HALFTONES #7
MARCH 18, 2014
Here we are with issue #7 of HalfTones, The WholeNote’s mid-month e-newsletter with news, extra listings and ticket offers. Take a look here at what’s on in Toronto for the rest of month -- and look for the next issue of the print magazine at the beginning of April!
NOTEWORTHY
CONTESTS
LISTINGS UPDATE
SIGN UP FOR HALFTONES
- NOTEWORTHY -
Staging the Song Cycle
The song cycle seems to be in vogue with Toronto theatres this month. Contemporary dance innovators Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie bring lieder to the stage with “Dichterliebe: A Poet’s Life”. Featuring dancer Laurence Lemieux, baritone Alexander Dobson and pianist Jeanie Chung, the show promises audiences a refreshing experience of the songs of Schubert and Schumann. “Dichterliebe” is onstage at the dance company’s Toronto studio-theatre March 27 and 28, with follow-up appearances in Guelph and Burlington. More info here: http://colemanlemieux.com/portfolio/dichterliebe-tour/, and a video clip here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwEAOtOLOcc&feature=youtu.be for a taste of what the group has planned.
Acting Up Stage Company also features song in a 10th-anniversary production of William Finn’s “Elegies: A Song Cycle” -- a series of staged songs that tell the stories of people both real and imagined in an effort to capture the breadth of the human experience. Starring Thom Allison, Barbara Barsky, Steven Gallagher, Joel Gomez and Eliza-Jane Scott, “Elegies” is onstage March 21 to April 13 at Daniels Spectrum -- all the details here: http://actingupstage.com/productions/elegies.
And also speaking of staging -- Michael Patrick Albano, resident stage director at the University of Toronto Opera Division, talks opera and education withThe WholeNote columnist Christopher Hoile as U of T’s Faculty of Music celebrates its 50th year in the Edward Johnson Building on Queen’s Park. The school’s presentation of Britten’s opera Albert Herring opens March 20 at the MacMillan Theatre. You can access the interview at http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newsroom/blog/general-music/24800-interview-with-michael-patrick-albano.
Dutch Visitors
If it’s the case that Tafel’s search for a successor to Jeanne Lamon is following the typical orchestral practice of bringing in potential candidates to guest-conduct, then Tafel watchers should pay particular attention to the visit of Dutch-Italian violinist Cecilia Bernardini who makes her Tafelmusik debut March 27 to 30, 2014, directing the instrumental portion of the programme A Night in Paris: Le Concert Spirituel at Jeanne Lamon Hall.
The concert title -- and programme -- harkens back to 18th-century France’s first public concert series. Bernardini makes her Tafelmusik debut at this show. A public guest artist masterclass with Bernardini, as part of Tafelmusik’s “Baroque Mentors” series, will also be offered on Saturday March 29 at 1pm. Tickets for masterclass auditors are a mere $10 and are available at the door. Details about the masterclass are available here (http://www.tafelmusik.org/concert-calendar/events/masterclass-cecilia-bernardini), and info about the concert can be found at http://www.tafelmusik.org/concert-calendar/concert/night-paris-le-concert-spirituel.
Visitors from the Netherlands also abound in the Toronto new music scene, with the upcoming Dutch-Canadian contemporary music summit “Gaudeamus: Deconstructed and Reconstructed”. Presented by the combined forces of Array Music, Continuum Contemporary Music and the Music Gallery, Gaudeamus is April 3-4 and is a special coming-together of musicians and compositions Dutch and Canadian. The full story is covered by columnist Wendalyn Bartley in our March issue: http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/newmusic/24789-in-the-spirit-of-gaudeamus.
In the aftermath of the festivities, Continuum presents Amsterdam-based guests Trio 7090 in a concert of music by Iannis Xenakis, Michael Finnissy, Cassandra Miller, Trevor Grahl and Guus Janssen. The show is April 12, and all the details are available on Continuum’s website (http://continuummusic.org/seasons/1314/trio-7090-on-tour.php).
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Robert Lepage
In recognition of the Québécois writer, director, designer, and actor Robert Lepage being named as this year’s recipient of The Glenn Gould Prize, a retrospective highlighting his cinematic work is showing at TIFF Bell Lightbox, March 27 to April 1. “Robert Lepage: Possible Worlds” includes screenings of his work from 1994 to 2013, and Lepage himself will be in attendance for select screenings. Details here (http://tiff.net/cinematheque/robertlepage).
