Classical music and opera events happening in and around Toronto for the week of April 22 – 28.

Critic’s Picks (April 22 – 28)

Ludwig van Toronto’s weekly Critic’s Picks are a curated list of some of the best concerts happening now through the end of the week. For a look at the full breadth of what’s available in and around Toronto, check out our curated concert listings here.

Tuesday 23

Canadian Opera Company | Vocal Series: Both Sides Now. 12 p.m. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W. Free. Limited Seating.

I believe originally it was announced as a recital to be given by American soprano Angel Blue who’s in town to sing Mimi, but deputizing for her is the fast-rising Canadian soprano Danika Loren, the Musetta, with likely a completely different program. Sandra Horst remains the pianist. | Details

Wednesday 24

Toronto Operetta Theatre | The Merry Widow. 8 p.m. Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre, 27 Front St. E. $55-$95. Repeats Apr 26, 27, 28(3 p.m.)

The Franz Lehar warhorse gets the TOT treatment, and if the past is any indication, it’ll be funny and topical with lots of local references. Soprano Lucia Cesaroni is Anna, Michael Nyby is Danilo. Also featuring Matt Chittick (Camille), Daniela Agostini (Valencienne), and Gregory Finney (Baron Zeta). Larry Beckwith conducts. | Details

Thursday 25

Tafelmusik | The Hunt: Mozart and Haydn. 8 p.m. Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. $30-$109. Repeats Apr 26, 27, 28 (mat), and 30 (George Weston Recital Hall).

Tafelmusik’s Director Emerita Jeanne Lamon conducts a program of Mozart and Haydn symphonies and Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 with soloist Scott Wevers. | Details

Friday 26

Canadian Opera Company | La bohème. 7:30 p.m. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W. $45-$350. Performances to May 22.

COC’s La bohème continues this week, featuring a great cast – soprano Angel Blue (Mimi), Andriana Chuchman (Musetta), Atalla Ayan (Rodolfo), Lucas Meachem (Marcello), Brandon Cedel (Colline), Phillip Addis (Schaunard), and Donato Di Stefano (Benoit/Alcindoro). The principals are double cast so be sure to check the COC website for details. Paolo Carignani conducts. | Details

Royal Conservatory of Music | András Keller conducts the RCM Orchestra. 8 p.m. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. Sold Out!

Hungarian maestro András Keller leads the RCM Orchestra in a program of Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky. Soloist in the Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2 is Linda Ruan. Announced as sold out but do check with the box office for returns. | Details

Orpheus Productions | Shakespeare’s Criminal: A Chamber Opera. 8 p.m. Factory Studio, 125 Bathurst St. Workshop Presentations. Repeats Apr 28 2 p.m. $35/$25(sr).

A new opera with a gay theme by composer Dustin Peters, with libretto by Sky Gilbert, starring mezzo Marion Newman, baritone Dion Mazerolle, and actor Nathaniel Bacon. | Details

Saturday 27

Canadian Opera Company | Otello. 7:30 p.m. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W. $45-$350. Seven more performances to May 21. Check listings for details and start times.

The second production of COC’s spring seasons is Verdi’s Otello, with American tenor Russell Thomas in the title role. American soprano and frequent COC guest artist Tamara Wilson is Desdemona, and Canadian baritone Gerald Finley makes a welcome return as Iago. Also in the cast are tenor Andrew Haji (Cassio), mezzo Carolyn Sproule (Emilia), and tenor Owen McCausland (Roderigo). Johannes Debus conducts and David Alden is the stage director. | Details

Inglorious Productions | Women of Letters: Signed, Sealed, Delivered. 8 p.m. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton St. $15-$35.

According to the press release, this is “a show woven around the music and words of women featuring pianist Allyson Devenish, singers Anne Marie Ramos, Marcelle Boisjoli, Natalya Gennadi, Renée Salewski, and Danie Friesen. Composers are Libby Larsen, Nadia Boulanger, Marion Bauer, Tania León, and Errollyn Wallen. Renée Salewski directs. | Details

Sunday 28

Toronto Mozart Players | Mozart Requiem/Bach Double Violin. 2 p.m. Church of the Redeemer, 162 Bloor St. W. $35/$25(st)

Interesting program featuring Sonata for Unaccompanied Cello (David Bowser), Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D minor BWV 1043 with Jonathan Crow, concertmaster, TSO and Andrew Wan, concertmaster, OSM. Mozart Requiem with Kendra Dyck, soprano, Jennifer Routhier, mezzo-soprano, River Guard, tenor, and Michael Robert-Broder, bass-baritone. Pax Christi Chamber Choir. David Bowser conducts. | Details

Amici Chamber Ensemble | Beethoven’s Best. 3 p.m. Mazzoleni Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor St. W. $50/$45(sr)/$30(under 30)/$15(st)

The Amici Chamber Ensemble (Joaquin Valdepenas, David Hetherington, Serouj Kradjian) plays Beethoven’s Piano Trio Op.1 No.1, Violin sonata No.10 Op. 96 with guest violinist Mayumi Seiler, and Chan Ka Nin’s Among Friends. | Details

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Joseph So

Joseph So is Professor Emeritus at Trent University and Associate Editor of Opera Canada.He is also a long-time contributor to La Scena Musicale and Opera (London, UK). His interest in music journalism focuses on voice, opera as well as symphonic and piano repertoires. He appears regularly as a panel member of the Big COC Podcast.He has co-edited a book, Opera in a Multicultural World: Coloniality, Culture, Performance, published by Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group).

CRITIC'S PICKS | 10 Concerts You Absolutely Need To See In Toronto This Week (April 22 – 28)