{"id":36920,"date":"2016-05-24T15:46:10","date_gmt":"2016-05-24T19:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=36920"},"modified":"2016-05-24T15:46:10","modified_gmt":"2016-05-24T19:46:10","slug":"critics-picks-fifeteen-shows-to-consider-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2016\/05\/24\/critics-picks-fifeteen-shows-to-consider-this-week\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC’S PICKS | Fifeteen Shows To Consider This Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the week of May 23 to 29<\/h3>\n
\"Critic\u2019s
Critic\u2019s Picks for classical music and opera events in Toronto for the Week of May 23 \u2013 29, 2016.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Among the many events this week, three, in particular, caught my eye. The third annual 21C Music Festival <\/a>is due to take place over five days at the Royal Conservatory. In this celebration of new music, there\u2019s a total of seven concerts with twenty-six premieres. Among the many headliners are the Kronos Quartet, James Ehnes, Barry Shiffman, Bramwell Tovey and Ana Sokolovi\u0107. Also on my radar is the return to Toronto after an absence of many years of American soprano Kathleen Battle, in recital with pianist Joel A. Martin. Finally, TSO Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis is making his annual spring visit, this time, to conduct Richard Strauss\u2019 An Alpine Symphony<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Tuesday 24<\/h3>\n

TAFELMUSIK<\/span>\u00a0|\u00a0Tales of Two Cities: The Leipzig-Damascus Coffee House<\/em> at George Weston Hall. 8 p.m. $37-79<\/p>\n

Tafelmusik\u2019s Tales of Two Cities<\/em>, an exploration into the meeting of musical traditions of East (Damascus) and West (Leipzig) that opened on May 19 continues this week at George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, in North York. Full details,\u00a0here<\/a>. For MT’s review, see here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wednesday 25<\/h3>\n

TSO\u00a0<\/span>|\u00a0An Alpine Symphony<\/em> at Roy Thomson Hall. 6:30 p.m. $29.50\u201383.75 (Repeats May 26, 28; start times vary)<\/p>\n

An hour-long Toronto Symphony Orchestra Afterworks <\/em>concert featuring Strauss\u2019s An Alpine Symphony<\/em> performed without an intermission. There\u2019s light hors d\u2019oeuvres served in the lobby before the concert. TSO Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis is at the helm.\u00a0 On May 26 and 28, the performance will have additional works by Ives, Janacek and Elgar. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

RCM<\/span> | 21C Music Festival<\/em>: Kronos Quartet and special guest Tanya Tagaq\u00a0at Koerner Hall. 8 p.m. $21\u201390 (Festival Pass available)<\/p>\n

The 21C Music Festival starts today, with Kronos Quartet and special guest Tanya Tagaq. If new music is your thing, this 5-day festival is for you. There are pre-concert talks for most shows \u2013 consult the program. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thursday 26<\/h3>\n

RCM<\/span> | 21C Music Festival<\/em>: Brad Mehlaud<\/em> at Koerner Hall. 8 p.m. $21\u201375 (Festival Pass available)<\/p>\n

Three Pieces After Bach<\/em>: Solo recital by Brad Mehlaud, playing the works of Bach and his own improvisations on Bach, plus pieces to be announced from the stage. Info, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

RCM<\/span> | 21C Music Festival<\/em>:\u00a0Continuum Contemporary Music presents Japan: NEXT<\/em> at Mazzoleni Hall. 8 p.m. $21\u201375 (Festival Pass available)<\/p>\n

Mazzoleni Hall. Continuum Contemporary Music presents Japan: NEXT<\/em>. This concert features the works of Fujikura, Kiyama, Mochizuki, Oesterle, and Tsurumoto. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Friday 27<\/h3>\n

RCM<\/span> | 21C Music Festival<\/em>:\u00a021C After Hours: Blackout<\/em> at Conservatory Theatre. 8 p.m. $21 (Festival Pass available) (Repeats at 10:30 p.m.)<\/p>\n

21C After Hours: Blackout<\/em>. Four world premieres by John Oswald for ensembles, choir, and piano, commissioned by RCM. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

TRIO ARKEL<\/span>\u00a0|\u00a0Europa!\u00a0<\/em>at Trinity St. Paul\u2019s Centre. 7 p.m. $15-30<\/p>\n