As part of The Glenn Gould Prize, Lepage has chosen the L’orchestre d’hommes-orchestres (LODHO) to receive The City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize. He will present the award to members of LODHO following a special performance of their work Cabaret brise-jour on March 29 at 2pm at The Theatre Centre in Toronto. For the complete run of Cabaret brise-jour, consult The WholeNote’s listings at http://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/listings/concertsgta.
The Benefit Show
At this time of the year there is also a plethora of musical events that act as benefits or fundraisers for their presenters. In support of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Conductor’s Challenge fundraising campaign, chorister Sam Broverman is joined by pianist Peter Hill, guitarist Tony Quarrington and singer Charlie Davidson for “The Mendelssohn Choir Gets Jazzed”, March 21 from 5-8pm. The event is at Gate 403, and there is no cover charge, with all donations to the music appreciation jar donated to the choir. More info about the venue at http://www.gate403.com.
Also coming up: on March 31 at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, actress Shirley Douglas and Tony Award-winning Brent Carver join a lineup of performers to “Holler 4 Health Care”. The event is part of a National Day of Action for a new Federal-Provincial Health Accord organized by the Canadian Health Coalition (www.healthcoalition.ca). More info is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/563190377110432/.
- SPECIAL OFFERS -
CONTEST: MCS Chorus’ final concert of their 2013/14 season, “Gloried Voices”, presents lyrical a cappella repertoire ranging from the 16th-20th centuries. The concert, on April 26 at Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic Church in Mississauga, features Bach's motet BWV 227 Jesu, meine Freude, Palestrina's Aeterna Christi munera, Duruflé's Four Motets on Gregorian Themes and motets by Bruckner, Willan and Daley.
MCS Chorus is offering TWO PAIRS OF FREE TICKETS to interested readers of The WholeNote! All you have to do is name one of Maurice Duruflé’s 4 motets. Click here to answer for your chance to win!
For more information on MCS Chorus and their upcoming concert, check out http://mcschorus.ca/.
CONTEST: The COC is presenting Handel’s Hercules this April 5 to 30, starring bass-baritone Eric Owens in the title role. We have TWO FREE TICKETS for the Wednesday April 30 performance up for grabs -- for a chance to win, just click here and answer the following question:
Hercules this year is under the direction of Peter Sellars, who also directed the COC’s production of a famous Wagner opera in 2013. What is the name of this opera?
For more info on the COC and Hercules, visit http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1314Season/Hercules.aspx.
SPECIAL OFFER: If you’re age 30 or under and interested in early music, don’t forget about the Toronto Consort’s Club Consort -- “under-30s” who sign up for their mailing list are eligible to buy tickets for only $10 (limit of 2). Their next event, Francesco Cavalli’s Giasone performed in concert, is on April 4, 5 and 6. Take a look at http://www.torontoconsort.org/season/clubconsort.html to learn more about this deal.
- LISTINGS UPDATE -
Thursday March 20
7:30: Brock University. De Temps Antan. A celebration of International Francophone Day. Québécois folk music. De Temps Antan. Sean O'Sullivan Theatre, Centre for the Arts, 500 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines. 1-866-617-3257. $36/$32/$27; $20(st); $16(13 and under); $5(eyeGO).
Friday March 21
8:00: Acting Up Stage Company. Elegies: A Song Cycle. Works by Finn. Thom Allison, Barbara Barsky, Steven Gallagher, Joel Gomez and Eliza-Jane Scott. Aki Studio, Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E. 1-800-838-3006. $30–$50; $20–$40(st/arts workers). Also Mar 22, 23(mat), 26, 27. 28, 29(mat and eve), 30(mat), Apr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5(mat and eve), 6(mat), 8, 9, 10, 11, 12(mat and eve), 13(mat).
Sunday March 23
4:00: Cathedral Church of St. James. Weekly Organ Recital: Andrew Ager. St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St. 416-364-7865 x224. Free.
Tuesday March 25
1:00: Cathedral Church of St. James. Weekly Organ Recital: David Briggs. St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St. 416-364-7865 x224. Free.
4:00: Cathedral Church of St. James. Weekly Organ Recital: David Briggs. St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St. 416-364-7865 x224. Free.
