PLANTING NOT PAVING! In this JUNE / JULY /AUGUST combined issue: Farewell interviews with TSO's Peter Oundjian and Stratford Summer Music's John Miller, along with "going places" chats with Luminato's Josephine Ridge, TD Jazz's Josh Grossman and Charm of Finches' Terry Lim. ) Plus a summer's worth of fruitful festival inquiry, in the city and on the road, in a feast of stories and our annual GREEN PAGES summer Directory.
Wednesday
Wednesday August 22 ●●3:00: Stratford Summer Music. 3pm Jean- Michel Blais. 7pm Mzansi Chamber Choir: Tribute Concert for 100th Anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s Birth. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. ●●7:30: Opera Muskoka Festival. Stars of Tomorrow Concert. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. Thursday August23 ●●12:00 noon: Stratford Summer Music. 12pm BargeMusic: Langley Ukulele Ensemble. 7pm Drew Santini: A Recital for Stratford. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. ●●12:15: St. George’s Cathedral. Summer Concerts: Cello Recital. Paul McCulloch, cello. St. George’s Cathedral (Kingston), 270 King St. E., Kingston. 613-548-4617. Freewill offering. ●●12:15: Trinity United Church B. Concerts Beyond the GTA (Gravenhurst). The August Organ. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. ●●7:30: Brookside Music Association. Takeshi Kakehashi and Wolfgang David. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. ●●7:30: Opera Muskoka Festival. Jennifer Tung in Concert. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. Friday August 24 ●●12:00 noon: Stratford Summer Music. 12pm BargeMusic: Langley Ukulele Ensemble. 7pm Mzansi Chamber Choir. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. ●●7:30: Highlands Opera Studio. La bohème. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. ●●7:30: Opera Muskoka Festival. Moshe Hammer in Concert. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. Saturday August 25 ●●11:00am: Stratford Summer Music. 11am Musical Brunch: Cristina Zacharias, Violin. 12pm BargeMusic: Langley Ukulele Ensemble. Also 3pm. 3pm Jan Lisiecki. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. ●●7:30: Highlands Opera Studio. La bohème. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. ●●7:30: Leith Summer Festival. Ensemble Made in Canada. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. Sunday August 26 ●●11:00am: Stratford Summer Music. 11am Musical Brunch: Cristina Zacharias, Violin. 12pm BargeMusic: Border Cities Caledonian Pipe Band. 3pm Stratford Sings: Season Finale. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. ●●2:00: Highlands Opera Studio. La bohème. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. Monday August 27 ●●7:30: Highlands Opera Studio. La bohème. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. Thursday August 30 ●●12:15: St. George’s Cathedral. Summer Concerts: Organ Recital. Patrick McElcheran, organ. St. George’s Cathedral (Kingston), 270 King St. E., Kingston. 613-548-4617. Freewill offering. ●●12:15: Trinity United Church (Gravenhurst). The August Organ. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. Wednesday September 5 ●●12:00 noon: Midday Music with Shigeru. Bedford Piano Trio. Alessia Disimino, violin; Andrew Ascenzo, cello; Jialiang Zhu, piano. Hi-Way Pentecostal Church, 50 Anne St. N., Barrie. 705-726-1181. ; free(st). Friday September 7 ● ● 7:30: Prince Edward County Chamber Music Festival. New Orford String Quartet. See Summer Festival Listings, pages 44-51. C. Music Theatre These music theatre listings contain a wide range of music theatre types including opera, operetta, musicals and other performance genres where music and drama combine. Listings in this section are sorted alphabetically by presenter. ●●Belleville Theatre Guild. Annie Get Your Gun. Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by Dorothy Fields and Herbert Fields. Pinnacle Playhouse Theatre, 256 Pinnacle St, Belleville. 613-967-1442. ; (sr); (st). Opens May 31, 8pm. Runs to Jun 17. Wed- Sat(8pm), Sun(2pm). ●●Bicycle Opera Project. The Llandovery Castle. Music by Stephanie Martin, libretto by Paul Ciufo. Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle Ave. llandoverycastle.ca. (adv); (door); (under 30). Pre-concert chat at 7pm. Opens Jun 26, 8pm. Also Jun 27. ●●Brott Music Festival. PopOpera. Arias, duets and ensembles from favourite operas. FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1 Summers Ln., Hamilton. 905-525-7664. ; (sr); (Brott35); (st). Jul 12, 7:30pm. ●●Brott Music Festival. The Magic Flute. Music by W. A. Mozart, libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1 Summers Ln., Hamilton. 905-525-7664. ; (sr); (Brott35); (st). Jul 19, 7:30pm. ●●Civic Light Opera Company. Oklahoma! Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Zion Cultural Centre, 1650 Finch Ave. E. 416-755-1717. . Opens May 30, 7pm. Runs to Jun 10. Wed(7pm), Thurs-Sat(8pm), Sun(2pm). ●●Dancyn Productions. We Will Rock You. Features music of Queen, book by Ben Elton. Regent Theatre, 50 King St. E., Oshawa. 905- 721-3399. . Opens Jul 11, 7:30pm. Runs to Jul 28. Wed-Sat(7:30pm), Sat(1:30pm). ●●Dancyn Productions. All Shook Up. Features songs of Elvis Presley, book by Joe DiPietro. Regent Theatre, 50 King St. E., Oshawa. 