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CRITIC'S PICKS | Classical Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: Aug. 23–29

By Michael Vincent on August 23, 2021

Classical music and opera events for the week of August 23–29, 2021.
Classical music and opera events for the week of August 23–29, 2021.

This is a list of amazing concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between August 23–29, 2021. For more details on what’s happening from our trusted partners, visit our calendar here.

Music Mondays | Rebekah Wolkstein and Drew Jurecka

📅 Monday — August 23, 2021, 12:15 p.m.
📍 LINK
💸 PWYC ($10 suggested)

Rebekah Wolkstein and Drew Jurecka (members of the Payadora Ensemble) will be performing a set online today via Music Mondays. The program includes works composed by the performers, plus some Bartok for good measure. If you don’t know them, Wolkstein and Jurecka have performed on six JUNO-nominated albums this year. Fun fact: Jurecka’s string arrangements are heard on this year’s (63rd) GRAMMY-winning Best Pop Vocal Album Duo Lipa. | Details

Festival of the Sound | Arias & Antics: A Night Of Summer Opera

📅 Wednesday — August 25, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
📍 LINK
💸 $20

This one looks like a lot of fun. Krisztina Szabó, Leslie Fagan, Guy Few, and Colin Ainsworth will perform opera hits, share Italian recipes, drink pairings, and laughs. If you tune-in early or stay late, you can join the artists before and after the broadcast for some informal chat or to make a toast. | Details

The Elora Festival Online | Choral Dances: VOCES8

Thursday — August 26, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
📍 LINK
💸 $15+

Did you know that choral music is more popular than hockey in Canada? The Elora Festival sure do! Tune-in to watch VOCES8, a vocal ensemble from the UK, sing a program recorded at London’s VOCES8 Centre. Repertoire includes Benjamin Britten, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington and more. This concert runs online through September 6. | Details

Stratford Summer Music | Friday Night Live at Revival House — Laila Biali (Online & In-person)

📅 Friday — August 27, 2021, 9:00 p.m.
📍 LINK
💸 $20 (online) $50 (in-person)

It’s the last weekend of the Stratford Summer Music Festival (my, my time flies). We highly recommend checking out singer-songwriter, pianist, Juno-winner, and CBC Radio host Laila Biali at the intimate Revival House. In-person or online. | Details

Stratford Summer Music | Stewart Goodyear

📅 Saturday — August 28, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
📍 LINK
💸 $60

If you’re in Stratford Ontario this weekend, this is a must. Why? Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear is making his Stratford Summer Music debut. You’ll hear an All-Beethoven (Ludwig Van approved) program. See you in the front row. | Details

The Elora Festival Online | Poetry & Song

📅 Saturday — August 28, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
📍 LINK
💸 $25

Colm Feore skillfully narrates an online event that blends words and music, including the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by Canadian composer Stephanie Martin, based on poetry by Robert Frost. Blockbuster movies or the high stage, Feore is worth the ticket price alone, but this innovative program is also worth your attention. | Details

Canadian Sinfonietta | Summer Outdoor Fundraising Concert

Sunday — August 29, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
📍 LINK
💸 $100

The Canadian Sinfonietta are giving their first concert of the season early this year in a special fundraiser at the lush green space behind the Lai house in Thornhill. We recommend bringing a folding chair, so you can stake a good spot. The program includes performances by singer Maria Soulis as well as the orchestra’s principal players Joyce Lai (playing a work by Maestro Tak Ng Lai), Andras Weber, and Kaye Royer. Tickets are pricey at $100, but this is for a good cause. | Details

Stratford Summer Music | Jens Lindemann — Season Finale

📅 Sunday — August 29, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
📍 LINK
💸 $60

For the 2021 Grand Finale concert at Stratford Summer Music this summer, they bring Jens Lindemann with Jens Lindemann‘s Brassfire performing Tommy Dorsey, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington and more. “Brassfire” has to be one of the best jazz names ever — and so is Jens Lindemann. | Details

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Michael Vincent
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