Thursday March 27
8:00: Jasmyn Fyffe and Natasha Powell. Gimme One Riddim. A Dance-Theatre production set to ska music, incorporating Caribbean, contemporary and street dance influences. Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. $18-$30. Discounts available for artists, students, and seniors. Also Mar 28(mat and eve) and Mar 29(eve).
Saturday March 29
8:00: Karen Schuessler Singers. Brahms' Requiem. Brahms: Requiem. Karen Schuessler Singers; Monica Whicher, soprano; Daniel Hambly, baritone; Tina Yanchus and James Hibbard, piano duo. Wesley-Knox United Church, 91 Askin St., London. 519-455-8895. $20(adv); $18(sr, adv); $22(door); $20(sr, door); $10(st). Free for children 6-12 when accompanied by an adult.
Sunday March 30
2:00: Hart House Chorus. Die Schöpfung (The Creation). Haydn: The Creation. Hart House Chorus; David Bowser, conductor; Ania Hejnar, soprano; Charles Sy, tenor; Michael Nyby, bass-baritone; NYCO Symphony Orchestra. The Great Hall, Hart House, 7 Hart House Cir. 416-709-0260. Free.
3:00: Guelph Symphony Orchestra. People's Choice. Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro Overture; Wallace: Acacia Street; Dukas: Villanelle for Horn and Orchestra; Mahler: Adagietto from Symphony No.5; Burge: Flanders Fields Reflections and an audience request. Sharlene Wallace, harp; Tony Snyder, horn. River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich St., Guelph. 519-763-3000. $35; $17(under 30); $10(child); $5(eyeGO).
3:00: Nota Bene Baroque Players. Baroque Travel Quiz. Musical selections hinting at the identities of famous landmarks. Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick St.,Kitchener. 226-88-9567. $28; $25(sr); $5(st/eyeGo); free(under 12).
4:00: Cathedral Church of St. James. Weekly Organ Recital: David Briggs. St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St. 416-364-7865 x224. Free.
7:00: Spiritus Ensemble. Bach/Kaiser/Handel: St. Mark Passion. Canadian premiere. Spiritus Ensemble; Nota Bene Baroque Players; Daniel Lichti, Jesus; Lenard Whiting, Evangelist; Kenneth Hull, conductor. St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 23 Water St. N., Kitchener. 519-743-0228. $20; $10(st).
Tuesday April 1
7:30: University of St Michael’s College. Baroque Music Concert. Pergolesi: Stabat Mater; Biber: Litany of Loreto; Confitebor tibi; and other works. Musicians In Ordinary (Christopher Verrette, conductor); Hallie Fishel, soprano; Charlotte Burrage, mezzo; choir and soloists of St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum (Michael O’Connor, conductor). St. Basil's Church, 50 St. Joseph St. Free. Donations welcome.
Thursday April 3
7:00: Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Next Generation. New works. Ritesh Das, director. Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston Ave. 888-958-2252. $20.
Friday April 4
7:00: Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Next Generation. New works. Ritesh Das, director. Cedarbrae Library Theatre, 545 Markham Rd., Scarborough. 888-958-2252. $18.
Saturday April 5
7:30: Korean Canadian Symphony Orchestra. Young Artist Series: Concert No. 48. Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Nocturne); Piano Concerto No.1 (Presto-Molto Allegro e Vivace); Fair Melusina (Overture); Gershwin: Three Preludes for Solo Piano; Humperdinck: Hansel & Gretel (Evening Prayer); and other works. Richard Lee, conductor; Grace Shin, piano. Guests: Members of Bach Children's Chorus. St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church, 849 Don Mills Rd., North York. 416-737-0521. $25; $10(st).
- DATES WITH HALFTONES -
That’s all for now -- for those of you who are wondering, here’s a list of upcoming HalfTones publication dates:
Vol. 1 #8: Tuesday April 15 2014
Vol. 1 #9: Thursday May 15 2014
Vol. 1 #10: Tuesday June 17 2014
Vol. 1 #11: Monday July 7 2014
Vol. 1 #12: Tuesday August 12 2014
For all inquiries, including those members interested in submitting news items for HalfTones consideration, please contact halftones@thewholenote.com a minimum of one week prior to the appropriate publication date.
Be sure to look for The WholeNote Vol. 19 No. 7 at the beginning of April (and for our next issue of HalfTones on April 15)! Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook here or Follow us on Twitter here.
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HalfTones is compiled and edited by Sara Constant, Social Media Editor
