It seems like there is always a surprise at Roy Thomson Hall these days. On March 20, the concert was preceded by the investiture of Music Director Gustavo Gimeno as a Commander of the Order of Civil Merit of Spain by the ambassador of that nation who used the occasion to make a speech including a very obvious reference to Canada as an independent country. It was followed by the playing of the national anthems of both countries in case anyone missed the point. And so to the published program … Rufus Wainwright’s A Woman’s Face (Sonnet 20) starts with…
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Toronto Symphony Orchestra to Bring Canadian Music & Music-Making to Europe in Its 2025/26 Season Gustavo Gimeno’s first overseas tour with the TSO runs from January 27 to February 9, 2026, and marks the orchestra’s début in Spain and Luxembourg, and return to the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Austria. In the midst of an extraordinary 2025/26 season defined by international artistic explorations, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) will proudly bring Canadian music, music-making, and spirit to Western Europe as part of a 14-day tour spanning eight cities in six countries. Running from January 27 to February 9, 2026, and continuing a rich…
QUEEN, HERBIE HANCOCK AND BARBARA HANNIGAN ANNOUNCED AS 2025 POLAR MUSIC PRIZE LAUREATES Award ceremony will take place on Tuesday 27 May in Stockholm #polarmusicprize Stockholm, Tuesday 18 March: Queen, Herbie Hancock and Barbara Hannigan are today announced as recipients of the 2025 Polar Music Prize. The trio will join the roll call of trailblazing artists all bestowed with the prestigious honour, which celebrates excellence in music. The Polar Music Prize ceremony takes place on Tuesday 27 May in Stockholm at the Grand Hôtel and is broadcast live in Sweden on TV4 at 8pm (CET). For three decades, the Polar…
Years ago, after a Paris performance of Shostakovich’s Fifth symphony, I heard the composer’s widow, comparing the work to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. “Because it’s always fresh?” I asked enthusiastically, trying to impress the great lady. “No, because it’s performed all the time,” came the dry response. There’s definitely something in that off-the-cuff remark, but I like to think there’s also some truth in mine. I confess to being on my guard when attending a live performance of this emotional roller-coaster, fearing either staleness or mannerism. But it turns out that with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, I needn’t have worried. This…
With Uptown Nights (seen March 8), the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra paid tribute to the world of jazz as it was founded on the talents of Harlem era musicians. The rise of jazz coincided with the emergence of incredible musicians like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. As it became increasingly popular throughout the Roaring Twenties, jazz served as an outlet for expression and freedom, with its unpredictability and syncopation resonating with audiences for generations to come. Beyond all else, jazz is a living, breathing thing, and trumpeter Byron Stripling embodies this. Stripling has a presence like no other, with…
Some legacies are passed down, and others must be claimed. In the 2025/26 season, Edmonton Opera explores what it means to inherit, build, and redefine a legacy through a bold lineup of performances and special events. This season celebrates the voices that shaped the art form, the artists carrying it forward, and the ongoing evolution of opera as the living art form that continues to inspire new generations. “Our 2026/26 season is really about what we inherit, what we keep, and what we redefine,” says Edmonton Opera’s Artistic Director, Joel Ivany. “From celebrating opera’s greatest moments to championing new voices…
Sponsored Article by A Thousand Tales Press Office Transporting audiences to a fantastical world filled with fairytale magic, A Thousand Tales ballet will make its much-awaited return for a third edition in the GCC region at the architectural marvel that is Dubai Opera on April 4 and 5, 2025. The enchanting ballet, beautifully written and directed by famous Italian choreographer Francesco Ventriglia to music by Alexey Shor, is all set to take viewers on a nostalgic journey through their childhood favourites. The production features an outstanding cast, with each world-class artist carefully selected from Alberta Ballet, one of Canada’s premier…
On March 8 and 9, French Baroque orchestra Le Concert de l’Hostel Dieu and Italian soprano Roberta Mameli were invited by Arion Baroque Orchestra to present Ghosts of Hamlet at Montreal’s Bourgie Hall. In the 18th century, Italian composers Domenico Scarlatti, Francesco Gasparini (whose opera includes various arias by Handel), and Giuseppe Carcani each composed an operatic version of Ambleto (Hamlet). Their versions were not based on Shakespeare’s play, but on a libretto by Apostolo Zeno. Both Shakespeare’s play and Zeno’s libretto were based on the legend of Amleth found in the Gesta Danorum (History of the Danes). This concert…
Toronto, March 3, 2025 — The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMChoir) announces that Executive Director Daniela Nardi will be departing her role in March 2025 to pursue other opportunities. “We are deeply grateful for Daniela’s dedication and the significant contributions she has made to TMChoir’s mission during her time with us,” says David Raju, Board Chair. “Her leadership has guided the Choir through many important milestones, including our 130th anniversary season. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.” Following Daniela Nardi’s departure, TMChoir plans to take time to assess its organizational design. It has been on a transformational…
TORONTO SUMMER MUSIC ANNOUNCES 2025 FESTIVAL DETAIL The 20th Anniversary Festival runs July 10 to August 2 TORONTO (February 27, 2025) – Toronto Summer Music announced today details of the 2025 Festival, which runs from July 10 to August 2, 2025. This year, the Festival celebrates its 20th Anniversary, and Jonathan Crow’s final summer as Artistic Director. “As we mark TSM’s 20th Anniversary, we reflect on two decades of unforgettable performances, thriving community connections, and remarkable growth. It has been an incredible privilege to serve as Artistic Director for the past nine years, and as I prepare to pass the…