Tues. April 30, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Queen of Puddings Music Theatre in Concert Krisztina Szabó, mezzo-soprano
Inspired by Lorca Led by artistic co-directors Dáirine Ní Mheadhra and John Hess, Queen of Puddings Music Theatre presents the world premiere of La selva de los relojes (The Forest of Clocks). Inspired by Federico García Lorca’s Suites, this new chamber work by Toronto composer Chris Paul Harman explores the conflicting metaphors of the natural world and of a clockwork world. This final Queen of Puddings performance will be sung by COC Ensemble Studio graduate mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó.
View the Program
Thurs. May 2, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio
Sérénade Française Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio present a charming program of French melodies including some of the best-loved cycles by Ravel, Poulenc and Milhaud.
Tues. May 7, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Winds of the COC Orchestra
A Strauss Serenade Inspired by the COC’s production of Salome, the COC Orchestra’s wind section performs two early chamber works for 13 players by the great operatic composer Richard Strauss: the Serenade in E-flat Major, Op. 7 and the rarely performed Suite in B-flat Major, Op. 4.
Thurs. May 9, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Mauro Bertoli, piano
Romantic Rhapsodies Award-winning Italian-born pianist Mauro Bertoli presents an alluring program featuring music by Romantic composers, including works by Brahms (Intermezzo Op. 118, No. 1), Schumann (Toccata in C Major, Op. 7), Granados (Allegro de concierto) and Liszt (Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6).
Mon. May 13, 2013* 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio
The Christina and Louis Quilico Awards In this special presentation, artists of the COC Ensemble Studio compete in the 5th edition of the Christina and Louis Quilico Awards, which will be presented at the end of the evening. Each artist will perform an aria of his or her own choosing and a second aria will be selected by the panel of judges.
*Extended performance time
Tues. May 14, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Classical India 3 Samidha Joglekar, vocals Ravi Naimpally, tabla George Koller, dilruba
Ragas and Revelations Toronto-based trio Classical India 3 presents an inspiring hour of pure, traditional ragas (classical Indian melodies) performed by Samidha Joglekar (classical Indian vocalist) with accompaniment by Ravi Naimpally (tabla) and George Koller (dilruba). A special tabla solo and dilruba cadenza will also be featured in this performance.
Thurs. May 16, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Against the Grain Theatre
Figaro's Wedding Toronto’s hottest and most inventive young theatre collective takes a beloved Mozart classic and turns it sideways in a version for string quartet and fortepiano with staging guaranteed to be unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Tues. May 21, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Anna Christy, soprano Liz Upchurch, piano
Bel Canto Bliss “Nimble of voice, body and spirit” (New York Times), coloratura soprano Anna Christy (singing the title role in the COC’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor) impresses and delights audiences with an extraordinary blend of sparkling voice, powerful stage presence and innate musicality. The program features bel canto gems by Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti, along with songs from her native United States, by William Bolcom and Aaron Copland.
Wed. May 22, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Cellos of the COC Orchestra
Happy Birthday, Wagner! On May 22, 1813, one of the most revolutionary and influential figures in the history of music was born. The cello section of the COC orchestra celebrates this legendary composer's 200th birthday in a unique and exciting program featuring arrangements of Wagner’s opera overtures for four cellos and, as a contrast to the love depicted in the COC’s Tristan, Bizet’s rarely heard Carmen Fantasy for five cellos. The three principal cellists and music director of the COC conclude the program with a virtuoso showcase by one of the greatest cellists of the 19th century, and one intimately familiar with Wagner’s work, David Popper.
Thurs. May 23, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio Mireille Asselin, soprano Ambur Braid, soprano Rihab Chaieb, mezzo-soprano Neil Craighead, bass-baritone Christopher Enns, tenor Timothy Cheung, piano Jenna Douglas, piano
Les Adieux The graduating artists of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio perform a special “farewell” concert of their favourite songs by Britten, Honegger, Vaughan Williams and Barber.
Tues. May 28, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Toronto Summer Music Festival
2013 Festival Preview Now in its eighth season, the Toronto Summer Music Festival has established itself as Toronto’s premier chamber music festival. Newly appointed Artistic Director Douglas McNabney presents a Festival sneak preview featuring emerging artists and music from the Festival.
Thurs. May 30, 2013 12 – 1 p.m. Linda Ippolito, piano
Lunch with Punch Join pianist Linda Ippolito as she serves up a tantalizing cocktail of Commedia dell’arte-based gems. This program brings to life puppets, dolls and the medieval stock characters of Arlequin, Pantalon, Columbine and the ever-endearing Punch – aka Petroushka, Pulcinella, Polichinelle – in music by Rachmaninov, Granados, Frank Bridge, Cyril Scott, Pierre-Max Dubois, Billy Mayerl and other well- and lesser-known composers. 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.