COC Announces Their March Events

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.

FREE CONCERT SERIES IN THE Richard Bradshaw AMPHITHEATRE
March 2 to 30, 2010
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 inspired 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.

March 2, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.

Piano Virtuoso Series

Hommage à Chopin
Young Canadian virtuoso pianist Lucas Porter celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frédéric Chopin in a program devoted to his work.

March 3, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.
Vocal Series
Lachen und Weinen, Weinen und Lachen: From Ecstasy to Agony and Back Again
Some of the most talented young artists of the UofT Voice and Collaborative Piano programs present a travelogue in song through the emotional extremes of human experience. The program will feature selections from Rorem's War Scenes, Lehár's Fieber, Leguerney's Le Carnaval, Brahms' Ophelia-Lieder, Somers' The Fool, and others.

March 4, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.

Chamber Music Series

Winter Winds
Under the direction of David Briskin, members of the wind and brass sections of The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra perform chamber music gems by Dvo?ák, Françaix, and Bernstein.

March 9, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.

Piano Virtuoso Series

Chopin and Friends
Young pianist Suren Barry performs works by Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, and Debussy.

COC FREE CONCERT SERIES IN THE Richard Bradshaw AMPHITHEATRE
March 11, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.
Vocal Series

The Composer and His Muse
The young artists of the UofT Opera Division program present a delightful sampling of operatic selections illuminated by anecdotes reflecting the inspiration behind the musical creation. Musically directed by Sandra Horst.

March 16, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.
Chamber Music Series
Hommage à Chopin
Under the direction of Norbert Palej, the new music ensemble at the University of Toronto, with distinguished guest artists Paolo Bellomia and Jimmy Briere (Montreal), present a program of works inspired by and in homage to Chopin, featuring the world premiere performance of La Defen: Hommage à Chopin, a work by Lan-chee Lam, winner of the first annual gamUT composition contest, and five sketches of Cubist folklore by Constantine Caravassilis.

March 17, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.

Piano Virtuoso Series

Hommage à Chopin
Continuing the anniversary celebrations, award-winning young Russian-Canadian pianist Alexander Seredenko performs an all-Chopin program.

March 23, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.
Piano Virtuoso Series
Big Keys, Little Keys: Music for Piano and Toy Piano
junctQín (pronounced "junction") is a contemporary keyboard collective comprised of three highly versatile and creative pianists (Elaine Lau, Joseph Ferretti and Stephanie Chua) who share a love for new and unusual music. The name of the group is taken from junctio, the Latin word meaning to join, and Qín, the Chinese character for keyboard instrument. The program will feature
Chad Martin's andante Balinese for toy piano gamelan,
Moritz Eggert's One Man Band II, as well as original compositions for piano, toy piano and music box by Karlheinz Essl, Andrián Pertout and André Ristic.
March 25, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.

Piano Virtuoso Series

Iberia III
Virtuoso pianist and GGS alumnus Li Wang performs the third book of Albéniz's Iberia suite, taking us from El Albaicín, the famous Gypsy quarter of Granada, to Lavapiés, the lively working-class quarter of Madrid known for its dancehalls and noisy street life.

March 30, 2010
12 - 1 p.m.
Chamber Music Series

Miniatures
Toronto's acclaimed Array Ensemble performs a powerful series of short works written expressly for the ensemble in commemoration of two momentous past anniversaries, giving audiences a chance to experience a broad range of composers' voices within a single concert. The program will include works by James Harley, Owen Underhill,
Michael J. Baker, Estelle Lemire, Christopher Fox, Anthony Genge, Mark Hand, Ronald Bruce Smith, Michael Longton, Michelle Boudreau,
Roberto Occhipinti, José Evangelista, and
Henry Kucharzyk.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

March Break at the COC

The Canadian Opera Company's March Break at the COC is an interactive arts workshop offering children a fun and exciting way to explore music and art. The one-day workshop takes place on Thursday, March 18, 2010 (ages 6 to 9), or Friday, March 19, 2010 (ages 10 to 12) costs $30 per child and is held at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre in Toronto. Young people ages 7 to 12 discover the world of acting, singing, music and design through interactive workshops led by professional artist-educators. No musical experience is required.
March Break at the COC
Thursday, March 18 (ages 6 to 9) or
Friday, March 19, 2010 (ages 10 to 12)
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
$30 per child
Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre
227 Front St. E. (Front and Berkeley)
(An additional $5 per participant for early drop off at 8:30 a.m.)
Contact: 416-306-2377For registration information, please contact the COC's Education and Outreach department at 416-306-2392 or visit www.coc.ca.

After School Opera Program - ages 7 to 12

The Canadian Opera Company's popular After School Opera Program returns this spring. The program, which introduces young people to all the exciting elements that make up an opera, is only $10 for a 10-week session and is held at four convenient locations in Toronto: East York Community Centre, Barbara Frum Community Centre, St. Christopher House Music School, and the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre. Under the guidance of Canadian composer Dean Burry, young people ages 7 to 12 create an original operatic work based on their own ideas and improvisations. Mr. Burry has worked closely with the COC over the years, composing several children's operas, including Isis and the Seven Scorpions and The Brothers Grimm. No previous music experience is necessary.

After School Opera Program
March 29 - June 14, 2010
Mondays, 4 - 6 p.m.
$10 per 10-week session
East York Community Centre
1081½ Pape Ave. (Pape at O'Connor)

To register, contact the East York Community Centre at 416-396-2880 or visit toronto.ca.

March 30 - June 1, 2010
Tuesdays, 4 - 6 p.m.
$10 per 10-week session
Barbara Frum Community Centre

20 Covington Rd. (Lawrence and Bathurst)

To register, contact the Barbara Frum Community Centre at 416-395-6122 or visit toronto.ca.

After School Opera Program
March 31 - June 2, 2010
Wednesdays, 4 - 6 p.m.
$10 per 10-week session
St. Christopher House Music School

248 Ossington Ave. (Ossington and Dundas)

To register, contact St. Christopher House Music School at 416-532-4828.

April 1 - June 3, 2010
Thursdays, 4 - 6 p.m.
$10 per 10-week session
Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre

227 Front St. E. (Front at Berkeley)

To register, contact the COC's Education and Outreach department at 416-306-2392.

For more information please contact the COC's Education and Outreach department at
416-306-2392 or visit coc.ca.

The After School Opera Program is generously supported by the Imperial Oil Foundation and
Kraft Canada.

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