1. Mariinsky Orchestra, VALERY GERGIEV, conductor ALEXANDER TORADZE, piano
The legendary Mariinsky Orchestra of St. Petersburg, established over 200 years ago, is “the world’s first global orchestra.” Artistic powerhouse Valery Gergiev and his illustrious ensemble, who have toured the world to sold-out houses and standing ovations, return to Toronto for one night only to perform a spectacular program of Russian masterworks. Program: STRAVINSKY: Firebird Suite (1919 version) PROKOFIEV: Piano Concerto No. 3 (Alexander Toradze, piano) SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 1. Roy Thomson Hall, Fri Oct 21, 2011 8pm Click for event info
2. Herbie Hancock with the Massey Hall Orchestra, Alain Trudel, conductor
With an illustrious career spanning five decades and 14 Grammy Awards, Herbie Hancock is a true icon. He has transcended imitations and genres while mastering his unmistakable voice. He celebrates Gershwin on the historic Massey Hall stage accompanied by full orchestra conducted by Quebec’s charismatic Alain Trudel. “Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven’t heard anybody yet who has come after him.” – Miles Davis
Program:
Gershwin: “Catfish Row” Symphonic Suite from Porgy and Bess;
Rhapsody in Blue for Piano and Orchestra; selections for solo piano.
Massey Hall, Sat Oct 22, 2011 8pm Click for event Info
3. Amici Chamber Ensemble
La Bonne Cuisine: Exploring Taste and Sound
An exceptional lineup of musicians will explore the relationship of taste and sound in collaboration with Brockton General chef Alex Feswick and James Chatto. The repertoire will stir up culinary images, with a very colourful program from Poulenc to Rossini to Bolcom.
Canadian soprano Aline Kutan most recently performed in Toronto as the fiery Queen of the Night in the Canadian Opera Company’s production of The Magic Flute. The Toronto Star said of her performance that she “set off vocal fireworks in both of her big arias” – she is definitely an artist not to be missed.
Artistic Directors Joaquin Valdepeñas (clarinet), David Hetherington (cello) and Serouj Kradjian (piano) will be joined by Marie Bérard (violin), Michael Sweeney (bassoon) and Andrew McCandless (trumpet) to perform this delectable chamber repertoire. Glenn Gould Studio, Sun Oct 23, 2011 3pm Click for event Info
4. Tyler Duncan, baritone with
Erika Switzer, piano
Renowned for his performance in recital and his range of repertoire including oratorio and opera, Tyler Duncan has performed with the Montreal, Quebec and Winnipeg symphonies, and returns to perform with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra this season. Duncan is also the winner of the 2010 Joy in Singing Auditions in New York and the 2008 New York Oratorio Society Competition. Glenn Gould Studio, Thurs Oct 27, 2011 8pm Click for event info
5. The Smithsonian Chamber Players & Friends with Russell Braun, baritone
The Smithsonian Chamber Players & Friends honour the centenary of Mahler’s death with chamber versions of Das Lied von der Erde and Kindertotenlieder. This ensemble of virtuosi musicians will be joined by celebrated members of The Conservatory faculty and Royal Conservatory alumnus Russell Braun who the Toronto Star described as “a rich, flexible and powerful baritone with keen dramatic instincts.”
Program: In the Shadow of Schönberg’s Verein für musikalischen Privataufführungen: Late Mahler in Chamber Guise
Gustav Mahler: Kindertotenlieder (arr. Kenneth Slowik); Gustav Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (arr. Arnold Schönberg and Reiner Riehn) Koerner Hall, Saturday October 22, 2011 8:00pm Click for event info
6. Isabel Bayrakdarian, Soprano, with Pianist Serouj Kradjian
Isabel will appear in this exclusive GTA recital with her husband, pianist Serouj Kradjian.
Markham Theatre for Performing Arts, Friday, October 21, 2011 8:00 pm Click for event info
7. Handel’s Orlando Orlando: Beste Kalender, mezzo-soprano; Angelica: Rachel Krehm, soprano ; Medoro: Catherine Carew, mezzo-soprano; Zoroastro: Michael Robert-Broder, baritone. Friday, October 21, 2011, 7:30 pm, College St. United Church, 452 College St. All tickets $20. Phone 416 455-2365 for reservations and information Click for event info
8. Verdi’s Rigoletto
The Duke lives a dissolute existence, caring little for the lives he destroys in the process. His jester, Rigoletto, knows his employer’s proclivities all too well and obsessively guards his daughter from the Duke. When she is cruelly seduced and deceived, Rigoletto vows to avenge her, with devastating consequences. Rigoletto: Quinn Kelsey / Lester Lynch; Gilda: Ekaterina Sadovnikova / Simone Osborne; Duke of Mantua: Dimitri Pittas / David Lomelí
Canadian Opera Company, Sat. Oct. 22, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Click for event info
8. Zarzuela Gold BENEFIT GALA
Opening Gala Concert packed with hits from the legendary zarzuelas of Spain and the Latin world. Let the passion of Maria la O, Cecilia Valdes, Los Gavilanes, La Gran Via, La Leyenda del Beso and more dazzle your senses! A joyous fiesta of Melodies, Dances, rhythm and passion! Featuring
Michèle Bogdanowicz; Edgar Ernesto Ramírez; Guillermo Silva-Marin; Romulo Delgado. Jane Mallett Theatre, October 23 at 2 pm All tickets $47* Click for event info
9. Opera Tea A Menotti Double Bill
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Gian Carlo Menotti’s birth, the Opera Division at the University of Toronto presents two of his zany one-act comedies, The Telephone and Amelia Goes to the Ball. University of Toronto Faculty of Music, MacMillan Theatre Edward Johnson Building, U of T, 80 Queen’s Park Sunday, October 23, 2011 2:30 pm.
Tickets: $30. TELUS Centre Box Office: 416-408-0208. Online order: www.music.utoronto.ca. Click for event info
10. Orchestra Toronto, Voices with soprano Zorana Sadiq
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Don Giovanni overture; Richard Strauss Four Last Songs, with soprano soloist Zorana Sadiq; Claude Debussy Nocturnes, with the ORIANA Women’s Choir; Bedrich Smetana The Moldau. Toronto Centre for the Arts. October 23, 2011, 3 p.m. (pre-concert talk at 2:15 p.m.) $14 to $39. Call the Box Office at 1-855-985-ARTS (2787). Click for event info
