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Patrice Cyr posted a condolence
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Please accept our deepest condolences.
Cyr family, Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario
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Anna Terrana, Burnaby, B.C. lit a candle
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
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Mario Bernardi was a real institution for Canada. I met him in Vancouver and I had the pleasure to drive him to mutual friends' for dinner just out of Vancouver. He was a great musicologist and a very pleasant person and conversionalist. Unfortunately he was taken from us too early but I know that all those who met him feel privileged. I do. I hope that his family has come to terms with his passing and that they are able to continue to enjoy the memories he left.
Cordially,
Anna Terrana
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Victoria Garrett and husband James Pickley lit a candle
Monday, May 26, 2014
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Maestro Mario Bernardi was a beloved friend, who conducted when Victoria sang with New York City Opera in the 70s. Victoria has wonderful memories of visiting the Bernardi family in Ottawa with her husband, Madison Galbraith. Her deepest condolences to Mona, and Julia. No daughter was more adored by her father than Julia. God Bless you all.
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Anna Terrana posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Saddened by Mario's passing I would like to extend my condolences to his family. As a Canadian of Italian origin and a classical music lover I followed Mario's career with gret pride. I had the privilege to meet Mario in Vancouver after a concert and to drive him to mutual friends for dinner. He was a very kind gentle man. His person and talents will be missed and never forgotten. Anna Terrana, former President Vancouver Italian Cultural Centre Society and former Member of Parliament
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Dwight Powell posted a condolence
Sunday, June 9, 2013
As I express my condolences I'm listening to a recording of Maestro Bernardi & NACO performing Seigfried Idyll. A powerful, sensitive, gentle rendition as was the person eliciting such music. As a music student in the 70s it was thrilling to witness Maestro Bernardi's rehearsals and performances with the NACO. Lasting memories..
J
Joanne Kates & Leon Muszynski posted a condolence
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Dear Mona: While we did not know Mario, it's clear that he was an exceptional human being and artist. Please accept our condolences on his loss. We are thinking of you. Joanne and Leon
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John Gillelan posted a condolence
Thursday, June 6, 2013
I first met Mario in 1951 when we were at Camp Ahmek in Algonquin Park. He was in charge of the Music Program, which included a violinist and a cellist. Each morning, he played a meditative piece at breakfast and a program on Saturday or Sunday with all of the campers in attendance.
When camp ended, he joined Jim Rankin and myself for a canoe trip. I was apprehensive because Mario could not swim at that time, but Jim assured me that Mario would be wearing a life jacket and paddling as the middleman. We started from the Lake of Bays, portaged and paddled to the north branch of the Muskoka River where we camped overnight next to a waterfall. The next day, we paddled to Bracebridge, portaged through downtown and continued down the Muskoka River. When we arrived at the Patterson Kaye Lodge near the mouth of the river, we asked the owner if Mario could play the lodge's piano for a few minutes as he was concerned about blisters forming on his fingers from the paddling and he had a musical engagement early the following week. Although the owner was hesitant, he agreed to let him play for ten minutes. Forty minutes later, there were about thirty people in the living room enjoying his music. As I remember, we were given a free dinner. We then progressed down the river and across Lake Muskoka, arriving at Jim's parents' cottage in the dark.
In 1957, I asked Joyce Curran to marry me and then asked Mario to play the organ at our wedding in Holy Rosary Church. I had forgotten to arrange transportation from the Church to the reception and Mario offered to drive us in his convertible.
Years later, Mario conducted a TSO concert at Massey Hall with James Galway as the guest artist. I managed to obtain two pairs of tickets at the centre of the orchestra. After the concert, Jim and I went back stage to see Mario. It had been many years since the canoe trip, but when he saw us he called out: "I can swim now, guys".
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Thursday, June 6, 2013
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Although I have known Mr. Bernardi for a short period of time, there was always a twinkle in his eyes and his sense of humour came out in every situation at Villa. My mother did appreciate wholeheartedly the concert held at Villa Columbo.
Rest in peace and may your musical talents remain throughout time.
J
John Mac Master posted a condolence
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Dear Mona; (and Julia too) what a great loss to us all! Mario was so full of.....vigour....that it is hard to imagine Canadian musical life without him! You may remember when I was studying voice with you Mona, and you had me sing for Mario at Roy Thomson Hall, after he ended a rehearsal with the TSO. We often hear about how 'difficult' he was; well, I was FAR from an accomplished or finished singer, but he heard something....He said "You know, if you were in Europe, in a small house on contract, you would figure out how to do this". With his suggestions for voice teachers, and your own, Mona, I moved on to New York...and then to Europe, and learned how to do this....We ALL in music in Canada owe your family so much; for his leadership, for his standards, for his love of the the music - and oh my God - his love of the singing voice - Mario may have set the bar high, for HIMSELF, and for us all, but I cannot think of anyone who has done more to establish an international standard for us ALL - performers and audiences alike in Canada, building on the legacy of those that came before - Geiger-Torel, Goldschmidt etc etc....Rest in well earned peace, Maestro...with great love, respect and gratitude....John Mac Master
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Wally Williamson posted a condolence
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Dear Mona, So sorry to hear about Mario. My thoughts and wishes are with you and Julia. I have wonderful memories of when we were students. My love and best wishes to you and your family. Wally Williamson
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Barbara Collier posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
My sincere condolences to you, Mona and Julia, on your loss. I had the privilege of working with Mario during several opera seasons at the NAC and I'll always remember the absolute joy on his face when we singers managed to sing Mozart the way he wanted to hear it. May he rest in peace.
