78: FREE Concerts
16,000: Total attendance, with most concerts at full capacity
35: Works by Canadian composers
82: Contemporary works performed
44: Works by living composers
14: Works written in the last 10 years
345+: Number of instruments used, including the rarely-heard quanun, pipa, shime daiko, O-Daiko, chappa, miya haiku, shamisen, and shinobue.
6: Series of concerts and dance performances
The World Music Series included performances that featured Middle Eastern music, Klezmer music, Creole drumming, Balinese and Javanenese Gamelans, a Cuban jazz ensemble, an African jazz ensemble, traditional Chinese pipa music, Venezuelan jazz and folk songs, Japanese Taiko drumming, music inspired by Swedish Herding Calls, and even toy pianos!
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Toronto, Ontario � The Canadian Opera Company's fall season continues with a much-acclaimed production of Benjamin Britten's Death in Venice. Not performed by the COC since 1984, this production of Britten's final opera features an outstanding creative team led by British conductor Steuart Bedford, who conducted the world premiere at the Aldeburgh Festival in 1973, and the noted Japanese-born actor, director and author Yoshi Oida who makes his COC directorial debut. Praised for his portrayal of the lead character is British tenor Alan Oke. This elegant co-production of Death in Venice recently saw great success in Aldeburgh, Bregenz, Prague, and Lyon. Sung in English and with English SURTITLES�, Death in Venice runs for eight performances on October 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, November 3, and 6, 2010.
Based on Thomas Mann's novella, the story follows Gustav von Aschenbach, an aging writer in crisis who seeks salvation in the light and splendour of Venice. While there, he is confronted with a decaying city, becomes disillusioned in his search for creative inspiration, and is bewitched by the vitality and beauty of a young boy. Alan Oke, ��one of the most robustly musical and intelligent operatic tenors of our day� (The Times U.K.), sings the tragically inhibited Aschenbach. British baritone Peter Savidge, who sang with the COC in 2005's Rodelinda, returns to perform the role of the Traveller and six other baritone roles: Elderly Fop, Old Gondolier, Hotel Manager, Hotel Barber, Leader of the Players, and the Voice of Dionysus. Making his company debut as the voice of the Greek god Apollo is British countertenor William Towers, who recently appeared as Ruggiero in Orlando Furioso with Frankfurt Opera.
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Toronto, Ontario �The Canadian Opera Company presents its annual fundraising bash Operanation VII, Cinderella: Rock the Ball on Friday, October 29, 2010. Held in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, the hottest fundraiser of the year brings together young urban professionals for a night of music, specialty drinks, and fine cuisine in a celebration of the arts. Cinderella: Rock the Ball, which begins at 9 p.m., is themed around the COC's upcoming production of La Cenerentola (Cinderella), and will feature live performances and a DJ for the night. Tickets are $125 per person for the first 125 people and $150 for the remaining attendees.
An exclusive pre-party VIP dinner takes place before the gala at 7 p.m. in the Four Seasons Centre's spectacular Henry N. R. Jackman Lounge. The intimate dinner will feature a delectable menu, along with a live-auction that promises to showcase many breathtaking prizes. Tickets are $350 per person. Tickets for both the VIP dinner and the soiree can be purchased online at operanation.ca or by calling 416-363-8231.
The past six Operanation events have attracted over 4,000 attendees and have raised almost $400,000 with all proceeds benefiting the COC's Education and Outreach Programs.
A press release with more information on the city's hottest party will be available at a later date.
Presenting Sponsor for Operanation VII: TD Canada Trust Music
Links: Operanation website Parlando: The COC Blog Alexander Neef's Blog