NEIL WEISENSEL

Neil Weisensel is a composer and conductor based in Treaty One territory in Winnipeg, whose background is white settler from French-Canadian and German parents. Reconciliation Duets, a collaboration with Peguis First Nation powwow singer and composer Ray “Coco” Stevenson called for solo or choral voices and orchestra was commissioned by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and will soon be made available for choirs. With his wife Rachel Landrecht, Neil co-founded World Village Gospel Choir (WVGC), an auditioned semi-professional choir that sings Southern US-style gospel, world music of many different cultures from around the globe. Neil has arranged over  50 pieces for WVGC, who have appeared on APTN, Vision TV, with rock band Heart and also with both of Winnipeg’s professional orchestras, the Winnipeg Symphony and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. Neil’s His choral works (including operas) have been performed by Vancouver New Music, Vancouver Opera, Saskatoon Opera, Manitoba Opera, the Regina, Winnipeg, Victoria and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestras, and the Winnipet Singers, Polycoro and the CMU Singers. His most recent opera, Li Keur, Riel’s Heart of the North is based on the life of celebrated Manitoba Indigenous leader Louis Riel, with libretto by Métis scholar Dr. Suzanne Steele. Li Keur was the first Indigenous-led opera to be produced on a Canadian mainstage, and was presented to sold-out houses and popular and critical acclaim by Manitoba Opera in Nov. 2023, with the composer conducting the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and a stellar cast of Indigenous and settler performers. In total, his 8 operas have seen over 230 performances across Canada and in the US.   Website: www.neilmusic.com