Morning Light host Michael Wolch welcomed the Toronto director who is in Winnipeg to lead the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in Handel's Messiah this weekend. Watch the interview here!

The Canadian conductor, Ivars Taurins conducts, symphonic and choral repertoire with equal expertise. Founder and director of the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir since 1981, he was also principal violist of the Tafelmusik Orchestra for its first 23 years. Under his direction the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir has been widely praised for its clarity and brilliance, and in 1991 was awarded the Canada Council’s Healey Willan Prize “in recognition of the consistently high level of achievement by the choir and its unique contribution to choral art in Canada.”

Ivars Taurins is Principal Baroque Conductor of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also active as a guest conductor with orchestras and choirs across Canada. In addition to his ongoing work with the CPO, recent conducting engagements include guest appearances with Edmonton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Saskatoon and Windsor Symphonies, Orchestra London (Canada), the Canadian Chamber Ensemble, Symphony Nova Scotia, Symphony New Brunswick, Pro Coro (Edmonton), the Elora Festival Singers, the Amabile Youth Choir, and Lyra Baroque Orchestra (Minneapolis). Ivars Taurins was director of the 2000 Ontario Youth Choir, the 2003 Nova Scotia Youth Choir and the 2004 Alberta University and College Choir. He was also guest director of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra. He has also collaborated with the Canadian Brass as musical advisor and conductor for various recording projects.