{"id":43031,"date":"2017-02-20T09:25:47","date_gmt":"2017-02-20T14:25:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=43031"},"modified":"2017-02-21T10:47:06","modified_gmt":"2017-02-21T15:47:06","slug":"critics-picks-11-classical-music-offerings-to-consider-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2017\/02\/20\/critics-picks-11-classical-music-offerings-to-consider-this-week\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC’S PICKS | 11 Classical Music Offerings To Consider This Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the week of Feb. 20 \u2013 26.<\/h3>\n
\"Critic\u2019s
Critic\u2019s Picks for classical music and opera events happening in and around Toronto for the week of Feb. 20 \u2013 26.<\/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: <\/b>Musical Toronto Datebook<\/b><\/u><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n

Several intriguing musical offerings this week. If you want a sneak peek of the opera stars of tomorrow, you\u2019ll do well to attend An Evening with the Ensemble Studio<\/em>, a show on the mainstage of the Four Seasons Centre featuring all the COC young artists in highlights from La finta giardiniera, Norma<\/em>, and Ariodante<\/em> (Feb. 23<\/a>). The National Arts Centre Orchestra under its new conductor Alexander Shelley is at Roy Thomson Hall (Feb. 25<\/a>). Remember the terrific 1988 British film Madame Sousatzka<\/em> starring Shirley MacLaine? Canadian impresario Garth Drabinsky has set the same story into a Broadway musical, Sousatzka<\/em>, which is having its premiere in Toronto before moving on to the Big Apple. I think there are some changes to the characters but the story is essentially faithful. Previews start Feb. 25<\/a> at the Elgin. Canadian theatre icon Brent Carver sings the American Songbook and Broadway at Koerner Hall (Feb. 24<\/a>). The Met Live in HD is presenting a brand-new production of Dvorak\u2019s Rusalka<\/em>, starring the glamorous Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais. I\u2019ve always thought their old production, which is not all that old really, was perfectly lovely, but hey, if you are the Met and can afford it, why not! Last call for the two exceptional shows from the Canadian Opera Company \u2013 The Magic Flute<\/em> (Feb. 24<\/a>) and G<\/em>\u00f6tterdammerung<\/em> (Feb. 25<\/a>). Plenty of others, be sure to consult the full listing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wednesday 22<\/h3>\n

Tafelmusik<\/span> | Visions and Voyages: Canada 1663-1763. Trinity-St. Paul\u2019s Centre. 7 p.m. $39 and up. Pre-concert chat one hour before performance. (Repeats Feb. 23, 24, 25 at 8 p.m.; 26 at 3:30 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra presents works by Purcell, Lully, Marais and Handel. Ryan Cunningham, narrator; Brian Solomon, choreographer and dancer. Full details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thursday 23<\/h3>\n

Canadian Opera Company<\/span> | An Evening with the Ensemble Studio. Four Seasons Centre. 7:30 p.m. $35<\/p>\n

The \u201cEnsemble Performance\u201d of a mainstage opera, the practice of the last few seasons, has now been replaced by an \u201censemble showcase\u201d on the mainstage, featuring the young artists performing scenes from various operas. This year, it\u2019s La finta giardiniera, Ariodante<\/em>, and Norma<\/em>, with the COC Orchestra and conductor Johannes Debus. \u00a0Info here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tapestry Opera<\/span> | Songbook VII. Ernest Balmer Studio, Distillery District, 9 Trinity St. $25 (Repeats Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.)<\/p>\n

There are very little program details at the Tapestry Opera website, save for the following \u2013 \u201cCanada\u2019s brightest emerging artists perform alongside operatic masters. Hear highlights from Tapestry\u2019s 37-year collection of absurd, tragic, and beautiful Canadian repertoire in the intimate Ernest Balmer Studio (Distillery District).\u201d Singers are mezzo Krisztina Szabo and tenor Keith Klassen, with Steven Philcox at the piano. Tapestry head Michael Mori is listed as \u201cdramatic clinician.\u201d Info here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Friday 24<\/h3>\n

Royal Conservatory<\/span> | Music Mix: Art of Time Ensemble with Brent Carver. Koerner Hall. 8 p.m. From $40<\/p>\n

Canadian theatre icon Brent Carver sings the American Songbook and Broadway. Joining him is the Art of Time Ensemble led by pianist Andrew Burashko. Program info here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Canadian Opera Company<\/span> | The Magic Flute<\/em>. Four Seasons Centre. 7:30 p.m. $35 – $235.<\/p>\n

The last of a 12-performance run of Mozart\u2019s masterpiece> It\u2019s double-cast, but for this last show, it stars Kerstin MacKinnon (Pamina), Owen McCausland (Tamino), Phillip Addis (Papageno), Matt Boehler (Sarastro), and Ambur Braid (Queen of the Night). Bernard Labadie conducts. Listing info found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Saturday 25<\/h3>\n

Toronto Symphony Orchestra<\/span> | Lights, Camera \u2026 Orchestra!<\/em> Roy Thomson Hall. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. $20.50 – $30.75.<\/p>\n

A kids-friendly program by the TSO featuring classical music used in movies, including The Ride of the Valkyries and Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture. Earl Lee, RBC Resident Conductor, leads the TSO forces. Info here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Toronto Symphony Orchestra<\/span> | National Arts Centre Orchestra. Roy Thomson Hall. 8 p.m. $33.75 – $148.<\/p>\n

NAC Orchestra under the direction of its new maestro Alexander Shelley is in town for a program of Walton Symphony No. 1<\/em>, and Concierto de Aranjuez<\/em> for Guitar and Orchestra, with soloist none other than the venerable Pepe Romero. He is, of course, one of the Romero brothers, the other famous one being Angel Romero. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Canadian Opera Company<\/span> | G<\/em>\u00f6tterdammerung.<\/em>\u00a0 Four Seasons Centre. 4:30 p.m. $35 – $235<\/p>\n

If you love Wagner, this is your last chance to see the last of the Ring Tetralogy!\u00a0 It stars a superlative cast led by American soprano Christine Goerke, Austrian tenor Andreas Schager, and Estonian bass Ain Anger. Johannes Debus conducts. It\u2019s a bit of a marathon but totally worth it. More info found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Met Live in HD<\/span> | Rusalka \u00a0<\/em>Participating Cineplex locations. 12:55 p.m. $28 Go to the website for locations of the cinema near you. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A brand-new production of Dvorak\u2019s Rusalka,<\/em> directed by Mary Zimmerman. Here\u2019s an interesting preview where Zimmerman talks about the production.<\/p>\n