Category Archives: Toronto opera news and views

Tapestry redux

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If you missed the livestream of Tapestry Songbook X it’s on again tonight.  And it appears there is going to be a virtual party.  Here’s what’s up…. (according to Tapestry):

Two weeks ago, we livestreamed Songbook X, a concert featuring Krisztina Szabó, mezzo-soprano, and Chris Foley, collaborative pianist. This reimagined concert united us in community at a time when we needed it most.  We heard from folks who had a candle-light dinner as they watched and others who recognized friends in the livechat who they hadn’t heard from in a while. Join us for the show and get social! Invite a friend, plan your snacks and drinks, and join us for a night of beautiful piano and vocal music.

To attend, click here and select ‘Get Reminder’ – the streaming party will start on Facebook this Saturday at 8PM EST/5PM PST.

Be well, and see you online!

Concert Programme – Songbook X Livestream

7:00pm – Chill your refreshments
7:15pm – Break out the snacks
7:30pm – Home system sound check (make sure your speakers work!)
7:45pm – Start your video chat party
7:50pm – Pour libations
7:55pm – Pre-show toast with Artistic Director Michael Mori…everybody raise your glasses!
8:00pm – Concert time!

 

If you want to know what to expect you could always read my review.

Good and not so good news

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Arts Anyway Episode 2 featuring some musical theatre performances and an interview with the the amazing Teiya Kasahara is up on their YouTube channel.

And, this year’s Toronto Bach Festival has been cancelled.  Since that was scheduled for the last weekend in May that’s the furthest out cancelation yet.

Cancellation update

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Here’s a summary of what’s been cancelled as I understand it at time of writing:

  • The Canadian Opera Company (including the free concert series), Tafelmusik, Opera Atelier, Soundstreams and the Toronto Symphony have all cancelled the remainder of their 2019/20 seasons.
  • The Women’s Musical Club of Toronto has cancelled through May 7th.
  • Voicebox’ Adriana Lecouvreur and Against the Grain’s Bound have been postponed until further notice.
  • Opera Pub April and May editions are off.
  • Most RCM/Koerner Hall events have been cancelled but last I heard they were still discussing some future events.
  • UoT Music cancelled through April 3rd but I imagine that will be extended.

At this point I haven’t heard anything definite about TOT’s Northern Lights or Tapestry’s Rocking Horse Winner.

tumbleweed

Another “live stream”

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CYMERA_20200322_100712Mezzo-soprano Beste Kalender and pianist Rachel Andrist are performing on line on Tuesday evening (March 24th) at 8.30pm (Toronto time).  The recital is titled A Spring Recital: From Venice to Constantinople and will feature music by F. Santoliquido, R. Hahn, G. Faure, H. Berlioz, Komitas and various Turkish composers.  Recording will be by Ryan Harper Recordings.

The stream will be posted on Beste’s channel on YouTube at 8.30pm and should be up for a week or so for people in other time zones.

Arts Anyway

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Here’s another chance to hear some “live” music by local artists.  Tongue in Cheek Productions are starting a series of webstreamed shows called Arts Anyway in support of artists impacted by the current Covid 19 situation.  The first show will go up at 7pm on Sunday evening (tomorrow) with further shows planned to be twice weekly.  The initial offering will feature performances by tenor Jaques Arsenault, soprano Jennifer Routhier and pianist Natasha Fransblow as well as interviews and news items.  The show will be uploaded to their YouTube channel.

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Signal boosting Tapestry

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Screen Shot 2020-03-18 at 3.16.31 PMThe following just in from Tapestry concerning Saturday night’s livestream of Songbook X.

Although we were heartbroken to cancel, we are thrilled to announce that our headlining artists have agreed to change tack and perform a full recital, streaming for free: Songbook X: Krisztina Szabó and Chris Foley in Livestream Concert – hosted by Michael Hidetoshi Mori, streaming live on our Youtube channel on Saturday, March 21st at 8:00PM.

Krisztina Szabó, mezzo-soprano, will be performing Tapestry selections and other select opera and art song, accompanied by Chris Foley, collaborative pianist, on our fabulous Bösendorfer Imperial Grand Piano. The performance will be free for all to watch, no matter where in the world. 

Let’s see if we can make this the biggest Tapestry gig ever!

Cancellation update

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closedYesterday I received seven assorted emails about cancellations in Toronto plus news from the Metropolitan Opera.  Essentially all the major orchestras and music theatre organisations in Toronto are shuttered until at least the end of the month.  Events are also being called off elsewhere so check your location situation.  Here’s a quick run down:

 

  • The Four Seasons Centre is closed until the end of the first week of April.  So, the ballet is off, as is the free concert series.  The COC is still planning to run its spring season but we’ll see.
  • Tafelmusik and the TSO have cancelled performances until the end of the month.
  • After tomorrow the UoT and the Conservatory are cancelling public events until the end of the month.
  • Tapestry Songbook on March 21st is sort of cancelled.  There will be no live audience but the show will be live streamed at 8pm and the performers are being paid.  Go Tapestry!
  • Amici Chamber Ensemble’s show on the 29th is off.
  • The Metropolitan Opera is closed so no Live in HD but they are doing free nightly web casts of the HD back catalogue.  Details here.

More news when I have any…. Stay safe!

 

New season announcements

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Johann-Sebastian-Bach-oil-canvas-Elias-Gottlieb-1746The 5th Annual Toronto Bach Festival will take place from May 29th to 31st.  All the details are at www.TorontoBachFestival.org. The big event is a performance of the B minor Mass on the 31st at 4pm at Eastminster United Church on the Danforth.  The line up of soloists is quite impressive; Hélène Brunet, Ellen McAteer, Daniel Taylor, Charles Daniels and Joel Allison.  They will be joined by a small choir and period instrument ensemble.  John Butt conducts.  In addition there’s a line up of recitals, concerts and lectures.

 

 

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