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Browsing: Classical Music

Photo : Pure Perception

International celebrities and a star-studded opening to the Festival de Lanaudière

By Newswire on 7 May 2019 Chamber Music, Classical, Newswire, Orchestral

Complete artistic programming for the 2019 edition unveiled Sublime voices and star pianists Berlioz tribute Many premieres Joliette, May 7, 2019 –Festival de Lanaudière’s Artistic Director Renaud Loranger today unveiled the complete artistic programming of the Festival de Lanaudière’s 42nd season. This year, the Festival features many artists making their debuts either at Lanaudière, in Quebec, or for some, in Canada. From July 5 to August 4, music lovers are invited to take advantage of the Festival’s top venues: the enchanting Amphithéâtre Fernand-Lindsay and several local churches. In the words of Mr. Loranger: “From Europe and America, a roster…

AUSTIN, TX - MAY 2, 2019 - Puccini's La Bohème.

Austin Opera Breathes New Life into La Bohème

By Paul E. Robinson on 6 May 2019 Classical, Classical Music, Opera, Vocal, World Music

PUCCINI: La Bohème Elizabeth Caballero, sop. (Mimì) Kang Wang, ten. (Rofolfo) Noel Bouley, bar. (Marcello) Ashraf Sewailam, bass (Colline) Andrew Lovato, bar. (Schaunard) Susannah Biller, sop. (Musetta) Alison Moritz, stage director Michael Yeargan, scenic designer Walter Mahoney, costume designer Austin Opera Orchestra and Chorus/Peter Bay, conductor Long Center for the Performing Arts Austin, Texas May 2, 2019 Whenever lists are compiled of the most popular operas, La Bohème is invariably in the top two or three, with good reason. After more than a century, the beauty of its music and the appeal of its characters continue to win audiences. In…

Violinist Duncan McDougall, centre, with Stingray Sponsorships and Partnerships Manager Ariane Charbonneau, left, and TSO Chief Executive Officer Matthew Loden. (Photo: Jag Gundu)

Duncan McDougall, 2018/19 Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra violinist, receives Stingray Rising Stars Award

By Newswire on 6 May 2019 Arts Industry, Newswire, Orchestral, Violin

For immediate release—May 6, 2019: The Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) is proud to announce that Duncan McDougall is the recipient of the 2018/19 TSYO Stingray Rising Stars Award. The announcement was made on Sunday, May 5, during the TSYO’s season-finale concert at Roy Thomson Hall, marking the end of the orchestra’s 45th season. The Stingray Rising Stars Award was launched in 1998 as Galaxie Rising Stars. This original program sets out to discover, encourage, promote, and champion new up-and-coming Canadian artists. The award, with a value of $1,000, will help Duncan advance his career. “Contributing to the career advancement of…

Photo: Marco Monteferrante

Review: Rossini’s Little Gem

By Marco Monteferrante on 5 May 2019 Choral, Classical Music, Opera, Vocal

The Société philharmonique du nouveau monde performed Gioacchino Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle on April 27. While the Société chose the original version scored for two pianos and harmonium, the vocal parts in this production were sung entirely by the 150 choristers (instead of four soloists and eight choristers). The pianos were played by Danielle Maisonneuve and Jenna Richards, and the harmonium by Mélanie Barney. Michel Brousseau conducted from memory, which is not surprising given his leadership of the choristers’ rigorous rehearsal series. The chorus was evidently very well-prepared and well-responsive to Brousseau’s direction. In the heart of the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough…

Krista De Silva (Carmen) Antoine Bélanger (Don José) ©Yves Renaud

Review: Opera de Montreal’s Carmen Uneven

By Wah Keung Chan on 5 May 2019 Opera

Opéra de Montréal’s first production in 14 years of Bizet’s Carmen was highly anticipated due to the staging of renowned filmmaker Charles Binamé, who was taking on an opera for the first time. Considered the world’s most performed opera, Carmen was sold out months earlier, even after a fifth performance was added back in August 2018, and variable pricing had tickets soaring over $200 to the $300 range. Gripes Binamé’s influence was disappointing on opening night (May 4, 2019). The set design was touted as quite grand, but the mysterious appearance of metal scaffolding holding together the façade seemed out-of-place.…

