Canadian Opera Company Announces Upcoming Season

The Canadian Opera Company has announced the following upcoming events:

The Tales of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach

9 performances: April 10, 14, 18, 21, May 3, 6, 8, 14, 2012

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue)

The opening of the Canadian Opera Company’s spring season sparkles as Jacques Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann returns to the COC for the first time since 1988.  The opera follows the poet Hoffmann, a writer of fantastical fables, as he spins dark reminiscences of his failed attempts to find love.  Appearing in the title role is one of the most exciting talents on the international opera scene today, American tenor Russell Thomas(COC debut).  Also appearing as Hoffmann is COC Ensemble Studio graduate tenor David Pomeroy who recently made his Metropolitan Opera debut in this role.  Hoffmann’s three would-be loves are portrayed by a group of outstanding sopranos: Canadian Andriana Chuchman (COC debut); Canadian Erin Wall, recently seen at the COC in Love from Afar; and American Keri Alkema (COC debut).  Acclaimed Canadian bass-baritone John Relyea makes his company debut as Hoffmann’s four nemeses.  Leading the COC Orchestra and Chorus through Offenbach’s rich, melodic masterpiece is COC Music Director Johannes Debus.  He is joined by English director Lee Blakeley, who comes to the COC on the heels of acclaimed productions for an impressive roster of companies, including Minnesota Opera, Santa Fe Opera and Théâtre du Châtelet.

 

Single tickets for The Tales of Hoffmann are $12 – $318 (specially priced $22 tickets are available for people under the age of 30).  Tickets are available online at coc.ca, by calling COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office, located at 145 Queen St. W., Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

 

A Florentine Tragedy by Alexander Zemlinsky & Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini

8 performances: April 26, May 2, 5, 12, 15, 18, 20, 25, 2012

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue)

 

The COC’s spring season continues with a double bill of darkly witty, one-act operas: Alexander Zemlinsky’s A Florentine Tragedy (Canadian premiere) and Giacomo Puccini’s comic Gianni Schicchi.  Zemlinsky’s satiric one-acter is based on an unfinished Oscar Wilde play that tells the tale of a merchant who discovers his wife’s affair with the Prince of Florence.  Part two of the double bill is Puccini’s tour-de-force comedy in which family members frantically scheme to benefit their own greed when excluded from a wealthy relative’s will.  Bass-baritone Alan Held and German soprano Gun-Brit Barkmin make their COC debuts in the lead roles of both operas.  German-Canadian tenor Michael König makes his first appearance with the company to portray the prince at the heart of A Florentine Tragedy.  Soprano and COC Ensemble Studio memberSimone Osborne takes on the role of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi.  The double bill is presented in a new production by Catherine Malfitano, one of the world’s most renowned sopranos whose directorial efforts have received much acclaim.  Returning to conduct this pair of operas is legendary maestro Sir Andrew Davis, whose company debut last year with Ariadne auf Naxos was met with nightly standing ovations.

 

Single tickets for A Florentine Tragedy/Gianni Schicchi are $12 – $318 (specially priced $22 tickets are available for people under the age of 30).  Tickets are available online at coc.ca, by calling COC Ticket Services at

416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office, located at 145 Queen St. W., Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

 

FREE CONCERT SERIES IN THE

Richard Bradshaw AMPHITHEATRE

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 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, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis.  Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early as late seating is not available. 

 

 

Date	Series	Artist
April 3, 2012 12 – 1 p.m.	Chamber Music Series        *World Premiere	Primitive Forces Under the direction of conductor and award-winning composer Brian Current, the young artists of The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble present an eclectic and exciting program of contemporary works for chamber ensemble.  The concert includes Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s Graal Théâtre for violin, as well as the world premiere of Whirlwave, a piano concerto by Toronto-based pianist/composer Adam Sherkin.
April 4, 2012 12 – 1 p.m.	Vocal Series	Songs of Brahms and Zemlinsky Under the direction of Liz Upchurch, the Head of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, young artists present a program of rarities and popular gems from the German liedrepertoire, including works by Alexander Zemlinsky and his great supporter, Johannes Brahms.  This concert is the perfect primer for the Canadian premiere of Zemlinsky’s ravishing one-act opera, A Florentine Tragedy, performed by the COC this spring as part of a double bill with Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.
April 5, 2012 12 – 1 p.m.	Piano Virtuoso Series	Extase Religieuse Virtuoso pianist and COC Ensemble Studio graduateChristopher Mokrzewski presents two breathtaking examples of music that expresses divine inspiration: Franz Liszt’s Bénédiction de Dieu dans la Solitude (fromHarmonies Poétiques et Religieuses) and selections from Vingt Regards sur l’enfant Jésus, Olivier Messiaen’s vast meditation on the birth of Christ.
April 10, 2012 12 – 1 p.m.	Chamber Music Series	Plays of Light Trio Arkel – COC Orchestra concertmaster Marie Bérard, Toronto Symphony Orchestra principAl Viola Teng Li and TSO assistant principal cello Winona Zelenka – explores the colour, light and atmosphere of Beethoven’s beautiful but rarely-performed String Trio in G Major, Op. 9, No. 1 as well as Kaija Saariaho’s evocative Cloud Trio, which was inspired by the vast skies over the French Alps.
April 12, 2012 12 – 1 p.m.	Dance Series        *An RBA First	IZM For the first time in the history of the Free Concert Series, streets rule the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre as Ottawa’s Bboyizmdance company brings its thrilling showcase of street dancing to the hall.  Drawing on his technical background in the original two hip-hop dance styles (rocking and b-boying, aka “breakdancing”), artistic director Crazy Smooth presents excerpts from IZM, a piece that channels the spirit and passion of street dance.
April 17, 2012  12 – 1 p.m.	Chamber Music Series	Spotlight on Young Artists Some of the brightest rising stars on the Canadian classical music scene light up the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre with an exciting hour of solo and chamber music.  This concert features winners of the 2011 Canadian Music Competition.
April 19, 2012 12 – 1 p.m.	Dance Series	Histoire d’amour Contemporary dance company BoucharDanse brings innovative choreography together with narrative-driven theatre to examine our undying search for love.  Performers Brendan Wyatt, Sylvie Bouchard and Adam Paolozza present poignant and comic journeys from three of history’s well-known tales of love and longing.
April 24, 2012   12 – 1 p.m.	Jazz Series	New York State of Mind Soprano Lauren Margison teams up with COC Ensemble Studio alumnus, pianist Christopher Mokrzewski, to present a powerhouse program of jazz standards and pop classics, paying homage to the Big Apple, a city that inspired Billie Holiday, Billy Joel and everyone in between.
April 26, 2012   12 – 1 p.m.	World Music Series	Room of Wonders Inspired by folk dances from around the world, two-time Juno-award-winning banjoist Jayme Stone and his band present selections from their new album, Room of Wonders.

 

 

COC Fine Wine Auction
April 12, 2012

Cocktails at 6 p.m. / Live Auction at 7 p.m.

Design Exchange, 234 Bay St.

Tickets: $100

 

Wine aficionados can raise their glasses and bidding paddles at the Canadian Opera Company’s 13th Annual Fine Wine Auction on April 12, 2012 at the Design Exchange (234 Bay Street).  Presenting an exquisite and impressive array of hard-to-find fine wines from private collections is Toronto’s best known auctioneer, Stephen Ranger.  Guests can also indulge in tasting wine and an incredible selection of culinary delicacies, while browsing the fantastic packages in the silent auction.  All proceeds go to the COC.