{"id":39432,"date":"2016-10-24T18:08:12","date_gmt":"2016-10-24T22:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=39432"},"modified":"2016-10-25T14:22:54","modified_gmt":"2016-10-25T18:22:54","slug":"critics-picks-oct-24-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2016\/10\/24\/critics-picks-oct-24-30\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC’S PICKS | Eleven Classical Music Shows You Should Absolutely See This Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the week of \u00a0Oct. 24 \u2013 30<\/h3>\n
\"Critic\u2019s
Critic\u2019s Picks for classical music events in Toronto for the week of Oct. 24 \u2013\u00a030.<\/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. 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 curated concert listings here: Musical Toronto Datebook<\/a><\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toronto\u2019s opera fans alert \u2014 if you haven\u2019t seen the two shows currently at the Four Seasons Centre and one at the Elgin, you really should! The marvelous South African soprano Elza van den Heever is our new Norma<\/a>.<\/em> I attended her first show on Sunday, with a full review to come.\u00a0 The Handel marathon that is Ariodante<\/a><\/em> continues with a great cast. And let\u2019s not forget the baroque gem, Purcell\u2019s Dido and Aeneas<\/a><\/em> at the Elgin Theatre. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is super busy this week with two programs \u2014 one of works by Rachmaninoff and Gershwin<\/a>, plus a Halloween-inspired show<\/a> with the TSO performing selections of Tim Burton films the likes of Batman and Edward Scissorhands. Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska<\/a> plays an all-Chopin recital under the auspices of Music Toronto. Meanwhile at the Sony Centre, catch Amadeus Live<\/a><\/em>, the famous 1984 film on a big HD screen performed live in-sync with an orchestra and members of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Judy Loman<\/a>, the elder stateswoman of the harp in Toronto, is having her 80th<\/sup> birthday bash. These are just a few events that have caught my eye \u2014 there are plenty more!\u00a0 Consult the complete listing on Musical Toronto<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tuesday 25<\/h3>\n

COC<\/span> |\u00a0Ariodante<\/em> at the Four Seasons Centre. 7:00 p.m. $40\u2013350 (Repeats through Nov. 3)<\/p>\n

The Canadian Opera Company\u2019s co-production of the rarely performed Ariodante <\/em>continues this week, with a fabulous cast led by Alice Coote in the title role. It also stars Jane Archibald, Ambur Braid, Varhudi Abrahamyan, Owen McCausland, Johannes Weisser and Aaron Sheppard. This is a four-hour marathon (including two intermissions), but Handel lovers will want it all! Johannes Debus conducts. Director Richard Jones is a provocateur, and I can guarantee you that this show is different from any Ariodante<\/em> you might have seen before! Repeats on 27 and 29. \u00a0Info, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Opera Atelier<\/span>\u00a0| Dido and Aeneas\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>at the Elgin Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $39\u2013194<\/p>\n

Opera Atelier presents an \u201cenhanced\u201d version of Purcell\u2019s Dido and Aeneas<\/em>, with an added Prologue made up of narration and dancing. It stars mezzo Wallis Giunta and tenor Christopher Enns. As is typical of any OA productions, this one is a visual feast, and that includes the two principals. Their voices aren\u2019t too shabby either! David Fallis conducts the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Repeats on 28 and 29. Info, here<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Music Toronto<\/span>\u00a0| Janina Fialkowska\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>at the Jane Mallett Theatre. 8 p.m. $10\u201355<\/p>\n

Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska celebrates her 65th<\/sup> birthday plays an all-Chopin program under the auspices of Music Toronto. This marks the 9th<\/sup> recital she has given at Music Toronto, since her debut in 1974. Full details found, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Talisker Players<\/span>\u00a0| Songs of Enchantment\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>at Trinity St. Paul\u2019s Centre. 8 p.m. $10\u201345 (Repeats Oct. 26)<\/p>\n

Talisker Players present Songs of Enchantment, with soprano Miriam Khalil, mezzo Lauren Segal, and actor\/reader Stewart Arnott. On the program are works by Schafer, Purcell, Arnold, Morlock, and Louie, interspersed with narration of legends, myths and fairy stories. Info, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wednesday 26<\/h3>\n

