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The Free Concert Series in the 3rd floor Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, allows for breath-taking views through floor
to ceiling glass windows of University Avenue as a backdrop, and includes concerts, performances and presentations by young artists, Canadian and international opera stars and COC staff.
This is an exciting
opportunity for Torontonians to experience the artistic excellence and cultural diversity of the city in the beautiful Four Seasons Centre For The Performing Arts.
All concerts are free to the public. "Brown bag" lunches are welcome for the noon performances.Four Seasons Centre For The Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. (at University Ave.) _____________________________________
2012 - 2013 S E A S O N
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 3February 12 12 – 1 p.m.
Vocal Series
Love's Dark Shore
Internationally acclaimed German bass Franz-Josef Selig (King Mark in the COC's winter production of Tristan und Isolde) explores the dark side of love in a rich and compelling program of lieder
by Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss.
February 14
12 – 1 p.m.
Vocal Series
Vive l'amour! Singers from the young artist programs of the Canadian Opera Company and Opéra de Montréal join forces in a musical
celebration of love featuring some of opera's most romantic arias and ensembles.
February 19 12 – 1 p.m.
Dance Series
MotionMusic Choreographer Peggy Baker presents a quartet of dance works with accompaniment
from exceptional pianist John Kameel Farah. The music includes a superb late-19th-century prelude by Alexander Scriabin, a sublime work of mid-century modernism by John Cage, and a treacherous score by Michael J. Baker,
complete with spoken text and flying sheet music. Each piece of music sets in motion the extraordinary dancers of Peggy Baker Dance Projects.
February 21 12 – 1 p.m.
Vocal Music Series
Of Love and Longing: Songs of Richard Strauss
Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio perform a sumptuous program of arias and art songs by Richard Strauss.
February 26
12 – 1 p.m.
Piano Virtuoso Series
Reflections
Pianist Connie Kim-Sheng showcases her virtuosity and artistry in a program of works by Beethoven (Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110, first movement), Chopin (Ballade No. 3
), Ravel (Miroirs) and Rachmaninov (Études-Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 5).
February 27 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Jazz Series
Contemporary Conversations Pianist Nancy Walker and saxophonist Kirk MacDonald
tug at the boundaries of structure and freedom, playing original material and selections from the jazz standards repertoire.
February 28
12 – 1 p.m.
Piano Virtuoso Series
Shades of Chopin
Pianist Justin Min presents an all-Chopin program, including the composer's final piano sonata, the dramatic Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58.
M A R C H 2 0 1 3March 5
12 – 1 p.m.
Dance Series
Tounkande Ballet Creole
extends the celebration of Black History Month into March with their exhilarating new production, Tounkande. A unique collaboration between Ballet Creole Artistic/Executive Director Patrick Parson and guest
artists Amara Kante (master djembe drummer) and Reimundo Sosa (Cuban percussion specialist), this project brings together song, dance and rhythms of Guinea, West Africa, and showcases the rich cultural heritage of the
Malinke people.
March 6 12 – 1 p.m.
Piano Virtuoso Series
In Praise of Women In a prelude to International Women's Day, acclaimed Canadian pianist Christina Quilico presents a program of works by celebrated female
composers such as Lili Boulanger and Cécile Chaminade alongside lesser-known gems by Ilse Fromm-Michaels, Susanne Erding, Lotte Backes, Priaulx Rainier, Adaline Shepherd and Barbara Heller. The program opens and closes
with excerpts from Rivers and Glass Houses by Canada's Ann Southam.
March 13 12 – 1 p.m.
Vocal Series
Ideal for March Break Interactive Opera Sing along with the artists of
the Canadian Opera Company in this interactive concert of popular arias and duets. The concert offers ample opportunities for audience participation, including a sing-along (and playing) of the famous "Anvil Chorus"
from Verdi's Il Trovatore.
March 19
12 – 1 p.m.
Chamber Music Series
Toy Piano Composers Dedicated to new music, the Array Ensemble presents six new works by the Toy Piano Composers, a group
that got its start performing on a collection of toy pianos and continues to incorporate the unique sounds of the miniature keyboard into their works for various ensembles. This noon-hour concerts features world
premieres by Christian Floisand (ephemeral), Monica Pearce (Girl before a Mirror), Fiona Ryan (Edit the Truth), Ruth Guechtal (Reverse Filter), Christopher Thornborrow (Icarus
) and Elisha Denburg (Liaison).
March 21
12 – 1 p.m.
World Music Series
Faia Award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Louis Simão, Latin jazz flute specialist Bill McBirnie and percussionist
Daniel Stone present a compelling hour of songs rooted at the crossroads of Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) music. Drawing on traditions ranging from Simão's native Portugal, to Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola and beyond,
the trio weaves a unique musical tapestry of rhythms and melodies from the Portuguese-speaking world and infuses them with the energy and improvisational spirit of jazz.
March 26 12 – 1 p.m.
Vocal Series
Words and Music
Under the direction of pianist Steven Philcox and vocal coach Darryl Edwards, artists of the University of Toronto's Voice and Collaborative Piano departments present an afternoon of art song and poetry.
March 28 12 – 1 p.m.
Piano Virtuoso Series
Feux d'artifice Award-winning 20-year-old Chinese pianist Sijing Ye sets off piano fireworks in a program of works by Chopin (Ballade No. 1), Debussy (Étude
No. 7; Préludes: "Bruyères" and "Feux d'artifice"), Liszt (Rhapsodie Espagnole) and Chinese composer Qian Yi Wang (Toccata). _____________________________________________ |
