This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between August 11 and 17, 2025. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
RCM Summer Piano Performance Intensive: Opening Concert
Monday, August 11, 6:30 p.m.
Mazzolini Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music, free
The RCM Summer Piano Performance Intensive is new to Toronto, calling up young budding pianists aged 13-18 for 12 days of piano lessons and masterclasses, diverse workshops, and concert performances. And in celebration, the opening day concert by faculty and guest artists is open to the public — everyone is invited! It is fun to see what is possible for solely piano-based chamber music — from solo piano to 4 hands, and beyond! And keep an eye out over the next two weeks for open concerts and masterclasses — there’s an event(s) scheduled every day at the RCM, free for the public, as these young musicians get ready to showcase their hard work and musicianship. Info here.
Toronto Concert Orchestra: Beethoven’s Secrets
Tuesday, August 12, 8 p.m.
Palais Royale Ballroom, 1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W., $30+
TCO’s summer fun continues this week, with a dress-up theme: Tea Party Best. The combination of summer lakeside freshness, lovely food and drinkies, and enthusiastic musicians is very appealing — and with the additional fun of dress-up, this Tuesday may be the day that you get your fascinator hat and pearls out, for light-hearted joy shared among friends and families. The leadership and passion for sharing the joy of music without the gatekeeping, from conductors Sharon Lee and Marcus Scholtes, is really lovely. Come out and enjoy this eclectic programming from the best of Beethoven’s output — ranging from intimate solo, duo, trios, some of the best of the string quartet repertoire — to orchestral bangers. Info here.
Brott Music Festival: I Dream of Italy
Thursday, August 14, 7:30 p.m.
Boris Brott Great Hall, First Ontario Concert Hall, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton, $25+
BMF’s ‘National Academy Orchestra of Canada’ is a very popular program among young Canadian classical musicians; they gather in Hamilton for the summer, and gain extensive orchestral performance experience, with a weekly salary — a rarity in summer training programs. This week’s program features in Nino Rota’s Divertimento Concertante, along with Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Strauss’ Don Juan, and a big finish with Respighi’s Pines of Rome, all with Tania Miller at the podium. It is great to see the bass featured as the main focus — a rare moment. Worthy of taking an early leave from Toronto to beat the traffic, and enjoy a lovely Italian-themed program performed by the eager and brilliant young musicians of the orchestra. Info here.
Canadian Opera Company: Showcase Performance: COC’s Summer Opera Intensive
Saturday, August 16, 5 p.m.
Jackman Studio, 227 Front St. E, free
COC’s Summer Opera Intensive trains ten emerging singers and two collaborative pianists, selected across Canada for a jam-packed one-week celebration of opera training. Please come out and support these hard-working, dedicated musicians as they present the culmination of the busy week with a free concert. Who knows, you may just find your new favourite singer in their early stage career this evening, as the COC training program continues to produce some really promising talents for the international stage! Info & registration here.
Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute: Artists in Performance
Sunday, August 17, 3 p.m.
Temerty Theatre, Royal Conservatory of Music, $25+
Since 2017, the Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute’s summer program has been focusing on training singers and pianists specifically for the Ukrainian song repertoire. Eight singers and a pianist are selected for this intensive program, and this concert will celebrate their hard work — from pronunciation and text interpretation specific to Ukrainian texts, to piano-vocal musical magic. The Ukrainian Art Song Project proudly maintains, and continues to expand the current collection of 1,000 song repertoire — what a lovely way to promote variety for the general public and musicians alike! Come out and keep your ears open for new songs that may resonate through your heart. Read our Q&A with the Ukrainian Art Song Institute Resident Composer Myroslav Volynsky here. Info here.
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