![\"CP-jan25-31\"](\"http:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/01\/CP-jan25-31.jpg\")
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Musical Toronto\u2019s weekly Critic\u2019s 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\u2019s available in and around Toronto, check out our concert listings in the\u00a0Musical Toronto Datebook<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n COC |\u00a0Wagner’s\u00a0Siegfried<\/em><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/em>at The\u00a0Four Seasons Centre. 6:30 p.m.$35-355 \u00a0(Repeats\u00a0Jan. 23 \u2013 Feb. 13; start times vary)<\/p>\n Canadian Opera Company’s winter season opened with Siegfried last evening. This is the same production from the Ring Cycle that opened the opera house nearly ten years ago. What a joy to re-acquaint myself with this masterpiece, directed by Francois Girard.\u00a0 Siegfried for years has been my least favourite of the Ring operas, but last evening’s show was so stunning that I just might change my mind!\u00a0 First of all, it was a great night of singing, from Stefan Vinke (Siegfried) down to the smallest roles. He was matched by the Brunnhilde of Christine Goerke. The rich, ringing tone of Alan Held (Wanderer) was a joy. The COC Orchestra under Johannes Debus made magnificent sounds for 5 hours (okay, that includes two relatively short intermissions). A full review to follow in Musical Toronto – I will update with the link here. Anyway, this show is not to be missed!\u00a0 Yes, it’s long, but the music is glorious. Two performances this week, Jan. 27 at the early start time of 6:30 p.m. and Jan. 30 at the super-early start time of 4:30 p.m. More details found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n TSO | Barbara Hannigan<\/span><\/span>\u00a0at Roy Thomson Hall. 8:00 p.m. $45.75-148 (Repeats Jan. 27 and 28)<\/p>\n The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is presenting an absorbing program this week, combining Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique with the gorgeously atmospheric tone poem The Swan of Tuonela by Sibelius. It’s one of those rare compositions, written specifically for cor anglais or English Horn. It’s called that but in really it’s a lower-pitched oboe. To me, this piece has an amazing suggestive power of imagery \u2013 just listening to the strings and its interplay with the woodwind gives me the chills. Watch this clip and see if you agree with me.<\/p>\nWednesday \u00a027<\/h3>\n
Thursday \u00a028<\/h3>\n