L-R (clockwise): Faenza Early Music Ensemble (Photo courtesy of the artists); Saami Brothers Qawwali (Photo: Claudia Hohne); Tallis Choir of Toronto (Photo courtesy of Tallis Choir)

This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between October 14 and October 20, 2024. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.

Diapente x Apocryphonia: Amor Con Fortuna: Songs of 16th-Century Spain

Tuesday, October 15, 7 p.m.
35 Hazelton Ave, $22.63+, PWYC avail

The Spanish always had a knack for drama, and the time of Spanish Renaissance called for drama of unprecedented scale: cross-ocean empire building, political intrigues spanning over several countries, the concentration of wealth that no one has ever seen before, the golden blood of the new world flowing through the veins of Spain to the ultra-rich, and to the average people, if not in actual precious metals, but in exotic new things such as tomatoes and chocolates. Diapente, an ‘historically inspired, modernly unpretentious’ Renaissance vocal group, and Apocryphonia presents an evening of tales from the courts of Castile, Aragon, Catalonia, and Valencia. Come and hear the riches from Iberia, where lovers’ stories and Ensaladas — yes, salads, of all things: songs, choruses, and nonsense, bring back the passion from the Renaissance. Info here.

Canadian Opera Company: Instrumental Series: La Joie de Vivre

Thursday, October 17, Noon
Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre, Free.

The COC orchestra members present a midday break filled with grace and wit from French composers Jacques Offenbach and Francis Poulenc. The master of the theatre, Offenbach was a smash hit-writer whose hits still ring throughout the 21st century: who has been so lucky to have escaped the Can-can, the ‘Galop Infernal’ from Orphée aux Enfers? And Poulence wrote the most sublime music, breaking and crushing traditional harmony in any way he wished, extracting everything from the grotesque to religious fervour. Come, see and hear the COC orchestra — these musicians, who are often invisible from the house seats, make the most glorious music out of the pit. Info here.

Alliance Française de Toronto. Faenze Ensemble: Un bestiaire fabuleux — A Tribute to Jean de la Fontaine

Thursday, October 18, 8 p.m.
Spadina Theatre, 24 Spadina Road, Toronto. $19.62+

The lovely fables of Mr. de La Fontaine carry on the tradition of Aesop, casting various animals to describe the virtues and the follies of human life. These anthropomorphic creatures often present us with plenty of schadenfreude and compassion, a quiet resolution, or a silly, violent ending. Anything is possible in de La Fontaine’s animal world, and it certainly rang true, inspiring Marin Marais, Nicolas de Chédeville, Ennemond Gautier, François Couperin, Jacques-Martin Hotteterre, and the Manuscrit Boerez. Come and hear these tales once again, presented by the Faenze Ensemble, where voices and the exotic instruments: spinet, casternets, therbo, bass viol, among other things, will bring the soundscape to life. Read our Preview here. Info here.

Royal Conservatory of Music: Taylor Academy Showcase Concert

Saturday, October 19, 4:30 p.m.
Mazzoleni Concert Hall, RCM. Free.

These dedicated youngsters return to Mazz stage with passion. Small, yet packed with hard work and determination, the Taylor Academy in two divisions, Junior (ages 8-13), and Senior (ages 14-18), often show emotions that are unhindered, truthful and infectious — something that comes with the innocence and undistracted love that’s unique to childhood. From the couch, it is easy to dismiss these young talent cases as carefully trained children’s recitations, but often the truth is so far from that — and the only way to determine the truth is to see it yourself. TASC series tickets are free, distributed to the public a few days before the event (A week before, on Fridays 10 a.m., for instance) — and are wildly popular. Get yourself on the waiting list, or mark your calendar to keep checking for ticket availability a week before their next event on Saturday November 9. Info here.

Tallis Choir of Toronto: Requiem: Fauré and Duruflé

Saturday October 19, 7:30 p.m., St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 131 McCaul St., $10+

In contrast to last week’s Mozart Requiem, these two French Requiems bring a different palette to the text. Presented with organ accompaniment by Nathan Jeffry, the intimate scale of the ensemble (36 choristers) and the venue, make this a special opportunity to experience that special something that defines the French classical music oeuvre. Come and experience another take on the Requiem, as we head into full autumnal glory and melancholy. Info here.

Aga Khan Museum x Small World Music: Saami Brothers Qauuali

Saturday, October 19, 8 p.m.
Toronto Metropolitan University Theatre, 43 Gerrard St. E, $30+

Aga Khan’s world music series is one of the best in North America in curation and superb musicianship, and Toronto is very lucky to have such enrichment so easily accessible. For this Saturday, the Sammi Brothers Qawwali presents Sufi mystic music. Taking over the downtown stage at the TMU theatre (instead of their usual Aga Khan location, sometimes a little too far for some folks), the four brothers carry on the 800 year old tradition of Qawal Bachay, where the music builds through time, with the aim of bringing ecstasy and the divine. Will you be transcended? Come and find out. Info here.

Royal Canadian College of Organists: INTERSTELLAR 10

Saturday October 19th, 7:30 p.m.
Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E., $30+

It’s easy to dismiss that organ and dusty churchy thing, or the ‘scary’ thing — thanks to the undying love for that inimitable Disney Fantasia portion of Toccata and Fugue in D Minor arranged for orchestra, and films Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde(1931), The Black Cat (1931), the Phantom of the Opera (1962), and the epic violence scene from Rollerball(1975). But the organ is so much more than that. As king of instruments, the organ, resonating from 32 ft (there are a few organs with 64 foot pipes as well) to just 3.7ft long, it can be — oh so many things. Organist Roger Sayer has worked directly with Hans Zimmer, from the Temple Church organ in central London, and is stopping at the Metropolitan United Church on his international tour to bring us the grandeur of the organ, ranging from the opening theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey (the opening of Also Sprach Zarathustra), selections from Holst’s planets, and from the movie Interstellar (which turns 10 this year) soundtrack. Come and hear the organ in the 21st century — be floored by the largest organ in Canada at Metropolitan United, reverberating through the entire stone building. Check out our interview with Roger Sayer here. Info here.

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Hye Won Cecilia Lee

Cecilia tumbled into 'serious' music study when she decided to avoid attending medical school. Currently working in the field of classical music, recording, and Korean-English interpretation, she tends to get her nose dirty in many different things in the city. Cecilia holds a DMA in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.