Toronto Symphony to Ring in the New Year with the Mozart@260 Festival

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) rings in the new year in style, celebrating one of the most prolific and beloved composers ever with its annual Mozart Festival. The Mozart@260 Festival -- curated by Quebec-based conductor Bernard Labadie -- includes the famous Symphony No. 40 as part of the popular What Makes It Great? series, a splendid program featuring the Jupiter Symphony and more, and a gripping semi-staged production of the Requiem. The TSO then presents Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz, and welcomes back Canadian soprano Barbara Hannigan for a second time this season.

On January 15, the Mozart@260 Festival kicks off with a performance of the famous Symphony No. 40, led by Rob Kapilow. Described by Katie Couric of NBC's Today show as "A wonderful guy who brings music alive!", the convivial host and conductor works his insightful magic on one of Mozart's last and greatest symphonies.

The January 16 and 17 concerts bring a splendid program displaying Mozart's genius in three quite different musical forms. Bernard Labadie conducts the Jupiter Symphony (Mozart's last and most invigorating symphony); the charming Piano Concerto No. 9 "Jeunehomme", with Alexandre Tharaud at the keyboard; and selections from Don Giovanni, spotlighting tenor Frédéric Antoun and bass-baritone Philippe Sly.

On January 21, 22, and 23, the magnificent, deeply human drama of Mozart's Requiem is brought to life as a moving theatrical event, directed by Joel Ivany. Soprano Lydia Teuscher, mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy, tenor Frédéric Antoun, and bass-baritone Philippe Sly, joined by the Amadeus Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers, shed a whole new light on the composer's stirring, final, unfinished masterpiece, now completed by renowned scholar Robert Levin, under the direction of Bernard Labadie. The first portion of the evening features the TSO Chamber Soloists performing an excerpt from the gorgeous Clarinet Quintet in A Major.

On January 27 and 28, the always extraordinary soprano Barbara Hannigan returns to the TSO for Henri Dutilleux's mystical song cycle, Correspondances. "The soprano's voice is perfect for Dutilleux's music, sharing its trademark sensuousness, poise and precision," reported the Financial Times, "and she remains a formidable dramatic presence...a tough act to follow." The evening, under the direction of Peter Oundjian, also includes music by Sibelius, and Berlioz's fanciful Symphonie fantastique.

Peter Oundjian and the Orchestra reprise Symphonie fantastique on January 30. This concert also highlights the TSO's remarkable Principal Horn Neil Deland who performs one of the landmarks of the repertoire, the Horn Concerto No. 1 by R. Strauss.

Founded in 1922, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada's most important cultural institutions, recognized internationally. Music Director Peter Oundjian leads the TSO with a commitment to innovative programming and audience development through a broad range of performances that showcase the exceptional talents of the Orchestra along with a roster of distinguished guest artists and conductors. The TSO also serves the larger community with TSOUNDCHECK, the original under-35 ticket program; the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra; and music-education programs that reach tens of thousands of students each year.

For more, follow the Toronto Symphony on Twitter: @TorontoSymphony, Facebook: facebook.com/torontosymphonyorchestra, YouTube: youtube.com/torontosymphony and Instagram: instagram.com/torontosymphony.

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JANUARY 2016 CONCERT LISTINGS:

All concerts are at Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, unless otherwise noted.
Call the TSO ticket line at 416.598.3375 or order tickets online at TSO.CA.

What Makes It Great? Mozart Symphony 40
Fri, January 15 at 7:30pm

Rob Kapilow, conductor & host

Mozart: Symphony No. 40, K. 550

TICKETS: $34.75-$83.85

Mozart Jupiter Symphony
Sat, January 16 at 8:00pm
Sun, January 17 at 3:00pm at George Weston Recital Hall

Bernard Labadie, conductor
Alexandre Tharaud, piano
Frédéric Antoun, tenor
Philippe Sly, bass-baritone

Mozart: Overture to Don Giovanni
Mozart: "Madamina, il catalogo è questo" and "Dalla sua pace" from Don Giovanni
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9, K. 271 "Jeunehomme"
Mozart: Symphony No. 41, K. 551 "Jupiter"

Jan 16 & 17: Intermission chat in the lobby.

TICKETS:
JAN 16 $33.75-$148
JAN 17 $44.25-$100.50

Mozart Requiem
Thu, January 21 at 8:00pm
Fri, January 22 at 7:30pm
Sat, January 23 at 8:00pm

Bernard Labadie, conductor
Joel Ivany, stage director
Kevin Lamotte, lighting design
Lydia Teuscher, soprano
Allyson McHardy, mezzo-soprano
Frédéric Antoun, tenor
Philippe Sly, bass-baritone
Amadeus Choir & Elmer Iseler Singers (Lydia Adams, Artistic Director)
The TSO Chamber Soloists (Joaquin Valdepeñas, clarinet; Jonathan Crow, violin; Mark Skazinetsky, violin; Teng Li, viola; Joseph Johnson, cello)

Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K 58 - Mvt. II. Larghetto
Mozart/completed by Robert D. Levin: Requiem, K. 626 (semi-staged)

TICKETS: $33.75-$148

Symphonie Fantastique
Wed, January 27 at 8:00pm
Thu, January 28 at 8:00pm

Peter Oundjian, conductor
Barbara Hannigan, soprano

Sibelius: "The Swan of Tuonela" from Lemminkäinen Suite
Dutilleux: Correspondances
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

TICKETS: $33.75-$148

Symphonie Fantastique
Sat, January 30 at 7:30pm

Peter Oundjian, conductor
Neil Deland, horn

R. Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

Post-concert party in the lobby.

TICKETS: $33.75-$107