Photo: Clive Barda

David Matthews: 9th symphony (Nimbus Alliance)

By Norman Lebrecht on 3 May 2019 CD and Book Reviews, Classical, Lebrecht Weekly

You may recognise the composer’s name as one of two brothers who assisted Deryck Cooke and Berthold Goldschmidt in creating the first performing edition of Mahler’s tenth symphony. Now 76, David Matthews has come a long way from those early Gustavian speculations. Where his brother Colin drew close to Benjamin Britten, David veered to the wilder fantasies of Michael Tippett while staying close to English roots and traditions. His ninth symphony, receiving its world premiere on this release, is a kind of summation. Starting with a self-composed carol and extending to a Bach chorale, it represents the best of British…

Photo: Wah Keung Chan

OSM ANNOUNCES ITS 2019 SUMMER SEASON

By Newswire on 3 May 2019 Classical Music, Newswire

THE 8TH EDITION OF THE CLASSICAL SPREE FESTIVAL IS LAUNCHED! Montreal, May 2, 2019 — The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Music Director Kent Nagano, and the spokesperson for the 2019 OSM’S summer season André Robitaille unveil the Orchestra’s summer programming and invite music lovers of all ages to come out and enjoy the 8th edition of the OSM Classical Spree. From Wednesday, August 7 to Sunday, August 11, 31 concerts — 11 of which will be conducted by Maestro Nagano— as well as a multitude of free performances and activities will be offered at the Maison symphonique, in the different halls…

Tamara Wilson as Desdemona and Russell Thomas as Otello. Canadian Opera Company. Photo: Michael Cooper

COC’s Otello Visually Stunning but a bit Wanting

By Denise Lai on 30 April 2019 Opera

The Canadian Opera Company closes its 2018-19 season with Verdi’s Otello. A former slave, Otello is now captain of the Venetian fleet and the new governor of Cyprus. When Iago, Otello’s trusted advisor, is passed over for a promotion, he plots to destroy Otello by turning him against his friends and his beloved wife, Desdemona. Preying on Otello’s insecurities, Iago plants suspicions about Desdemona’s fidelity. Consumed by paranoia and blind rage, Otello strangles her and — upon learning about her innocence — kills himself. What you missed? The star of the night was Canadian baritone Gerald Finley who gave an…

L'OM Grandeur nature - Un grand concert gratuit pour l'inauguration de l'Espace 67 du Parc Jean-Drapeau (Groupe CNW/SOCIETE DU PARC JEAN-DRAPEAU)

L’OM Grandeur nature – A breathtaking free concert

By Newswire on 30 April 2019 Classical Music, Newswire

MONTRÉAL, April 30, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ – To celebrate the new multi-purpose public place, Espace 67, Parc Jean-Drapeau proudly announced today it is adding L’OM Grandeur nature to its 2019 summer program. This major free concert of classical music performed by the Orchestre Métropolitain and conducted by renowned Montréal maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin, will be held on Thursday, June 27 at 8.30 p.m. The event, organized by the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau, in collaboration with the Orchestre Métropolitain, serves as a major people-gathering activity and an invitation to rediscover a completely redeveloped site that is more majestic than ever. In keeping…

A Carmen for all of Quebec!

By Newswire on 26 April 2019 Newswire, Opera

Presented at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts, May 4, 7, 9, 11, and 13, 2019 at 7:30 pm Montreal, April 25, 2019 – The Opéra de Montréal is proud to announce that it is one of eleven organizations and nine professional artists that will receive financial assistance from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for the development of new, large-scale digital projects. The funds will allow for the recording of this unique production of Carmen—whose cast and creative team shine a spotlight on Quebec talent—with a goal of having various multidisciplinary presenters throughout Quebec show it at…