Trio Hochelaga, one of Canada's most important musical ensembles, makes its Bermuda Festival debut at City Hall Theatre tonight.

Founded in 2000, its members — violinist Anne Robert, cellist Paul Marlyn, and pianist Stéphane Lemelin — share a common passion for chamber music, ranging from the classical to the contemporary.

The Trio's repertoire, which includes great works from this genre, places particular emphasis on French music, with a mission to explore lesser-known works.

Tonight's programme will consist of works by Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Paganini, Massenet, Brahms and Smetana.

In addition to countless concert appearances, highlights of the Trio's ten-year history include participation in many of Canada's major music festivals; tours to Taiwan, Japan and China; premièring Canadian composer Jacques Hétu's 'Triple Concerto' with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra; participating in China's first-ever music festival held in Beijing's Central Conservatory of Music; as well as countless concert appearances.

The Trio has also released several recordings, all of which have been enthusiastically received by the Press.

The album, 'ATMA Classique', featuring trios by Fauré and Pierné, earned French magazine Le Monde de la Musique's highest honours.

Of the Trio's playing on one recording the Canadian newspaper La Presse said it displayed "evident affection, contagious enthusiasm, and exemplary technique. The sound recording is clear and vivid. A real discovery."

Trio Hochelaga takes its title from the original Iroquois name for Montreal. 'Hochelaga', which in the Native language means 'beaver dam' or 'beaver lake', was an Iroquois village situated on the island of Montreal at the heart of, or in the immediate vicinity of, the Mount Royal in the 16th century.

Award-winning violinist and recording artist Anne Robert, who founded the Trio in 2000, has been acclaimed by Strad magazine for her "deeply sensitive playing, sweetness of sound, dexterity, and elegant phrasing".

Her busy career includes regular performances as a chamber musician. She has given many recitals in Europe, the US and Asia, and plays a 1735 Guarnerius 'del Gesù' violin.

Dr. Lemelin has been hailed by critics as "a subtle and elegant pianist" whose tone is "rich, full and deep".

The winner of many national and international awards and grants, he is currently a professor at the University of Ottawa, and is also the artistic director of the Prince Edward County Music Festival, an annual chamber music event.

Canadian cellist Paul Marleyn's multi-faceted career takes him all over the world as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, recording artist, professor, artistic director, juror, and conductor of master classes at major European, Canadian and Asian universities, including Britain's Royal Academy of Music, of which he is an Associate.

He is currently professor of Cello at the University of Ottawa.

In welcoming this Trio to the Festival stage, patrons are certain to enjoy a fine evening of chamber music.

Curtain time is 8 p.m.

¦ For ticket information go to www.bermudafestival.org or www.bdatix.bm.

For ticket purchases only telephone 232-2255. For general information about the Festival telephone 232-8499.

For in-person ticket purchases, visit BDATIX ticket centres at: the iStore, 46 Reid Street, Hamilton (open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Fabulous Fashions, Heron Bay Plaza, Southampton (open Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).