October/November 2024 containing our 30th annual presenter directory (25th under the Blue Pages name) is now available for viewing. Also first four instalments of ART OF THE ARC -- a concert curators' Q & A, with more to follow online and in print throughout the fall. Also View from Up Here parses the difference between a two lane highway and a two-way street; Choral Scene digs into singing and health; Music Theatre taps joy-fuelled offerings at London's Grand Theatre and elsewhere; In with the New looks at Letters to God; Classical and Beyond tackles a 212-listing 68 days; thirteen new recordings in our listening room and more.
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BLUE PAGES 2024/25 416-286-9798 david.martin2@telus.com www.tallischoir.com www.facebook.com/tallischoir www.twitter.com/tallischoir ●Tapestry Opera We make new opera in Toronto. Tapestry was founded in 1979, and we’re the only Canadian company solely dedicated to creating and performing original Canadian opera. We have a mandate to create powerful opera that reflects and changes the world around us, bringing together art forms, creators, and communities to create boundary-pushing work. Clay Jones 437-326-9410 cjones@tapestryopera.com www.tapestryopera.com www.facebook.com/TapestryOpera www.twitter.com/TapestryOpera www.instagram.com/tapestryopera ●Toronto Beach Chorale An auditioned concert choir, Toronto Beach Chorale attracts singers who are highly motivated with excellent musical skills. We offer three choral concerts each season, performed with professional soloists and instrumental ensembles. In addition to our concert season, which this year includes music by Handel, Bach and Haydn, we actively participate in community events, collaborating with other groups and artists to enhance the quality of life in our neighbourhood and the City. Toronto Beach Chorale is a vital musical presence in the Beach, and has achieved a reputation for artistic excellence. We are supported by professional orchestras and ensembles, and we engage professional and emerging soloists in principal solo roles. Our Artistic Director, Mervin W Fick, has been transforming choirs, inspiring individuals and raising performance levels of choirs for over 35 years. He is the founding director of the Toronto Beach Chorale, Artistic Director of the MCS Chorus of Mississauga, and conductor of the PCS Singers of Brampton and the National Award winning Esprit Chamber Choir. One of the greatest gifts that Mervin brings to performances through the singers under his direction is his ability to inspire truly joyful singing. Vlad Bortnowski 416-839-2058 vbortnowski@gmail.com www.torontobeachchorale.com https://www.facebook.com/ torontobeachchorale ●Toronto Chamber Choir The Toronto Chamber Choir has held a prominent place enriching Canada’s early music scene since 1968. Since 2014, the TCC’s Artistic Director has been lutenist Lucas Harris. Past directors have included David Fallis and Mark Vuorinen. The TCC’s 30 to 40 auditioned singers specialize in Renaissance and Baroque repertoire in collaboration with period instrumentalists, though its themed concerts (four per season) often include music from other time periods and diverse cultures. Our performances often explore the cultural context of our repertoire using narration and a multimedia component. Since 2014, we’ve run the Toronto Chamber Consort section lead program for professional singers with a special interest in early music, and since 2003, we’ve run an apprenticeship program with Rosedale Heights School for the Arts. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at Church of the Transfiguration (Mt. Pleasant/Davisville). The TCC is committed to inclusion and diversity of perspectives within the choir. We welcome audition requests from singers with excellent choral skills at any time through arrangement with the Artistic Director. Mary Thomas Nagel 416-903-8054 mthomasnagel@gmail.com www.torontochamberchoir.ca https://www.facebook.com/ torontochamberchoir https://x.com/torchamberchoir https://www.instagram.com/ torontochamberchoir ●Toronto Children’s Chorus The Toronto Children’s Chorus (TCC) is a vibrant musical community that has been nurturing young voices for generations. Founded in 1978 by Jean Ashworth Bartle C.M., O.Ont. and subsequently led by Artistic Directors Elise Bradley, MNZM (2007-2021) and Dr. Zimfira Poloz (2022-present), the TCC has been a cornerstone of choral excellence in Toronto and