This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between July 20 and 26, 2026.
Toronto Concert Orchestra: Elton Rohn: The Hits
Tuesday, July 21, 8 p.m.
Palais Royale Ballroom, 1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W., $99+
Ah, the glamour of summer evening concerts with TCO returns to Palais Royale Ballroom this week. First of five in the series for this summer, the TCO opening will feature Elton Rohn, one of the world’s best Elton John tribute bands. Come out with your most outrageous costumes, sequins and jewels, and enjoy the brilliant hits of Elton with a full orchestra and band. It’s a lovely way to enjoy the broad palette of the orchestra – with lots of whimsy and vulnerable, heartfelt emotions. Read our Interview with Artistic Director Sharon Lee and co-Artistic Director Marcus Scholtes here. Info here.
Koffler Arts: The Glass Orchestra
Friday, July 24, 6:30 p.m.
Koffler Arts — Young Place, 180 Shaw St., Suite 105, $24
In celebration of the current summer exhibition Plague Crystals by Natalia Romik, Koffler Arts is hosting the Glass Orchestra. These four musicians: Rick Sacks, Bill Parsons, Paul Hodge, and Eric Cadesky, have been busy designing, building, and playing glass instruments for decades. If you wonder ‘what do you mean, glass orchestra?’ this is the way to find out and expand your idea on what music is and how we create, perform, and perceive. Come out for this fascinating hour-long concert, complete with cash bar. Info here.
Toronto Summer Music: Prodigies & Power
Friday, July 24, 7:30 p.m.
Walter Hall, University of Toronto, $30+
It’s quite difficult to pick just a few from the rich offerings of TSM. However, the variety of works — from the great Prokofiev Sonata for two violins to the notoriously difficult Mendelssohn Piano Trio and rarely programmed Dohnányi piano quintet with the amazing Orion Weiss on the piano (along with Sharon Wei, viola, and Rachel Mercer, cello) — makes this a definite favourite from this week’s selections. Born out of a humorous inspiration — ‘Listening to bad music sometimes inspires good ideas… After once hearing an unsuccessful piece for two violins without piano accompaniment, it struck me that in spite of the apparent limitations of such a duet one could make it interesting enough to listen to for ten or 15 minutes’ — the Sonata for Two Violins bears the signature Prokofiev soundscape, from barebone to the most magical melodic moments and everything in between. To hear it live with Andrew Wan and Jonathan Crow, who’ve been working so closely for years, will be a treat. And Orion Weiss is a fantastic pianist, especially excellent in his chamber musicianship. What a great promise to a lovely evening. Info here.
Summer Opera Lyric Theatre: Earnest, The Importance of Being
Saturday, July 25, 2 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 2 p.m., July 29, 8 p.m., July 31, 8 p.m.
Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St., $22+
These young singers and pianist/coaches have prepared three different works for this summer’s SOLT production: Menotti’s The Medium, Victor Davies and Eugene Benson’s Ernest, the Importance of Being, and Leoš Janáček’s Katya Kabanova. Out of the three, Davies and Benson’s take on Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece seems to be a great fit for the dire world we face now, through the haze of the wildfire — as many describe it as the one of the funniest operettas they’ve ever encountered, full of hilarity and sarcasm, but also with sincerity and sharp observations. It’ll be interesting to see how these young singers, with director Sabina Rzazade (the pianist half of the recent winning duo of the 49th Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition for voice) navigate this Canadian work, premiered in 2008. Come out and support the young, and be inspired by their drive, dedication, and artistry. Read our Preview of the three productions here. Info here.
Massey Hall: Herbie Hancock
Sunday, July 26, 8 p.m.
Massey Hall, $77+
One of the biggest figures in the contemporary piano world, Herbie Hancock is taking over Massey this Sunday evening. With greats — Terence Blanchard, James Genus, Lionel Loueke, and Jaylen Petinaud, this is a remarkable concert — a true master at his peak maturity. Info here.
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