Blue PagestheWholeNote 2012/13 PRESENTER PROFILES416-961-9594nmc@interlog.comwww.NewMusicConcerts.com●●NINE SPARROWS ARTS FOUNDATIONNine Sparrows Arts Foundation marks its 19thanniversary this season under the continuingleadership of artistic director Eric Robertson.Since the inaugural performance of “Hasten toCome Before Winter,” Nine Sparrows Arts Foundationhas presented a rich variety of concertsfor Toronto audiences. In addition to its popularweekly recital series, Nine Sparrows Arts Foundationhas presented international groups suchas King’s College Cambridge Choir, Clare CollegeSingers and St. John’s College Choir, and has featuredCanadian artists including John Neville,Erica Goodman, Colin Fox, the True North Brass,the Gryphon Trio, Christine Duncan’s ElementChoir and percussion ensemble NEXUS.Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation is a not-forprofitorganization dedicated to bringing thebest in inspirational arts programming. It isgoverned by an elected volunteer board of directorsand operates with the assistance of advisorsfrom a variety of backgrounds, including eventmanagement, promotions, finance and business.Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation, in co-operationwith Christ Church Deer Park, will begin its2012/13 season on October 4 with the first recitalin its weekly series, “Lunchtime Chamber Music.”E. Burns, president416-241-12989sparrows.arts@gmail.com●●NO STRINGS THEATREFounded in 2004, No Strings Theatre is a musictheatre training ground for youths aged 13 to21 to develop their skills in all aspects of professionalstage performance and production.Our premier program is a summer intensivewhich attracts students from across the GTA,nationally and internationally. The program featuresclasses in singing, acting and dancing, withadditional classes in audition preparation, stagecombat and makeup consulting, led by industryprofessionals. The main focus is on rehearsalstowards a fully-staged production in a theatre.Past productions have included Cinderella, ByeBye Birdie, Seussical, Into the Woods Junior, Onceon this Island, Les Misérables, Sweeney Todd and,most recently, the Toronto premiere of Kanderand Ebb’s Curtains. Our internship program promotesthe hiring of post-secondary students oremerging artists as directorial associates andproduction apprentices.This fall, we will be extending our programmingto include audition preparationmasterclasses, triple threat classes for teensand adults, music theatre workshops, a MarchBreak program and a two week extension to oursummer program.Denise Williams, artistic director416-588-5845 x1info@nostringstheatre.comwww.nostringstheatre.com●●NOCTURNES IN THE CITYThe 12th season of Noctures in the City continuesto present world-renowned artists as well asnew rising stars of the classical music world.Our goal is to support and nurture Czech andSlovak culture and heritage in Canada and also tointroduce you to some of the finest local talent.The six-concert season takes place in theCommunity Hall of St. Wenceslaus Church,496 Gladstone Ave. (Bloor and Dufferin subway).Beginning with COC baritone Jan Vaculikaccompanied by Adam Zukiewicz in September,the season highlights include BBC Promsconductor Jiří Belohlavek (in town to conductTristan and Isolde at the COC) and Iain Scott’saudio-visual presentation of Wagner operas,a vibrant performance by Zemlinsky Quartetand the young rising stars Anna Betka, piano,and Tereza Privratska, violin. The last concertof the season will feature Readim Zenkl, mandolinand flute, returning to Nocturnes in theCity by popular demand.289-234-0264dagmar.benedik@lamberhurst.netwww.nocturnesinthecity.com●●NYCO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAThe NYCO Symphony Orchestra is dedicatedto the performance of classical music in arange of styles, encouraging participation anddevelopment within our membership and appreciationand enrichment of classical music for awide public.The orchestra, under the baton of DavidBowser, offers an affordable four-concert subscriptionseries. This season, three concerts willbe held at St. Michael’s College School Centre forthe Arts and a fourth family-friendly concert willbe held at the Isabel Bader Theatre.The orchestra also performs to a diverseaudience through outreach and communityprograms and the NYCO Chamber Players, drawnfrom members of the orchestra, perform chambermusic programs in seniors’ residences andlong-term care facilities, as well as an educationconcert series in schools.The NYCO Mozart Vocal Competition is anannual event for young singers (to be held thisyear on October 6) to win an opportunity toperform in concert with the NYCO SymphonyOrchestra. Finalists will perform with us onMarch 2.We believe that music is for everyone. Pleasevisit our website for this year’s programming.416-628-9195www.nyco.on.ca●●OFF CENTRE MUSIC SALONWelcome to Off Centre Music Salon’s 18th season— a year of hearty meals and delightfuldesserts … musically! The first hearty meal ofour season is our annual “Schubertiad,” thisyear featuring the composer’s crowning achievement,his last Piano Sonata in B-flat, alongside a“few-of-our-favourite-things” selection of liederfor dessert. Next is the biggest treat of all: oursecond “American Salon,” honouring magicalNew York City, with legendary pianist/composerJimmy Roberts as our tour guide. To balancethe sweet with the colossal, we then move onto Brahms’ masterwork Ein Deutsches Requiemin the composer’s own chamber arrangement,with an all-star cast featuring Russell Braun. Asthe “digestif” to end our filling musical year, wecelebrate philanthropists in music, includingOff Centre’s own generous supporters.New this year: to make sure our concerts aremore accessible to all, we’ve introduced newstudent and child rates! Please visit our websitefor details and information. All concertstake place Sundays at 2pm at Glenn Gould Studio.Subscriptions: 5 (adults); 5 (seniors).Prices include HST.Inna Perkis and Boris Zarankin,founders and artistic directors416-466-1870tickets@offcentremusic.comwww.offcentremusic.com●●ONTARIO PHILHARMONICThe year 2012 marks the beginning of OntarioPhilharmonic’s new Great Soloists Series atToronto’s Koerner Hall, showcasing some ofthe world’s most renowned soloists.The Ontario Philharmonic has become a notableplayer in the landscape of classical musicin Ontario. It has established itself as one ofthe leading performing arts organizations ofDurham Region and the Greater Toronto Area.The orchestra is composed of players that areamong the finest professional musicians in theGTA and is led by one of Canada’s most distinguishedconductors on the international scene,Marco Parisotto.Highlights in the 2012/13 season includesoloists Shlomo Mintz (violin), Anton Kuerti(piano) and Angela Meade (soprano), as wellas great symphonies by Tchaikovsky, Brahmsand Bruckner.Box Office: 416-408-0208 (Koerner Hall)905-721-3399 (Regent Theatre)Hayley Preziosi, Durham Region contact905-579-6711; contact@ontariophil.caBonnie Booth, Toronto contact416-443-9737; bbooth@ontariophil.cawww.ontariophil.ca● ● OPERA ATELIEROpera Atelier is Canada’s premier baroque opera/ballet company, specializing in producing opera,ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries.While drawing upon the aesthetics and idealsof the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond “reconstruction”and infuses each production withan inventive theatricality that resonates withmodern audiences. Over the past 27 years, ledby founding artistic directors Marshall Pynkoskiand Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, Opera Atelierhas garnered acclaim for its performances athome as well as in the United States, Europeand Asia.Based in Toronto, Opera Atelier performs atthe historic Elgin Theatre in the heart of downtown.The 2012/13 season opens with Weber’siconic masterpiece Der Freischütz (The Marksman)(October 27 to November 3) which will bepaired with a revival of our family-friendly productionof Mozart’s The Magic Flute (April 6 to13). Both stories revolve around a young manwho battles supernatural forces in his pursuitof his beloved — though neither path is smooth,true love triumphs in the end. Both productionsfeature a spectacular array of Canadian and internationalsingers, Tafelmusik Orchestra and theartists of Atelier Ballet.Marshall Pynkoski andJeannette Lajeunesse Zingg,co-artistic directors416-703-3767
www.operaatelier.comBox Office: 1-855-622-ARTS(2787)www.ticketmaster.ca●●OPERA BELCANTOBelcanto: “Beautiful Singing,” the essence of ourchoir! Opera Belcanto is a mixed-voice ensembleof some 35 choir members and soloists of allages, from all walks of life. A passion for operaand a love of music are what bring us together!Since its inception in 2006, Opera Belcantohas brought over 20 concerts, featuring favouriteoperatic arias and choruses with orchestraaccompaniment, to audiences throughout YorkRegion and Simcoe County, as well as the GTA.We look forward to our 2013 production ofIl Trovatore, to take place on April 18 and 20,7:30pm, at the Richmond Hill Centre for thePerforming Arts.Opera Belcanto rehearses Mondays at 7:30pm,at Forest Run Public School in Maple (Dufferin/Rutherford area). For auditions call 905-417-2802.David Varjabed, music director905-417-2802www.operabelcanto.net●●OPERA YORKIn our 16th season running and our fourth seasonas the resident professional opera companyat the new Richmond Hill Centre for the Arts,Opera York offers two exciting productions forour main stage with the Opera York Chorus andOrchestra. The season is opened by artistic directorSabatino Vacca with the Verdi classic, LaTraviata. Featuring Riccardo Iannello as Alfredoand Jeffrey Carl as Germont, the production willbe glorious.The second half of Opera York’s season is ledby artistic director Geoffrey Butler, offering infull production a classic of the Viennese operarepertoire, Lehar’s The Merry Widow.Opera York