The Toronto Operetta Theatre Presents the Canadian Premiere of LA GRAN VIA, 11/2

A champion of music theatre in all its diversity, Toronto Operetta Theatrepresents the Canadian Premiere of the Spanish zarzuela, LA GRAN VIA by Chueca and Valverde onSunday, November 2, 2014 at 2 pm at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Premiered at Teatro Felipe in 1886, this renowned zarzuela is a bold mixture of comic fantasy, social comment, political satire and the indelible music of Spain. The work was inspired by the creation of a gleaming new avenue in the heart of Madrid - La Gran Via - a thoroughfare that has become as famous as London's Piccadilly or Broadway in New York. "We have taken Chueca's short form zarzuela or genero chico" says Guillermo Silva-Marin, "and added well-known works from other zarzuela masters...just as was done during that time in Madrid." The full afternoon will be a musical revue in the grand manner of the world's most exciting entertainment centres.

LA GRAN VIA will be led from the piano by José Hernández. Originally from Andalusia in southern Spain, Hernández received his musical education in Madrid and began his professional career there as a conductor and pianist. Reflecting its mandate to promote talented Canadian artists, LA GRAN VIA features Colombian born soprano Margie Bernal and rising Torontonian mezzo Dina Shikhman. Returning to TOT will be Argentinian/Canadian baritone Diego Catalá and tenors Fabián Arciniegasfrom Colombia and Pablo Benítez from Venezuela, all enthusiastically applauded in last season's LA REVOLTOSA (THE SAUCY SEÑORITA). TOT's own Guillermo Silva-Marín - who hails from Puerto Rico - will be the stage director for this exciting and witty afternoon of music theatre from Spain.

LA GRAN VIA will be immediately followed by Olé España, a post-concert reception with wine and a light gourmet buffet in the Lobby of the Bluma Appel Theatre, adjacent to the Jane Mallett Theatre. Hosted by the TOT Board of Directors, the reception will give zarzuela lovers the opportunity to meet the Consul General of Spain, Don Pablo Ruiz Jarabo and Josefina Torres, President of the Club Hispano of Canada and mingle with our artists, TOT Friends and special guests.

Toronto Operetta Theatre is grateful for the support of Deutsche Presse (media sponsor), the Jackman Foundation, the Bedolfe Foundation, KPMG, Barrick, Gluskin Sheff, the Canada Council, Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council. All performances at the wheel chair accessible St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts - Box Office (416) 366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754. Online sales www.stlc.ca. For information, call TOT at (416) 922-2912.