As our readers know, the COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the music scene. The listings shown below were correct at the time the April-May issue went to print. Since most venues are still closed, readers are urged to contact presenters to confirm if events have been cancelled, postponed, or re-scheduled.
Clubs & Groups
Apr 19 2:00: Classical Music Club Toronto. Beethoven 250 (Part 4). Join us for our ongoing project to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. Visit classicalmusicclubtoronto.org or contact John Sharpe at 416-898-2549 or torontoshi@sympatico.ca. Annual membership: $25(regular); $10(sr/st). Free for first-time visitors. Donations accepted for refreshments.
Apr 20 7:30: Toronto Wagner Society. Stephan Bondfield: A Presentation on The Flying Dutchman. Arts and Letters Club, 14 Elm St. torontowagnersociety.ca. Free(members); $20(non-members).
Competitions & Applications
Apr 01: International Resource Centre for Performing Artists. Encounter with Theodore Baerg. Baritone Theodore Baerg will work as a mentor with ten singers and Rachel Andrist (piano) offering each singer suggestions on artistic skills and providing valuable career information and guidance, stressing the need for professionalism and striving for excellence. Venue: TBA. Offered at no cost to the singers. Application forms and information available at ircpa.net. Application deadline: Apr 1 at 5pm EDT. POSTPONED.
Films
Apr 06 7:30: Toronto Theatre Organ Society. Silent Film - The Doll. Live improvised accompaniment on a 1928 pipe organ. William O’Meara, organ. Roncesvalles United Church, 240 Roncesvalles Ave. For info: 416-499-6262 or ttos.ca. $20/$17(adv).
Apr 27: 7:30: Show One Productions/Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Anna Karenina – Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia. Directed by choreographer Anzelica Cholina, this multiple award-winning Vakhtangov Theatre production of Anna Karenina tells the story of Tolstoy’s classic novel entirely in contemporary dance. Music by Alfred Schnittke. In Russian with English subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 15 min with one intermission. Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill. 416-737-6785 or info@showoneproductions.ca. $28.50.
Galas, Tributes & Fundraisers
Apr 03 10:00: Burlington Symphony Orchestra. Comedy Show and After Party. An evening of fun and laughter. All proceeds go to the Burlington Symphony Orchestra. Club 54 Nightclub, 3345 Harvester Rd., Burlington. For info and tickets visit burlingtonsymphony.ca. $15.
Apr 04 12:30: Recollectiv. A unique musical group whose members are mainly made up of people affected by memory challenges (caused by dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, PTSD, brain injury, etc.). Volunteers of all ages also form part of the band, making this a positive intergenerational experience for all participants. Recollectiv’s mission is to help people with memory challenges find joy and a sense of community through music-making. The band meets weekly at a central accessible location and is free with pre-registration. For more information, to participate, volunteer or donate, please visit recollectiv.ca or call Smile Theatre at 416-599-8440. Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave. Free/PWYC. Also Apr 11, 18, 25, May 2.
Apr 04 7:00: Echo Women’s Choir. 2nd Annual Folking Awesome Music Trivia Night. Specially designed for music lovers of all ages, this fun evening will challenge your upper register (your brain)! Echo challenges all other Toronto choirs to send a team to compete! Evening includes complimentary snacks, cash bar, great prizes + bragging rights for the winners! Russel Harder, host and quiz master. Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave., Main Hall. echochoir-music-trivia-2020.eventbrite.ca. Info: echowomenschoir.ca. $20; $70 (team table of 4). POSTPONED.
Apr 05 2:00: Transitions Jazz/Alzheimer Society/Recollectiv. Remember the Music. Proceeds to the Alzheimer Society and Recollectiv. Tranzitionz Jazz Band; Jasmine Bailey, Sam Broverman, Ilana Waldston, vocalists; University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra. Laura Fernandez, emcee. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W. For tickets visit rememberthemusicconcert.com. $25; $15(st).
Apr 15 7:30: Toronto Chamber Choir. The Language of Love – Spring Fundraiser. The TCC celebrates the 6th year of our section lead program by offering an intimate recital of airs de cour, French courtly airs with lute accompaniment. Cool aesthetic classicism mixes with tender emotion as the young Consort singers transform Heliconian Hall into an elegant Parisian salon. Lucas Harris will also give a sneak preview of programming for the following season. NOTE: No tickets are required for this event, but you must reserve a place on the guest list by visiting torontochamberchoir.ca/about-us/season-info. An appeal will be made for donations to support the Consort Program. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave.
