TSO Principle Violist Teng Li answers our 22 questions, including her surprising (and impressive) answer to her strangest talent.

Just ahead of the opening of Canadian Opera Company's Anna Bolena, we caught up with the American bass-baritone Christian Van Horn to chat about his recent Tucker Award, dream roles, and that time he had to wear a fat suit.

But there’s no need to say sorry for the most noble sort of love, filled with passion, yet tempered with respect and realism.

On Friday the 13th, Toronto has its first opportunity to hear Downes live. At Parkdale’s Gallery 345, Downes presents 13 ways of Looking at the Goldberg, Variations on Bach’s Aria, a 45-minute cycle of musically imaginative riffs, bookended by Bach’s original “Aria” (in the same way it is in the original Goldberg Variations).

Where most post-secondary schools have long since abandoned serious music education, and summer programs provide only seasonal work, the TSYO offers young musicians the experience orchestral life all year round.

Ahead of her performance at Koerner Hall this Sunday, we caught up with the rising young Italian pianist Beatrice Rana back-stage for an informal interview that had sweet, fiery and pistachio tasting notes.

The relationship between imagination and reality lies at the core of a satisfying encounter with art — in any of its forms.

Dinnerstein talks to NPR host Tom Huizinga about Cohen, Suzanne and the new solo piano work, and plays it here.

The organization has assembled excellent forces for a programme featuring two pieces by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt — L’Abbé Agathon, completed in 2005, and Adam’s Lament, from 2009 — and the world premieres of two new pieces by Torontonians: Open Road, by James Rolfe, and a setting of Ave Maria by Riho Esko Maimets.

How’s this for youthful enthusiasm?