Parlando: The COC Blog

Beekeeper Fred Davis updates us on the honeybees that live on the roof the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. located at 145 Queen St. W., here in Toronto:

Another beekeeping season has passed and I am putting final touches on the hives by feeding them in preparation for what is forecasted to be a long, hard winter. Each hive should have about 140 lbs of food stored and available for the smaller "staff" overwintering with the queen. All the boys (AKA drones) have been kicked out and now the girls rule the roost. The queen will lay eggs that will hatch to be males again when things start to warm up next spring. They need boys to fertilize the next virgin successor to the throne. But I try to stop natural succession to the extent I can, and try to control the genetics in the hive itself.

Let's all keep our fingers crossed and hope that our honeybees come out healthy and happy when I unwrap their hives next Spring.

Thanks, Fred! Stay warm, bees!

For Episode 5, we welcome back Opera Canada magazine’s editor, Wayne Gooding along with COC Ensemble member, baritone Cameron McPhail and Claire Morley, the COC’s Communications Assistant (and accomplished soprano with the Elmer Iseler Singers!). Hosting once again is the COC’s Adult Programs Manager, Gianmarco Segato. 

This week we start things off with a round-table chat about the English National Opera’s “beer ‘n jeans” scheme to bring in the young’uns, and the Opera Canada Corner features Wayne’s summary of the recent “Rubies” (aka the Opera Canada Awards). There’s also an interview with Sandra Gajic, the CEO of Edmonton Opera who chats about the innovative inclusion of two contemporary Canadian works in its 2012-13 season.

 

Are you out there listening? Let us know by sending us your ideas/comments on Facebook, Twitter or by email (community@coc.ca).

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 - 12 p.m. - Aruna Narayan - Many Strings Attached; Spotlight on Sarangi

Virtuosa Aruna Narayan is one of very few people known to play this obscure instrument and is the only woman to play it professionally. The sarangi is an ancient North Indian bowed instrument that is considered one of the most difficult in the world to master. Born in Mumbai to renowned sarangi master Pandit Ram Narayan, Aruna and her father have helped this instrument re-enter the mainstream of Indian performing arts as a Hindustani classical instrument. During her performance, Aruna will be accompanied by Ravi Naimpally on the tabla. 

PROGRAM

Raag Shuddh Sarang – An important concept in the Classical Indian music tradition is that of time.  Raag scales are constructed in a manner that reflects our changing mood and physiology over a 24-hour period.  Shuddh Sarang is ideally performed around the noon hour.

The recital will begin with an “Alaap” – a slow unfolding of the raag. The next phase is a rhythmic composition, accompanied by the tabla. This composition is set to a rhythmic cycle of 16 beats called “Teen Taal." The second composition, in a faster tempo, is set to a cycle of seven beats called “Rupak.”

Raag Kirvani – This is a light classical melody that is performed at all hours of the day/night. The composition is set to “Teen Taal.”

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see a live sarangi performance. Watch the short preview below to get a glimpse of the sarangi in action.

Click here for more information about our Free Concert Series and like us on Facebook for photos and previews of upcoming performances.

Photo: Aruna Narayan