Thurs. Apr 1, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. UofT Klezmer Ensemble Brian Katz, director
Klezmer Trajectories: Old World Jewish Fusion meets New World Surprises! The word klezmer is a Yiddish contraction of two Hebrew words: kley (vessel) and zemer (song). The word initially meant instrument or musician as in “vessel of song” and only much later represented a style of music per se. Roughly speaking, klezmer music is an early form of “fusion” music, an amalgamation of many borrowed Eastern European based folk tunes and musical dialects mixed with characteristic Jewish sounds, and later, with jazz… and a multitude of other possibilities. Come listen to tradition continue to unfold before your very ears – and feel free to sing and dance, too!
Tues. Apr 6, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. GGS New Music Ensemble Brian Current, conductor
Music and Ethics Is there such a thing as socially responsible chamber music? Where is the line between musical and political ideas? Join Brian Current and the New Music Ensemble of the Glenn Gould School as they as they perform works about civil liberties and overseas conflict by Luciano Berio, James Rolfe and others. Ask the composers present why they felt it was important to write about these topics.
Wed. Apr 7, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. Linda Ippolito, piano
Frites with Salsa Join pianist Linda Ippolito as she serves up a tasty luncheon treat of French and Latin delights. The program will feature 20th-century gems including Poulenc’s Trois Novelettes, selected Improvisations, Ginastera’s Danzas Argentinas and other surprises. In describing her playing, the Toronto Star wrote: “the music flowed like a torrent shot through with vivid colour.” Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Ippolito in a rare solo appearance.
Thurs. Apr 8, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. Trio Accord Mary Sokol Brown, violin Andrew Brown, viola Ariel Barnes, cello
Goldberg Variations Celebrating their tenth year of collaboration, Vancouver-based Trio Accord, one of Canada’s finest chamber ensembles, presents Dmitri Sitkovetsky’s masterly arrangement of Bach’s monumental Goldberg Variations, a “transcendant musical experience” (Victoria Times) not to be missed.
Tues. Apr 13, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre
A National Treasure The Toronto-based Canadian Children's Dance Theatre is a modern dance repertory company of dancers aged 12-19. Founded in 1980 to present gifted young dancers in performance, CCDT has been hailed as "a national treasure.” Under direction of Deborah Lundmark, these talented young artists will perform a program of works from acclaimed Canadian choreographers.
Thurs. Apr 15, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio
La Serva Padrona Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio present Pergolesi’s rarely performed comic opera, La Serva Padrona, the charming story of the cunning maid Serpina and her aging master Uberto.
Tues. Apr 20, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. Ballet Jörgen Canada
Original Dance Ballet Jörgen Canada features the works of a bold new breed of Canadian ballet choreographers in a presentation of dance guaranteed to please all members of its audience. Ballet Jörgen Canada constantly expands its diverse repertoire with new and cutting-edge works by Canadian choreographers. Its Original Dance program showcases works that experiment with and challenge the traditional conventions of ballet as an art form.
Thurs. Apr 22, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. Aradia Ensemble Kevin Mallon, director
Samuel Arnold’s Polly Samuel Arnold (1740 – 1802) was a gifted musician, highly respected theatre composer, conductor and outstanding musical historian in Georgian England. He wrote over 60 works for the stage. After extensive research and reconstruction, the opera Polly, a long-delayed successor to John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera, from which to date only the overture has been performed and recorded, will have its premiere in today’s concert.
Tues. Apr 27, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. Stephen R. Clarke
Lyricism in Wagner Most modern singing of Wagner is characterized more by dramatic power and intensity than by lyricism. This is not what Wagner's own writings and the memoirs of the singers who sang for him suggest that he wanted. Stephen R. Clarke, curator of the acclaimed Stratton Estate, explores the fascinating body of early recordings, often not in German, that show Wagner's music sung with surprising lyricism.
Thurs. Apr 29, 2010 12 – 1 p.m. Ipsita Nova Dance Projects
Isolated Incidents Smart, sexy and engaging, Isolated Incidents is a collection of solos tracing random incidents in one woman’s life. Celebrated as one of Canada’s favourite dance artists, Nova Bhattacharya breathes rich life into the spectrum between classical bharatanatyam and contemporary dance in an hour of graceful precision, haunting simplicity and a few surprises.
Experience invigorating collaborations, from intimate ensembles to large chamber orchestras, with programs ranging from the early Baroque to cutting-edge new works.
Celebrate the expressive power of the human body in a vibrant series of works that range from poetic to edgy and intimate to explosive.
Be inspired by some of Toronto's jazz legends and discover the next generation of Canadian stars.
Be transported by brilliant young pianists as they explore a rich and varied repertoire, with special emphasis on composers from Spain and Latin America.
Revel in the glory of the human voice through art song, opera and choral music across the ages.
Rejoice in the richness of our cultural fabric with riveting rhythms and exotic harmonies from around the globe.
Make a night of your visit to the opera.
How to find the Four Seasons Centre.