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CRITIC’S PICKS | Nine Musical Outings You Should Do Next Week

By Michael Vincent on October 2, 2015

CP-OCT4-9
Marina Rebeka as Violetta in La Traviata (Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2013). Photo: Todd Rosenberg

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 our concert listings in the Musical Toronto Datebook.

Sunday 4

Tafelmusik | Violinist and Guest Director Cecilia Bernardini at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, Jeanne Lamon Hall. 3:30 p.m. $15-81 (repeats: Oct. 1, 2, 3, 6; start times and venues vary)

Tafelmusik continues the 15/16 season with a set of lively works including Zelenka’s Hypochondria, Geminani’s Concerto grosso La Follia, Vivaldi’s Concerto “Il mondo al rovescio”, Telemann’s Orchestral Suite La Bizzarre, and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.4. Dutch-Italian violinist Cecilia Bernardini is behind the bow and shouldn’t be missed. | DETAILS

Esprit Orchestra | Con Brio at Koerner Hall. 8:00 p.m. $45

Esprit Orchestra brings on the heat with a “Con Brio.” You’ll hear new works by rising Canadian composer Zosha Di Castri, as well as Jörg Widmann, Omar Daniel, and Thomas Adès. A highlight will be Daniel’s world premiere of “Sinfonia Concertante” – described as a virtuosic thriller inspired by the Nordic myth of the husband killer. Perfect for Halloween around the corner. See you there. | DETAILS

(NB:Congrats to Esprit Orchestra Music Director Alex Pauk who was invested as a member of the Order of Canada in Ottawa last week!)

Tuesday 6

COC | Vocal Series: Alma Innamorata. Italian baroque music about love at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Noon. Free!

Looking for something to do this afternoon? Head on down to the COC for another free noon-hour concert with Ensemble Les Songes. You’ll hear hearty Italian baroque love songs by Handel, Corelli and Scarlatti. Make sure to arrive early to claim a good seat. | DETAILS

Wednesday 7

John Kameel Farah | at the Ratio. 7:30 p.m. $10

The Ratio is a hot new venue focusing on providing a space where people can experience a taste of Toronto’s local avant-garde. Tonight they host Toronto born (now Berlin-based) composer-pianist John Kameel Farah, to perform the first book of J.S. Bach’s “Das Wohltemperierte Klavier”. In the spirit of Wendy Carlos’s “Switched-On Bach,” Farah will play an improvised interlude around each tonal centre. Also includes a new work, described as a “minimalist-maximalist Fantasia and Fugue for piano, synthesizer and electronics.” | DETAILS

TSO | Barbara Hannigan Sings & Conducts at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $33.75-148 (repeats Oct. 8th)

After last weeks fairly conservative programming, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra return with an edgy visit from Toronto’s Barbara Hannigan – an intrepid soprano-conductor quickly becoming one of the most influential artists in the scene today. She will be making her North American conducting debut. The program includes varied works by Nono, Haydn, Mozart, Ligeti and Stravinsky. Come check it out. | DETAILS

Thursday 8

COC | Verdi’s La Traviata at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. $50-435 (repeats Oct. 13, 16, 17, 21, 24, 29, 30, Nov 1, 4, 6; start times and tickets prices vary)

Everything is for sale. What would you give for love? The Canadian Opera Company takes the stage with the season premiere of Verdi’s La Traviata. The split cast is strong and includes sopranos Ekaterina Siurina and Joyce El-Khoury as Violetta; tenors Charles Castronovo and Andrew Haji as Alfredo; baritones Quinn Kelsey and James Westman as Germont. Leading the COC Orchestra is conductor Marco Guidarini, with direction by Arin Arbus. Co-produced with Lyric Opera of Chicago and Houston Grand Opera. Not-to-be-missed! | DETAILS

Canadian Music Centre | Moritz Ernst, Piano at 20 St. Joseph St. 7:30 p.m. $15-20

German pianist Moritz Ernst is in town tonight to perform music by Canadian composers including Jimmie LeBlanc and Walter Boudreau. Moritz Ernst is known for performing a broad range of repertoire from Baroque to Contemporary Music and is an impressive interpreter. | DETAILS

Tapestry Opera | Selfie: Workshop Performance at the Ernest Balmer Studio. 7:30 p.m. PWYC (repeats Oct. 9, 2:30 p.m.)

Beta-opera darlings Tapestry Opera are presenting a workshop performance of a new opera in the works by Toronto-based composer Chris Thornborrow with libretto by Julie Tepperman. According to Tapestry’s website, the plot surrounds BFFs Cindy and Mindy as they navigate the increasingly complex maze that is a high school in the social media age. Come out and support the next generation of opera. | DETAILS

Friday 9

Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra | at Calvin Presbyterian Church. 8:00 p.m. $20-25

The Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra take the stage at Calvin Presbyterian Church to present a concert of classics, including Beethoven: Symphony No.5; Chopin: Piano Concerto No.2; Elgar: Cello Concerto (mvt.4), Khachaturian: Violin Concerto (mvt.1). Performing is violinist Arthur Tchakhmakhchyan, Cellist Emma Fischer, and pianist Arthur Tang. David Fallis, conducts. | DETAILS

#LUDWIGVAN

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