This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between June 1 and 7, 2026. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Opera 5: Toronto Opera Festival — Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi
Wednesday, June 3, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 4, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 6, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, June 7, 2:30 p.m.
Theatre Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave., $20+
Size does matter. Whilst it is easy to look up to big, stately institutions, it’s the small arts companies that can bring a fresh sense of innovation and change, thanks to their spontaneity and nimbleness. Opera 5 have been busy since 2012, building up from the ground, and are bringing their opera festival to Toronto mainstream audiences for the two weeks of June 3 – 14 at Theatre Muraille. This first half of the festival is a Puccini double-bill: Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Presenting a good mix of performers — seasoned pros along with young artist interns — this double bill week is a great way to enjoy passionate opera at a very reasonable price point. How will Opera 5 build their dream opera without the heft and scale of the old school opera house and its gigantic budget? Gather your friends, come and find out! It’s always great to have the chance to enjoy the music and dramatic fun without needing to take a second mortgage. Info here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: María Dueñas Plays Korngold
Thursday, June 4, 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 5, 7:30 p.m., Saturday June 6, 7:30 p.m., Sunday June 7, 3 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday performances at Roy Thomson Hall, Sunday Matinee at George Weston Recital Hall, Meridian Arts Centre, $38+
Hollywood glamour is in the hall this week, starting with the Suite from the iconic movie Psycho, and the glorious Korngold Violin concerto featuring María Dueñas. This amazing violinist, age 23, has had a meteoric rise since winning the Yehudi Menuhin Competition in 2021, and signing with Deutsche Grammophon in 2022. The Korngold concerto, taking the luxuriant romantic violin tradition of Vienna to the glamour of Golden Age Hollywood, is a great piece to meet this superstar on stage. A new work by Bekah Simms, and the best of Mendelssohn’s five symphonies: No. 4, the “Italian,” round up this lovely program. Come for the Hollywood glamour, and leave into the night with that infectious, rustic Saltarello in your step. Info here.
Toronto Arts Foundation: Arts in the Parks
Friday, June 5, 1-4 p.m.
Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin St., Free
Ah, finally, summer! TAF kicks off Arts in the Parks 2026 edition this Friday afternoon at the Dufferin Grove Park. A mixed bag of performances, family friendly activities, and often free treats, the program is wildly popular — last year, over 140,000 Torontonians enjoyed the various programming throughout the summer. For this opener, get here early to experience the magic of cyanotype printing and other workshops, and enjoy performances by various groups — the current line up promises Clay and Paper Theatre, Nagata Shachu, Dance Migration, and the familiar faces of the Big Smoke Brass Band. What a fantastic way to greet the summer, and build real community spirit! Info here.
Canadian Golha Orchestra: Hamnavā: A Musical Evening of Togetherness
Friday, June 5, 8 p.m.
Grace Church on-the-hill, $50
Going back nearly a hundred years from today, as cultural exchanges became accessible across the world, like many traditional musicians, the Iranians looked into the new possibilities of incorporating Western orchestral instruments. Some decades later, in the 1950s, Radio Tehran ran broadcasts of traditional Iranian music performed by a modern orchestra; this Golha Orchestra became a cultural phenomenon — not a cross-over, but simply an adoption of Western instruments into the existing traditional Iranian culture. However, with the 1979 revolution, this music fell out of favour, but luckily, outside of Iran, people kept their love for Golha music going. The CGO has been busy in Toronto, promoting their music to the diaspora and the mainstream audience. We in Toronto are very lucky to have true cultural diversity; just as we look forward to trying out genuine, authentic restaurants from one another’s culture, we should take the plunge and experience these authentic cultural arts performances in person — after all, such energy and love, pride and care, simply cannot be expressed on flat screen devices. Read our Interview with Artistic Director Kousha Nakhaei here. Info here.
Orchestra Toronto: Resurrection: Mahler 2
Saturday, June 6, 7:30 p.m.
George Weston Hall, Meridian Arts Centre, $15+
Mahler symphonies, due to their scale and technical demands, aren’t the most common orchestra concert programming choice — with two exceptions: the first and the fifth symphony. The three symphonies involving various voice soloists and choirs: symphonies 2, 3, and 8, are sparingly programmed due to their logistical and financial demands. It’s been a strange spring in Toronto, as there’s been not one, not two, but three Mahler 2 performances in the city, so close to one another: Mandle Phil (May 22), Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra (May 30), and Orchestra Toronto for June 6. These three organizations vary in their tradition, origins and musical takes, and it would’ve been great fun to attend all three, and see how they differ. If you have not seen Mahler 2 live yet, this just may be your last chance to see it affordably — all three orchestras have very accessible pricing — a small fraction of Toronto Symphony’s cheapest seats. If you want to see something big and grand this week, this is your chance. Come out to the last of these three Mahler 2 performances, and experience death, and resurrection. Info here.
Off Centre Music Salon: (Erik) Satie-sfaction guaranteed: 30th Anniversary Fundraiser Gala
Sunday, June 7, 2:30 p.m.
Trinity St. Paul’s United Church, $85
This lovely little series celebrates its 30th anniversary with a gala concert! With host Tom Allen, the OCMS have gathered many talented singers, including Colin Ainsworth, Russell Braun, Andrew Haji, Adrianne Pieczonka, Giles Tomkins, Erica Iris Huang, Andrea Ludwig, Maeve Palmer and Ilana Zarakin for this afternoon. The supporting team, varying from piano to strings, with a hint of trumpet and accordion, promises much variety and joy. The congeniality and love of chamber music, the driving force of many chamber concert series in the city, is a great energy to experience — after all, it’s intimacy and emotional communication that makes music so special, and this would be a great way to fill out a lovely Sunday afternoon. Info here.
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