The Latest
By Michael Vincent on February 11, 2015
Musical Toronto’s weekly Critic’s Picks are a fully curated list of some of the best concerts happening now through the end of the week. Of course this is not to say we are the provocateurs of taste, but simply seek to provide a good weekly summary. For a look at the full breadth of what’s available in and around Toronto, check out the comprehensive concert listings from our friends at Wholenote Magazine...
(Continue reading)
By Joseph So on February 10, 2015
For diehard voice fans, there’s nothing like a vocal competition. You get to hear (and see) young artists strutting their stuff, striving for fame and glory, not to mention prize money. The Christina and Louis Quilico Awards is a competition with a twist – it’s only open to current Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio members. The 2014-15 COC Ensemble Roster is a particularly strong one with some wonderful singers, so this promised to be good. The event took place last evening at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Sadly, illness prevented tenor Andrew Haji from competing, and fellow tenor Owen McCausland was out in Victoria singing Arturo in Pacific Opera Victoria’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor. But the rest of the Ensemble was out in full force and it proved to be a highly enjoyable evening...
(Continue reading)
By Lev Bratishenko on February 10, 2015
Wear a down parka to the Met in winter for a Slavic double-bill like Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle and you feel like the only caveman too stupid to club a mink. A sweet Russian lady handed me her spare with maternal concern, but if I felt any embarrassment it vanished in the dead animal’s embrace, and people stopped staring...
(Continue reading)
By Michael Vincent on February 10, 2015
Ever try to write a 5 line staff without a ruler? Even with a ruler it's a pain. We'll now this handy little 3 inch pen will tackle the job for you. Whether you are a composer or a music student needing a write out some musical sketches, this pen does the trick. It could also be handy for musicians needing to make an extra ossia staff above a staff in a printed score. Either way, we think this is a pretty nifty pen perfect for musicians...
(Continue reading)
By Michael Vincent on February 9, 2015
Despite being billed as a concert by the National Arts Centre Orchestra, it really should have been named the Pinchas Zukerman, Amanda Forsyth and Yefim Bronfman show...
(Continue reading)
By Colin Eatock on February 9, 2015
So what was music like in the Austrian court, back in the 1600s? Turns out, it was really quite marvellous – according to the evidence presented in the Toronto Consort’s program at Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church on Friday night...
(Continue reading)
By Michael Vincent on February 8, 2015
The 57th Grammy Awards, honouring the best in music, handed out 83 golden gramophones today. In the 10 classical music categories, the winners are...
(Continue reading)
By Neil Crory on February 8, 2015
The Canadian Opera Company lost its star tenor, Clifton Forbis, yesterday due to illness. He was scheduled to sing the demanding role of Siegmund in the 4:30 performance of Richard Wagner's Die Walküre.
Fortunately the COC had engaged the young American tenor, Issachah Savage, as the 'cover' for the COC's run of seven performances. Yesterday Savage sang the third performance and, in so doing, has secured his reputation as a major contender for star status among dramatic tenors worldwide...
(Continue reading)
By Ludwig Van on February 7, 2015
Kicking off the first a six part video interview series for Musical Toronto called Ultimate Maverick, Canadian composer, Vincent Ho sits down for an exclusive interview with the internationally renowned Austrian composer, Georg Friedrich Haas...
(Continue reading)
By Neil Crory on February 6, 2015
Those who have met and/or worked with the American dramatic soprano, Christine Goerke describe her as "fun to be with", "unassuming", "down to earth", "hard working", "a real charmer" - the furthest one can get from your stereotypical, card-carrying Valkyrie...
(Continue reading)
