Photo of Ivars Taurins dressed as Maestro Handel by Gary Beechey - Courtesy of Tafelmusik
Tis the season for Handel’s Messiah. The tradition of performing this particular oratorio has become as synonymous with the holidays as the Nutcracker and a Charlie Brown Christmas. If you have never seen a Messiah before, here are a few that might pique your interest, performed by some of Toronto’s best. If you’re a Messiah veteran, why not check out Tafelmusik’s sing-along version–don’t forget to bring your score–I’ll be there on Sunday singing along with the soprano soloist. If you fall into the category of people who have no interest in seeing Handel’s yuletide opus, or if you’ve heard enough Messiah’s that you want to scream, there are a few alternative events on this MASSIVE list that should provide for some spirited, anti-entertainment from the likes of Unsilent Night, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Opera pop supernova, Naria.
Lang Lang is in Toronto for a 10-day engagement. He takes on all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos, plus works by Mendelssohn, Smetana and Martinů, and he will be premiering a piece by Chinese-American composer Bright Sheng. To November 19. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. http://www.tso.ca/Concerts-And-Tickets/Residencies/Lang-Lang.aspx
2. PUB OPERAS
Tapestry New Opera Pub Operas production serves up stories from Glasgow’s famous pub in the Ernest Balmer Studio in the Historic Distillery District. Be there to witness a bitter-sweet engagement, an after-hours wake, and the inn manager’s unrequited love affair with Frederic Chopin. November 10, 11 & 12, 2011. Ernest Balmer Studio, 55 Mill St. Bldg. 58, The Cannery, Studio 315. http://www.tapestrynewopera.com/2011/10/12/pub-operas-nov-10-12-at-8pm-tickets-on-sale-now/#more-2290
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