COC Announces Performances And Events For March 2011

Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The company enjoys an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation.

MARCH 2011

FREE CONCERT SERIES IN THE Richard Bradshaw AMPHITHEATRE
PRESENTED BY NATIONAL BANK
March 1 - March 31, 2011
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St. W. (Queen and University)

The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre presented by National Bank 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.

Date
Series
Artist
March 1, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Vocal Series
South Pacific: Art Songs of New Zealand and Australia
Under the direction of Steven Philcox and Darryl Edwards, some of the most talented young artists of the UofT voice and collaborative piano programs present a travelogue in art song through New Zealand and Australia.

March 2, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Vocal Series
New Creations Festival: Vocal Music of John Adams
In collaboration with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's New Creations Festival, young artists of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio perform selections from John Adams' vocal works, introduced and discussed by the composer himself.

March 3, 2011
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Jazz Series
Melodias Brasileiras
Bill McBirnie and Don Thompson, two of Canada's jazz greats, share their love of Brazilian music in an intimate and inspired hour of music-making.
March 8, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Piano Virtuoso Series
Liszt B-Minor Sonata
Celebrating the bicentennial of Franz Liszt, young prizewinning pianist Alexander Seredenko presents one of the composer's best known and best loved contributions to the virtuoso repertoire: the Piano Sonata in B Minor.

March 10, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.

World Music Series
Melodies of Armenia
An ancient apricot-wood instrument that is synonymous with Armenian music, the haunting and evocative sound of the duduk is the star in this program of soulful melodies that will linger long after the concert ends. Duduk master Mark Korven is joined by Levon Ichkhanian (plucked strings), Victor Bateman (bass), and Wilson Laurencin (percussion).

March 15, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.

Chamber Music Series
Fingers and Sticks
The Tandem Duo, Jamie Drake (percussion) and
Lily Ling (piano/accordion), present a concert featuring the best of music for piano and percussion, both pitched and non-pitched. Selections will include American composer Dave Hollinden's Platinum; music from the "king of tango," Astor Piazzolla; the premiere of a new Canadian work; and, Tobin Stokes' exciting Brazilian-influenced El Sol del Sur.

March 16, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.

Jazz Series
Rio Comes to Toronto
Internationally acclaimed pianist/composer Gordon Sheard and an exuberant and talented group of young artists conjure the irresistible and inimitable spirit of Brazil with a seductive program of melodies, sunny harmonies and floor-shaking rhythms.

March 22, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.

Dance Series
The animals are planning an intervention
Blue Ceiling Dance presents excerpts from The animals are planning an intervention. Small animals and threatened habitats inspire dancer/choreographer Lucy Rupert to uncover profound love and a sense of mortality to an original score by Sarah Slean. The program also features Robert Glumbek and Yvonne Ng of Tiger Princess Dance Projects, as they perform excerpts from A Tale Begun, a choreography that investigates themes of nurturing versus independence. These stunning dancesmiths will also premiere a solo for Glumbek by Dominique Dumais, a lively duet by Kevin O'Day, as well as Tedd Robinson's solo for Ng on the magic of maintaining balance.

March 23, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.

Vocal Series
Songs of Love and Longing
A distinguished graduate of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, acclaimed soprano Wendy Nielsen performs a selection of songs by Respighi, Dvo?ák and Cole Porter.

March 24, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.

Jazz Series
Metamorphosis
Hot on the heels of his highly successful debut CD Solo, Toronto-based jazz pianist Chris Donnelly embarks on a new album of original music inspired and structurally influenced by the drawings and concepts of artist M. C. Escher. Starting with a single theme, each successive composition draws inspiration from the previous one until the music arrives at the initial theme again.
March 29, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.

World Music Series
Forgotten Melodies
Pianist/singer/songwriter Fern Lindzon and the members of her stellar quartet (Mike Murley, saxophones; George Koller, bass; Nick Fraser, drums) present selections from their recent and upcoming CDs, featuring Lindzon's own arrangements of Yiddish/Klezmer and Eastern European music.

March 31, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Chamber Music Series
Out of the Box
Members of the Toronto Symphony and Canadian Opera Company orchestras combine to present a program of contemporary chamber music for flutes, piccolo, double bass, percussion and piano, taking the instruments that are so often heard only within the context of an orchestral setting and highlighting their soloistic potential. The program will feature Camille Watts and Shelley Brown (flutes and piccolo), Jeff Beecher (double bass) and Ed Rifle (percussion).

EVENTS

OPERA TALKS AT NORTH YORK CENTRAL LIBRARY
March 3, 2011 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
North York Central Library - 5120 Yonge St. (Yonge and Sheppard)
Target: Adults
Tickets: FREE

The Canadian Opera Company and North York Central Library present Opera Talks, a FREE, fun and interactive series on the art of listening and enjoying opera. On March 3, 2011 at 7 p.m., members of the COC's Education and Outreach staff will present an interactive presentation that discusses the design elements of La Cenerentola, Ariadne auf Naxos and Orfeo ed Euridice. Entitled Design in Opera: Bringing the story and music to life - La Cenerentola, Ariadne auf Naxos and Orfeo ed Euridice, the talk will last 45 minutes and conclude with a 15-minute question-and-answer period.

For more information and to register, please call the Languages, Literature and Fine Arts Department at North York Central Library at 416-395-5639.

REGISTRATIONS

MARCH BREAK AT THE COC
March 17, 2011 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Target: Children 7 - 9
March 18, 2011 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Target: Children 10 - 12
Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre (227 Front St. E.)
Tuition: $35 per day
Before and after care available, call for details or visit coc.ca.

Join us for a true operatic adventure! March Break at the COC is a day-long workshop inspired by the themes and music of The Magic Flute by Mozart. The workshop includes sessions exploring how music (singing and pitched percussion instruments), visual art and drama combine in opera to tell a magical story. The March Break opera camps are being held on March 17, 2011, for children age 7 - 9, and on March 18, 2011, for children age 10 - 12. No previous experience with opera or the performing arts is required.

Registration for March Break at the COC opens on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 at 10 a.m., online at coc.ca or in person at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre, located at 227 Front St. E. For more information, contact education@coc.ca.

SUMMER YOUTH INTENSIVE
July 4 - 8, 2011
Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre (227 Front St. E.)
Target: Youth 14 - 18
Tuition: $175 per week (some bursaries available)

The Summer Youth Intensive offers youth interested in theatrical production and the performing arts a week-long immersion in the world of opera. Participants in Summer Youth Intensive choose from one of two focuses, performance or production, and take part in a series of exciting workshops led by professional artist-educators from the world of opera. No previous experience with opera or the performing arts is required.

Registration for Summer Youth Intensive opens on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 at 10 a.m., online at coc.ca or in person at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre, located at 227 Front St. E. For more information, contact education@coc.ca.

SUMMER OPERA CAMP
July 11 - 15, 2011, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Target: Children 7 - 9
July 18 - 22, 2011, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Target: Children 10 - 12
Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre (227 Front St. E.)
Tuition: $175 per week (some bursaries available)
Before and after care available, call for details or visit coc.ca.

Explore opera at the COC's Summer Opera Camp. During each week-long camp session, participants take part in daily music, drama, design and movement sessions, and explore a classic opera from the COC's 2011/2012 season. No previous experience with opera or the performing arts is required.

Registration for Summer Opera Camp opens on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 at 10 a.m., online at coc.ca or in person at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre, located at 227 Front St. E. For more information, contact education@coc.ca.

 

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