Apr 18 8:00: Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra. Annual Fundraising Concert and Silent Auction. Elgar: Cello Concerto in e (Mvmts 1 & 2); Saint-Saëns: The Carnival of the Animals; Piazzolla/Volkov: Libertango; Glinka: Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila; Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos.3 & 4. Samantha Yang, cello; Ken Gee, piano; Norman Reintamm, piano/conductor. P.C. Ho Theatre, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, 5183 Sheppard Ave. E., Scarborough. 416-879-5566 or cathedralbluffs.com. $35-$55; $30-$45(sr/st); free(under 12).
Apr 19 1:30: Classical Music Conservatory. Music for a Cause: Benefit Concert for the David Suzuki Foundation. An eclectic mix of classical, folk and rock music! Sarah-Jane MacCaull and Aimee Claxton, vocalists; Mark Andrews, accompanist; Brandon Wall, guitar; Eslin McKay and Iain McKay, violin & fiddling; and others. A fabulous bake table will be available at intermission. Roncesvalles United Church. 240 Roncesvalles Ave. For information or tickets, call 416-537-5995 or cmccanada.com. $20; $10(sr/st/child). All proceeds to the David Suzuki Foundation.
Apr 19 3:00: Toronto City Opera. Il Giubilo: From Sicily to Toronto - A Celebration of Culture and Music. Fundraising concert followed by food, wine and silent auction. Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana (excerpts); Classical Italian folk pieces. Ana Toumine and Lauren Estey, sopranos; Romulo Delgado, tenor; Carmen Spada, accordionist; Jennifer Tung, conductor. St. Andrew’s Church (Toronto), 73 Simcoe St. 647-699-9391 or torontocityopera.com. $75. CANCELLED.
Lectures, Salons & Symposia
Apr 16 1:00: Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee. The Great Singers. A 3-part lecture series presented by Mike Daley, PhD, Ethnomusicology and Musicology. Illustrated with video and audio clips. Bing Crosby (Apr 16), Judy Garland (Apr 23), Frank Sinatra (Apr 30). Tartu College, 3 Madison Ave. For information, visit tsvc.ca/speaker-series, 416-593-7769 x358 or tsvc@tso.ca. $20 per lecture; $55 for entire series. Proceeds to benefit the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Youth Orchestra.
Tours
Apr 05 10:30am: Canadian Opera Company. 90-Minute Tour of the Four Seasons Centre. Led by a trained docent. Includes information and access to the Isadore and Rosalie Sharp City Room, the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre and R. Fraser Elliott Hall, as well as backstage areas such as the wig rooms and dressing rooms, the orchestra pit, and other spaces that only a stage door pass could unlock. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. 416-363-8231. coc.ca. $20(adults); $15(sr/st). Also Apr 19 (French).
Workshops & Classes
Apr 05 1:30: Toronto Early Music Players Organization. Workshop coached by recorder player Vincent Lauzer. Armour Heights Community Centre, 2140 Avenue Rd. Bring your early instruments and a music stand. 416-779 5750 or tempotoronto.net. $20.
Apr 17, 7:30: Toronto Recorder Players Society. Renaissance and Baroque Workshop for Recorders and Other Early Instruments. Coach: Tatsuki Shimoda. Mount Pleasant Road Baptist Church, 527 Mount Pleasant Rd. (entrance off Belsize). 416-480-1853 or rpstoronto.ca. Refreshments included. $20.
Apr 26 2:00: CAMMAC Toronto Region. Reading for Singers and Instrumentalists of Beethoven’s Mass in C. Robert Cooper, conductor. Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St. 647-458-0213. $10; $6(members).
May 02 10:30am: Canadian Opera Company. Music and Wellness: Yoga. Music and mindfulness unite in harmony in this unique yoga class, hosted in the Canadian Opera Company’s soaring Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Feel the integration of live music and movement, as mezzo-soprano Jamie Groote and pianist Liz Upchurch, Head of the COC Ensemble Studio weave uplifting melody into this unique yoga experience, led by certified instructor Priya Shah. Designed for all levels of ability. Bring your own mat and we’ll bring the music. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. (at University Ave.). $24; $20(st). Reserve tickets at coc.ca or call COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231. Please note that the box office will be closed during this event and no tickets will be sold at the door. All tickets MUST be purchased in advance.
May 03 1:30: Toronto Early Music Players Organization. Workshop coached by recorder player Janos Ungvary. St. Leonard’s Church, Canon Dykes Memorial Room, 25 Wanless Ave. Bring your early instruments and a music stand. 416-779-5750 or tempotoronto.net. $20.
