Canadian Opera Company Releases Complete Schedule for November 2015
By: Matt Smith Oct. 21, 2015
OPERAS
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La Traviata By Giuseppe Verdi *NEW COC PRODUCTION* |
The Canadian Opera Company opens its 2015/2016 season with Verdi's enduring masterpiece, La Traviata. This sumptuous new COC production is set in the demi-mondeof glittering 1850s Paris, evoking the social realities, rhythms and debauchery of a rapidly changing society. Russian Ekaterina Siurina, in her COC debut, and Canadian Joyce El-Khoury share the role of the opera's tragic heroine Violetta. Her nobleman lover, Alfredo, is sung by American Charles Castronovo, and rising star Canadian tenor Andrew Haji. Internationally acclaimed baritones American Quinn Kelsey and Canadian James Westman share the role of Violetta's father, Germont. Italian conductor Marco Guidariniguides the COC Orchestra and Chorus through Verdi's glorious and popular melodies. 11 performances: October 8, 13, 16, 17, 21, 24 (4:30 p.m.), 29, 30, November 1 (2 p.m.), 4, 6, 2015 All performances begin at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise indicated. |
Ticket Information
All performances take place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen St. W., at University Ave.). Regularly priced single tickets range from $50 - $435, with specially priced $22 tickets available for people under the age of 30. To purchase tickets, go to coc.ca, call COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231, or visit the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office (145 Queen St. W).
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Pyramus and Thisbe(with Lamento d'Arianna and Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda) By Barbara Monk Feldman and Claudio Monteverdi *WORLD PREMIERE* |
The Canadian Opera Company premieres a new production from acclaimed American director Christopher Alden that weaves together a new Canadian opera with two early Baroque classics: the world premiere of Barbara Monk Feldman's Pyramus and Thisbe, along with Monteverdi's Lamento d'Arianna and Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda. Composed 400 years apart, the pieces draw upon mythology and history to illustrate the beauty of the human voice and the magic of musical storytelling. The all-Canadian cast is led by virtuosic Canadian mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, and features baritone Phillip Addis and tenor Owen McCausland. COC Music Director Johannes Debus conducts the COC Orchestra and Chorus through this bold and mesmerizing new program of music. 7 performances: October 20, 23, 25 (2 p.m.), 28, November 5, 7 (4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.), 2015 All performances begin at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise indicated. |
Ticket Information
All performances take place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen St. W., at University Ave.). Regularly priced single tickets range from $50 - $435, with specially priced $22 tickets available for people under the age of 30. To purchase tickets, go to coc.ca, call COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231, or visit the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office (145 Queen St. W).
SPECIAL EVENTS
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Date |
Event |
Description |
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November 3, 2015 Cocktails: 5:30 p.m.Competition: 6:30 p.m. |
Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition |
The Canadian Opera Company's premier fundraiser, Centre Stage, returns to discover and celebrate the next generation of opera stars. The feature event is the Ensemble Studio Competition, an exhilarating vocal showcase of young Canadian singers selected from nationwide auditions, vying for cash prizes. They perform from the mainstage of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, accompanied by the acclaimed COC Orchestra led by COC Music Director Johannes Debus. The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception for all attendees in the Isadore and Rosalie Sharp City Room. Following the competition, Centre Stage dinner guests will enjoy an elegant formal dinner from the privileged vantage point of the Four Seasons Centre stage. They will be joined by competition finalists and notable COC artists, as well as key supporters of the company, comprising Canada's business and philanthropic leaders. The culinary experience is from critically acclaimed chef David Lee of Nota Bene. Location: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen St. W. at University Ave.) Ticket Information: Tickets to Centre Stage are $100 for the cocktail reception and competition. On-stage dinner tickets are $1,500. Tickets are available online at COCCentreStage.ca, by calling 416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office, located at 145 Queen St. W., Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit COCCentreStage.ca for more information. |
OPERA FOR FAMILIES
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November 14, 2015 11 a.m. (The Bremen Town Musicians) 1:30 p.m. (Operation Superpower) |
Opera for Families: The Bremen Town Musicians and Operation Superpower |
Join the COC for two engaging operas for families when the Canadian Opera Company's Glencore Ensemble Studio School Tour presents the only public performances of its 2015 productions: The Bremen Town Musicians, based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, and Operation Superpower, an interactive adventure that helps young audiences discover their own inner-superpowers. Starring the young artists of the COC Ensemble Studio, both operas have been created specifically for young people ages three to 12. Each opera is 45 minutes in length, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with the cast and crew. One hour before each performance, audience members are invited to take part in hands-on activities related to each opera. Location: Imperial Oil Opera Theatre, Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre, 227 Front St. E. (at Berkeley St.) Ticket Information: $15 per opera (adults/seniors) $10 per opera (children, ages 15 and under) Tickets are available online at coc.ca, by calling 416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office, located at 145 Queen St. W., Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more details, visit coc.ca/OperaForFamilies. |
FREE CONCERT SERIES IN THE RICHARD BRADSHAW AMPHITHEATRE
November 5 - 24, 2015
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue)
The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre is a unique opportunity to experience diverse artistic programming in what has become one of Toronto's most exciting cultural hubs. Six inspiring series offer concerts, dance performances and engaging presentations that feature both up-and-coming young artists and established international stars. All performances are FREE to the public, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early as late seating is not available.
