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Volume 31 Issue 2 - November & December 2025

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  • Music
  • Wholenote
  • Toronto
  • Classical
  • Jazz
  • Live music
  • Music theatre
  • Orchestra
  • Opera
  • Choral
  • Film
  • Canadian
  • Ontario
  • Arts
  • November
  • December
  • Christmas
  • Holiday
  • Winter
November and December combined for the first time in our history, with January and February likewise joined at the hip up next. Window-shop the 2025/26 Blue Pages (ten new members since last issue). "Critical mass" is the flavour of the issue, with "A Mass for the Endangered" leading the way, and a feast of Music Theatre, serious and not, close behind. Choral Scene looks at choirs augmenting their year-ending offerings with instrumental forces, and orchestras likewise augmenting their offerings with massed human voice. And masses of new recordings to discover and listen to. ALL THIS AND MORE.

LIVE OR ONLINE | Nov 1

LIVE OR ONLINE | Nov 1 to Jan 7, 2024416-366-7723 or www.music-toronto.com/concerts/muse1-bach. From .● Nov 23 7:30: Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club.Windborne. Chaucer’s Pub, 122 Carling St.,London. 519-319-5847 or folk@iandavies.com. Tickets available at Marienbad Restaurant,Chaucer’s Pub, Grooves (Wortley Village),Long & McQuade North. /(adv).Monday November 24● Nov 24 12:00 noon: Canadian Opera Company.Jazz Series: Rhythm, Soul, and Swing.Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, FourSeasons Centre for the Performing Arts,145 Queen St. W. www.coc.ca/freeconcerts.Free. Please check website for any programmingupdates.Tuesday November 25● Nov 25 1:00: St. James Cathedral. TuesdayOrgan Recital. Cathedral Church of St.James (Toronto), 106 King St. E. 416-364-7865or www.stjamescathedral.ca/recitals. Free.Donations encouraged.● Nov 25 7:00: Browntasaurus Records.Nick Maclean’s Snaggle Featuring The AliBrothers: An Asimov-inspired Jazz-FunkJourney (London). Storm Stayed BrewingCompany, 169 Wharncliffe Rd. S., London.416-389-2643. (door); (adv). Seeseparate listings for appearances in otherOntario locations.● Nov 25 7:00: TO Live. WavelengthMusic Series: Lael Neale + Isla Craig + GuyBlakeslee. St. Anne’s Parish Hall (Toronto),651 Dufferin St. www.wavelengthmusic.ca/buy-tickets. .● Nov 25 8:00: Massey Hall/SmallWorld Music. DakhaBrakha. MasseyHall, 178 Victoria St. www.tickets.mhrth.com/6909/6910/. From .Wednesday November 26● Nov 26 12:15: St. Andrew’s PresbyterianChurch (Kitchener). Douglas Haas LegacyConcerts. 54 Queen St. N., Kitchener. 519-578-4430. Free. Lunch available for purchaseat 11:30am or bring your own.● Nov 26 6:00: Painted Lady, The. HeidiSavoie at The Painted Lady. 218 OssingtonAve. www.heidisavoie.com or 416-531-5042.Call or visit website for information.● Nov 26 7:30: Browntasaurus Records.Nick Maclean’s Snaggle Featuring The AliBrothers: An Asimov-inspired Jazz-FunkJourney (Cambridge). Farm League Brewing,295 Ainslie St. S., Cambridge. 416-389-2643.(door); (adv). See separate listings forappearances in other Ontario locations.● Nov 26 7:30: Hamilton PhilharmonicOrchestra. Considering Matthew Shepard.Mohawk College - McIntyre Performing ArtsCentre, 135 Fennell Ave. W., Hamilton. www.hpo.org/event/considering-matthew-sheppard.-(regular); (st).● Nov 26 7:30: Opera Revue. OperaMANIA:Opera Meets Pro Wrestling! Great Hall, The,1087 Queen St. W. 647-637-7491 or www.eventbrite.ca/e/operamania-an-opera-revuepro-wrestling-show-tickets-1716018610859..● Nov 26 8:00: Brampton On Stage. BluebirdBrampton. Rose Theatre, The (Brampton),1 Theatre Ln., Brampton. 905-874-2800https://tickets.brampton.ca. .● Nov 26 8:00: Massey Hall. Lamp - FutureBehind Me. 178 Victoria St. www.ticketmaster.ca/lamp-future-behind-me-torontoontario-11-26-2025/event.From .Thursday November 27● Nov 27 7:30: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tso.ca or 416-598-3375. Call or visit website for ticket information.Also Nov 29(7:30pm) & 30(3pm).Toronto Chamber Soloists performance onNov 27(6:15pm).● Nov 27 8:00: Browntasaurus Records.Nick Maclean’s Snaggle Featuring The AliBrothers: An Asimov-inspired Jazz-FunkJourney (Toronto). My House in the Junction,2882 Dundas St. W. 416-389-2643. (door);(adv). See separate listings for appearancesin other Ontario locations.