For the week of May 2–8
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 our concert listings in the Musical Toronto Datebook.
Plenty of great music this coming week. I attended the opening night of COC’s Maometto II last Friday – it’s a beautiful production with terrific singing. Not to be missed! Meanwhile, Carmen is still on, with two great casts. Also of note is Canadian violinist Leila Josefowicz playing the premiere of John Adams’ Scheherezade 2 with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Also of interest are two brilliant young pianists: 2012 Honens Laureate Pavel Kolesnikov gives a recital with Women’s Musical Club of Toronto, and 2009 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Haochen Zhang at George Weston Recital Hall. Both absolute must-sees for the piano aficionado!
Tuesday 3
COC | Vocal Series: Georgian Romance at The Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre. 12 Noon. Free!
Georgian mezzo Anita Rachvelishvili, currently in town to sing Carmen, is giving a noon hour recital, Georgian Romance, at RBA. She sings songs by Rachmaninoff, de Falla, Ravel, Faure, and Taktakishvili. David Aladashvili is the pianist. Show up early for a seat. Info, here.
COC | Rossini’s, Maometto II at The Four Seasons Centre. 7:30 p.m. $50–355. (Repeats through May 14. Start times vary)
Maometto II, with a fabulous cast led by Luca Pisaroni in the title role. It also stars Leah Crocetto (Anna), Elizabeth DeShong (Calbo), and Bruce Sledge (Erisso). Harry Bicket conducts. David Alden directs. Also May 5 and 7. Full details found, here.
TALISKER PLAYERS | Cross’d by the Stars at Trinity St. Paul’s Centre. 8:00 p.m. $10–40. (Repeats May 4)
Talisker Players is known for its interesting and intelligent theme-based programming. This time around, it’s Cross’d by the Stars, an exploration of star-cross lovers in music and literature. Soloists are mezzo Krisztina Szabo and baritone Aaron Durand. Stewart Arnott is the actor/reader. On the program are music by Purcell, Gluck, Mahler, Bernstein, and Canada’s own Dean Burry, plus readings. Also May 4. See here, for more info.
Wednesday 4
COC | Georges Bizet’s Carmen at The Four Seasons Centre. 7:30 p.m. $50–435 (Repeats through May 15. Start times vary)
The run of Carmen continues with two of the greatest Carmens in front of the public today — mezzos Anita Rachvelishvili and Clementine Margaine. Also May 6 and 8. Details, here.
TSO | Brahms Symphony No. 4 at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $33.75–148 (Repeats May 5)
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra plays Brahms Symphony No. 4 and the Egmont Overture, under the baton of its Music Director, Peter Oundjian. Canadian violinist Leila Josefowica is the soloist in John Adams’ Scheherazade 2, a Canadian premiere. Also on May 5. Info found right, here.
Thursday 5
ADAM SHERKIN | Write Off the Keyboard at Lower Bluma Appel Lobby in the St. Lawrence Centre. 12 Noon. Free!
Canadian pianist/composer Adam Sherkin continues with his Write Off the Keyboard Noon Hour series at the Lower Bluma Appel Lobby in the St. Lawrence Centre. This is the last concert of the season. Sherkin plays Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes No. 8 and his Grand Paganini Etudes Nos. 4 and 6, plus two of his own compositions. Details, here.
COC | Vocal Series: A Celebration of Canadian Art Song at The Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre. 12 Noon. Free!
The Canadian Art Song Project presents A Celebration of Canadian Art Song, with former COC Ensemble soprano Ambur Braid and pianist Steven Philcox. Fresh from singing Queen of the Night at the English National Opera and Calgary Opera, Braid is singing works by John Beckwith and Sylvia Richard, and a new cycle by Erik Ross, The Living Spectacle. Full details found, here.
WMCT | Pavel Kolesnikov at Walter Hall. 1:30 p.m. $45
The brilliant young Russian pianist, 2012 Honens Laureate Pavel Kolesnikov is in town to give a recital of works by CPE Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy. This guy is the real deal! His Honens performance on YouTube. Concert details, here.
Friday 6
TORONTO CONSORT | Monteverdi Vespers at Trinity St. Paul’s Centre. 8:00 p.m. $10–58 (Repeats through May 8. Start times vary)
Toronto Consort, Toronto’s premiere early music ensemble, is presenting Monteverdi Vespers, its final concert of the season. Guest soloist is British tenor Charles Daniels and Montreal’s cornetto and sackbut ensemble La Rose des Vents. You’ll find all the details, here.
Saturday 7
SHOW ONE PRODUCTIONS | Mischa Maisky at Koerner Hall. 4:00 p.m. $35–85
The Latvian-born Israeli cellist is in town to play all six of Bach’s Cello Suites in two concerts on the same day. In the afternoon, he plays Suites No. 1, 4, and 5. In the evening, it’s No. 2, 3, and 6. The RCM is selling tickets to one or both concerts, or tickets with a dinner package after the first concert! Info, here.
Sunday 8
THE LI DELUN MUSIC FOUNDATION | Haochen Zhang at George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts 3:00 p.m. $30–60
The terrific young Chinese pianist, Haochen Zhang, is in town to give a piano recital, under the auspices of the Li DeLun Music Foundation. He’s playing Chopin’s Mazurkas and Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, as well as Schubert’s Four Impromptus D.935 and the Prokofiev Piano Sonata No. 7 in B flat major, Op. 83. Go to Mr. Zhang’s website for a generous selection of his live performance videos. Full details, here.
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