Things are starting to quieten down a bit on the Toronto vocal music/opera scene but there’s still a fair bit to seer in May.  Here are some of the highlights:

Friday, May 8 sees the opening of Massenet’s Don Quichotte at the COC.  It’s strongly cast with Ferruccio Furlanetto, Quinn Kelsey and Anita Rachvelishvili headlining.  There are seven performances between Friday and May 24.

Saturday, May 10 sees Toronto Swedish Singers annual spring concert at Agricola Finnish Church (25 Old York Mills Road).  Tickets are $25/$20 and free for under 12s.

There are a number of interesting noontime free concerts in the RBA.  Tuesday, May 13 sees Russell Braun in a programme that includes amuel Barber’s Dover Beach and Fauré’s La bonne chanson.  Thursday, May 15 has a performance by members of the COC Orchestra and Ensemble Studio soprano Sasha Djihanian. It’s a programme of  Baroque chamber works including Handel’s Trio Sonata, excerpts from Alexander’s Feast, Teseo and Amadigi plus Albinoni’s Sonata à 5. Tuesday, May 20 is the Les Adieux concert for departing Ensemble Studio members and, finally, Thursday May 22 has Stephen Clarke presenting historical recordings by Chaliapin.

Sunday, May 25 is the final recital of the 2013/14 Recitals at Rosedale series.  It’s titled the Seven Deadly Sins and features Ambur Braid, Lindsay Barrett, Michael Colvin and Robert Gleadow.  Tickets are $35.

Tuesday, May 27 at Trinity St. Paul’s at 8pm sees a Talisker Players show called A Poet’s Love with works by Beckwith, Fauré, Rapoport and Schumann.  The featured singer is baritone Alexander Dobson  Tickets are $35/$25.

On Friday, May 30 the Canadian Children’s Opera Company present a new work by Norbert Palej, East o’ the Sun and West o’ the Moon based on a Norwegian folk tale.  It’s at the Enwave Theatre at Harbourfront at 7.30pm (Also May 31 at 7.30 and June 1 at 2pm).  Tickets are $35/$20/$15.