For the week of Nov. 28 – Dec. 4
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. 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 curated concert listings here: Musical Toronto Datebook.
With the start of December, can Christmas — and Christmas programming — be far away? Actually, it started last week, but now it’s in full swing, from the Elmer Iseler Singers (Dec. 2), Tallis Choir (Dec. 3), and Toronto Classical Singers (Dec. 4). Chamber fans can look forward to the Rosamunde Quartet at Walter Hall (Nov. 28). Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear gives a recital of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Tchaikovsky at Koerner Hall (Dec. 4). Soprano Suzie LeBlanc makes a rare appearance in Toronto, under the auspices of Music Toronto (Dec. 1). For something a little different, there’s an evening of Chinese music at the Sony Centre (Dec. 2). Film music buffs will enjoy Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of The Fellowship of The Ring in Concert (Dec. 1-3). Held over from last week are Tafelmusik’s Grand Tour of Italy (Dec. 1-4), and Comfort, a drama with music about the sorrowful tale of “Comfort Women” in WWII China during Japanese occupation (Nov. 29 – Dec. 10).
Monday 28
U of T | Rosamunde Quartet at Walter Hall. 7:30 p.m. $40
University of Toronto Faculty of Music presents the Rosamunde Quartet (Noah Bendix-Balgley and Shanshan Yao, violins; Teng Li, viola; Nathan Vickery, cello). On the program are works by Haydn, Barber, and Schubert. Info, here.
Tuesday 29
Red Snow Collective | Comfort at Aki Studio, Daniel’s Spectrum. 8 p.m. PWYC (Runs through Dec. 10)
Red Snow Collective presents Comfort, a love story with music set against the backdrop of Shanghai’s “Comfort Women” during Japanese Occupation during WWII. Written by Diana Tso and directed by William Yong. Repeats to Dec. 10. Info, here.
Thursday 1
TSO | Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert at 7:30 p.m. $46–75 (Repeats Dec. 2 & 3)
Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert, conducted by Ludwig Wicki, with soprano Kaitlyn Lusk, boy soprano Alastair Thorburn-Vitols, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, and the Canadian Children’s Opera Company. Repeats on Dec 2, 3. Details, here.
Music Toronto | Suzie LeBlanc, Robert Kortgaard & the Blue Engine String Quartet at Jane Mallett Theatre. 8 p.m. $55
Music Toronto presents Acadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc, pianist Robert Kortgaard and the Blue Engine String Quartet in a musical tribute to Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979). On the program are works by Alasdair MacLean, John Plant, Villa Lobos, Ivan Moody, Schumann, and others. Full details, here.
Tafelmusik | A Grand Tour of Italy at Trinity St. Paul’s Centre. 8 p.m. $39–107 (Repeats Dec. 2–4)
Opened last week, Tafelmusik’s A Grand Tour of Italy continues with Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, as well as works by Castello, Uccellini and Marini. Cristina Zacharias, violin, and Rodolfo Richter, violin and guest director. Repeats Dec 2, 3, and 4 3:30 p.m.; (Dec 6 8:00 p.m. at George Weston Recital Hall). More info available, here.
Friday 2
Elmer Iseler Singers | Handel’s Messiah at the Metropolitan United Church. 8 p.m. $55
The Elmer Iseler Singers presents Handel’s Messiah, with soprano Allison Angelo, mezzo Andrea Ludwig, tenor Zach Finkelstein, and baritone Peter McGillivray, Lydia Adams conducts the Amadeus Choir. Info, here.
China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra | Enchanting China: Masterpieces of Chinese Music at the Sony Centre. 8 p.m. $28–128 (Repeats Dec. 3)
Friday Dec 2 8 p.m. Sony Centre $28 – $128 China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra presents Enchanting China: Masterpieces of Chinese Music, an evening of Chinese traditional and folk music, played by a 60-piece orchestra on traditional Chinese instruments. Also appearing is the Ottawa Bach Choir. Repeats Dec 3. Details, here.
Saturday 3
Tafelmusik | Close Encounters of the Italian Kind at the Temerty Theatre, Telus Centre. 2 p.m. $93
Tafelmusik presents Close Encounters of the Italian Kind featuring works of Geminiani, Vivaldi and Boccherini. Info, here.
Tallis Choir Of Toronto | Monteverdi’s Vespers of Christmas Eve at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. 7:30 p.m. $30
The Tallis Choir of Toronto presents Monteverdi’s Vespers of Christmas Eve. A recreation of Christmas in St. Mark’s, Venice by period instruments with choir. The program includes Monteverdi’s Magnificat Primi Toni/ Beautus Vir/Exulta Filia, as well as instrumental works by Cavalli and Grandi. Details, here.
Sunday 4
RCM | Stewart Goodyear at Koerner Hall. 3 p.m. $35+
Royal Conservatory presents pianist Stewart Goodyear in recital. On the program are works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky and a world premiere – “Acabris! Acabras! Acabram!” by the pianist. More info, here.
Mooredale Concerts | Stephen Prutsman: Bach and Forth at Walter Hall. 3:15 p.m. $30
Mooredale Concerts presents pianist Stephen Prutsman in Bach and Forth, a program based on J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, while showcasing piano works from all musicial periods in between. Info, here.
Toronto Classical Singers | Christ Church Deer Park. 4 p.m. $30
Toronto Classical Singers opens its 25th–anniversary season with Making a Joyful Noise – selections from Handel’s Messiah. Soloists are soprano Sheila Dietrich, mezzo Shauna Yarnell, tenor Asitha Tennekoon, and baritone Paul Grambo. Jurgen Petrenko conducts the Talisker Players. Details, here.
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