{"id":121588,"date":"2026-02-09T11:35:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T16:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=121588"},"modified":"2026-02-09T14:34:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T19:34:52","slug":"critics-picks-classical-music-events-absolutely-need-see-week-february-9-february-15-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/02\/09\/critics-picks-classical-music-events-absolutely-need-see-week-february-9-february-15-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC\u2019S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: February 9 \u2013 February 15 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"L-R
L-R (clockwise); Composer Arvo P\u00e4rt (Photo courtesy of the artist); Iv\u00e1n Fischer conducts the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Christmas 2023 (Photo: Attila Nagy); The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (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 February 9 and 15, 2026. For more of what\u2019s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Soundstreams: TD Encounters \u2014 Another Side of Arvo P\u00e4rt<\/h3>\n

Monday, February 9, 7:30 p.m.
\nHugh’s Room Live \u2014 Green Sanderson Hall, 296 Broadview Ave., free, register for waitlist<\/p>\n

The magic of Arvo P\u00e4rt continues to resonate. Xin Wang, Oskar Daniel-Raum, Erika Raum, and Sheila Jaffe will present a rich evening of music from P\u00e4rt, Omar Daniel, and Anna Pidgorna. This concert, with panel discussion, is a great way to get an insight into music \u2014 sometimes we feel things, but often a little in-depth exploration can open up a whole new world of colours, palettes, and nuances. As the world goes mad, come out to this quiet, intimate Monday night gathering, and centre yourself. Be soothed, evoked, and consoled. Tickets have been reserved to full capacity, so if you are interested, please email SS directly to be put on a waitlist. I think it\u2019s worth that extra effort. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Royal Conservatory of Music: Budapest Festival Orchestra Plays Mahler Symphony No. 3<\/h3>\n

Thursday, February 12, 8 pm.
\nKoerner Hall, $120+<\/p>\n

This may be the best orchestral concert scheduled for 2026 for Toronto. Budapest Festival Orchestra, easily considered one of the best in the world, is coming to Toronto to perform Mahler 3. Since 1983, Iv\u00e1n Fischer and the orchestra have become known for their exceptional interpretations of Mahler, Bart\u00f3k, and Beethoven. Named Orchestra of the Year at the 2022 GRAMMYs, their excellence is hard to describe, but instantaneously recognizable. Mahler 3, a massive symphony with six movements and one of the most beautiful adagios ever written, will be a guaranteed treat. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Children\u2019s Chorus, and contralto Gerhild Romberger will sing. Do make your best efforts for this truly special concert. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert \u2014 La Sonnambula<\/h3>\n

Saturday, February 14, 3 p.m.
\nTrinity St. Paul\u2019s, $55<\/p>\n

One of Bellini\u2019s most successful works along with Norma and I puritani, La Sonnambula is a great way to experience true bel canto style. Since its premiere in 1831, it has never left the stage. Continuously programmed over nearly 200 years, many singers, including Maria Callas and Natalie Dessay, have made these beautiful arias a household earworm \u2014 you might recognize the favourite arias from its first note, such as \u2018Ah non credea mirati,\u2019 the madness aria. VOICEBOX aims to present operas without sets and costumes, peeling off the excess, presenting opera as a pure musical experience. Come and see if their gamble pays out in this Saturday exploration. The chorus is directed by national choral legend Robert Cooper, and Narmina Afandiyeva, the music director, will be at the piano. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Soundstreams: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir \u2014 Arvo P\u00e4rt at 90<\/h3>\n

Saturday, February 14, 7:30 p.m.
\nYorkminster Park Baptist Church (Toronto), 1585 Yonge St., $23+<\/p>\n

Estonia\u2019s choral tradition is heartfelt \u2014 from childhood, they learn to sing, and everyone sings. Even the ones who move away from Estonia frequently return to join the nation every 4 years, for \u2018Eesti \u00dcldlaulupidu\u2019, commonly called Laulupidu<\/a>. The festival is a true spectacle for Estonians, and for the world \u2014 the 2025 festival was a truly eye opening experience. Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, 20 members strong and one of the best in the world, comes to Toronto this Saturday, with their choral excellence and that special national temperament, singing gloriously the music of Arvo P\u00e4rt, Philip Glass, Evelin Seppar, Luciano Berio and others, along with a world premiere of a new Soundstreams commission by Estonian-Canadian composer Riho Esko Maimets. Come out for spirituality in these mad times, and be lost in human voices in true harmony. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Confluence Concerts: Centuries of Souls II<\/h3>\n

Friday, February 13, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 14, 7:30 p.m.
\nHeliconian Hall, $20+<\/p>\n

16th century polyphony and 20th century violin virtuosity \u2014 this program is an interesting juxtaposition. Drawing from Tom\u00e1s Luis de Victoria, Cris\u00f3bal de Morales, Eug\u00e8ne Ysa\u00ffe, Igor Stravinsky and others, Confluence Concerts creates magic once again \u2014 where music becomes independent of styles, and listeners sink into the essence of arts: human understanding and the expression of beauty. The mix of lute vs. South Indian chants is another contrast, creating the namesake confluence. Come and hear nine singers and two string players \u2014 Tina Sievers (Violin) and Jonathan Stuchbery (lute) \u2014 weave magic with conductor Matthew Larkin, as the group celebrates the life of a close friend, Paul Grindlay (1965-2025). What a beautiful way to remember and celebrate life, death, and the journeys in between. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

GentleFreak: Slaying My Demon Lover<\/h3>\n

Sunday, February 15, 7:30 p.m.
\nArray Space, 155 Walnut Ave., $7+<\/p>\n

This talented group of singers \u2014 Danika Lor\u00e8n, Queen Hezumuryango, Reilly Nelson and Daevyd Pepper \u2014 with Claire Harris (piano) and Lenny Ranallo (guitar), have created a concert-ritual where they explore the bond of love, devotion, departure, and the need to reset\/renew\/breakaway. Inspired by Amanda Yates Garcia\u2019s writing, this evening, centred in voices \u2014 the most innate human expression \u2014 promises much intrigue and beauty. Drop your expectations of a traditional concert; come and open your hearts, to hear all that needs to be said, and let it all go. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Classical music and opera events in Toronto for the week of February 9 to 15, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":121589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[42533,11,76,18,19,875,3895,38,43,41221,63],"tags":[388,4277,37230,41305,6594,1650,40133,3079],"yst_prominent_words":[7173,19344,27834,27833,14729,9287,9283,15683,9288,14728],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-2026-02-09T112232.812.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-vD6","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121588"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=121588"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121588\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":121604,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121588\/revisions\/121604"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/121589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=121588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=121588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=121588"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=121588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}