This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between Oct. 23 and Oct. 29, 2023. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Crow/Gustavo Gimeno

Wednesday Oct. 25 and Saturday Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. in Roy Thomson Hall. Sunday Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. in George Weston Recital Hall. $35+

TSO concertmaster Jonathan Crow steps up this week to play the Violin Concerto of György Ligeti (1923-2006), whose centenary has been widely observed. Microtones and alternative tuning are part of the avant-garde mix; the orchestra includes ocarinas. There is more modernism from Olga Neuwirth (Austria) and Tansy Davies (U.K.). The program concludes with Gustavo Gimeno’s take on Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Info here.

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir/Carmina Burana

Thursday Oct. 26 and Friday Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall. $25 (student) to $120.

Jean-Sébastien Vallée leads the Carl Orff spectacular in a program that includes Brahms’s (rather different) Schicksalslied and a new piece by TMC composer-in-residence Tracy Wong. Info here.

Opera Atelier/Orpheus and Eurydice

Thursday Oct. 26 and Saturday Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m. Elgin Theatre. $63+

Veterans Colin Ainsworth and Mireille Asselin take the title roles in this Opera Atelier revival of the French version of Gluck’s greatest hit. David Fallis conducts. Tafelmusik is in the pit. Info here.

Music Toronto/Geoff Nuttall Haydn Celebration

Thursday Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. Jane Mallett Theatre. Free.

Music Toronto presents a free chamber concert in honour of Geoff Nuttall, the late violinist and leading light of the St. Lawrence Quartet. Among the many participants are Scott St. John, Denis Brott and the Gryphon Trio. All-Haydn program. Reserve your ticket online. Info here.

RCM/Chanticleer

Friday Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. Koerner Hall. $45+

The dozen-strong a cappella male choir visits with a program ranging from Heinrich Isaac to Peter Gabriel. There is a surprising stress on the Op. 83 songs of Max Reger (1873-1916). Info here.

Canadian Opera Company/La Bohème

Saturday Oct. 28 at 4:30 p.m. Four Seasons Centre. Standing room $12 (day of performance).

The last performance of the COC revival of the Puccini favourite is sold out. Wear comfortable shoes and try standing room. 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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