Toronto Masque Theatre Presents MASQUE OF THE MUSES, 11/25-11/27

Masque of the Muses
Thursday, November 25, Friday, November 26, & Saturday, November 27, all at 8 PM
Pre-concert chat: 7:15 PM for all concerts
Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester Street, Toronto
Subscriptions: Adults: $90 / Seniors: $75 / Under thirty: $50
Single tickets: $30 / $25 / $15
Purchase by phone: 416 410 4561 / Online: www.torontomasquetheatre.com

To open its 2010-2011 season, the Toronto Masque Theatre presents "Masque of the Muses", a multidisciplinary production featuring a wide variety of music, dance, poetry and film. Under Artistic Director Larry Beckwith, "Masque of the Muses" is designed by Caroline Guilbault, with choreography by Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière and lighting design by Gabriel Cropley.

"Masque of the Muses" features eminent Canadian musicians Teri Dunn (soprano), Margaret Gay (cello), Kathleen Kajioka (violin) and Alison Melville (flutes) and special guest harpsichordist Noam Krieger from Holland, all led from the violin by Larry Beckwith. Actor Derek Boyes and dancer Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière - the associate artists of Toronto Masque Theatre - complete the stellar list of performers.

In the intimate surroundings of the Winchester Street Theatre, poignant visuals, sumptuous sound, and elegant movement will combine seamlessly to create a warm, inviting, and classic TMT experience. The program includes a rare complete performance of La Muse de l'Opera by Louis-Nicolas Clérambault. This extraordinary cantata's solo singer (Dunn) travels rapidly through an exhaustive list of affects and emotions found in 17th century French opera. TMT's performance will feature choreography and dancing by Lacoursière, subtly mirroring and embodying the themes of the piece.

Nine Muses were said to have inspired all artists in ancient times. From whom do we take our inspiration today? TMT will look back to ancient muses (Calliope, Clio, Eterpe, Terpsichore etc.) as well as considering the sources of our inspiration in modern times.

A pre-concert lecture with Larry Beckwith and Derek Boyes and guests will begin at 7:15PM prior to all performances and take place in a small dance studio adjacent to the main auditorium at "The Winch".

Toronto Masque Theatre was founded by artistic director Larry Beckwith in 2003 as a multi-disciplinary performing arts organization dedicated to the revival of music theatre works from the 16th to 18th centuries and the commissioning of new works in the spirit of the masque from Canadian creative artists. Since then, TMT has produced close to two dozen critically acclaimed productions, including five world premieres of major works written especially for the company, a cycle of the major music theatre works by Henry Purcell, and an eclectic mix of other plays, operas, ballets and smaller works.

Toronto Masque Theatre's 2010-2011 Season is generously sponsored by Roger D. Moore and Father Brian Freeland. Toronto Masque Theatre is supported by Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council.

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