905-721-3399. . Opens Aug 15, 7:30pm. Runs to Aug 26. Wed-Sat(7:30pm), Sat-Sun(1:30pm). ●●Drayton Entertainment. West Side Story. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents, conception by Jerome Robbins. St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, 40 Benjamin Rd. E., Waterloo. 1-855-372-9866. -. Opens May 9, 7:30pm. Runs to Jun 2. Tues-Thurs/ Sat/Sun(2pm), Thurs-Sat(7:30pm). ●●Drayton Entertainment. Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge, based on the film. Drayton Festival Theatre, 33 Wellington St. S., Drayton. 1-855-372-9866. -. Opens May 16, 2pm. Runs to Jun 3. Tues-Thurs/Sat-Sun(2pm), Thurs-Sat(7:30pm). ●●Drayton Entertainment. Cinderella: The Panto. King’s Wharf Theatre. King’s Wharf Theatre, 97 Jury Dr., Penetanguishene.1-855-372-9866. -. Opens Jun 6, 10:30am. Runs to Jun 30. Tues- Wed(10:30am), Thurs/Sat/Sun(2pm), Thurs-Sat(7:30pm). ●●Drayton Entertainment. West Side Story. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents, conception by Jerome Robbins. Huron County Playhouse, RR1, 70689 B Line, South Huron. 1-855-372-9866. -. Opens Jun 7, 2pm. Runs to Jun 23. Days and times vary. Visit draytonentertainment.com for details. ●●Drayton Entertainment. Kings and Queens of Country. Huron Country Playhouse II, RR1, 70689 B Line, South Huron. 1-855-372-9866. -. Opens Jun 13, 2pm. Runs to Jun 30. Days and times vary. Visit draytonentertainment.com for details. ●●Drayton Entertainment. Cruisin’ Classics. Huron County Playhouse, RR1, 70689 B Line, South Huron. 1-855-372-9866. - . Opens Jun 27, 2pm. Runs to Jul 7. Tues- Sat(2pm), Wed/Thurs/Sat(7:30pm). ●●Drayton Entertainment. Cinderella: The Panto. Huron Country Playhouse II, RR1, 70689 B Line, South Huron. 1-855-372-9866. -. Opens Jul 5, 2pm. Runs to Jul 22. Wed-Sun(2pm), Wed-Thurs, Sat(7:30pm). ●●Drayton Entertainment. Cruisin’ Classics. Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. 46 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge. 1-855-372- 9866. -. Opens Jul 11, 2pm. Runs to Jul 21. Days and times vary. Visit draytonentertainment.com for details. ●●Drayton Entertainment. The Little Mermaid. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, book by Doug Wright. St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, 40 Benjamin Rd. E., Waterloo. 1-855-372- 9866. -. Opens Jul 18, 2pm. Runs to Aug 4. Days and times vary. Visit draytonentertainment.com for details. ●●Drayton Entertainment. Cruisin Classics. King’s Wharf Theatre, 97 Jury Dr., Penetanguishene. 1-855-372-9866. -. Opens Jul 25, 2pm. Runs to Aug 4. Tues-Thurs/Sat- Sun(2pm), Wed-Sat(7:30pm). ●●Drayton Entertainment. The Little Mermaid. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, book by Doug Wright. Huron County Playhouse, RR1, 70689 B Line, South Huron. 1-855-372-9866. - . Opens Aug 9, 2pm. Runs to Sep 2. Days and times vary. Visit draytonentertainment. com for details. ●●Drayton Entertainment. Hairspray. Music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the film. King’s Wharf Theatre, 97 Jury Dr., Penetanguishene. 1-855-372-9866. -. Opens Aug 9, 2pm. Runs to Sep 1. Days and times vary. Visit draytonentertainment.com for details. ●●Drayton Entertainment. Cruisin’ Classics. Drayton Festival Theatre. Drayton Festival Theatre, 33 Wellington St. S., Drayton. 1-855- 372-9866. -. Opens Aug 22, 2pm. Runs to Sep 1. Days and times vary. Visit draytonentertainment.com for details. ●●Festival of the Sound. Tonight, Tonight. Bernstein: Songs from West Side Story; Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Piazzolla: Ten to Tango including Libertango; Donizetti: Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor. Leslie Fagan, soprano; Koszika, vocalist; Canadian Guitar Quartet; Festival Ensemble. Charles W. Stockey Centre, 2 Bay St, Parry Sound. 705- 746-2410/1-866-364-0061. -; - (sr). Aug 10, 7:30pm. ●●Gravenhurst Opera House. The World Goes Round. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb. Gravenhurst Opera House, 295 Muskoka Rd. S., Gravenhurst. 1-888- 495-8888. -.. Opens July 18, 2:30pm. Runs to August 24. Tues-Thurs(2:30pm), Wed- Sat(8pm). Note: no shows Aug 3-4. ●●Grease Toronto. Grease. Music, lyrics and book by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St. 416-314- 2884. -9. Opens May 24, 7:30pm. Runs to June 17. Tues-Sat(7:30pm), Wed/Sat/ Sun(1:30pm). ●●Harbourfront Centre. Summer Music in the Garden: Sunday Afternoon at the Opera. Scenes and arias from Mozart’s operas. Cénacle (Karim Nasr, historical clarinets; Jennifer Thiessen, viola; Francis Palma-Pelletier, violone). 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973- 4000. Free. Aug 19, 4pm. ●●Highlands Opera Studio. From Opera to Broadway. St. George’s Anglican Church, 617 Mountain St, Haliburton. 1-855-455- 5533. .50. Aug 1, 8pm. ●●Highlands Opera Studio. More Opera to Broadway. Minden United Church, 21 Newcastle St, Minden. 1-855-455-5533. .50. Aug 4, 8pm. ●●Highlands Opera Studio. Celebrations! St. George’s Anglican Church, 617 Mountain St, Haliburton. 1-855-455-5533. .50. Aug 9, 8pm. ●●Highlands Opera Studio. The Glove & The Troublemaker. Music by Tibor Polgar. Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, Haliburton. 1-855-455-5533. .50. Opens Aug 16, 7pm. Also Aug 17. ●●Highlands Opera Studio. Alumni Concert. St. George’s Anglican Church, 617 Mountain St, Haliburton. 1-855-455-5533. .50. Aug 20, 8pm. ●●Highlands Opera Studio. La bohème. Music by Giacomo Puccini, libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Northern Lights 64 | June 1 - September 7, 2018 thewholenote.com
