Critic’s Picks (March 2 – 8)
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 3
Tafelmusik | The Indigo Project 8 p.m. George Weston Recital Hall, Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St. $20-$109.
Your last chance to attend this theme-based concert conceptualized by Alison Mackay: “A musical journey exploring the vast social, cultural, and political implications of a powerful blue dye, indigofera tinctorial.” A total of 20 pieces by composers from Handel and Lully to Stradella and the famous “Anonymous.” Elisa Citterio director; Cynthia Smithers, narrator; Ivars Taurins, conductor; and choirs from Earl Haig & Unionville Secondary Schools. | Details
Toronto Symphony Orchestra | Music of John Williams 8 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. $70-$135 Repeats March 4 (2 & 8 p.m.), 5 (8 p.m.)
Steven Reineke conducts the TSO in a program of popular movie themes by composer John Williams, including Jaws, Indiana Jones, Schindler’s List, Hook, and more. | Details
Wednesday 4
National Ballet of Canada | Angels’ Atlas 7:30 p.m. Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W. $41-$133. Runs to March 7.
A mixed program at the National Ballet, beginning with Angels’ Atlas, a world premiere by Crystal Pite, followed by Chroma, choreographed by Wayne McGregor. Rounding out the offering is Sir Frederick Ashton’s Marguerite and Armand, originally created for Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. It marks the farewell of National ballerina Greta Hodgkinson. Read our review HERE.| Details
Toronto Operetta Theatre | H.M.S. Pinafore 8 p.m. Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. $55-$95. Repeats March 6, 7, 8 (mat.).
Calling all G & S fans – the ever-popular H.M.S. Pinafore is back, starring soprano Holly Chaplin, mezzo Rosalind McArthur, baritone Bradley Christensen, and tenor Ryan Downey. Derek Bate conducts and Guillermo Silva-Marin directs. | Details
Thursday 5
Glenn Gould Foundation | James Rhodes: The Beethoven Revolution. 8 p.m. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. $35-$110
Glenn Gould Foundation presents the Canadian debut of British pianist James Rhodes, in an all Beethoven program. Read all about him HERE. | Details
Friday 6
Toronto Consort | Crossing the Channel 8 p.m. Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. $20-$72 Repeats March 7.
Guest Artistic Director Scott Metcalfe leads the Toronto Consort in a program exploring the music of Dunstaple, Du Fay, Frye and contemporaries, for voices, recorders, percussion, fiddle and harp. | Details
Royal Conservatory of Music | Kyung Wha Chung with Kevin Kenner 8 p.m. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. $40-$95
The renowned Korean violinist Kyung Wha Chung joins American pianist Kevin Kenner in a program of Mozart, Beethoven, and Cesar Franck. | Details
Canadian Music Centre | 21st Century Cello 7:30 p.m. VC2 Cello Duo. CMC, 20 St. Joseph St. $20
VC2 Cello (Amahl Arulanandam and Bryan Holt) performs new music composed by cellists, for cellists, focusing on five works commissioned by VC2, each inspired by one of the Beethoven Sonatas for Cello and Piano. | Details
Saturday 7
Tallis Choir | Palm Sunday to Easter 7:30 p.m. St. Patrick’s Church, 141 McCaul St. $30/$25(sr)/$10(st)
“An exploration of some of the finest music written for Holy Week over the past 500 years. Featuring Thomas Tallis’s setting of the Lamentations, music from Weelkes, Lotti, and more.” | Details
Show One Productions | Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. 8 p.m. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St. $35-$115. Repeats March 8 (2 p.m./7 p.m.)
“The Trocks are forty-something and still going strong” – I’m referring to the all-male ballet company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. As part of their three-city Canadian tour, they are bringing their hilarious hijinks, including their famous Swan Lake routine, to Toronto for three performances. A rare chance to catch this fabled troupe. | Details
Sunday 8
Trio Arkel | Brahms and Beyond. 3 p.m. Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. W. $35/$20(sr)/$10(st).
Trio Arkel is joined by guests Eric Abramovitz (clarinet), Aaron Schwebel (violin) and Victor Fournelle-Blain (viola) in a program of Brahms, Kulesha, Bartók, and Barber, including his famous Adagio for Strings. | Details
Royal Conservatory of Music | Hélène Grimaud 3 p.m. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. This concert is listed as sold out. But do contact the box office for possible returns.
French pianist Hélène Grimaud plays a varied program of works by Debussy, Satie, Chopin, Schumann, and Silvestrov. | Details
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