Tues. March 5, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Ballet Creole
Tounkande Ballet Creole extends the celebration of Black History Month into March with an exhilarating new production of Tounkande. A unique collaboration between Patrick Parson (Ballet Creole Artistic/Executive Director) and guest artists Amara Kante (Master Djembefola) and Reimundo Sosa (Cuban Master Drummer), this project brings together song, dance and rhythms of Guinea, West Africa, and showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Malinke people.
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Wed. March 6, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Christina Quilico, piano
In Praise of Women In a prelude to International Women’s Day, acclaimed Canadian pianist Christina Quilico presents a program of exquisite miniatures by women composers. The program includes works by well-known composers such as Lili Boulanger and Cécile Chaminade as well as gems by lesser-known composers whose music is lovely, quirky, by turns edgy, tuneful, sad and fun-filled. The program opens and closes with excerpts from Rivers and Glass Houses by Canada’s Ann Southam.
Wed. March 13, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Kyra Millan, soprano/artist educator Jesse Clark, baritone Christina Faye, piano
Interactive Opera Soprano and artist educator Kyra Millan leads an interactive concert of popular arias and duets. The family-friendly programming includes fun vocal exercises and the opportunity to learn and sing the Papageno-Papagena duet from Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The program also features vocal performances by Millan of The Girl in 14G, made famous by Kristin Chenoweth, as well as excerpts from The Tales of Hoffmann and La fille du régiment.
Tues. March 19, 2013 12 - 1 p.m. ArrayMusic
Toy Piano Composers The Array Ensemble presents five new works by the Toy Piano Composers collective. This concert represents a unique pairing of two organizations dedicated to new music, one celebrating its 40th anniversary year and the other entering its fourth year of music-making. The program features works by Christian Floisand (ephemeral), Monica Pearce (Girl before a Mirror), Fiona Ryan (Edit the Truth), Christopher Thornborrow (Icarus) and Elisha Denburg (Liaison).
Thurs. March 21, 2013 12 - 1 p.m. Louis Simão, guitar/accordion/vocals Bill McBirnie, flute Daniel Stone, percussion
Faia Award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Louis Simão, Latin-jazz flute specialist Bill McBirnie and percussionist Daniel Stone present a compelling hour of songs rooted at the crossroads of Lusophone music. Drawing on traditions ranging from Simão's native Portugal, to Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola and beyond, the trio weaves a unique musical tapestry of rhythms and melodies from the Portuguese-speaking world infused with the energy and improvisatory spirit of jazz.
Tues. March 26, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Artists of the UofT Faculty of Music Steven Philcox, music director
Songs of Enchantment: A Britten Celebration Under the direction of Steven Philcox and Darryl Edwards, artists of the University of Toronto’s Voice and Collaborative Piano departments celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Britten with some of the composer’s most enchanting songs and song cycles, including A Charm of Lullabies, Tit for Tat, Winter Words, Fish in the Unruffled Lakes and a selection of folk song arrangements.
Thurs. March 28, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Tony Yike Yang, piano
Feux d'artifice Fresh from his victory at the Bösendorfer International Piano Competition, 14-year-old pianist Tony Yike Yang showcases his virtuosity and exuberance in a dazzling program of works by Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert and Ginastera. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear one of Canada’s most exciting young rising stars.