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.
Friday 23
COC | Pyramus and Thisbe at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. $50-435 (Repeats: Oct. 20, 25, 28, Nov. 5 and 7; show times vary)
There has been a lot of buzz about the significance of a new contemporary opera at the COC this season. Based on the story from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, “Pyramus and Thisbe” is described in terms of nature by composer Barbara Monk Feldman, “…the quality of the light is always subtly varying, and as a painter friend of mine said, she tries to capture the feeling that something is about to change, and this feeling is what I aim for in the music of Pyramus and Thisbe.” Something different for certain – come see it for yourself. | DETAILS
I Furiosi | Game of Thrones at the Calvin Presbyterian Church. 8:00 p.m. $10-20
I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble launch their season with an invasion stirred by the intense revolving HBO series drama, “Game of Thrones”. The concert features guest harpsichordist Christopher Bagan. Winter is coming… See you there. | DETAILS
Saturday 24
Pax Christi Chorale | Hands Across the Water at the Grace Church on-the-Hill. 7:30 p.m. $25-40
Pax Christi Chorale, headed by outgoing Artistic Director Stephanie Martin, will be kicking off their 2015/16 season with a collaboration with the Gloucester Cathedral Choir. You’ll hear works by Tallis and Vaughan Williams. Stick around after the concert for the CD launch of their new CD, Winter Nights. | DETAILS
Kindred Spirits Orchestra Markham | Symphonie Fantastique at Flato Markham Theatre. 8:00 p.m. $15-30
Kindred Spirits Orchestra Markham takes the stage to perform a nicely rounded program including Franck’s “Le Chasseur Maudit”, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.1 in C, Op.15, and Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique”. Features pianist Anson Hui and conductor Kristian Alexander with host Alexa Petrenko (The New Classical FM). Hot tip: There will be free champagne at the pre-concert chat at 7:30 p.m. You heard it hear first. | DETAILS
TSO | La Mer & A Sea Symphony at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $33.75-148
If you missed the first of the two series shows on Oct. 21st, Peter Oundjian returns with the Toronto Symphony Ocean inspired program including Debussy’s “La mer” and Vaughan Williams’ “A Sea Symphony”. Also on the bill are the always stunning The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir with soprano Erin Wall, and baritone Russell Braun. Stay late for a post-concert chat with Kenneth Brummel and Peter Oundjian. | DETAILS
Sunday 25
Royal Conservatory | Simone Dinnerstein at Koerner Hall. 3:00 p.m. $35+
Pianist Simone Dinnerstein has won acclaim as one of the most important interpreters of Bach since Glenn Gould. She returns to Toronto for one night only to perform works including Schumann, Bach, Schubert and the Canadian premiere of Philip Lasser’s Breughel Suite. Not-to-be-missed. | DETAILS
Tuesday 27
Talisker Players | Renovated Rhymes: Songs and Stories for Grown-up Children at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. 8:00 p.m. $10-40 (Repeats Oct. 28)
Children’s rhymes and nonsense verse enter the equation in the Talisker Players season premiere, Renovated Rhymes: Songs and Stories for Grown-up Children. Includes Uyeda’s “The Sex Lives of Vegetables” and Jordahl’s “Verses from Ogden Nash”. Includes tenor James McLennan, baritone Doug MacNaugton, and actor/reader Ross Manson. | DETAILS
Wednesday 28
Royal Conservatory | Masaaki Suzuki Conducts the Bach Collegium Japan at Koerner Hall. 8:00 p.m. $40+
Japanese organist, harpsichordist, conductor, and the founder and musical director of the Bach Collegium Japan meets Koerner Hall tonight. On the bill is an all-Bach program including the “Brandenburg Concerto”, “Oboe d’amore Concerto in A”, Trio Sonata from “The Musical Offering” and more. | DETAILS
TSO | Sibelius Symphony 2 at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $33.75-148 (Repeats Oct. 29)
Violinist Benjamin Schmid is a major draw tonight. He joins guest conductor John Storgårds and the TSO for a performance of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, Nielsen’s Helios Overture, and Bartók’s Violin Concerto No.1. Schmid is known for an impressively agile and dynamic tone. Should be a sure bet for a great night out. | DETAILS
TorQ Percussion Quartet | Percussion Octet at Tranzac Club. 8:00 p.m. $15-20
The always entertaining TorQ Percussion Quartet hit up the Tranzac Club with Architek to perform music for eight percussionists. Premieres include works by Michael Oesterle and Andrew Staniland plus new arrangements of works by Tim Brady and John Psathas. See you there. | DETAILS
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