Canada for 47 years. Throughout its history, the Chorus has graced world-renowned stages, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Sydney Opera House, and Royal Albert Hall. As choral ambassadors, the TCC has represented Canada on 33 international tours and seven national tours. The TCC has also earned accolades at several prestigious competitions, including the International Eisteddfod in Wales, the Let the Peoples Sing competition in Europe, the CBC National Radio Competition, and the International Choral Kathaumixw. The Chorus regularly collaborates with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a partnership that celebrates the enduring connection and shared musical heritage between these two key institutions in the city’s arts scene. Now, as the TCC celebrates its 47th concert season, it continues to build on a legacy of musical achievement and international recognition. Charlotte Burrage 416-932-8666 info@torontochildrenschorus.com www.torontochildrenschorus.com www.facebook.com/ torontochildrenschorus www.instagram.com/ torontochildrenschorus www.youtube.com/channel/ UCnczh96ogV1SyT4dH9MBehQ ●The Toronto Choral Society The Toronto Choral Society has been an integral part of Toronto’s musical history for 180 years! In order to go forward with the highest level of integrity, authenticity and good humour we need to expand our membership. Our new season begins in September, when we will be preparing for our traditional Christmas concert at Koerner Hall, on December 1. This concert will feature Vivaldi’s Gloria, Gloria from Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Gloria from Mozart’s Spatzenmesse, and other works. We aspire to creatively reflect Toronto’s diverse culture through our music. If you like to sing and enjoy a weekly evening of socializing, you could be performing with us in the coming season and be a part of a unique musical experience, “singing is the one thing in my life that never fails to take me to where disenchantment is almost nonexistent and feeling good is pretty much guaranteed.” For info please visit our website. Debby Blyth 416-499-3000 dblyth@sympatico.ca info@torontochoralsociety.org www.torontochoralsociety.org ●Toronto Classical Singers Toronto Classical Singers is the only choir in the country dedicated exclusively to the great choral/ orchestral repertoire. Known for its unique musical point-of-view and its diverse and highquality programming, the choir features lesserknown and rarely performed pieces as well as the beloved vocal/orchestral repertoire. Led by founding conductor and artistic director Jurgen Petrenko, the group performs with orchestra and soloists in their presentations of the great choral masterpieces. With its exuberant approach, TCS celebrates the choral tradition with the complex sonority of large choir with professional orchestra. This season we are presenting two concerts featuring music both new and familiar. On December 8 at 4pm, our concert of seasonal music with soloists and orchestra features the universal masterpiece Handel’s Messiah. Our spring concert, on April 6 at 4pm, will feature Beethoven’s rarely performed C Major Mass and Mozart’s beloved Requiem. Join us this winter and spring for inspiration 62 | October & November2024 thewholenote.com
and joy through thrilling choral music. Our concerts are presented at Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge Street, Toronto. Anne Molloy 647-960-2405 info@torontoclassicalsingers.ca www.torontoclassicalsingers.ca www.facebook.com/ TorontoClassicalSingers www.twitter.com/TCSingers ●TO Live TO Live is one of Canada’s largest multi-arts organizations, operating three iconic venues: Meridian Hall, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, and Meridian Arts Centre. In addition, TO Live presents a full range of performing arts, theatrical, and concert events at these venues in both downtown and uptown Toronto. TO Live believes that the arts are crucial to creating healthy, vibrant, and engaged diverse communities. Our vision is to build a better city through the arts. We are a creative hub for audiences, artists, and all those who work with us. stephanie.canarte@tolive.com 416-366-7723 boxoffice@tolive.com www.tolive.com www.facebook.com/TOLivebook www.x.com/tolivetweets www.instagram.com/tolivegram/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ TOLiveTube/videos ●Toronto Operetta Theatre For 40 years, Toronto Operetta Theatre has been Canada’s only