For the week of April 24 to 30.
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. 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 curated concert listings here: Musical Toronto Datebook.
Tuesday 25
Show One Productions | Trio Magnifico. Four Seasons Centre. 7:30 p.m. Sold Out
Billed as the “Ultimate Opera Gala”, this is undoubtedly the highest profile Toronto operatic concert in recent memory. It stars Russian mega-diva soprano Anna Netrebko, her husband tenor Yusif Eyvazov, and the great Siberian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky. This will mark the Toronto debut of Netrebko and Eyvazov, and the return to the stage of Hvorostovsky, who is battling a brain tumour. It also marks the first time the three have headlined a concert program together. Italian conductor Jader Bignamini leads the COC Orchestra. Info here.
Opera Atelier | Medea. Elgin Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $39-$194.
Canada’s baroque opera company Opera Atelier presents its spring season with Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Medea. It stars American soprano Peggy Kriha Dye in the title role. She is joined by tenor Colin Ainsworth (Jason), soprano Mireille Asselin (Créuse), soprano Meghan Lindsay (Nérine) and others. David Fallis conducts the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir. Sung in French with English surtitles. OA has been invited to return to Versailles with this show. Full listing details here.
Wednesday 26
Canadian Opera Company | Piano Virtuoso Series: Early Piano Music of Harry Somers. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Noon. Free.
On the occasion of the revival of Harry Somers’ Louis Riel, Canadian pianist/composer Adam Sherkin plays the early piano music of Somers, together with his own compositions. Be sure to show up an hour early to secure a seat. Info here.
Canadian Opera Company | Louis Riel. Four Seasons Centre. 7:30 p.m. $35-$235.
The quintessential Canadian opera, Louis Riel, by Harry Somers premiered in the Centennial year of 1967. It is being revived in a new production directed by Peter Hinton. Seen on opening night (Apr 20), I found it to be a thoughtful reimagining of the original 1967 version, designed to reflect 21 century Canadian ethnic and cultural realities and sensibilities that is much more inclusive and diverse. The opera as it was originally conceived would be highly problematic – and frankly unacceptable – today. Kudos to Peter Hinton for his vision. It’s now dramatically very effective and evocative. Canadian baritone Russell Braun gave the performance of his career in the title role. An important show that needs to be seen and heard. Listing details here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra | Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert. Koerner Hall, 7:30 p.m. $16-$28.
TSO’s RBC Resident Conductor Earl Lee leads the TSYO forces in a very ambitious program of Wagner: Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 “Pathétique”; and Dvorák’s Slavonic Dance Op. 46, No. 8. Note that this concert takes places at Koerner Hall and not Roy Thomson Hall, and at very attractive ticket prices. Full details here.
Toronto Operetta Theatre | The Chocolate Soldier. Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. 8 p.m. Repeats Apr. 28, 29, 30. Check website for time.
With so much bad news in the world today, for a little escapism, TOT’s The Chocolate Soldier fits the bill. Composed by the other Straus – with the last ‘s’ omitted to avoid confusion – this operetta is based on George Bernard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man”. The TOT production stars Jennifer Taverner and Michael Nyby. Peter Tiefenbach conducts and Guillermo Silva-Marin directs.
Thursday 27
Canadian Opera Company | Vocal Series: Collaborations. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Noon. Free.
This annual event, a joint recital of members of the COC Ensemble Studio and Opera de Montreal’s Atelier lyrique, is a good opportunity to discover voices of tomorrow. Artists are soprano Danika Lorèn, mezzos Emily D’Angelo and Caroline Gelinas, tenor Keven Geddes, baritone Geoffrey Salvas, and pianists Stephane Mayer and Carol-Anne Fraser. Be sure to show up an hour early to secure a seat. PDF listing here.
Friday 28
New Music Concerts | Celebrating John Beckwith. Trinity St. Paul’s Centre. 8 p.m. $35.
To celebrate the 90th birthday of Canadian composer John Beckwith, New Music Concerts under the direction of Robert Aitken presents an evening of works by John Beckwith, John Weinzweig, and Igor Stravinsky. Performing are tenor Benjamin Butterfield, pianist William Aide, Accordes Quartet and NMC Ensemble. See here for all the details.
Royal Conservatory of Music | Chamber Music Series: Montrose Trio and Friends. Koerner Hall, 8 p.m. $40-$80.
The concert opens with a performance by winners of the Glenn Gould School Chamber Competition. Brahms: Piano Trio No.1; Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence; Brahms: Alto Songs. Montrose Trio (Jon Kimura Parker, piano; Martin Beaver, violin; Clive Greensmith, cello); Allyson McHardy, mezzo; Barry Shiffman, viola; and others. Click here for listing details.
Saturday 29
Pax Christi Chorale | The Apostles by Elgar. Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Road. 7:30 p.m. $45. Repeats Apr. 30 3 p.m.
This Elgar masterpiece, so rarely performed on this side of the pond, is billed as the Canadian premiere. An excellent team of soloists (soprano Meredith Hall, mezzo Krisztina Szabo, tenor Lawrence Wiliford, baritones Brett Polegato and Daniel Lichti, and bass Michael Uloth) are joined by the Etobicoke School of the Arts Chamber Choir. This concert marks Stephanie Martin’s final concerts as Artistic Director. Details found here.
Sunday 30
Canadian Opera Company | Tosca. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. 2 p.m. $35-$235. 12 performances Apr. 30 to May 20. Check for times.
The Puccini warhorse is back! Why? By popular demand – it’s the 5th most performed opera in the world, based on statistics from the last five seasons worldwide. Given there are 12 performances, principal roles are double-cast. Opening night stars soprano Adrianne Pieczonka in the title role. Argentinean tenor Marcelo Puente is Cavaradossi, and German bass-baritone Markus Marquardt is Scarpia. Paul Curran directs, and Keri-Lynn Wilson conducts. Can’t recall the last time the COC had a female conductor. This very traditional COC production premiered a few years ago. Full listing found right here.
Amici Chamber Ensemble | Messiaenic Revelations. Mazzoleni Hall, Telus Centre, 273 Bloor St. W. 3 p.m. $45.
Amici Chamber Ensemble (Joaquin Valdepenas, clarinet; David Hetherington, cello; and Serouj Kradjian, piano) is joined by guest violinist Jonathan Crow in a program of Arvo Pärt and Olivier Messiaen. More info here.
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