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Ingrid Axcell-Smith posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Dear Mona and Julia, My thoughts and prayers are with you as are my mother's, Marie Therese Axcell, who is a dedicated fan of Maestro Bernardi, as I have always been as well. I had the privilege of working with him in Opera Lyra Ottawa and it was a thrilling event for me as I had never worked with him before that time (close to the year 2000, I believe). I remember the wonderful voice lessons at your home in Ottawa and Mario listening behind the door (we new he was listening) and one day you decided to surprise him and open the door, and as he had been leaning on it...he fell through! We all had a good laugh over that one and I will never forget that precious moment and all the precious times with you, Mario and Julia. You, Mona, are the reason I can sing and earn a living teaching others and passing along the knowledge you have gifted to me. The operas Mario conducted were phenomenal to say the least and I will never forget them. Cendrillon with Louis Quilico, Maureen Forrester, Frederica Von Stade, Ruth Welting. That was an amazing production, to name one. Mario was a gift from God to us and now he returns to the Lord to make more music in His heavenly kingdom. All my love to you, Mona and Julia.
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Women's Musical Club of Toronto posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
On behalf of everyone at Women's Musical Club of Toronto, please accept our condolences at this very sad time. With the passing of Maestro Bernardi we have lost a wonderful musician and major figure in Canadian music. He will be missed by many – family, friends and the wider musical community all over Canada.
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Lori & Kevin Costello posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Julia - we were so terribly sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Lori & Kevin Costello (Michelle's sister)
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Joseph Ryan posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
The Maestro.
I think it may have been late June when we decided to take on the project of rebuilding a beautiful natural stone retaining wall on Mario and Mona's property in Forest Hill.
Mario had taken a few weeks off and offered to help me with the rebuilding of this wall. I accepted his generous offer although I did notice Mona sort of giggling when Mario made the offer. However, Monday morning bright and early I arrived at their home where Mario had just finished breakfast and was ready to go.
I asked him if he had any work gloves; he said he had indeed - "Right here in the trunk of my car". He proceeded to open the trunk and brought out a pair of 'Kid Gloves'. Hmm, I thought, this is going to be good, they should last about a half hour. Nevertheless we proceeded down to the wall and I started to pick off the stones and knock the old mortar off them and asked Mario to put them in stacks so that we'd use them in rather the same order they came off. He agreed and asked if he could also help with chipping off the old mortar just to help speed things up. "Brilliant idea" I said.
Soon though the stacks of stones were getting backed up and I suggested that maybe if he just concentrated on stacking the ones we'd done we may wind up better organized at the end of the day. He enthusiastically agreed and on we went.
'Twas about one o'clock when Mona called us for lunch and I'm sure I've never seen such bliss as the joy I saw on Mario's face at that moment. During lunch, the observation was made that the kid gloves were already in tatters and a stronger pair of gloves had to be secured before Mario could proceed with this stone work. I agreed reluctantly as Mario was such a great help and great fun to work with.
I already knew that this work was way out of The Maestro's league; this man was a delicate artist, NOT a stone mason by any means possible. I didn't see him the rest of the afternoon as I proceeded with the rebuilding of the wall; if truth be told I do believe that was the last of The Maestro's stone masonry.
I saw Mona bright and early the following morning and she was having a good giggle. She said that Mario could hardly move his hands, arms and most other parts of his body that morning when he woke up. I think she said he was still in the tub, trying to soak the pain away. We weren't actually laughing at him, we were laughing with him. He stuck his head out the window of his bedroom and laughed painfully at his condition, "I had no idea that it would do this to me". I said "You'll be grand in a few days again, it's just from using new muscles you don't employ that often". He laughed and said "I certainly hope so Joseph, this is wretched awful". We all laughed heartily and I got back to work on the wall which I completed in a few days.
Mario Bernardi was a genius with the baton and a mastermind with the piano. Apart from that he was a gentleman and a scholar with a wonderful sense of humour. He was always such a gentle person who loved his food and music; he educated me on much of the classics when we'd get chatting together.
Dear Mona and all, you have Linda's and my own deepest sympathy at this terribly sad time.
