Ludwig van 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.
Tuesday 16
Canadian Opera Company | Chamber Music Series: the English Violin. 12 p.m. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre. Free.
Violinist Benjamin Baker and pianist Daniel Lebhardt perform the Elgar Violin Sonata in E Op. 82, and the Britten Suite for violin and piano, Op. 6. Be sure to show up early to ensure a seat. | Listing / Program
Wednesday 17
Toronto Symphony Orchestra | Mozart@262 Festival: Essential Mozart. 8 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall. Repeats Jan. 18, 8 p.m at Koerner Hall. $40.75-$154 Pre-curtain concert at 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 17 by TSO Chamber Soloists.
The Mozart@262 Festival continues this week, in a program of Overture to Magic Flute, Sinfonia concertante for Violin and Viola (Jonathan Crow and Teng Li), and Mozart Symphony No. 36. There’s a free pre-concert performance at 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 17 of Mozart’s Flute Quartet. Bernard Labadie returns to the TSO to conduct. | Listing
Thursday 18
Tafelmusik | Safe Haven. 3:30 p.m. Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. Repeats 19,20, 21 at 8 p.m. Jan 23 8 p.m. at George Weston Recital Hall.
Tafelmusik presents an interesting multimedia program inspired by the current discourse regarding refugees — a musical exploration of the cultural gifts brought by refugees to baroque Europe and to Canada today. Developed by Alison Mackay and directed by Elisa Citterio. Works by Corelli, Lully, Bach, and Vivaldi. | Listing
Friday 19
Toronto Symphony Orchestra | Mozart@262 Festival: Mozart Jupiter Symphony. 7:30 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall. Repeats Jan 20 (2 and 8 p.m. at Koerner Hall); Jan. 21 (3 p.m.) $40.75-$154.
Peter Oundjian conducts Mozart’s Rondo for Violin and Orchestra; Adagio for Violin and Orchestra; Piano Concerto No. 23; and Symphony No. 41. Pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin and violinist Adrian Anantawan. | Listing
Saturday 20
Academy Concert Series | Dvořák on the Down Low. 7:30 p.m. Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. $20/$14(st)
Violinist Mark Fewer and bassist Joseph Philips perform the Dvořák bass quintet Op. 77, paired with the Onslow bass quintet Op. 67. They are joined by Elizabeth Loewen Andrews, violin; Emily Eng, viola; and Kerri McGonigle, cello. | Details
Canadian Opera Company | Rigoletto. 7:30 p.m. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. $106-$225 (remaining tickets for Jan. 20) Repeats Jan 27-Feb. 23.
The Canadian Opera Company’s winter season begins with a revival of the controversial Christopher Alden production of Rigoletto, seen six seasons ago. Roland Wood, an outstanding Renato in Un ballo in maschera a few seasons ago, returns as Rigoletto. Stephen Costello is Duke of Mantua and Anna Christy is Gilda. Canadian mezzo Carolyn Sproule makes her COC debut as Maddalena. Stephen Lord conducts. | Listing
Sunday 21
Royal Conservatory of Music | Russell Braun Sings Dichterliebe. 2 p.m. Mazzoleni Hall, Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W. Sold Out!
Canadian baritone Russell Braun sings Schumann’s great song cycle, Dichterliebe. If you don’t have a ticket, you’re out of luck as the tiny 237-seat Mazzoleni Hall is sold out. However, do give the box office a call to find out about returns. | Listing
Continuum Contemporary Music | Time Travels Light. 8 p.m. 918 Bathurst, 918 Bathurst St. $30/$20(sr/art workers)/$10(st)
TorQ Percussion Quartet and Rob Power join Ryan Scott to perform works by Fjola Evans, Michael Oesterle and Andrew Staniland. | Listing
LUDWIG VAN TORONTO
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