Performing Arts Pavilion, Haliburton. 1-855- 455-5533. .50. Opens Aug 24, 7:30pm. Runs to Aug 27. Fri/Sat/Mon(7:30pm), Sun(2pm). ●●Italian Canadian Heritage Foundation. Omaggio a Puccini. Puccini: selection of arias from his operas. Jonelle Sills, soprano; Christopher Dall, tenor; Coro San Marco; Rolando Nicolosi, conductor. St. Peter’s Church (Woodbridge), 100 Bainbridge Ave, Woodbridge. 905-850-2269. or PWYC. Jun 1, 7:30pm. ●●Kira Braun and Melissa-Marie Shriner. Two Sopranos, One Voice. Duets by Fauré, Mozart, Handel, Monteverdi, Vivaldi and others. Kira Braun, soprano; Melissa-Marie Shriner, soprano; Brahm Goldhamer, piano. St. Thomas Anglican Church (St. Catharines), 99 Ontario St., St. Catharines. 416-786-3109. /(adv). Jul 11, 7pm. ●●Lower Ossington Theatre. Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka the Musical. Music and lyrics by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, book by Tim McDonald based on the film and book. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. 1-888-324-6282. .99-.99. Opens Jun 7, 7:30pm. Runs to Aug 26. Thurs- Sat(7:30pm), Sat(3:30pm), Sun(12pm, 4pm). ●●Luminato. Hell’s Fury, the Hollywood Songbook. Conceived and directed by Tim Albery, with music by Hanns Eisler. Arts and Letters Club, 14 Elm St. 416-368-4849. Free (reservation required). Jun 23, 6pm. ●●Mirvish. Come From Away. Music, lyrics and book by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W. 416- 872-1212. and up. Opens Feb 13, 8pm. Runs to Jan 20. Tues-Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). ●●Mirvish. Annie. Music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, book by Thomas Meehan. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. 416-872-1212. -0. Opens Apr 24, 7:30pm. Runs to Jun 3. Tues-Sat(7:30pm), Wed/Sat/Sun(1:30pm). ●●Mirvish. Motown the Musical. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W. 416-872-1212. -9. Opens May 22, 8pm. Runs to Jun 3. Tues-Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). ●●Mirvish. The Phantom of the Opera. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W. 416-872-1212. - 0. Opens Jun 7, 1:30pm. Runs to Jun 30. Tues-Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). ●●Mirvish. Chicago. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. 416-872-1212. -9. Opens Jun 12, 8pm. Runs to Jun 17. Tues-Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). ●●Mirvish. Wicked. Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Winnie Holzman, based on the novel. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. 416-872-1212. and up. Opens Jun 20, 7:30pm. Runs to Aug 5. Tues- Sat(7:30pm), Wed/Sat/Sun(1:30pm). ●●Mirvish. The King and I. Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics and book by Oscar Hammerstein II. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W. 416-872-1212. -5. Opens Jul 10, 8pm. Runs to Aug 12. Tues-Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). ●●Mirvish. Mamma Mia! Music and lyrics by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and some songs with Stig Anderson. Book by Catherine Johnson. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. 416-872-1212. -5. Opens Aug 9, 1:30pm. Runs to Aug 19. Tues-Sat(8pm), Wed(1:30pm), Sat/Sun(2pm). ●●Music Niagara. Don Giovanni. Music by Mozart. Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. Alexander Dobson, baritone(Don Giovanni). Niagara United Mennonite Church, 17905 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake. 905-468- 5566, . Jul 9, 7:30pm. ●●Musical Theatre Productions. Broadway to the Max. Wave, Western University. 1151 Richmond St., London. 519-672-8800. . Opens Jun 20, 8pm. Runs to Jun 23. Wed-Sat(8pm), Sat(2pm). ●●National Ballet of Canada. Frame by Frame. Created by Robert Lepage and Guillaume Côté, based on work of Norman McLaren. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. 416-345-9595. -5. Opens Jun 1, 7:30pm. Runs to Jun 10. Thurs/ Sat/Sun(2pm), Tues-Sat(7:30pm). ●●National Ballet of Canada. Paz de la Jolla & The Man in Black with Cacti. Music by Bohuslav Martinů, Johnny Cash, Joseph Haydn and others. Justin Peck, choreographer. James Kudelka, choreographer. Alexander Ekman, choreographer. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. 416-345-9595. -5. Opens Jun 16, 2pm. Runs to Jun 22. Sat/Sun(2pm), Wed-Sat(7:30pm). ●●Nightwood Theatre Lawyer Show. The Drowsy Chaperone. Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. St Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E. 416-366-7723. -. Opens Jun 7, 8pm. Runs to Jun 9. Thurs-Sat(8pm). ●●Nota Bene Baroque Players/Gallery Players of Niagara/Capella Intima. Folly in Love. Music by Alessandro Scarlatti. Sheila Dietrich, soprano; Vicki St. Pierre, mezzo; Bud Roach, tenor; David Roth, bass; Bud Roach, stage director. St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 23 Water St. N., Kitchener. 1-866-303-0009. . Jun 1, 7:30pm. Also Jun 2(Hamilton); 3(St. Catharines). ●●One Little Goat Theatre Company. Music Music Life Death Music: An Absurdical. Created by Adam Seelig. Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Ave. 416-531-1827. - . Opens May 25, 8pm. Runs to Jun 10. Tues-Sat(8pm), Sun(2:30pm). ●●Opera 5. Barber of Seville. Music by Rossini. Stephanie Tritchew(Rosina); Johnathon Kirby(Figaro); Kevin Myers(Il Conte d’Almaviva); Jeremy Ludwig(Bartolo); Giles Tomkins(Basilio); Megan Miceli(Berta); Danlie Rae Acebuque(Fiorello); Jessica Derventzis, stage director. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. 416-504-9971. ; (st); (VIP). Jun 13, 7:30pm. Also Jun 15(7:30pm); 17(2pm). ●●Opera by Request. Don Giovanni. Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. Carrie Gray, soprano (Donna Anna); Reese de Rege, soprano (Zerlina); Laura Schatz, soprano (Donna Elvira); Jay Lambie, tenor (Don Ottavio); and others; Kate Carver, piano and conductor. College Street United Church, 452 College St. 416- 455-2365. . Jun 2, 7:30pm. ●●Opera by Request. Anna Bolena. Music by Gaetano Donizetti, libretto by Felice Romani. Antonina Ermolenko, soprano (Anna Bolena); Monica Zerbe, mezzo (Giovanna Seymour); John Holland, bass-baritone (Enrico VIII); Paul Williamson, tenor (Lord Percy); and others; William Shookhoff, piano and conductor. St. Andrew’s United Church, 117 Bloor St. E. 416 455-2365. . Jun 9, 7pm. ●●Opera Muskoka Festival. Così fan tutte. Music by W. A. Mozart, libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre, 100 Clearbrook Trail, Bracebridge. 705-765- 1048. . Aug 21, 7:30pm. ●●Orangeville Music Theatre. Anne of Green Gables. Music by Norman Campbell, lyrics by Don Harron, Elaine Campbell, Mavor Moore, book by Don Harron based on the novel. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-942-3423. ; (st). Opens Jun 16, 7pm. Runs to Jun 24. Fri(8pm), Sat(7pm), Sun(2pm). ●●Outside the March/Musical Stage Company. Dr Silver: A Celebration of Life. Book, Music & lyrics by Anika Johnson & Britta Johnson. Secret location. 416-368-4849. . Opens Jun 14, 8pm. Runs to Jun 19. Thurs- Sun(8pm). Tues(2pm). ●●Port Hope Festival Theatre. Fiddler on the Roof. Music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joseph Stein. Cameco Capitol Arts Centre, 20 Queen St, Port Hope. 1-888-732-1680. -. Opens May 29, 2pm. Runs to Jun 24. Tues-Thurs/Sat- Sun(2pm), Thurs-Sat(8pm). ●●Port Hope Festival Theatre. The Little Mermaid. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman with Glenn Slater, book by Doug Wright. Cameco Capitol Arts Centre, 20 Queen St, Port Hope. 1-888-732-1680. -. Opens Aug 14, 2pm. Runs to Sep 9. Tues-Thurs/Sat-Sun(2pm), Thurs-Sat(8pm). ●●Randolph Academy. A Little Night Music. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst St. 416-924-2243. . Opens Aug 3, 8pm. Runs to Aug 11. Thurs-Sat(8pm), Sat(2pm). ●●Shaw Festival. Grand Hotel. Music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest, additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, book by Luther Davis. Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-lake. 1-800-511-7429. and up. Previews begin May 3, 2pm. Runs to October 14. Days and times vary. Visit shawfest.com for details. ●●Stratford Festival. The Music Man. Music, lyrics and book by Meredith Willson. Donna Feore, director and choreographer. Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St, Stratford. 1-800- 567-1600. and up. Previews begin Apr 17, 2pm. Runs to Nov 3. Days and times vary. Visit stratfordfestival.ca for details. ●●Stratford Festival. The Rocky Horror Show. Music, lyrics and book by Richard O’Brien. Donna Feore, director and choreographer. Avon Theatre, 99 Downie St, Stratford. 1-800-567-1600. and up. Previews begin Apr 27, 8pm. Runs to Oct 31. Days and times vary. Visit stratfordfestival.ca for details. ●●Summer Opera Lyric Theatre. Manon. Music by Jules Massenet, libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille. Suzy Smith, music director. Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto, 214 College St. 416-366-7723. ; (sr/st). Opens Jul 27, 8pm. Runs to Aug 4. Days and times vary. Visit solt.ca for details. ●●Summer Opera Lyric Theatre. Così fan tutte. Music by W. A. Mozart, libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. Valentina Sadovski, music director. Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto, 214 College St. 416-366-7723. ; (sr/st). Opens Jul 28, 2pm. Runs to Aug 5. Days and times vary. Visit solt.ca for details. ●●Tapestry Opera. Queers Crash the Opera. Queer-themed opera curated by David Eliakis. Teiya Kasahara, soprano; David Eliakis, piano. Ernest Balmer Studio, Distillery District, 9 Trinity St. 416-537-6066. . Opens Jun 7, 7pm. Also Jun 8. ●●Tapestry Opera. Queer of the Night. Teiya Kasahara, soprano; David Eliakis, piano. Ernest Balmer Studio, Distillery District, 9 Trinity St. 416-537-6066. . Opens Jun 7, 9pm. Also Jun 9(4pm). ●●Tapestry Opera. Tables Turned. Created by Michael Hidetoshi Mori and Nicole Lizée, performed by Carla Huhtanen and Ben Reimer with Nicole Lizée. Ernest Balmer Studio, Distillery District, 9 Trinity St. 416-368-4849. . Opens Jun 16, 7pm. Runs to Jun 19. Sat- Tues(7pm), Sun(2pm). ●●Teac Damsa/Luminato. Swan Lake/Loch na hEala. Created by Michael Keegan-Dolan. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E. 416-368- 4849. -. Opens Jun 6, 8pm. Runs to Jun 10. Wed-Sat(8pm), Sun(2pm). ●●Toronto Summer Opera Workshop. Dvořák’s Rusalka. Local talent and visiting young professionals. Church of St. Peter and St. Simon-the-Apostle, 525 Bloor St. E. 856- 607-9578. Freewill offering. In Czech with English subtitles. Opens Jun 22, 7pm. Also Jun 23, 24. ●●Tweed and Company Theatre. Hastings! The Musical. Village Playhouse, 5 Hastings St. S., Bancroft. 