I'd like to say thank you for all the help you and The Maestro were to me when I first came to Canada, you both made the transition easier, so thank you again for everything.
Much love and strength at this difficult time.
Joseph Ryan
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Linda Bissinger posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Several years ago, I was enjoying a performance of one of Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas. A man sitting in front of me was full of laughter and enthusiasm. It was Maestro Bernardi, out for a "busman's evening"
Canada's music scene has lost an original.
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Wendy Porteous posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Hello Mona: I send you all my sympathy in your loss of Mario. We had so very much good music from him, and from you, and so many good times not only at concerts of Mario's but also at social events at the NAC and elsewhere. I saw Mario last when he was conducting the Victoria Symphony here in Duncan, on Vancouver Island, where I live. After the performance he hurried me back stage to see pictures of your two grandchildren, which he had in his briefcase. Absolutely thrilled, he was, with his family. It was great to see him so enthralled; now I understand better, having also a grandson. I'm sending my best wishes to you and Julia, and wish you well. Wendy
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Dr. Harold and Sheila Berenstein posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Dear Mona and Julia, Everyone who knew Mario at the office was saddened to hear of his passing. We had a lot of fun with him over the years. We would sing little tunes from Italian operas and he would correct us singing out clearly without hesitation...una furtiva lagrima for example. He enjoyed telling me about how much he cared for Mathew and Thomas. I always teased him about the deciples. He helped me with my Italian lessons. I remember a lot of stories he told me about driving his Infinity in from the west and losing his music in his luggage going to Europe to conduct. He had a remarkable life and we are proud for having known him. Harold and Sheila Berenstein
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Stuart MacKinnon posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Dear Mona, My sincere condolences on the loss of Mario. I remember him best,with great fondness and respect during the years of the NAC summer operas. Sincerely, Stuart
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Wilmer Fawcett posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
It was a shock to read of Mario's passing. I credit Mario with so many things, mostly through our association in Vancouver's CBC Radio Orchestra. When he became music director of our orchestra, he gave it new life when we thought its extinction was looming. In his hands the orchestra had many more years and many successes. He challenged us all with many new works and rarely-performed masterworks. His Mozart was always stylish and lively. Through many concerts and tours (Roy Thompson Hall, Music at Sharon) to the series at the Chan Centre and recordings from Studio 1, Mario put his stamp on the orchestra and delighted audiences with fresh repertoire not programmed by the regular orchestras. As orchestra contractor, I worked in close connection with Mario, and got to see other sides of the man. I remember him with gratitude and thanks for all he brought to our CBC Radio Orchestra. RIP to both Mario and the orchestra, and I'm glad he's united with his beloved Mozart in a better place!
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Douglas Perry posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
As a young musician, many years ago, I had the honour of working with Mario Bernardi, recording Brandenburg Concerto #6 for CBC Records. The experience was both enlightening and inspiring. That experience was one of many musical interactions I was to have with Maestro Bernardi. He was a man who felt the beauty and power of music so deeply in his soul. What a icon of strength and genius he is to Canada and its blossoming musical community. Never to be forgotten, he will always be respected and honoured for what he gave us and what he made us. My condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues. Mario has left us, but he has also left us with so many memories and musical treasures that live on, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
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Denis and Deanna Braun posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Hi Mona, Long time. Sad times but all over shadowed by Mario's dimple smile and beaming face. Pink Floyd ( not Mario's favorite) sang " All in all we're just another note in the song" Well Mario was a whole symphony of notes. Farewell kind man. Luv to all. D.Braun in Zhongshan China
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Raffaella Mio posted a condolence
Monday, June 3, 2013
Every day I accompany my elderly mom to the day program housed at Villa Colombo and I would often stop to chat with Mr. Bernardi when I saw him in the lobby with his companion. He was quiet, unassuming and we enjoyed conversing in Venetian dialect in which he was charmingly fluent, having spent his youth at the Venice conservatory. As life would have it, I had only ever seen him from the audience at a concert hall. Our informal encounters at Villa Colombo will always remain for me as intimately expressive and memorable as the maestro's splendid performances. My sincerest condolences to the family.
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Caroline and Mark De Angelis and family posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Caroline and Mark De Angelis and family made a donation to Heart and Stroke foundation of Canada / Fondation des maladies du coeur et de L'avc du Canada
Dear Aunt Mona, Julia, Sandy, Thomas and Matthew, we are sorry for your loss. I expect uncle Mario will live on in your fond memories as he will in ours. From our family to yours, our most heartfelt sympathies. Caroline, Mark, Stephen and Jason
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David Green posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2013
David Green made a donation to Glenn Gould School of Music
Mona and Julia, Mario was a great Canadian and will be missed very much, but his music lives on for all of us.
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Janet Griffiths posted a condolence
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Janet Griffiths made a donation to National Arts Centre