performing arts company dedicated to music theatre in all its variety. TOT will return to the St. Lawrence Centre stage for the 40th Anniversary season with wonderful music, comedy, and romance—the best of Operetta and Music Theatre! The season opener is Sigmund Romberg’s Student Prince on November 1, 2, and 3, 2024. TOT celebrates the holiday season with Imre Kalman’s Countess Maritza, opening on December 29, 2024, with further performances on January 3 and 4, 2025, conducted by Derek Bate. Back by popular demand, the season finale is Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers, with performances on February 28 and March 1 and 2, 2025. All main performances are held at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Our patrons’ favourite, TOT’s Cabaret series at the intimate Edward Jackman Centre, will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, November 23, 2024, and January 25, 2025, starting at 4pm. Guillermo Silva-Marin 416-366-7723 www.torontooperetta.com www.facebook.com/TorontoOperetta www.twitter.com/TorontoOperetta www.instagram.com/torontooperetta TAFELMUSIK ●Toronto Symphony Orchestra The TSO was founded in 1922 by a group of Toronto musicians and gave its first performance at the historic Massey Hall. Since 1982, Toronto’s iconic Roy Thomson Hall has been the TSO’s home, drawing patrons from around the world. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s name remains synonymous with musical versatility and growth, and artistic distinction. One of Canada’s most respected arts organizations, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) plays a vital role in the city’s dynamic cultural life. Committed to serving local and national communities through vibrant performances and expansive educational activities, the TSO offers a wide range of programming that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. With a notable recording and broadcast history complementing international touring engagements, the TSO is a unique musical ambassador for Canada around the world. Gustavo Gimeno begins his role as the TSO’s Music Director in the 2020/21 season, the Orchestra’s 99th. With this appointment, Maestro Gimeno becomes the Orchestra’s 10th Music Director. The TSO is now entering Year 102 with it’s highly anticipated 2024/25 Season. Patron Services 416-598-3375 contactus@tso.ca www.tso.ca www.facebook.com/ torontosymphonyorchestra www.twitter.com/torontosymphony www.instagram.com/torontosymphony ●Trinity Bach Project Trinity Bach Project is a professional vocal and instrumental ensemble, dedicated to serving ordinary audiences the extraordinary musical and spiritual riches of J. S. Bach’s choral repertoire. By presenting the works of Bach and others with clarity, excellence, and generosity, we seek to remove barriers around classical choral music and open the doors of sacred places—both historic architecture and human hearts. The 30-plus concerts of our first two seasons included such programs as “Bach and Mendelssohn,” “Bach and Rheinberger,” “Bach and Schütz,” “Bach and Tallis,” and “Bach and Handel,” shared with diverse audiences in fourteen different settings around Toronto and the surrounding region. Our third season (2024/25) is set to debut shortly with the program “Bach and Roses” (featuring cantatas BWV 72 and 182), in performance Oct 3, Oct 4, Nov 13, and Nov 17. January and beyond will see a trio of instrumental concertos, the poignant Actus Tragicus (BWV 106), the wedding cantata Der Herr denket an uns (BWV 196), and the jubilance of Sei Lob und Ehr dem höchsten Gut (BWV 117). Chris Friesen 306-250-4256 trinitybachproject@gmail.com www.trinitybachproject.org www.faceboook.com/trinitybachproject www.instagram.com/trinitybachproject ●Trio Arkell is now Arkel Chamber Concerts! Originally founded in 2008, this intimate eclectic chamber music series has garnered an enthusiastic following in their hometown of Toronto, and continues at Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. West. Marie Berard, Concertmaster of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, and Winona Zelenka, Assistant Principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, curate the series which explores classical chamber music from Baroque to present day masterpieces, and which features artists who grace the stages of the world. Winona Zelenka, 416-409-6824 admin@arkelchamberconcerts.com www.arkelchamberconcerts.com/ thewholenote.com October & November2024 | 63