● Nov 27 8:00: Massey Hall. Good GriefPresents: The Inner Circle. TD Music Hall,178 Victoria St. 416-823-9193 or www.tdmusichall.mhrth.com/tickets/rheostatic.Ticketsare not currently available for this concert.Friday November 28● Nov 28 12:10: Music at St. Andrew’s.Noontime Recital. St. Andrew’s PresbyterianChurch (Toronto), 73 Simcoe St. 416-593-5600 x220 or www.standrewstoronto.org.Free. Donations welcome.● Nov 28 6:00: International Institute forCritical Studies in Improvisation. ImprovisationFestival 2025. ImprovLab MacKinnon 28,Winegard Walk, Guelph. www.improvfest.ca.Free. Also Nov 29(2pm).● Nov 28 7:00: Kitchener-Waterloo ChamberMusic Society. Complete BeethovenViolin & Piano Sonatas - Concert 3. KefferMemorial Chapel, Wilfrid Laurier University,75 University Ave. W., Waterloo. www.ticketscene.ca/kwcms.Each concert: ; (st)or All 3 concerts: ; (st).● Nov 28 8:00: Roy Thomson Hall/TorontoBlues Society. Women’s Blues Revue. RoyThomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tickets.mhrth.com or 416-598-3375. From .DOUBLEDIXIT:Lotti & HandelTafelmusik Chamber ChoirDirected by Ivars TaurinsNOV 28–30, 2025Jeanne Lamon HallTrinity-St. Paul’s Centretafelmusik.org● Nov 28 8:00: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.Double Dixit: Lotti & Handel. Trinity St.Paul’s United Church and Centre for Faith,Justice and the Arts, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www.tafelmusik.org. . AlsoNov 29(8pm) & 30(3pm).● Nov 28 9:00: Browntasaurus Records.Nick Maclean’s Snaggle Featuring The AliBrothers: An Asimov-inspired Jazz-FunkJourney (Oshawa). The Atria, 59 King St. E.,2nd Floor, Oshawa. 416-389-2643. (door);(adv). See separate listings for appearancesin other Ontario locations.Saturday November 29● Nov 29 2:00: International Institute forCritical Studies in Improvisation. ImprovisationFestival 2025. ImprovLab MacKinnon 28,Winegard Walk, Guelph. www.improvfest.ca.Free. Also Nov 28(6pm).● Nov 29 3:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.TSYO: Mendelssohn’s Reformation.Meridian Arts Centre - George WestonRecital Hall, 5040 Yonge St. www.tso.caor 416-598-3375. Single ticket prices to beannounced.● Nov 29 4:00: Pax Christi Chorale. Children’sMessiah. Church of the Holy Trinity,19 Trinity Sq. www.paxchristichorale.org.Admission by donation. Proceeds directedto Church of the Holy Trinity’s outreachprograms.● Nov 29 4:00: Toronto Operetta Theatre.TOT Cabaret Series: Viva La Zarzuela. EdwardJackman Centre, 947 Queen St. E., 2nd Floor.416-366-7723 or 1–800-708-6754 or www.ticketmaster.ca. .● Nov 29 7:00: Elgin Wintergarden TheatreCentre/Canadian Stage. Robin Hood: A VeryMerry Family Musical. Elgin and WintergardenTheatre Centre - Winter Garden Theatre,189 Yonge St. www.my.canadianstage.com/overview/9190. . Runs until Jan 4, 2026.● Nov 29 7:00: Peterborough Singers. YuletideCheer. Emmanuel United Church (Peterborough),534 George St. N., Peterborough.705-745-1820 or www.peterboroughsingers.com. ; (st).● Nov 29 7:30: Jubilate Singers. Abya Yala:Voices of Latin America. Christ Church DeerPark, 1570 Yonge St. 416-485-1988 or www.jubilatesingers.ca. ; (sr); (st/artsworkers).● Nov 29 7:30: Milton Choristers. Handel’sMessiah. FirstOntario Arts Centre (Milton),1010 Main St., Milton. www.firstontarioartscentremilton.ca/en/shows-and-events/performances.aspx or 905-875-5399. ;(sr); . Tickets available online or inperson at the Arts Centre box office.● Nov 29 7:30: Opera by Request. Salome.College Street United Church, 452 College St.416-455-2365. .● Nov 29 7:30: Scarborough PhilharmonicOrchestra. Festive Fables. Salvation ArmyScarborough Citadel Community Church,2021 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough. 647-956-1182 or www.spo.ca. ; (sr); (stages 14 & older); Free(children under 14).● Nov 29 7:30: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tso.ca or 416-598-3375. Call or visit website for ticket information.Also Nov 27(7:30pm) & 30(3pm).● Nov 29 8:00: Greater Toronto PhilharmonicOrchestra. Romantica. CalvinPresbyterian Church (Toronto), 26 DelisleAve. www.gtpo.ca. From .● Nov 29 8:00: Brampton On Stage. ClassicAlbums Live Performs Pink Floyd’s The WallFeaturing The Rose Orchestra. Rose Theatre,30 | November & December 2025 thewholenote.com

