{"id":124174,"date":"2026-05-11T10:34:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T14:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=124174"},"modified":"2026-05-11T10:34:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T14:34:25","slug":"critics-picks-classical-music-events-absolutely-need-see-week-may-11-may-17-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/05\/11\/critics-picks-classical-music-events-absolutely-need-see-week-may-11-may-17-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC\u2019S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: May 11 \u2013 May 17 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"L-R
L-R (clockwise): Cellist Abel Selaocoe (Photo courtesy of the artist): Soprano Emily Rocha (Photo: Laurie Moss); the Trinity Bach Project (Photo courtesy of the artists)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between May 11 and 17, 2026. For more of what\u2019s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Canadian Opera Company: Vocal Series: Les Adieux<\/h3>\n

Tuesday, May 12, Noon
\nFour Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Free<\/p>\n

Two artists from the COC Ensemble Studio, Emily Rocha and Duncan Stenhouse, are presenting their farewell noon recital, with Liz Upchurch at the piano. Designed to celebrate their hard work and artistic growth through the COC Ensemble program, this is a lovely way to support Rocha and Stenhouse, as they get ready for the next steps of their professional development, and to enjoy some lavishly beautiful vocal operatic music. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Trinity Bach Project: Bach & Wings<\/h3>\n

Wednesday, May 13, 7:30 p.m.
\nSt. John\u2019s Work Mills, 19 Don Ridge Dr., $15+<\/p>\n

TBP\u2019s season finale features plenty of drama and noise, with additions of trumpets, timpani, and extra singers. The lingering glory of Easter leaves this earth with this Ascension cantata, BWV 43: Gott f\u00e4hret auf mit Jauchzen (God ascends with shouts of joy). First premiered in May 1726, despite a 300 years gap, the grand introduction followed by masterful fugues is up there as an example of great Baroque craftsmanship. Also featuring BWV 137: Lobe den Herren, den m\u00e4chtigen K\u00f6nig der Ehren (Praise the Lord, the mighty king of honour), this double canata concert may lift you up \u2014 after all, we look to the arts to elevate ourselves from everyday life. Come and join this lovely group, and open your ears to convivial chamber music making. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Epic Wagner \u2014 Legends & Lore<\/h3>\n

Thursday, May 14, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 7:30 p.m.
\nRoy Thomson Hall, $77+<\/p>\n

The mighty talented Abel Selaocoe<\/strong> is in Toronto this week. Known for his fearless stage presence, Selaocoe\u2019s love for cello and voice has been gracing international stages with truly borderless explorations; his own works are deeply personal and genuine, and draw heavily from his African heritage. His chamber projects, Bantu Ensemble and Chesaba, have taken to the stage of international houses such as the Berlin Konzerthaus and Carnegie Hall. For this week, he\u2019ll be presenting a North American premiere of Jessie Montgomery\u2019s Cello Concerto, one of the most popular American composers of our time. Along with selections from Wagner, this program promises much freshness, antique gold, and over-the-top grandeur. Lovely. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Abendmusik: From Buxtehude to Bach<\/h3>\n

Friday, May 15, 8 p.m.
\nTrinity St. Paul’s United Church and Centre for Faith, $45<\/p>\n

A no-intermission, short and sweet evening music from Tafelmusik Orchestra and Choir will bring us the spirit of the legendary evening concert series by Buxtehude: Abendmusiken. Drawing from Buxtehude and Bach, and other notable composers of the time: Johann Christoph Bach, Graupner, Doles, Reincken, and Krebs, the program will feature sacred vocal and instrumental music, illustrating the musical connections that will fill out the evening as the spring night sets just slightly later every day. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Friends of Music at St. Thomas\u2019s: Baroque Violinist Cristina Prats-Costa: Spiritillo Mediterraneo Album Launch<\/h3>\n

Sunday, May 17, 7 p.m.
\nSt. Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron St., PWYC, $40\/20 (students) suggested<\/p>\n

It\u2019s lovely to see this little sanctuary, St. Thomas, becoming an intimate performance powerhouse. If you blink, you might miss it, but the church team has been hard at work hosting many different events, and for this Sunday, Baroque violinist Cristina Prats-Costa<\/strong> and friends are having an album launch concert. The roster, featuring Lucas Harris (lute), Joseph Phillips (bass), and Naghmeh Farahmand (Persian percussion), promises much variety and the joy of encountering fresh music from the masters of the Mediterranean Baroque: Andrea Falconieri, Heinrich Biber, Nicola Matteis, Santiago de Murcia, Gaspar Sanz, Johann Schop, Jose de Lebra, Jean-Fery Rebel, and Vivaldi. The Mediterranean \u2014 full of sunshine and undeniable joy for life \u2014 with its contrasting deep pathos and exotic Moorish influences, was a fantastic place, and this concert is a great way to hear that unique regional richness live. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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

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