TSO<\/span> | Decades Project (1920-29) Rachmaninoff & Gershwin at\u00a0Roy Thomson Hall. 8 p.m. $33.75+ \u00a0(Repeats Oct. 27)<\/p>\n

As part of its Decades Project (1920-29), the Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents a concert of Gershwin, Kod\u00e1ly, and Rachmaninoff. Kristjan Jarvi conducts, with pianist Denis Kozhukhin. Joining them are TSO violinists Shane Kim and Eri Kosaka. Info, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

COC<\/span> |\u00a0Norma<\/em> at the Four Seasons Centre. 7:30 p.m. $50\u2013375 (Repeats Oct. 28)<\/p>\n

The Canadian Opera Company presents its fall season hit, Bellini\u2019s Norma<\/em>, starring South African soprano Elza van den Heever in the title role.\u00a0 Also appearing are Russell Thomas (Pollione), Isabel Leonard (Adalgisa), Dimitry Ivashchenko (Oroveso). Stephen Lord conducts. \u00a0Details, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Friday 28<\/h3>\n

Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and\u00a0<\/span>Attila Glatz Concert Productions<\/span> |\u00a0Amadeus Live <\/em>at the\u00a0Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. $49\u201399<\/p>\n

Attila Glatz Concert Productions presents Amadeus Live. <\/em>Audiences experience the 1984 movie Amadeus on a giant screen while listening to an in-sync playing of the Motion Picture Symphony Orchestra conducted by Richard Kaufman. Repeats Sat. Oct. 29 2 pm. For more details, see here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Saturday 29<\/h3>\n

Kindred Spirits Orchestra<\/span> | Tchaikovsky\u2019s Piano Concerto No. 1\u00a0<\/em>at the Flato Markham Theatre. 8 p.m. $15\u201340<\/p>\n

In the season opening concert of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, Kristian Alexander conducts the orchestra in Tchaikovsky\u2019s Piano Concerto No. 1<\/em>, with pianist Michael Berkovsky. Also on the program are Beethoven\u2019s Leonore Overture No. 3 <\/em>and Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 1<\/em>. Info, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

TSO<\/span> | Danny Elfman\u2019s Music from the Films of Tim Burton at\u00a0Roy Thomson Hall. 7:30 p.m. $46+ \u00a0(Repeats Oct. 30, 3 p.m.)<\/p>\n

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra plays selections of Danny Elfman\u2019s film scores, joined by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, to film clips of Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and Nightmare Before Christmas.\u00a0 Just the perfect entertainment for the Halloween Weekend! \u00a0Details, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Aga Khan<\/span> | Classical MusicSseries:\u00a0Arias and Maqams by Lubana Al Quntar at the\u00a0Aga Khan Museum. 8 p.m. $40+<\/p>\n

Now for something a little different \u2014 the Classical Music Series of the Aga Khan Museum presents Syria\u2019s first opera singer, Lubana Al Quntar, and oud <\/em>virtuoso\/composer Issam Rafea in concert. The program bridges Western Classical and Arabic maqam traditions, rooted in rich poetic lyrics and original compositions. Info, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sunday 30<\/h3>\n

RCM<\/span> |\u00a0Judy Loman at Mazzoleni Hall, Telus Centre. 2 p.m. $25<\/p>\n

Legendary harpist Judy Loman is having her 80th<\/sup> Birthday Celebration. She performs works by Salzedo, Renie, and Canadian composers. This concert also marks a CD launch of Ariadne\u2019s Legacy, the complete works for harp by R. Murray Schafer. This is billed as sold out, but do call the box office for returns. \u00a0Info, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

Want more updates on Toronto-centric classical music news and review\u00a0before anyone else finds out? F<\/em>ollow us on\u00a0<\/em>Facebook<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or Twitter<\/a><\/span> for all the latest.<\/em><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Critic\u2019s Picks for classical music events in Toronto for the week of Oct. 24 \u2013\u00a030. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":39447,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5723,3895],"tags":[5876,5913],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/10\/CP-OCT24-30.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-ag0","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39432"}],"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\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39432"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39459,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39432\/revisions\/39459"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39432"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=39432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}