Music

Choeur Maha

Tuesday, May 25 – Saturday, May 31

Choeur Maha is a bilingual, feminist choir based in Montreal. Established in 1991 by Kathy Kennedy, Choeur Maha promotes social justice through music and provides choral education to a community of singers. Under the artistic direction of Megan Batty, we sing a varied repertoire including folk, pop, contemporary, and experimental music, and we privilege works by female and genderqueer/non-binary artists. Choeur Maha is known for its high energy performances and a decidedly non-traditional take on choral music. The choir has been a pillar of support for women’s choral music in Montreal, and has been involved in many multi-disciplinary projects. Some of our recent concerts centred around the themes of Resistance and Revolution, and this year’s repertoire explores the theme of Labour in all senses of the word.

Bella Ciao is a traditional Italian song from the late 19th century, arranged by Laurent Corvisier and adapted for Choeur Maha by Megan Batty. The song used to be sung by the mondina seasonal workers in the harsh rice fields of the Po Valley in Italy. It was later adopted as an anthem of the anti-fascist resistance by the Italian partisans. This revolutionary song was born from the oppression of working women.

Hombre de Papel is a piece by Chilean singer-songwriter Loïca from the 2017 album “A la Sombra de Su Árbol,” (transcribed by Allie Weigh and arranged by Megan Batty). The piece highlights how large-scale industry damages the environment. It calls on those with corporate power to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their companies. The chorus asks “When will you learn Paper Man? When will you understand that life cannot be sold?”

Marée des jours is a contemporary piece by Kathy Kennedy, where a soundscape is formed from singers’ voices listing their daily tasks through speech and singing. The piece highlights the daily, often unseen work, and centers the singers’ individual and collective experiences.