This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between May 1 and May 7, 2023. For more details on what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.

WMCT/Mark Fewer/Thalea String Quartet

Thursday May 4 at 1:30 p.m. Walter Hall. $45

Works by Ervin Schulhoff, John Rea and Carmen Braden comprise the first half of this presentation of the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto. Ernest Chausson’s Concert Op. 21 makes up the second. Info here.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Turangalîla-Symphonie

Thursday May 4 at 8 p.m. (repeats Friday May 5 at 7:30 p.m.). Roy Thomson Hall. $65+

Gustavo Gimeno leads the TSO through Olivier Messiaen’s wild-and-woolly 80-minute symphony of 1948, complete with prominent parts for piano (Marc-André Hamelin) and ondes Martenot (Nathalie Forget). The performances will generate the orchestra’s second recording of the work — the first having been made in 1967 under Seiji Ozawa. Info here.

Canadian Opera Company/Macbeth

Saturday May 6 at 7:30 p.m. (plus May 12, 14, 17 and 20). Four Seasons Centre. $55+

The COC staging of Verdi’s vigorous early masterpiece is a frank success. Hawaiian baritone Quinn Kelsey is at the head of a strong cast led by the able Speranza Scappucci in the pit. Limited ticket availability. Note also a revival of Tosca on May 5, 7, 11, 13, 19, 21, 23 and 27. Info here.

St. James Cathedral/Handel Coronation Anthems

Saturday May 6 at 7:30 p.m. $25

Just in case the feed from Westminster Abbey leaves you wanting more, the choir of St. James Cathedral, with orchestra, performs Handel’s Coronation Anthems as a celebration of the coronation of King Charles III. Info here.

Sinfonia Toronto/Franck and Verdi

Saturday May 6 at 8 p.m. George Weston Recital Hall. $44 (senior $37, student $17)

Franck’s Piano Quintet and Verdi’s String Quartet get an orchestral upgrade under the baton of Nurhan Arman. Jean-Philippe Sylvestre of Montreal is the pianist. Also on the program: a new work by the Saskatchewan composer Wayne Toews. Info here.

RCM/Bruce Xiaoyu Liu

Sunday May 7 at 3 p.m. Koerner Hall. $25+

The Canadian gold medallist of the 2021 International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition plays a recital of mostly Chopin as part of the RCM piano series. Sold out, but those who believe in miracles can try the box office on the day of performance. Info here.

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Arthur Kaptainis

Arthur Kaptainis was classical music critic of the Montreal Gazette from 1986 to 2022 and wrote for the National Post from 2010 to 2016. His articles appear in Classical Voice North America and Gramophone as well as Ludwig Van. Arthur holds an MA in musicology from the University of Toronto. He is president of the Music Critics Association of North America.

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