The (Brampton), 1 Theatre Ln., Brampton.905-874-2800 https://tickets.brampton.ca.From .● Nov 29 8:00: Flato Markham Theatre.John Pizzarelli. 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham.905-305-7469 or www.flatomarkhamtheatre.ca/Online/Article/vivant.From.● Nov 29 8:00: Massey Hall. Gowan.178 Victoria St. www.tickets.mhrth.com/6503/6504. From .● Nov 29 8:00: Massey Hall. LeanneBetasamosake Simpson. TD Music Hall,178 Victoria St. 416-823-9193 or www.tickets.mhrth.com/7105/7106. .● Nov 29 8:00: Mississauga SymphonyOrchestra. The Ravel Experience. Living ArtsCentre Auditorium, 4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga.905-306-6000. From .● Nov 29 8:00: Royal Conservatory ofMusic. Seong-Jin Cho, Piano. Royal Conservatoryof Music - TELUS Centre - KoernerHall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www.rcmusic.com/performance. From .● Nov 29 8:00: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.Double Dixit: Lotti & Handel. Trinity St.Paul’s United Church and Centre for Faith,Justice and the Arts, 427 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www.tafelmusik.org. . AlsoNov 28(8pm) & 30(3pm).● Nov 29 8:30: Browntasaurus Records.Nick Maclean’s Snaggle Featuring The AliBrothers with Special guest MCBROWN(Hamilton). The Doors Pub, 56 Hess St.S., Hamilton. 416-389-2643. (door);(adv). See separate listings for appearancesin other Ontario locations.JubilatesingersIsabel BernausconductorAbya YalaSunday November 30● Nov 30 11:00am: Xenia Concerts/Cityof Mississauga. ASD Band. Living Arts Centre,4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga. RoryMcLeod at 437-441-7543 or Paolo Griffin atpaolo.griffin@xeniaconcerts.com. Registrationfee . To eliminate financial barriers,we will refund your tickets when you attendthe event. If you wish to donate your tickets,please let us know when you check in.● Nov 30 2:00: Aurora Cultural Centre.Moshe Hammer and Angela Park. AuroraV o ICe S o F latIN a merICaFeaturingthe Canadian premiere ofAbya Yala Choral SuitewithNano ValverdeFreddy VilchesNico VilchesErnesto Cárdenasby Freddy VilchesChrist Church Deer Park1570 Yonge St (at St. Clair )Sat Nov 29 7:30 pmjubilatesingers.caTown Square - Brevik Hall, 50 Victoria St.,Aurora. 365-500-3313 or www.auroraculturalcentre.ca.; (st).● Nov 30 2:00: Hugh’s Room/Dudukhouse.Ethnosonic - Debut Album. Hugh’s Room Live- Green Sanderson Hall, 296 Broadview Ave.www.showpass.com. Visit website for tickets& information.● Nov 30 2:30: Barrie Concert Association.Fantasies and Visions. Bethel CommunityChurch (Barrie), 128 St. Vincent Street,Barrie. www.barrieconcerts.org or 705-436-1232. ; (st).● Nov 30 2:30: St. Vincent de Paul Church.Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols.263 Roncesvalles Ave. www.oratory-toronto.org or 416-535-7646. Free-will offering.Refreshments to follow.● Nov 30 3:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tso.ca or 416-598-3375. Call or visit website for ticket information.Also Nov 27(7:30pm) & 29(7:30pm).● Nov 30 5:00: Nocturnes in the City.Chamber Music Concert. St. WenceslausChurch (Toronto), 496 Gladstone Ave. 416-481-7294. .● Nov 30 7:00: Apocryphonia Concert Series/CanadianInstitute for Czech Music.Bohemian Holiday. Christ Church DeerPark, 1570 Yonge St. 514-378-2558 or www.eventbrite.ca/e/bohemian-holiday-a-festive-night-of-czech-classical-music-tickets-1501662225139.; (discounted).● Nov 30 7:00: Cantorei sine Nomine.Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. St. Paul’s AnglicanChurch (Uxbridge), 59 Toronto St. S.,Uxbridge. . .● Nov 30 7:00: INNERchamber Inc. Fromthe Salons of Paris. Factory 163, 163 KingSt., Stratford. www.innerchamber.ca. ;(st/arts worker). A light dinner is servedfrom 5:45pm.● Nov 30 8:00: Esprit Orchestra. Tour deForce. Royal Conservatory of Music - TELUSCentre - Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. www.espritorchestra.com/events/tour-de-force.From . 7:15pm - Pre-concert musicalinsights with Alexina Louie & guests.● Nov 30 8:00: Tafelmusik BaroqueOrchestra. Double Dixit: Lotti & Handel. TrinitySt. Paul’s United Church and Centre forFaith, Justice and the Arts, 427 Bloor St. W.416-408-0208 or www.tafelmusik.org. .Also Nov 29(8pm) & 30(8pm).Tuesday December 2● Dec 02 12:10: Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation.Lunchtime Chamber Music: RisingStars Recital Featuring Students fromthe Glenn Gould School. Yorkminster ParkBaptist Church (Toronto), 1585 Yonge St.416-922-1167 or www.yorkminsterpark.com.Free. Donations welcome.● Dec 02 7:30: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.Festival of Carols. Yorkminster Park BaptistChurch (Toronto), 1585 Yonge St. www.www.tmchoir.org or 416-408-0208. From .Also Dec 3.● Dec 02 7:30: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Merry Murdoch Mysteries in Concert.Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tso.ca or 416-598-3375. Call or visit website forticket information.Wednesday December 3● Dec 03 12:15: St. Andrew’s PresbyterianChurch (Kitchener). Douglas Haas LegacyConcerts: Christmas - Jazzy Carols. 54 QueenSt. N., Kitchener. 519-578-4430. Free. Lunchavailable for purchase at 11:30am or bringyour own.● Dec 03 7:30: Confluence Concerts. WinterSongs. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave.647-678-4923. ; (sty/arts worker).Also Dec 4.● Dec 03 7:30: Pax Christi Chorale. ChristmasThrough the Ages. Eglinton St. George’sUnited Church, 35 Lytton Blvd. www.paxchristichorale.org.Choose your price: , , or. Also Dec 6(4pm).● Dec 03 7:30: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.Festival of Carols. Yorkminster Park BaptistChurch (Toronto), 1585 Yonge St. www.www.tmchoir.org or 416-408-0208. From .Also Dec 3.Thursday December 4● Dec 04 7:30: Confluence Concerts. WinterSongs. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave.647-678-4923. ; (sty/arts worker).Also Dec 3.● Dec 04 7:30: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Home Alone in Concert. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tso.ca or 416-598-3375. Call or visit website for ticket information.Also Dec 5(7:30pm), 6(2pm & 7:30pm),7(2pm).Friday December 5● Dec 05 7:30: Hamilton PhilharmonicOrchestra. Handel’s Messiah. St. Catherineof Siena Roman Catholic Church, 620 RymalRd. E., Hamilton. www.hpo.org/event/handels-messiah-december5-at-730-pm. From. Also Dec 7(3pm).● Dec 05 7:30: Kingsview United Church(Oshawa). Durham County Town Singers:Christmas Concert One. 505 AdelaideAve. E., Oshawa. 905-436-2000. . AlsoDec 6(2:30pm).● Dec 05 7:30: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Home Alone in Concert. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tso.ca orthewholenote.com November & December 2025 | 31

Volumes 26-30 (2020-2025)

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Volumes 16-20 (2010-2015)

Volumes 11-15 (2004-2010)

Volumes 6 - 10 (2000 - 2006)

Volumes 1-5 (1994-2000)