613-332-8014. ; (st). Opens Aug 7, 7:30pm. Runs to Aug 11. Tues- Sat(7:30pm), Thurs/Sat(2pm). Also in Perth Aug 14-15 and Belleville Aug 17-18. ●●Tweed and Company Theatre. Hastings! The Musical. Studio Theatre, 63 Gore St. E., Perth. 613-267-2181. ; (st). Aug 14(2pm, 7:30pm), Aug 15(2pm). Also in Bancroft Aug 7-11 and Belleville Aug 17-18. ●●Tweed and Company Theatre. Hastings! The Musical. Empire Theatre, 321 Front St., Belleville. 613-969-0099. ; (st). Aug 17(7:30pm), Aug 18(2pm, 7:30pm). Also in Bancroft Aug 7-11 and Perth Aug 14-15 ●●Vera Causa Opera. Padajuća Zvijezda. Music by Julijana Hajdinjak, libretto by Julijana and Danijela Hajdinjak. Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. W., Waterloo. Vcopera.ca. . Jun 22, 7pm. Also Jun 23 in Cambridge. ●●Vera Causa Opera. Padajuća Zvijezda. Music by Julijana Hajdinjak, libretto by Julijana and Danijela Hajdinjak. Cambridge Centre for the Arts, 60 Dickson St., Cambridge. Vcopera.ca. . Jun 23, 7pm. Also Jun 22 in Waterloo. ●●Villa Charities. “O mio babbino caro” Omaggio a Puccini: Opera Arias. Works by Puccini. Jonelle Sills, soprano; Christopher Dallo, tenor; Rolando Nicolosi, piano. Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, 901 Lawrence Ave. W. 416-789-7011 x320. Free. Jun 17, 4pm. ●●Wavestage Theatre. The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, based on the novel. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W. wavestagetheatre.com. ; (st). Opens Jul 6, 7:30pm. Runs to Jul 8. Fri/Sat(7:30pm), Sat(2pm), Sun(1pm). thewholenote.com June 1 - September 7, 2018 | 65
July/August issue is now available in flipthrough HERE, bringing to a close 25 seasons of doing what we do (and plan to continue doing), and on stands early in the week of July 5. Not the usual bucolic parade of music in the summer sun, but lots, we hope, to pass the time: links to online and virtual music; a full slate of record reviews; plenty new in the Listening Room; and a full slate of stories – the future of opera, the plight of small venues, the challenge facing orchestras, the barriers to resumption of choral life, the challenges of isolation for real-time music; the steps some festivals are taking to keep the spirit and substance of what they do alive. And intersecting with all of it, responses to the urgent call for anti-racist action and systemic change.
"COVID's Metamorphoses"? "There's Always Time (Until Suddenly There Isn't)"? "The Writing on the Wall"? It's hard to know WHAT to call this latest chapter in the extraordinary story we are all of a sudden characters in. By whatever name we call it, the MAY/JUNE combined issue of The WholeNote is now available, HERE in flip through format, in print commencing Wednesday May 6, and, in fully interactive form, online at thewholenote.com. Our 18th Annual Choral Canary Pages, scheduled for publication in print and flip through in September is already well underway with the first 50 choirs home to roost and more being added every week online. Community Voices, our cover story, brings to you the thoughts of 30 musical community members, all going through what we are going through (and with many more to come as the feature gets amplified online over the course of the coming months). And our regular writers bring their personal thoughts to the mix. Finally, a full-fledged DISCoveries review section offers cues and clues to recorded music for your solitary solace!
After some doubt that we would be allowed to go to press, in respect to wide-ranging Ontario business closures relating to COVID-19, The WholeNote magazine for April 2020 is now on press, and print distribution – modified to respect community-wide closures and the need for appropriate distancing – starts Monday March 30. Meanwhile the full magazine is right here, digitally, so if you value us PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK AS WIDELY AS YOU CAN. It's the safest way for us to reach the widest possible audience at this time!
FEATURED: Music & Health writer Vivien Fellegi explores music, blindness & the plasticity of perception; David Jaeger digs into Gustavo Gimeno's plans for new music in his upcoming first season as music director at TSO; pianist James Rhodes, here for an early March recital, speaks his mind in a Q&A with Paul Ennis; and Lydia Perovic talks music and more with rising Turkish-Canadian mezzo Beste Kalender. Also, among our columns, Peggy Baker Dance Projects headlines Wende Bartley's In with the New; Steve Wallace's Jazz Notes rushes in definitionally where many fear to tread; ... and more.
Visions of 2020! Sampling from back to front for a change: in Rearview Mirror, Robert Harris on the Beethoven he loves (and loves to hate!); Errol Gay, a most musical life remembered; Luna Pearl Woolf in focus in recordings editor David Olds' "Editor's Corner" and in Jenny Parr's preview of "Jacqueline"; Speranza Scappucci explains how not to reinvent Rossini; The Indigo Project, where "each piece of cloth tells a story"; and, leading it all off, Jully Black makes a giant leap in "Caroline, or Change." And as always, much more. Now online in flip-through format here and on stands starting Thurs Jan 30.
