaking. The Concert Hall itself is a gorgeous space, with soaring ceilings, and everywhere warm glowing wood.
Romulo Delgado is an operatic tenor, trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music Toronto, and I had the pleasure of hearing him perform a repertoire of Spanish Love Songs along with Cellist Liza McLennan, and Pianist Rubén Vázquez.
The sound in the hall is incredible, and Romulo filled the room with his powerful voice. Romulo is both a consummate performer and a charming story-teller, with an obvious love of this repertoire. He kept the set interesting throughout, with well considered arrangements that made the most of the instrumentalists. Some of the pieces were arranged for just piano and voice, which gave Rubén Vázquez a chance to show off his Cuban piano flavour, while others added the cello for a more sentimental delivery. For a handful of songs, Romulo brought out his flamenco guitar, either solo or with guitar and cello. The phenomenal Liza McLennan even took a solo, playing a spell-binding rendition of the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite BWV 1007 as an interlude. All in all, it was a magical performance, and the audience were rapt throughout.
There are events planned at Windrush for some Sundays throughout the spring and summer – this coming weekend (April 13th) features Virtuoso Guitarist & Composer, Brennan Dylan. Brennan is a highly technical electric guitar wizard. His music builds on the foundations laid down by the heavy metal guitar-greats of the 80s and 90s, but also borrows from a wide range of musical traditions, from classical to blues, jazz, and pop, with a nod to thematic scores. His music is eclectic, sometimes frenetic and sometimes almost dreamlike.
At Sunday’s concert, Brennan will be joined by the emerging contemporary artist Andi Trepanier, who will be painting live, along with the performance, as well as hosting a pop-up showing of their work after.
As with all musical events at Windrush, guests under 19 are welcome for no charge.