This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between April 29 and May 5, 2024. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Soundstreams: Womens’ Voices as Cultural Keepers
Tuesday, April 30, 7:30 p.m.
Hugh’s Room Live, 296 Broadview Ave., Free, tickets required.
Women are forever telling stories; though most non-CIS-male storytellers have been confined to the smaller, personal spaces within the tight bounds of each community, rather than being invited up to large public halls and rallies, even now. There is an advantage, however, to such intimate storytelling — it preserves the fragile relationships between generations, their environment, and birth and death of true lives. Winner of Soundstreams’ annual New Voices Curator Mentorship program, Natalya Gennadi, curates a program stemming from the Kokum shawl, connecting the indigenous and Ukrainian immigrant women. There will be a panel of three strong women: Natalya, Kristine Dandavino, and Xin Wang; what things would they like to tell us? What do the eyes of the women see- as mothers, daughters, sisters, and caretakers of the world? If you are left hungry, Gennadi’s second show, Grandma’s Shawl, a sister event, will take place on Saturday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. at the Redwood Theatre. Read our Interview with Natalya and Kristine here. Info here.
Royal Conservatory of Music: Academy Chamber Orchestra
Wednesday, May 1, 7:30 p.m.
Koerner Hall. Free, tickets required.
The young and mighty musicians of the Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy present a free evening of chamber orchestra music, with selections from well-loved concerti, featuring three winners from the Academy’s concerto competition: Junia Friesen on Vivaldi’s Summer, Karen Kobayashi on Mozart’s Flute Concerto No.2, and Frederick Zi Tuan Huang on Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 15. A great chance to immerse ourselves in new and fresh growth, just like this springtime. Info here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Emily D’Angelo: Brahms’s First/enargeia
Wednesday, May 1, 8 p.m., Thursday, May 02, 8 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall, $42+
Emily D’Angelo has been singing since she was very wee, in her home, and in the Toronto Children’s Chorus. Since her graduation from the University of Toronto, this young powerhouse has been all over the world, and her first album with Deutsche Grammophon, ‘enargeia’ (2021), containing music of Hildegard Von Bingen, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Missy Mazzoli & Sarah Kirkland Snider, arranged by Jarkko Riihimäki, is to be performed live this week at the Toronto Symphony. It’s refreshing and intriguing to see such a project, as it allows an artist to truly express themselves, stepping over the boundaries of the formal canon, as lovely as the existing canon is. Alison Yun-Fei Jiang’s ‘Illumination’ will receive a world premiere, and the perennial favourite, Brahms Symphony 1, rounds up the program. Info here.
Music in the Afternoon: Joyce El- Khoury and Serouj Kradjian
Thursday, May 2, 1:30 p.m.
Walter Hall, University of Toronto. $50, Students Free Entry with ID
Lebanese-Canadian soprano Joyce El-Khoury and pianist Serouj Kradijan present a wide-interest program of Western classical and Lebanese songs. In parallel to D’Angelo, El-Khoury appreciates a recital as a chance to express beyond the confines of an opera. Her memories, including songs from her childhood — from the lips of her grandfather, and from her village — get special treatment from Kradjian, whose producing and arranging chops are as brilliant as his pianistic prowess. A lovely way to spend an afternoon in deep intimacy and many old stories. Info here.
Canadian Opera Company: Medea
Friday, May 03, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 05, 2 p.m., Thursday, May 09, 7:30 p.m., Saturday May 11, 7: Wednesday May 15, 7:30 p.m., Friday May 17, 7:30 p.m.
Four Seasons Centre. $35+
The Greek tragedy of Medea, a woman of great power, and of great love — so great that she brings death to her own children and her lover’s wife-to-be — is an eternal conundrum. Traditionally considered an evil woman, was Medea really evil? Or was it her lover, Giasone, and his fickle mind that brought such destruction to the world? Who is guilty? The role of Medea is notorious for its difficulty — she is present onstage from the beginning to the very end — but Sondra Radvanovsky, a great champion of Cherubini, in the title role, is a delicious promise, as her 2022 Metropolitan Opera appearance was lauded without reservation on an international scale. Read our Interview with soprano Janai Brugger (Glauce), and baritone Alfred Walker (King Creonte) here. The new set by David McVicar was amazing on the MET broadcast: a maze of mirrors, massive walls and doors, and it will be a real treat to see it in person. Info here.
Toronto Children’s Chorus: True Colours: Let your Light Shine!
Sunday, May 5, 2 p.m.
George Weston Recital Hall, Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St. $45
The excellence of Toronto Children’s Chorus training, starting from the tender age of 4 all the way up to 18 years old, has been giving solid early musicianship training to many a Torontonian since 1978, exploring body, rhythm, emotion, and group-working with in-depth musical artistry. One of the best children’s choirs in North America, TCC’s performances are consistently brilliant, and this program is sure to dazzle the audience with nearly 300 singers and music from all over the world: a true kaleidoscope. Info here.
Piano Lunaire: Composers in Play: Caitlin Broms-Jacobs/Adam Sherkin
Sunday, May 5, 3 p.m.
Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, 14 Elm St. $20+
It is rare to hear the oboe in an intimate setting. As it is sealed in the very centre of the orchestra, frequent classical concert goers may be familiar with oboe’s versatility — or not! Caitlin Broms-Jacob will wield her oboe and fill the hall with neo-romanticism in an intimate duo setting, with Adam Sherkin at the piano. Program includes works by Harry Stafylakis, Alexina Louie, Kevin Lau, Sherkin, and others. See how the oboe can sing, away from the big bulky orchestra’s shadow. Info here.
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