Welcome to our December/January issue as we turn the annual calendar page, halfway through our season for the 25th time, juggling as always, secular stuff, the spirit of the season, new year resolve and winter journeys! Why is Mozart's Handel's Messiah's trumpet a trombone? Why when Laurie Anderson offers to fly you to the moon you should take her up on the invitation. Why messing with Winterreisse can (sometimes) be a very good thing! And a bumper crop of record reviews for your reading (and sometimes listening) pleasure. Available in flipthrough here right now, and on stands commencing Thursday Nov 28. See you on the other side!
On the slim chance you might not have already heard the news, Estonian Canadian composing giant Udo Kasemets was born the same year that Leo Thermin invented the theremin --1919. Which means this is the centenary year for both of them, and both are being celebrated in style, as Andrew Timar and MJ Buell respectively explain. And that's just a taste of a bustling November, with enough coverage of music of both the delectably substantial and delightfully silly on hand to satisfy one and all.
Long promised, Vivian Fellegi takes a look at Relaxed Performance practice and how it is bringing concert-going barriers down across the spectrum; Andrew Timar looks at curatorial changes afoot at the Music Gallery; David Jaeger investigates the trumpets of October; the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution (and the 20th Anniversary of our October Blue Pages Presenter profiles) in our Editor's Opener; the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir at 125; Tapestry at 40 and Against the Grain at 10; ringing in the changing season across our features and columns; all this and more, now available in Flip Through format here, and on the stands commencing this coming Friday September 27, 2019. Enjoy.
Vol 1 of our 25th season is now here! And speaking of 25, that's how many films in the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival editor Paul Ennis, in our Eighth Annual TIFF TIPS, has chosen to highlight for their particular musical interest.
Also inside: Rob Harris looks through the Rear View Mirror at past and present prognostications about the imminent death of classical music; Mysterious Barricades and Systemic Barriers are Lydia Perović's preoccupations in Art of Song; Andrew Timar reflects on the evolving priorities of the Polaris Prize; and elsewhere, it's chocks away as yet another season creaks or roars (depending on the beat) into motion. Welcome back.
What a range of stuff! A profile of Liz Upchurch, the COC ensemble studio's vocal mentor extraordinaire; a backgrounder on win-win faith/arts centre partnerships and ways of exploring the possibilities; an interview with St. Petersburg-based Eifman Ballet's Boris Eifman; Ana Sokolovic's violin concert Evta finally coming to town; a Love Letter to YouTube, and much more. Plus our 17th annual Canary Pages Choral directory if all you want to do is sing! sing! sing!
Arraymusic, the Music Gallery and Native Women in the Arts join for a mini-festival celebrating the work of composer, performer and installation artist Raven Chacon; Music and Health looks at the role of Healing Arts Ontario in supporting concerts in care facilities; Kingston-based composer Marjan Mozetich's life and work are celebrated in film; "Forest Bathing" recontextualizes Schumann, Shostakovich and Hindemith; in Judy Loman's hands, the harp can sing; Mahler's Resurrection bursts the bounds of symphonic form; Ed Bickert, guitar master remembered. All this and more in our April issue, now online in flip-through here, and on stands commencing Friday March 29.
Something Old, Something New! The Ide(a)s of March are Upon Us! Rob Harris's Rear View Mirror looks forward to a tonal revival; Tafelmusik expands their chronological envelope in two directions, Esprit makes wave after wave; Pax Christi's new oratorio by Barbara Croall catches the attention of our choral and new music columnists; and summer music education is our special focus, right when warm days are once again possible to imagine. All this and more in our March 2019 edition, available in flipthrough here, and on the stands starting Thursday Feb 28.
In this issue: A prize that brings lustre to its laureates (and a laureate who brings lustre to the prize); Edwin Huizinga on the journey of Opera Atelier's "The Angel Speaks" from Versailles to the ROM; Danny Driver on playing piano in the moment; Remembering Neil Crory (a different kind of genius)' Year of the Boar, Indigeneity and Opera; all this and more in Volume 24 #5. Online in flip through, HERE and on the stands commencing Thursday Jan 31.
When is a trumpet like a motorcycle in a dressage event? How many Brunhilde's does it take to change an Elektra? Just two of the many questions you've been dying to ask, to which you will find answers in a 24th annual combined December/January issue – in which our 11 beat columnists sift through what's on offer in the upcoming holiday month, and what they're already circling in their calendars for 2019. Oh, and features too: a klezmer violinist breathing new life into a very old film; two New Music festivals in January, 200 metres apart; a Music & Health story on the restorative powers of a grassroots exercise in collective music-making; even a good reason to go to Winnipeg in the dead of winter. All this and more in Vol 24 No 4, now available in flipthrough format here.
Reluctant arranger! National Ballet Orchestra percussionist Kris Maddigan on creating the JUNO and BAFTA award-winning smash hit Cuphead video game soundtrack; Evergreen by name and by nature, quintessentially Canadian gamelan (Andrew Timar explains); violinist Angèle Dubeau on 20 years and 60 million streams; two children’s choirs where this month remembrance and living history must intersect. And much more, online in our kiosk now, and on the street commencing Thursday November 1.
Presenters, start your engines! With TIFF and "back-to-work" out of the way, the regular concert season rumbles to life, and, if our Editor's Opener can be trusted, "Seeking Synergies" seems to be the name of the game. Denise Williams' constantly evolving "Walk Together Children" touching down at the Toronto Centre for the Arts; the second annual Festival of Arabic Music and Arts expanding its range; a lesson in Jazz Survival with Steve Wallace; the 150 presenter and performer profiles in our 19th annual Blue Pages directory... this is an issue that is definitely more than the sum of its parts.
