Here is a response to our call to Musical Toronto readers for stories and reviews. This is an appreciation of a concert by countertenor Timothy Wong at Timothy Eaton United Church in Toronto this afternoon:

I spent a pleasant afternoon today at a mini-concert to benefit the choir school at Timothy Eaton United Church by rising young countertenor Timothy Wong.

Timothy has a Bach. of Music from U. of  T. He has pursued his career since 2009, singing in Canada and abroad.

Tim took us on a delightful journey to explore different facets of the countertenor’s voice. Beginning with Schumann’s Liederkreis Op.39, he moved us with beauty of tone, genuine expression of feeling and calm, clear-flowing line. He also had fun playing with words in the joyous parts.

J.S. Bach’s “Bub und Reu” (Christmas Oratorio) and “Es ist vollbracht” (St John Passion) were well executed, but the highlight for me was the well-known “Ombra mai fu” from Handel’s opera Xerxes. Tim showed a warmer, rounder extension of his skill here, unleashing a full range of power from forte to an exquisite and delicate high note.

In “Berceaux,” by Gabriel Fauré, he did it again.

Tim showed us his Modern mode, by hissing and singing Benjamin Britten’s  setting of “I know a bank where the wild thyme grows” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Thank goodness he finished with an aria from Mozart’s Idomeneo — “Il padre adorato.”

He is a personable young artist with a fine gift.

He was ably accompanied by Tom King, a fine collaborative pianist who holds a Masters of Music from Univ. of Western Ontario. Tom is also an accomplished jazz pianist and teacher.

Tim will be the lead in a production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel in Toronto in June, 2013.

Mary Lou Baptie