Monthly Archives: May 2015

Closer to the Barber

I had another look at the Canadian Opera Company’s production of The Barber of Seville, this time up close (aka my subscription seats which are in the front of the orchestra). It’s an interpretation full of clever touches. The sensibility … Continue reading

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TSO on the road with Lau, Mendelssohn and Bruckner

Tonight’s Toronto Symphony concert was a kind of farewell before going on a short tour to Ottawa & Montreal. The Roy Thomson Hall audience heard the programme they’re taking on the road. Each of the three works represents a special … Continue reading

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

Eitan Cornfield passes Music Mondays torch to Ian Grundy

Dear Friends of Music Mondays, Our series has served as a launching pad for the best of Toronto’s emerging talent since its inception in 1992. We continue the tradition this year with an exciting lineup of performers  both familiar and … Continue reading

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10 Questions for Stu and Jess

The time is short.  Stu &Jess Productions will be presenting Ravel’s wonderful L’Heure Espagnole in Montreal the weekend of May 7-9. Stu and Jess are Stuart Martin and Jessica Derventzis. Conductor and pianist Stuart Martin received his Bachelors of Music at University … Continue reading

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Questions for Augustin Hadelich

I’m fascinated to have recently discovered the brilliant, busy young violinist Augustin Hadelich. Augustin Hadelich’s first major orchestral recording featuring the violin concertos of Jean Sibelius and Thomas Adès (Concentric Paths) with Hannu Lintu conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | 1 Comment

A Musical, The Importance of Being

I’ve just seen & heard the Toronto Operetta Theatre’s production of Earnest, The Importance of Being, a recent adaptation of Wilde’s play of (almost) the same name.  It was premiered in 2008 by TOT, music by Victor Davies and book … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Reviews | 4 Comments

Towards a new theatre vocabulary: Lepage, Cavalia and the legitimacy of aerials

It’s aerial week in Toronto: Robert Lepage’s pair of brief operas (Bluebeard’s Castle / Erwartung) for the Canadian Opera Company open May 6th at the Four Seasons Centre, including moments when you can’t tell which way is up Robert Lepage’s Needles … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | 5 Comments