In this issue: The WholeNote's 7th Annual TIFF TIPS guide to festival films with musical clout; soprano Erin Wall in conversation with Art of Song columnist Lydia Perovic, about more than the art of song; a summer's worth of recordings reviewed; Toronto Chamber Choir at 50 (is a few close friends all it takes?); and much more, as the 2018/19 season gets under way.
PLANTING NOT PAVING! In this JUNE / JULY /AUGUST combined issue: Farewell interviews with TSO's Peter Oundjian and Stratford Summer Music's John Miller, along with "going places" chats with Luminato's Josephine Ridge, TD Jazz's Josh Grossman and Charm of Finches' Terry Lim. ) Plus a summer's worth of fruitful festival inquiry, in the city and on the road, in a feast of stories and our annual GREEN PAGES summer Directory.
In this issue: our sixteenth annual Choral Canary Pages; coverage of 21C, Estonian Music Week and the 3rd Toronto Bach Festival (three festivals that aren’t waiting for summer!); and features galore: “Final Finales” for Larry Beckwith’s Toronto Masque Theatre and for David Fallis as artistic director of Toronto Consort; four conductors on the challenges of choral conducting; operatic Hockey Noir; violinist Stephen Sitarski’s perspective on addressing depression; remembering bandleader, composer and saxophonist Paul Cram. These and other stories, in our May 2018 edition of the magazine.
In this issue: we talk with jazz pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo about growing up in Toronto, building a musical career, and being adaptive to change; pianist Eve Egoyan prepares for her upcoming Luminato project and for the next stage in her long-term collaborative relationship with Spanish-German composer Maria de Alvear; jazz violinist Aline Homzy, halfway through preparing for a concert featuring standout women bandleaders, talks about social equity in the world of improvised music; and the local choral community celebrates the life and work of choral conductor Elmer Iseler, 20 years after his passing.
In this issue: Canadian Stage, Tapestry Opera and Vancouver Opera collaborate to take Gogol’s short story The Overcoat to the operatic stage; Montreal-based Sam Shalabi brings his ensemble Land of Kush, and his newest composition, to Toronto; Five Canadian composers, each with a different CBC connection, are nominated for JUNOs; and The WholeNote team presents its annual Summer Music Education Directory, a directory of summer music camps, programs and courses across the province and beyond.
In this issue: composer Nicole Lizée talks about her love for analogue equipment, and the music that “glitching” evokes; Richard Rose, artistic director at the Tarragon Theatre, gives us insights into their a rock-and-roll Hamlet, now entering production; Toronto prepares for a mini-revival of Schoenberg’s music, with three upcoming shows at New Music Concerts; and the local music theatre community remembers and celebrates the life and work of Mi’kmaq playwright and performer Cathy Elliott . These and other stories, in our double-issue December/January edition of the magazine.
In this issue: conversations (of one kind or another) galore! Daniela Nardi on taking the reins at "best-kept secret" venue, 918 Bathurst; composer Jeff Ryan on his "Afghanistan" Requiem for a Generation" partnership with war poet, Susan Steele; lutenist Ben Stein on seventeenth century jazz; collaborative pianist Philip Chiu on going solo; Barbara Hannigan on her upcoming Viennese "Second School" recital at Koerner; Tina Pearson on Pauline Oliveros; and as always a whole lot more!
In this issue: several local artists reflect on the memory of composer Claude Vivier, as they prepare to perform his music; Vancouver gets ready to host international festival ISCM World New Music Days, which is coming to Canada for the second time since its inception in 1923; one of the founders of Artword Artbar, one of Hamilton’s staple music venues, on the eve of the 5th annual Steel City Jazz Festival, muses on keeping urban music venues alive; and a conversation with pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, as he prepares for an ambitious recital in Toronto. These and other stories, in our October 2017 issue of the magazine.
In this issue: a look at why musicians experience stage fright, and how to combat it; an inside look at the second Kensington Market Jazz Festival, which zeros in on one of Toronto’s true ‘music villages’; an in-depth interview with Elisa Citterio, new music director of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra; and The WholeNote’s guide to TIFF, with suggestions for the 20 most musical films at this year’s festival. These and other stories, in our September 2017 issue of the magazine!
CBC Radio's Lost Horizon; Pinocchio as Po-Mo Operatic Poster Boy; Meet the Curators (Crow, Bernstein, Ridge); a Global Music Orchestra is born; and festivals, festivals, festivals in our 13th annual summer music Green Pages. All this and more in our three-month June-through August summer special issue, now available in flipthrough HERE and on the stands commencing Thursday June 1.
From science fact in "Integral Man: Music and the Movies," to science fiction in the editor's opener; from World Fiddle Day at the Aga Khan Museum to three Canadians at the Cliburn; from wanting to sashay across the 401 to Chamberfest in Montreal to exploring the Continuum of Jumblies Theatre's 20-year commitment to the Community Play (there's a pun in there somewhere!).
In this issue: Our podcast ramps up with interviews in March with fight director Jenny Parr, countertenor Daniel Taylor, and baritone Russell Braun; two views of composer John Beckwith at 90; how music’s connection to memory can assist with the care of patients with Alzheimer’s; musical celebrations in film and jazz, at National Canadian Film Day and Jazz Day; and a preview of Louis Riel, which opens this month at the COC. These and other stories, in our April 2017 issue of the magazine!
On our cover: Owen Pallett's musical palette on display at New Creations. Spring brings thoughts of summer music education! (It's never too late.). For Marc-Andre Hamelin the score is king. Ella at 100 has the tributes happening. All; this and more.
