{"id":112709,"date":"2025-03-17T11:31:03","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T15:31:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=112709"},"modified":"2025-03-17T11:31:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T15:31:03","slug":"critics-picks-classical-music-events-you-absolutely-need-to-see-this-week-march-17-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/03\/17\/critics-picks-classical-music-events-you-absolutely-need-to-see-this-week-march-17-23\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC\u2019S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: March 17 \u2013 23"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"L-R
L-R (clockwise): Soprano Karen Slack: African Queens (Photo: Kia Caldwell); pianist Janina Fialkowska (Photo courtesy of the artist); soprano and composer Danika Lor\u00e8n (Photo courtesy of the artist)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between March 17 and 23, 2025. For more of what\u2019s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Trinity College Chapel, University of Toronto: A Season of Choral Music<\/h3>\n

Monday, March 17, 7:30 p.m
\n6 Hoskin Ave., Open to the public, and donation is welcomed.<\/p>\n

The Trinity College Chapel is such a serene, beautiful space in St. George Campus, and their regular musical activities, including Wednesday evensong at 5:15 p.m. during the academic year, are a lovely gift to the community. For this Monday, Thomas Bell, director of music has planned an evening concert, where the chapel choir, with Peter Bayer (organ), and guest Arthur Jones (trumpet) present music of Tchaikovsky, Holst, Lassus, Bergeon, and others. We are at the cusp of winter looking into the real possibility of spring \u2014 and within such a flux, making time to reflect, absorb beauty, and take a step back from the bustle of the everyday life scramble, is such a beautiful luxury. Come to unwind \u2014 and sink into timeless beauty in this high-ceiling, gleaming white intimate space. Event is open to the public, and your free-will donation will help maintain the Rare Books Collection at the John W. Graham Library: a true win-win. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Canadian Opera Company: Instrumental\/Dance Series: Everything is Green<\/h3>\n

Tuesday, March 18, Noon
\nRichard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre, free<\/p>\n

The Looking Glass Ensemble \u2014 a collective founded by Christine Carter (clarinet) and Shannon Litzenberger (dance), brings loads of kinetic energy to the stage this Tuesday. In contrast to some ho-hum interdisciplinary projects, LGE\u2019s co-creation and collaboration goes far beyond mission statements and project sketches; \u2018Everything is Green\u2019 recently won Best Dance Short at both Berlin indie Film Festival and the Cine Paris Film Festival. Come and see Carter and Litzenberger, joined by local hotshot pianist Gregory Oh (piano), and Vernon Regehr (cello), weaving emotions through music of Beethoven, Arvo P\u00e4rt, and Vivian Fung. Seeing static information \u2014 black ink on white pages of musical score \u2014 coming alive in real time, is always exciting, especially when there\u2019s physical gesture and movement spontaneously filling our time and space. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Music Toronto: Janina Fialkowska<\/h3>\n

Tuesday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.
\nJane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for Arts. $20+<\/p>\n

A Canadian icon, Fialkowska, whose playing impressed the legendary Arthur Rubinstein as \u2018the born Chopin interpreter,\u2019 brings her maturity and flair to Toronto with an intimate solo piano program. Ranging from small miniature works to muscular and brilliant large scale works, including Ravel\u2019s Valse Nobles et Sentimentales, it is lovely to hear a performer at the golden peak of one\u2019s life. We live in a constant state of neophilia \u2014 newer, younger \u2014 all these qualities are often blindly supported as \u2018positive\u2019 things. However, age and experience do bring a different perspective, and as nothing can replace time, this is your chance to come and hear a pianist at her peak maturity. And the door is always open for students and minors for Music Toronto concerts \u2014 bring them along, and enjoy this beautiful program. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Royal Conservatory of Music: The Glenn Gould School Spring Opera: Die Zauberfl\u00f6te<\/h3>\n

Wednesday, March 19, 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 21, 7:30 p.m.
\nKoerner Hall, $25+<\/p>\n

GGS presents an all time favourite: Die Zauberfl\u00f6te with Allison Grant (director) and Jennifer Tung (conductor). The concept of common brotherhood armed with reason against tyranny and obscurantism, dare I say, has been timed perfectly with today’s world. Mozart wove masonic idealism deeply into this fairy tale \u2014 it even used the common man\u2019s language, German, instead of the highbrow Italian of the day. And the quest for justice, far-fetched as it may feel with fairy characters such as a birdman, a damsel in distress, a man on a quest, and the Queen of the Night, might strike through your heart this time, as inspiration often sprouts from one\u2019s surroundings and circumstance. Though, if you\u2019d rather leave politics at the door, this amazing music, including the pop-icon Queen of the Night aria, is full of beauty and evocation. Come and hear this familiar tale once again, and see what you hear this time through Mozart and Schikaneder\u2019s masterpiece. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

University of Toronto Faculty of Music: John R. Stratton Visitor in Music \u2014 Karen Slack: African Queen<\/h3>\n

Thursday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
\nWalter Hall, 80 Queen\u2019s Park, free.<\/p>\n

2024 Grammy winner Karen Slack is a mighty, talented and incredibly inspiring woman. A Graduate of Curtis Institute, she\u2019s been busy gracing the international stage with her amazing voice, with canonic operatic and orchestral works; additionally, Slack\u2019s particular interest in living Black composers\u2019 music is a great gift for the world audience. With her musical talent and commissioning, she is generating new works and giving them performance opportunities, creating genuine opportunities for young Black composers to be heard. Slack\u2019s 2025 Grammy for the Best Classical Solo Vocal Album, Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price, proves not only the power of her voice, but also of her intellect and scholarly interest. Come and see Slack\u2019s fiery leadership in action, with Kevin Millar at the piano. And, as the event is open to the public, bring all your friends and family to experience a world-class voice singing fresh, new works. Read our Preview here<\/a>. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Soundstreams: with you and without you<\/h3>\n

Saturday, March 22, 7:30 p.m.
\nJane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. #32.75+<\/p>\n

Known for excellent and provocative programming, Soundstreams have given full-rein to Brad Cherwin, winner of the 2024\/25 Soundstreams New Voices Curator Mentorship Program, for an evening full of amazing music: Oliver Knussen, Matthew Ricketts, Tansy Davies, Shawn Jaeger, and a personal favorite, Ana Sokolovi\u0107. Featuring a who\u2019s-who of Toronto\u2019s contemporary music scene, and the lovely Danika Lor\u00e8n, this concert promises so much \u2014 the freshness of the works, virtuosity of the ensemble members, and most importantly, the love and loss that we all experience \u2014 so personal yet also universal. There are many things happening in the city this week; however, what could be more beautiful and poignant than love, and the inevitable loss that comes from loving? Not to be missed. Read our Preview here<\/a>. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\nHERE<\/a>.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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