Musical Toronto’s weekly Critic’s Picks are a fully curated list of some of the best concerts happening now through the end of the week. Of course this is not to say we are the provocateurs of taste, but simply seek to provide a good weekly summary. For a look at the full breadth of what’s available in and around Toronto, check out the comprehensive concert listings from our friends at Wholenote Magazine.
Wednesday 29
Toronto Operetta Theatre | Earnest, The Importance of Being at the Jane Mallett Theatre. 8:00 p.m. $72-95 (repeats May 1-2, with a matinée on May 3)
Toronto Operetta Theatre takes a look at the social satire of Earnest, The Importance of Being – a comedy based on Oscar Wilde’s most enduring stage drama. Their website tells us next to nothing about the production, so we’ll have to take their word for it. Includes music by Victor Davies and libretti by Eugene Benson. | DETAILS
Thursday 30
Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble | at the Conservatory Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Free! (ticket required)
Contemporary music lovers will want to check out the Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble, as they take the stage to present some new music gems by Gérard Grisey, Alexina Louie, André Ristic and Michel van der Aa. Of course, Brian Current will be there to lead the way. | DETAILS
Friday 1
The COSI Connection | Fűhrerbunker (opera) at the Tranzac Club. 7:30 p.m. $20-40
Late last summer, we met up with composer Andrew Ager to talk about his new opera about the final days in Adolf Hitler’s Führerbunker. Ager is a fascinating guy, and so is his opera. You can read more about it here. The cast includes Jonathan MacArthur as Adolph Hitler, and Sydney Baedke as Eva Braun. DETAILS
Evgeny Kissin | at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $39.50-149.50
Getting the chance to hear Evgeny Kissen play live will be the musical highlight of the week (if not the month). A specialist of Romantic repertoire, particularly Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Liszt, Kissen’s has become known for his precise, yet flowing touch. He’ll be performing a program of Beethoven, Prokofiev, Chopin and Liszt at Roy Thomson Hall. You’ll not want to miss this. | DETAILS
Saturday 2
Cecilia String Quartet | at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. 12:30 p.m. $40-65
This Saturday afternoon we recommend a day trip to Burlington to see the Cecilia String Quartet fly their flag with works by Mozart and Mendelssohn. If you get there early (11:45 a.m.) they will be serving a special lunch. Also, stick around after the show for take a walk along the Burlington waterfront – it’s beautiful. | DETAILS
Tallis Choir | at St. Patrick’s Church. 7:30 p.m. $10-30
The 35 voices of the Tallis Choir will be taking audiences back to Renaissance France this Saturday, with works by Janequin, Mouton, Sermisy and Goudimel. This is the final concert of their season, so don’t miss it. | DETAILS
High Notes Avante Productions | Music interspersed with short talks at Flato Markham Theatre. 8:00 p.m. $75
Our friends at High Notes are all about spreading awareness around mental health issues, and what better way than to do it with music. The event is a benefit concert featuring speakers Boris Brott, Rustom Sethna, Orlando Da Silva, Peter Kristian Mose and Julie Everson, as well as performances by Lauren Margison, Richard Margison, St. Michael’s School Choir; Michael Bridge, accordion; Alex McLeod, viola; Charissa Vandikas, piano; and others. Come out and support this great cause. | DETAILS
Sinfonia Toronto | Two Stars, Three Centuries at George Weston Recital Hall. 8:00 p.m. $19-49
Sinfonia Toronto multiplies the excitement with Two Stars, Three Centuries – a concert featuring Schubert, Chopin, Alice Ho and Prokofiev. Nurhan Arman conducts with soloist Ilya Poletaev (piano) and Xiaohan Guo (violin). Should be a great show. | DETAILS
Sunday 3
JunctQin Keyboard Collective | at the Canadian Music Centre. 3:00 p.m. $15-20
Hustle down to the Canadian Music Centre this afternoon to hear the JunctQin Keyboard Collective premiere some cool new works by the winners of JunctQin’s first open call for scores. The show also includes a brand new commission by Toronto composer Jason Doell. | DETAILS
Pax Christi Chorale | at Koerner Hall. 3:00 p.m. $40 and up
Join the Pax Christi Chorale, orchestra and soloists at Koerner Hall for a performance of the rarely heard oratorio Judith (1888) by Sir Hubert Parry. It’s about the liberation of the Jews from Assyrian captivity, and their renewed faith to Manasseh, as well as Judith, the hero who defeats the invading general Holofernes. For the best sound and views, they recommend choosing an upper or lower balcony seat. See you there! | DETAILS
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