In this issue: an interview with composer/vocalist Jeremy Dutcher, on his upcoming debut album and unique compositional voice; a conversation with Boston Symphony hornist James Sommerville, as as the BSO gets ready to come to his hometown; Stuart Hamilton, fondly remembered; and an inside look at Hugh’s Room, as it enters a complicated chapter in the story of its life in the complex fabric of our musical city. These and other stories, as we celebrate the past and look forward to the rest of 2016/17, the first glimpses of 2017/18, and beyond!
In this issue: a conversation with pianist Stewart Goodyear, in advance of his upcoming show at Koerner Hall; a preview of the annual New Year’s phenomenon that is Bravissimo!/Salute to Vienna; an inside look at music performance in Toronto’s health-care centres; and a reflection on the incredible life and lasting influence of the late Pauline Oliveros. These and more, in a special December/January combined issue!
In this issue: David Jaeger and Alex Pauk’s most memorable R. Murray Schafer collabs, in this month’s installment of Jaeger’s CBC Radio Two: The Living Legacy; an interview with flutist Claire Chase, who brings new music and mindset to Toronto this month; an investigation into the strange coincidence of three simultaneous Mendelssohn Elijahs this Nov 5; and of course, our annual Blue Pages, a who’s who of southern Ontario’s live music scene- a community as prolific and multifaceted as ever. These and more, as we move full-force into the 2016/17 concert season- all aboard!
Music lover's TIFF (our fifth annual guide to the Toronto International Film Festival); Aix Marks the Spot (how Brexit could impact on operatic co-production); The Unstoppable Howard Cable (an affectionate memoir of a late chapter in the life of of a great Canadian arranger; Kensington Jazz Story (the newest kid on the festival block flexes its muscles). These stories and much more as we say a lingering goodbye to summer and turn to the task, for the 22nd season, of covering the live and recorded music that make Southern Ontario tick.
It's combined June/July/August summer issue time with, we hope, enough between the covers to keep you dipping into it all through the coming lazy, hazy days. From Jazz Vans racing round "The Island" delivering pop-up brass breakouts at the roadside, to Bach flute ambushes strolling "The Grove, " to dozens of reasons to stay in the city. May yours be a summer where you find undiscovered musical treasures, and, better still, when, unexpectedly, the music finds you.
INSIDE: The Canaries Are Here! 116 choirs to choose from, so take the plunge! The Nylons hit the road after one last SING! Fling. Jazz writer Steve Wallace wonders "Watts Goode" rather than "what's new?" Paul Ennis has the musical picks of the HotDocs crop. David Jaeger's CBC Radio continues golden for a little while yet. Douglas McNabney is Music's Child. Leipzig meets Damascus in Alison Mackay's fertile imagination. And "C" is for KRONOS in Wende Bartley's koverage of the third annual 21C Festival. All this and as usual much much more. Enjoy.
From 30 camp profiles to spark thoughts of being your summer musical best, to testing LUDWIG as you while away the rest of so-called winter; from Scottish Opera and the Danish Midtvest, to a first Toronto recital appearance by violin superstar Maxim Vengerov; from musings on New Creations and new creation, to the boy who made a habit of crying Beowulf; it's a month of merry meetings and rousing recordings reviewed, all here to discover in The WholeNote.
2016 is off to a flying start! We chronicle the Artful Times of Andrew Burashko, the violistic versatility of Teng Li, the ageless ebullience of jazz pianist Gene DiNovi and the ninetieth birthday of trumpeter Johnny Cowell. Jaeger remembers Boulez; Waxman recalls Bley's influence, and Olds finds Bowie haunting Editor's Corner. Oh, and did we mention there's all that music? Hello (and goodbye) to the February blues, and here's to swinging through the musical vines of the Year of the Monkey.
What's a vinyl renaissance? What happens when Handel's Messiah runs afoul of the rumba rhythm setting on a (gasp!) Hammond organ? What work does Marc-Andre Hamelin say he would be content to have on every recital program he plays? What are Steve Wallace's favourite fifty Christmas recordings? Why is violinist Daniel Hope celebrating Yehudi Menuhin's 100th birthday at Koerner Hall January 28? Answers to all these questions (and a whole lot more) in the Dec/Jan issue of The WholeNote.
"Come" seems to be the verb that knits this month's issue together. Sondra Radvanovsky comes to Koerner, William Norris comes to Tafel as their new GM, opera comes to Canadian Stage; and (a long time coming!) Jane Bunnett's musicianship and mentorship are honoured with the Premier's award for excellence; plus David Jaeger's ongoing series on the golden years of CBC Radio Two, Andrew Timar on hybridity, a bumper crop of record reviews and much much more. Come on in!
Vol 21 No 2 is now available for your viewing pleasure, and it's a bumper crop, right at the harvest moon. First ever Canadian opera on the Four Seasons Centre main stage gets double coverage with Wende Bartley interviewing Pyramus and Thisbe composer Barbara Monk Feldman and Chris Hoile connecting with director Christopher Alden; Paul Ennis digs into the musical mind of pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, and pianist Eve Egoyan is "On the Record" in conversation with publisher David Perlman ahead of the Oct release concert for her tenth recording. And at the heart of it all the 16th edition of our annual BLUE PAGES directory of presenters profile the season now well and truly under way.
Paul Ennis's annual TIFF TIPS (27 festival films of potential particular musical interest); Wu Man, Yo-Yo Ma and Jeffrey Beecher on the Silk Road; David Jaeger on CBC Radio Music in the days it was committed to commissioning; the LISTENING ROOM continues to grow on line; DISCoveries is back, bigger than ever; and Mary Lou Fallis says Trinity-St. Paul's is Just the Spot (especially this coming Sept 25!).
