It was just four years ago that Toronto city council voted in an ambitious plan to shape Toronto into Canada’s “Music City”. While this may arguably be true for the season-proper, summer in Toronto is still a tough sell for classical music lovers, who are tempted to head to greener pastures across rural Ontario and Quebec for their summer music fix.

Since 2005, the Toronto Summer Music Festival has been working hard to convince music lovers that they can keep the music going in the city all summer long. Traditionally they present music inspired by a theme. In 2018, they focused on the music of the Great War. The year before that was focused on Canada 150. In 2015, events were tied to the Pan American Games with the theme of Music of the Americas.

Announced during their season launch gala on Tuesday night, the 2019 edition of the festival will focus on celebrating the city’s most recognizable asset — its cultural diversity.

“Toronto is one of the most diverse cities on the planet. I am thrilled that this year’s theme Beyond Borders, reflects the cross-cultural dialogue we all value so highly,” said Jonathan Crow, Artistic Director of Toronto Summer Music. “We welcome the world to our festival!”

The 2019 summer festival lineup is varied with a notable mix of elite classical music performers. Mainstage events include renowned soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, pianist dynamos Jon Kimura Parker, Angela Hewitt and Charles Richard-Hamelin, countertenor Daniel Taylor, Banff International String Quartet Competition winners Dover Quartet, as well as local favourites The Art of Time Ensemble with Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Slean, the Rolston String Quartet, rising conductor Gemma New, and world premieres by celebrated Canadian composers Alexina Louie and Christos Hatzis.

Toronto just might be music city after all.

Festival passes are now on sale; single tickets go on sale March 19, 2019. For information on all Festival events call 416-408-0208 or visit www.torontosummermusic.com.

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Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent is the Editor-in-chief Ludwig Van and CEO of Museland Media. He publishes regularly and writes occasionally. A specialist in digital media for over 15 years, he has worked as a senior editor and is a former freelance classical music critic for the Toronto Star. Michael holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Toronto.

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