{"id":51095,"date":"2018-02-19T10:33:55","date_gmt":"2018-02-19T15:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=51095"},"modified":"2018-02-19T10:33:55","modified_gmt":"2018-02-19T15:33:55","slug":"critics-picks-eleven-concerts-absolutely-see-week-feb-19-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2018\/02\/19\/critics-picks-eleven-concerts-absolutely-see-week-feb-19-25\/","title":{"rendered":"CRITIC’S PICKS | Eleven Concerts You Should Absolutely See This Week (Feb. 19 \u2013 25)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Classical
Classical music and opera events happening in and around Toronto for the week of February 19 \u2013 25.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ludwig van 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\u00a0here<\/span><\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tuesday 20<\/span><\/h3>\n

Canadian Opera Company<\/strong> | Vocal Series: Vienna to Paris. 12 p.m. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre. Free. Be sure to show up early for a seat.<\/p>\n

Canadian soprano Jane Archibald, COC\u2019s first Artist-in-Residence and Konstanze in The Abduction from the Seraglio<\/em>, sings songs by Purcell, Debussy, Schubert, and Richard Strauss. Liz Upchurch is the pianist; also appearing is Dominic Desautels, clarinet.\u00a0| Details<\/a> (PDF)<\/p>\n

Wednesday 21<\/span><\/h3>\n

Canadian Opera Company<\/strong> | Rigoletto. 7:30 p.m. Four Seasons Centre. $88-$350. Last performance Feb. 23.<\/p>\n

The last two performances of the Christopher Alden production of Rigoletto, <\/em>with excellent singing from Roland Wood in the title role, Anna Christy as Gilda, and Stephen Costello as the Duke. The equally fine alternate Duke, Joshua Guerrero, sings on Feb. 23. Stephen Lord conducts.\u00a0| Listing<\/a><\/p>\n

Toronto Symphony Orchestra<\/strong> | Dvo\u0159\u00e1k and Beethoven. 8 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall. $40.75-$154. Repeats Feb. 22.<\/p>\n

Spanish conductor Gustavo Gimeno leads the TS forces in Beethoven\u2019s Fourth Symphony<\/em>, as well as Dvo\u0159\u00e1k\u2019s Cello Concerto<\/em> with cellist Johannes Moser, who last appeared here two years ago. Interesting that the TSO webpage lists him as Canadian. Mr. Moser\u2019s father is German cellist Kai Moser, and his mother is Canadian soprano Edith Wiens. The novelty of the evening is Ligeti\u2019s Romanian Concerto<\/em>. | Listing<\/a><\/p>\n

Thursday 22<\/span><\/h3>\n

Yamaha Recital Space<\/strong> | Bach Unlimited. Lise de la Salle, piano. 7:30 p.m. Atelier Rosemarie Umetsu, 310 Davenport Road, Toronto. RSVP requested<\/a>. CD purchase $20<\/p>\n

Canadian pianist Lise de la Salle celebrates the launch of her new CD, Bach Unlimited<\/em>, with this recital and cocktail reception. \u201cIn lieu of tickets there will be CDs available for sale at the door which will be autographed at the end of the night.\u201d Program includes Bach\u2019s Italian Concerto<\/em> and other works. \u00a0| Listing<\/a><\/p>\n

Canadian Opera Company<\/strong> | The Abduction from the Seraglio. 7:30 p.m. Four Seasons Centre. $35-$350. Lasts performance Feb. 24.<\/p>\n

Your last two chances to catch this Wajdi Mouawad staging of Mozart\u2019s The Abduction from the Seraglio<\/em>. He has reframed the story as a flashback, by adding an opening scene with extra dialogue, while the music and the outcome of the story stay the same. It\u2019s generating divided opinions, but to me it\u2019s a thoughtful and non-gratuitous attempt to bring this problematic story to the 21st century. A strong cast with Jane Archibald (Konstanze), Mauro Peter (Belmonte), Claire de S\u00e9vign\u00e9 (Blondchen), Owen McCausland (Pedrillo) and Goran Juric (Osmin). Johannes Debus leads the COC Orchestra.\u00a0| Listing<\/a><\/p>\n

Music Toronto<\/strong> | Apollon Musag\u00e8te Quartet. 8 p.m. Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. $50-$55\/$10(st)<\/p>\n

Apollon Musag\u00e8te Quartet (violinists Pawel Zalejski and Bartosz Zachlod, violist Piotr Szumiel and cellist Piotr Skweres) made their Music Toronto debut in 2015. They return to play a program of Haydn, Arensky and Grieg. | Listing<\/a><\/p>\n

Tafelmusik<\/strong> | Handel: Alexander\u2019s Feast. 8 p.m. Koerner Hall. Repeats Feb. 23, 24, 25. Check website for start times. $39-$121\/$39-$109(sr)\/$26-$93(under 35)<\/p>\n

Ivars Taurins leads Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir in a performance of Handel\u2019s Alexander\u2019s Feast<\/em>, with soprano Amanda Forsythe, tenor Thomas Hobbs, and baritone Alexander Dobson. Pre-concert chat one hour before showtime. | Listing<\/a><\/p>\n

Saturday 24<\/span><\/h3>\n

Met Live in HD<\/strong> | La boheme <\/em>Selected Cineplex cinemas in GTA. 12:55 p.m. $28<\/p>\n

According to statistics based on the number of performances worldwide the last five seasons, La boheme<\/em> ranks #4 in popularity. When it\u2019s as dazzling as this Zeffirelli production, it\u2019s easy to see why. It stars Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Mimi and American tenor Michael Fabiano as Rodolfo. Marco Armiliato conducts.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0| Details<\/a><\/p>\n

Orpheus Choir of Toronto<\/strong> | Nordic Light Gala Concert. 7:30 p.m. Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E. $55\/$45(sr)\/$25(st)<\/p>\n

Robert Cooper leads the Orpheus Choir, That Choir and the Orpheus Concert Orchestra in the music of Latvian choral composer \u0112riks E\u0161envalds. The centerpiece is the Canadian premiere of Nordic Light<\/em>, the Latvian composer\u2019s multimedia symphonic representation of the aurora borealis<\/em>.| Listing<\/a><\/p>\n

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