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 the comprehensive concert listings from our friends at Wholenote Magazine.
Monday 13
Blythwood Winds | at the Music Gallery. 8:00 p.m. $10-20
If you haven’t heard of the Blythwood Winds yet, they are one of Toronto’s newest ensembles specializing in Canadian made repertoire. Tonight will be their biggest show to date, with premieres by Nathaniel J.S. Barnes, Kevin Lau, Aura Pon and William Rowson. Come out and show your support for this great new ensemble. | DETAILS
Tuesday 14
Sheridan College Canadian Music Theatre Project | at Sheridan College (Oakville). 7:00 p.m. $35 (Runs Apr 14 – May 3)
While Oakville makes plans turn the old Brantwood Public school into residential properties, Sheridan College’s theatre department have temporarily taken over the building to stage an ambitious immersive musical production called, Brantwood 1920-2020. The three-hour show comprises over 15 hours of material, and will be the largest production of site-specific musical theatre in Canadian history. Highly recommended. | DETAILS
Opera Atelier: Orpheus and Eurydice | at the Elgin Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $38-181 (Runs Apr 9– 12, dates and start times vary)
Opera Atelier returns this season to present Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice: an opera based on the myth of Orpheus, with libretto by Ranieri de’ Calzabigi. Tafelmusik (conducted by David Fallis) will be playing a mid-nineteenth century orchestration by Berlioz, which rounds out the two previously mounted Italian and French versions performed by Atelier. They have also included some of the original ornamentations sung by Pauline Viardot found in her privately owned piano-vocal score. Cast includes mezzo Mireille Lebel as “Orpheus”, soprano Peggy Kriha Dye as “Eurydice”, soprano Meghan Lindsay as “Amour”. Early reviews have been favorable; don’t miss it. | DETAILS
Thursday 16
Women’s Musical Club of Toronto: Mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn | at Walter Hall, Edward Johnson Building. 1:30 p.m. $45
Mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn’s has performed at venues all over the world, including Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. Now Toronto has a chance to hear this amazing performer with pianist Julius Drake, for a one-night only performance at Walter Hall. They’ll be performing works by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Korngold and R. Strauss. For only $45, it’s a steal. | DETAILS
Music Toronto: Lafayette Quartet | at the Jane Mallett Theatre. 8:00 p.m. $10-55
As they approach their historic thirty-year anniversary, The Lafayette Quartet is still going strong. Join them as they take the stage to perform a program of Haydn (Quartet in A, No.28, Op.20, No.6) Jean Coulthard (Quartet No.2, Threnody) and Beethoven (Quartet in a, Op.132.). A sure bet. | DETAILS
Soundstreams: Song for Athene | at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. 8:00 p.m. $20-67.50
Sir John Tavener’s death in 2013 was a shock that resonated across the music world. Soundstreams’ Lawrence Cherney, a close personal friend of Tavener, first brought him to Toronto in 1995. It was a huge success. Now ten years later, Soundstreams brings Tavener’s memory back with a performance by soprano Patricia Rozario, and the Toronto Children’s Chorus and Choir 21. Also includes works by Vanraj Bhatia, Jonathan Harvey and Christos Hatzis. This powerful concert is not-to-be-missed. | DETAILS
Friday 17
Canadian Opera Company: Barber of Seville | at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. $22-424 (Runs Apr 17– May 22, dates and start times vary)
There is nothing quite like a visit to the Barber. The COC remounts the Barber of Seville which opens tonight and runs until May 22. The cast looks very promising, with baritone Joshua Hopkins as Figaro, tenor Alek Shrader as Count Almaviva, and mezzos Serena Malfi or Cecilia Hall as Rosina (depending on which date you attend). Definitely a must for this week. | DETAILS
group of 27 | at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. 8:00 p.m. PWYC
Group of 27 unleash Disquiet – a full-orchestra concert featuring Toronto Symphony orchestra’s principal oboist Sarah Jeffrey.on On the bill is C.P.E Bach’s Symphony Wg 179, Jocelyn Morlock’s Disquiet, Mozart’s Oboe Concerto and Haydn’s Symphony 19. A great opportunity for fans of “C.P.E Bach” to hear his music live. | DETAILS
Saturday 18
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: From Swan Lake to Flight of the Bumblebee | at Roy Thomson Hall. 7:30 p.m. $33-93 (Repeats April 19)
After the great swirling controversy surrounding the TSO last week, we cannot forget the music. It continues this week with a series of Russian masterworks by Rimsky-Korsakov, Koussevitzky, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Bulgarian conductor Rossen Milanov, will be on hand with TSO double-bassist Jeffrey Beecher, performing Koussevitzky’s Double Bass Concerto. | DETAILS
Professor Bad Trip | at The Music Gallery. 8:00 p.m. $15-25
What would classical music on drugs sound like? The late composer Fausto Romitelli had an answer in his beguiling Professor Bad Trip. The Music Gallery describes it as “The Doors meet – and unapologetically drown out – Pierre Boulez. …This is a piece hard to perform, difficult to love and impossible to ignore.” Sounds like a trip worth taking. | DETAILS
Sunday 19
Hélène Grimaud | at Koerner Hall. 3:00 p.m. $35-85
Hélène Grimaud is undeniably one of the best pianists in the world. She returns to Koerner Hall, a favourite of her venues, to perform a program titled Water Music. It includes some very interesting works, such as Berio’s Wasserklavier, Tōru Takemitsu’s Rain Tree Sketch II, and many others. Tickets are selling fast.| DETAILS
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