Torontonian Christopher Mokrzewski, music director of upstart Against the Grain Theatre and collaborative pianist-about-town, is one of the most open-minded and capable young musicians I’ve had the pleasure to meet. He can also now boast his first grown-up job, as resident conductor at Calgary Opera.

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John Terauds

John Terauds, Editor-Emeritus of Ludwig van Toronto, is currently a Divinity student at the University of Toronto and a church music director. He joined the Toronto Star in 1988, was the classical music critic from 2005 to 2012, and continues as a freelance critic for the paper. He is the co-author of Roy Thomson Hall: A Portrait, a book written with Toronto Star Colleague, William Littler.

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Here’s the press release I received late yesterday from Calgary Opera:

“Calgary Opera had the opportunity to have Christopher Mokrzewski as repetiteur for a six-week period in October and November,” says general director and CEO Bob McPhee. “During that time it was very evident that he was the ideal candidate and would bring the appropriate skill set to our company.”

This appointment builds on the success of the previous resident conductor, Gordon Gerrard. After three years with the company, Mr. Gerrard won the Enbridge Emerging Artist Award and is now a regular mainstage conductor in Calgary and throughout North America. Most recently he was appointed Assistant Conductor to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Mokrzewski is thrilled by the opportunity to further his skills in collaboration with Calgary Opera. Currently a resident of Toronto, he is the music director of Against the Grain Theatre and a regular music staff member at the Canadian Opera Company.

“I am very excited to be joining Calgary Opera,” says Mokrzewski. “To collaborate with such a distinguished and forward-thinking Canadian company is a privilege and a remarkable opportunity. I also look forward to working with its Emerging Artists Development Program, which contains extraordinary young talent and has a strong presence in the Calgary community.”

John Terauds

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John Terauds

John Terauds, Editor-Emeritus of Ludwig van Toronto, is currently a Divinity student at the University of Toronto and a church music director. He joined the Toronto Star in 1988, was the classical music critic from 2005 to 2012, and continues as a freelance critic for the paper. He is the co-author of Roy Thomson Hall: A Portrait, a book written with Toronto Star Colleague, William Littler.

Latest posts by John Terauds (see all)

• Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
• Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
• CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019