Violinist Marie Berard, violist Teng Li and cellist Winona Zelenka are joined by special guest Yao Guang Zhai (clarinet) in works by Hummel, Kod\u00e1ly, Cras and Penderecki. There\u2019s a pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FOUR CENTURIES OF BACH |<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Toronto Bach Festival:\u00a0Cantatas from Weimar <\/em>at\u00a0St. Barnabas Church on Danforth. 8 p.m. $30<\/p>\n

May 27, 8 p.m. St. Barnabas Church on Danforth. $30 The first annual Toronto Bach Festival takes place May 27 to 29, with three concerts celebrating the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The Inaugural Concert, Cantatas from Weimar<\/em>, features soprano Ellen McAteer, alto Daniel Taylor, tenor Lawrence Wiliford, and baritone Sumner Thompson. The Four Centuries of Bach Ensemble under the direction of John Abberger, who is also the Artistic Director. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

TORONTO MASQUE THEATRE\u00a0|\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Purcell\u2019s The Fairy Queen\u00a0<\/em>at Arts and Letters Club. 8 p.m. $50 (Repeats May 28 & 29)<\/p>\n

Toronto Masque Theatre presents Purcell\u2019s The Fairy Queen<\/em>, under the direction of Larry Beckwith. Repeats on May 28 and 29. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

TAPESTRY OPERA<\/span> |\u00a0Rocking Horse Winner at the Berkeley Street Theatre. 8 p.m.\u00a0$36\u2013112. (Repeats through June 4).<\/p>\n

Tapestry Opera presents Rocking Horse Winner, with music by Gareth Williams and libretto by Anna Chatterton, based on short story by D.H. Lawrence. Jordan de Souza conducts, directed by Michael Mori. Singers include Carla Huhtanen, Keith Klassen, Peter McGillivray and Asitha Tennekoon. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Saturday 28<\/h3>\n

RCM<\/span> | 21C Music Festival<\/em>:\u00a0Cinq a Sept at Conservatory Theatre. 5 p.m. $21\u201375 (Festival Pass available)<\/p>\n

Cinq a Sept. Works by Andrew Norman, Rodney Sharman, Anna Pidgorna, and Ana Sokolovi\u0107. More info, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

RCM<\/span> | 21C Music Festival<\/em>:\u00a0Cinq a Sept at Koerner Hall. 8 p.m. $21\u201375 (Festival Pass available)<\/p>\n

Indie music triple-bill featuring ambient orchestral music composer Jherek Bischoff, as well as the experimental trio Dawn of Midi, and the cello-voice duo The Visit. More info,\u00a0 here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MISSISSAUGA SYMPHONY<\/span>\u00a0| Beethoven Symphony No. 9<\/em> at Hammerson Hall, Living Arts Centre. 8 p.m. $20\u201365<\/p>\n

The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven Symphony No. 9<\/em>, featuring the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and soloists under the direction of Noel Edison. The names of the soloists not available on the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AMICI<\/span> |\u00a0A Three Tenors Concert<\/em> at Islington United Church. 7:30 p.m. $25<\/p>\n

May 28, 7:30 p.m. Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road. $25 Amici: A Three Tenors Concert<\/em>, with Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure, Daevyd\u00a0Pepper and Charles Sy. These three guys have terrific voices and lots of youthful enthusiasm. I\u2019ve heard each of them multiple times and they will be in fine form for this concert. Go if you can. Ivan Jovanovic is the pianist. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sunday 29<\/h3>\n

ROY THOMSON HALL<\/span> |\u00a0Kathleen Battle:\u00a0Underground Railroad: A Spiritual Journey <\/em>at\u00a0Roy Thomson Hall. 3 p.m. $39.50\u2013129.50<\/p>\n

Surprise! Kathleen Battle is back, in a special program exploring the \u201ctraditional slave spirituals and the writing of abolitionists Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass.\u201d\u00a0 She\u2019s joined by pianist Joel A. Martin. I have fond memories of Battle, having heard her many times in her prime. I vividly recall driving down to Cleveland to hear her Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier<\/em>, way back in 1983. The venue was not ideal, in some sort of an arena with poor acoustics, but what a cast! Elisabeth S\u00f6derstr\u00f6m was the Marschallin and Frederica von Stade was Octavian, conducted by James Levine. It was an unforgettable evening. Nobody can turn back the clock, so I am not expecting the same Kathleen Battle. But I think she\u2019s still well worth hearing. More info,\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

#LUDWIGVAN<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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