Just last week, we had the Lithuanian Boys’ Choir Dagilelis at St. Mark’s Church and the FIFA World Cup everywhere. The artistic abilities and passions of the entertainers couldn’t have been more drastic and different.
But both events had me totally transfixed — and no gambling ads to distract me from the proceedings. Huzzah.
To quote the Music Niagara Festival brochure, “Witness the internationally acclaimed Lithuanian Dagilelis Boys’ Choir as they present a moving program of exquisite choral artistry.”
Under the direction of Remigijus Adomaitis (apparently many Lithuanian names end in “is” or “us” or “as,” according to Music Niagara artistic director Atis Bankas) some 50 boys between ages 10 and 20, approximately, sang their hearts out for us on a Sunday evening in our insular part of the world.
Could there be a more perfect venue than St. Mark’s Church?
And the choir took the expression sartorial splendour to another level. Bow ties, vests and patent leather black shoes. The Boys’ Choir Dagilelis certainly understand the value added benefit of synchronized choreography, and every one of them were “into it,” providing the vibe. Pure, unfiltered voices, and such an unbelievable value.
A lot of us oldsters in the audience had dressed casually in deference to the current steamy hot weather.
Further, I will bet (a very small bet, perhaps a Tim’s coffee, dollars to donuts) that many NOTLers aren’t certain of the difference between Baltic and Balkan. I didn’t, until about five years ago. But I digress as I ramble.
We marveled at the professionalism and voice quality of these boys. The foundational bass voices reminded me of the Men of the Deeps from Canada’s Cape Breton Island. Such exquisite and enthusiastic young voices, and such creative choreography. A bongo drum, and some lines delivered in Swahili.
To that end, NOTLer Jeanne Jennings, an enthusiastic and generous Music Niagara team member, expressed her gratitude to the choir in the Zulu language. This delighted the singers, as Swahili and Zulu are both spoken in East Africa.
OK, I hear you, and will ramble back on track. I took time to reflect on the relative newness of Canada. Students at Vilnius University study in buildings that date back to 1579. I only know this because my daughter was all set to study there, but got stymied by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not that long ago.
Permit me to say a few words about Music Niagara artistic director Atis Bankas. Simply put, he knows so much about the world of music. He regularly says, “The very well known Italian, or Czech, composer so and so.” They may be well known to Atis and some other people, but certainly not to me. Ask me about Montreal Canadien left wingers from the 1950s and ’60s.
There is a proud Lithuanian community of about 10,000 over in Toronto, and some of them had endured the QEW to enjoy this very emotional cultural evening. Good on them, and they led the long and loud ovations — with many wet eyes.
Music Niagara has hit its stride for the 2026 season. It may be a long way from your normal comfort zone, but please step out this summer. Classical, a Pops Series or Young Virtuosos (you have missed Glory to Ukraine). Their five intimate venues are all just so Canada and Niagara, and trust this rambler, they spend enough on sound.
Please excuse my directness, but enough of the cajoling and subtle but enthusiastic encomiums for Music Niagara.
They bring world class music right to our wonderful Niagara wine country. Dragging myself into the current century, may I say, visit their website at musicniagara.org. Or email Kaden Lade (general manager) at klade@musicniagara.org. The festival ends Aug. 14.
And heaven forbid, don’t miss the FIFA World Cup soccer/football final on July 19.