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Date |
Series |
Artist |
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November 5, 2015 12 - 1 p.m. |
Chamber Music Series |
Haydn the Master Members and friends of the COC Orchestra perform some of Franz Josef Haydn's earliest works, contrasting his pieces as a bright young composer with some of his final compositions from Opus No. 77, written when Haydn was one of the most celebrated composers in Europe. |
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November 10, 2015 12 - 1 p.m. |
Piano Virtuoso Series |
Piano Masterworks Rising star pianist Charissa Vandikas performs some of her favourite solo piano masterpieces. The concert features works by Domenico Scarlatti, Ravel, and Canadian composer David MacIntyre, as well as Beethoven's Sonata No. 28. |
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November 12, 2015 12 - 1 p.m. |
Chamber Music Series |
String Trio Gems Canada's acclaimed Trio Arkel (Marie Bérard, violin; Teng Li, viola; Winona Zelenka, cello performs Beethoven's String Trio in C Minor (Op. 9, No. 3) and Michael Osterley's Warhol Dervish. |
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November 17, 2015 12 - 1 p.m. |
Chamber Music Series |
New York, New Measures Talented young artists from the Rebanks Family Fellowship Program at The Glenn Gould School explore classical music's evolution in New York City during the 20th century, highlighting NYC's crucial role as a hotbed for innovative classical music composition and performance. The program includes works by Prokofiev, Gershwin, and Philip Glass. |
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November 18, 2015 12 - 1p.m. |
Jazz Series |
Hot Innovations Comprised of Humber College's top-level jazz students, the Kirk MacDonald Advanced Jazz Workshop presents an exciting program of contemporary jazz that includes original compositions by MacDonald and his students. |
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November 24, 2015 12 - 1p.m. |
World Music Series |
Different Shades of Blue Toronto's Kalabash is a contemporary jazz sextet that experiments with the layering of rich jazz harmonies over the folk and popular rhythms of the Caribbean, from Reggae, Son and Salsa in the north to Calypso, Soca, Rapso and Zouk from the Eastern Caribbean. |
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November 26, 2015 12 - 1 p.m. |
Piano Virtuoso Series |
Piano Prodigies Three brilliant young pianists from the Royal Conservatory's Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists join forces in a program that celebrates the power and beauty of the piano. |
TOUR THE FOUR SEASONS CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
November 1, 15, 22, 29, 2015
Start time: 10:30 a.m.
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue)
Cost: $20/adults; $15/seniors and students
The Canadian Opera Company opens the doors of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on November 1, 15, 22 and 29, 2015 with 90-minute tours for the general public. This extensive tour includes backstage access and is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the first purpose-built opera house in Canada, its history, architecture and innovative acoustic design. Starting at 10:30 a.m., the tours are led by trained docents and include information and access to the magnificent Isadore and Rosalie Sharp City Room, the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre and R. Fraser Elliott Hall, as well as backstage areas like wig rooms and dressing rooms, the orchestra pit, and other spaces that only a stage door pass could unlock.
Tickets for public tours are $20/adults and $15/seniors and students, and can be purchased in advance at coc.ca or at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office, located at 145 Queen St. W., Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Tickets will also be available on the morning of the tour starting at 10 a.m. at the welcome desk located in the main lobby.
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