Opera’s back with the start of a new COC season and more.  Here’s a look at what I think looks interesting in October.

First up there are two theatre festivals with multiple shows.  Aluna Theatre’s RUTAS International Performing Arts Festival runs from September 26th to October 9th (various venues).  There’s a distinct Latinx twist to this one.  Then from the 16th to the 27th at Buddies in Bad Times there’s the Next Stage Theatre Festival run by the same folks as the Fringe.  Both are pretty varied with something for pretty much everyone.

And there’s plenty more theatre, opera and art song to enjoy in October including…

• Verdi’s Nabucco opens at the COC on the 4th and runs until the 25th.  Lots of local interest here with the return of former ES members Rihab Chaieb and Matthew Cairns.
• Also opening on the 4th is Circlesnake Productions’ 13 Plays about ADHD: All at the Same Time.  It’s exactly what it says on the box and runs at the Assembly Theatre until the 13th.
• On the 9th you can catch the UoT Opera programme in a lunchtime concert in the RBA.
• The 11th sees the opening of Gounod’s Faust at the COC.  It runs until November 2nd but there’s no Halloween performance.
• Opera Revue are teaming up with Opera Atelier for a show at the Redwood Theatre on the 13th.  Apparently it’s a sort of “masked ball”.  Intrigued?  I am.
• Elizabeth Strout’s My Name is Lucy Barton opens at Canadian Stage on the 22nd (Previews 18th to 20th) and runs until November 3rd.
• On the 22nd baritone Micah Schroeder has a recital of Armenian inspired music at the Tranzac.  Also features Stéphane Mayer and Brenna Kavanagh-Hardy.
• From the 24th to 27th Art of Time Ensemble are presenting Sankofa: A Soldier’s Tale Retold at Harbourfront Centre.  It’s Stravinsky’s music with a new libretto by Titilope Sonuga which sets it in the context of a black construction battalion in the Canadian army in WW!.  Features Diego Matamoros as the Devil.
• The 24th to the 27th also sees Opera Atelier presenting Handel’s Acis and Galatea at the Elgin Theatre.
• On the 27th at Koerner Hall Les violons du roi are appearing with Karina Gauvin and Marie-Nicole Lemieux in an all Handel programme.
• And, finally, on the 30th it’s the COC’s Centre Stage competition at the Four Seasons Centre.