continues to provide affordableand accessible lectures, operatic concerts for seniorsand educational programming. November 1and 3, 2012: Verdi’s La Traviata; February 28 andMarch 2, 2013: Lehar’s The Merry Widow (both atRichmond Hill Centre for the Arts).905-763-7853Box Office: 905-787-8811; rhcentre.cainfo@operayork.comwww.operayork.com●●ORCHESTRA TORONTOOrchestra Toronto, one of Canada’s premier communityvolunteer symphony orchestras, offersvibrant programming in five affordable Sunday-afternoonconcerts. Music director DanielleLisboa conducts the orchestra in the acousticallysuperb George Weston Recital Hall at theToronto Centre for the Arts, on Yonge St. northof Sheppard Ave.The 2012/13 season offers eclectic and powerfulmasterpieces as well as new works that promiseexceptional concert experiences. Each concertis preceded by a pre-concert talk.A thrilling roster of soloists promises todelight. Canadian pianist Charles Richard-Hamelinplays Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1 inB-flat Minor on October 21. Wonderful Worldof Circus performs to music by Ponchielli andRave, and 15-year-old Daniel Hass, winner of theOrchestra Toronto Concerto Competition, playsNO STRINGS THEATRE LES MISÉRABLESDvořák’s Cello Concerto in D Minor on December 9.Orchestra Toronto violinist Grace Hong andviolist Brenna Whyte perform Bruch’s DoubleConcerto on April 14. To finish the season, thecharismatic and inspiring Canadian violinistAdrian Anantawan performs Sibelius’s ViolinConcerto in D Minor on May 26.Wendy Limbertie, executive director416-467-7142otoronto@on.aibn.comwww.orchestratoronto.ca●●ORGANIX CONCERTS INC.ORGANIX Concerts Inc., a wholly owned subsidiaryof Glionna Mansell Corporation, is theproducer of important musical events specific toorgan performance and education. The musicalhighlight of the year is the annual internationalORGANIX music festival showcasing Toronto’sfinest pipe organs. This festival offers the publican opportunity to hear and experience rarelyperformed repertoire brilliantly executed onmagnificent instruments by passionate Canadianand international artists.ORGANIX 13 (May 6 to June 7, 2013) will presentJane Parker-Smith (UK) and Karen Christianson(USA). Canadian artists will include Ryan Jackson,Mélanie Barney and violist Tina Cayouette;Wayne Carroll and cellist Samuel Bisson; ThomasFitches and guitarist Mariette Stephenson; andorgan duo Sarah Svendsen and Rachel Mahon.ORGANIX is a music festival unlike any other.ORGANIX Concerts also produces a Concertsof Distinction series that will includethe November 3, 2012, collaboration with theHannaford Street Silver Band at MetropolitanUnited Church. This concert will present theworld premier of a new organ concerto composedby John Burge featuring virtuoso organistWilliam O’Meara.Gordon Mansell,president and artistic director416-769-5224; 1-877-769-5224www.organixconcerts.ca●●ORIANA WOMEN’S CHOIRORIANA Women’s Choir is an auditioned choirof 30 to 40 singers celebrating its 41st seasonthis year. Nationally known for its musical excellence,welcoming and supportive atmosphere,and collaborations with many brilliant artists,it has made a significant contribution toCanada’s choral scene. The choir has releasedfive albums to critical acclaim and continuesto commission original works from both newand established composers.This season, artistic director Mitchell Padyconducts ORIANA in three concerts acknowledgingthe music of “Our Home and Native Land.”Join us as we feature an entirely Canadian repertoirecelebrating the winter season, our uniqueand varied Canadian heritage and, in the finalconcert, the birthday of one of Canada’s mosticonic choral music composers, Ruth WatsonHenderson. These concerts will be held SundayDecember 9, 2012, 3pm; Saturday March 2, 2013,8pm; and Saturday May 25, 2013, 8pm, at GraceChurch on-the-Hill. Subscriptions are available.Auditions are available for each term. Contactus to attend a rehearsal or book an audition.Rehearsals are held Tuesdays from 7:30pm to9:45pm.General information: Julia Leemanager@orianachoir.comAuditions: Mitchell Pady416-424-1694● ● ORPHEUS CHOIRThe Orpheus Choir of Toronto celebrates the 10thanniversary of artistic director Robert Cooperwith an innovative season of choral delights.Keeping with our mission “to engage and enthralaudiences through performances of rarely heardand newly created choral music,” Orpheus introducesToronto audiences to engaging worksfrom the new generation of choral composers.Our 2012/13 season includes the Toronto premiereof Requiem for Peace by Canadian composerLarry Nickel; a “Canadian Christmas Carol,” aholiday celebration in our own words, musicand images, featuring Albert Schultz of SoulpepperTheatre; Howard Goodall’s newest work,Every Purpose Under the Heaven, along with ĒriksEšenvalds’ sublime Passion and Resurrection; andour popular “Orpheus Cinema,” with organistEdward Moroney in a new choral soundtrack totheWholeNote 2012/13 PRESENTER PROFILES
