From a media release:
COC’S FREE CONCERT SERIES
RETURNS WITH DIVERSE MIX OF INTERNATIONAL TALENT AND RISING STARS FOR 2013/2014 SEASON
September 26, 2013 to June 4, 2014
Toronto – The Canadian Opera Company’s Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre kicks off an eighth season of dynamic programming this fall, bringing together established artists and rising young talent from Canada and around the world. In a popular Free Concert Series tradition, the first concert of the 2013/2014 season introduces audiences to the opera stars of tomorrow with a performance by the
artists of the COC Ensemble Studio on September 26, 2013 at 12 p.m.
The 13/14 season features over 400 artists in 79 concerts and dance performances, including five world premieres featuring Canadian bass Robert Pomakov and the internationally acclaimed Gryphon Trio; the cutting-edge young musicians of The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble; young American pianist Kara Huber; percussionist Rick Sacks of the inventive contemporary music collective ArrayMusic; and champions of new Canadian music, the Canadian Art Song Project.
For a second time, the Free Concert Series partners with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s New Creations Festival. Audiences will experience two important and exhilarating works of the contemporary two-piano repertoire: American legend John Adams’s iconic Hallelujah Junction and acclaimed German-born composer Hans Thomalla’s Noema. Thomalla makes a special appearance in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre to provide personal insight into his composition. Award-winning young contemporary specialists Ryan MacEvoy McCullough and Claudia Chan come together for the first time to perform both of these influential works.
First-time Free Concert Series appearances include performances by world-renowned baritone Sir Thomas Allen, acclaimed American tenor Paul Appleby, Holland’s hottest new saxophone ensemble Amstel Quartet,
Canadian jazz icon Joe Sealy, Canadian harpsichordist Hank Knox, and three-time JUNO nominee and jazz vocalist Elizabeth Shepherd. After its overwhelming popularity last season, the Free Concert Series’ all-ages March Break programming returns with two interactive experiences featuring artists of the COC Ensemble Atudio and Jeng Yi Korean Drumming Ensemble.
The Free Concert Series brings diverse artistic experiences to 15,000 people annually from September to June in what has become one of Toronto’s most vibrant cultural hubs, the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Performances take place most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 p.m., and some Wednesdays at 12 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Free Concert Series presents artists of the highest calibre in six varied series running throughout the season:
International opera stars and rising young talent perform in 19 noon-hour recitals throughout the season. Several artists featured in the COC’s 13/14 mainstage season make highly anticipated appearances in the Vocal Series, including Canadians baritone Russell Braun, mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy and soprano Tracy Dahl, English baritone Sir Thomas Allen, American tenor Paul Appleby, and Ensemble Studio alumna soprano Simone Osborne.
In addition to the season opening concert on September 26, the artists of the COC Ensemble Studio appear in a variety of concerts throughout the year, including a program of highlights from Mozart’s wry comedy Così fan tutte and two musical tributes to Benjamin Britten in honour of the centenary of the composer’s birth.
The series also presents the world premiere of a new song cycle commissioned by the Canadian Art Song Project, under the direction of distinguished Ensemble Studio alumni Lawrence Wiliford and Steven Philcox,
and a rare performance of Gagliano’s 17th-century gem, La Dafne, featuring Baroque music specialists Capella Intima and Toronto Continuo Collective. Students from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music Opera Division and the young artists of Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal showcase the bright future of Canadian opera.
The Canadian Opera Company Orchestra returns for a third season of concerts, curated by COC Music Director Johannes Debus. Five concerts feature the orchestra members in various combinations and showcase the works of classical music’s greatest composers, including Bach, Beethoven and Britten. Members of the COC Orchestra also join forces with young artists of the COC Ensemble Studio and artists of the COC’s 13/14 mainstage season in three special presentations in the 13/14 season.
Rounding out the series of 17 concerts are notable local and international artists and ensembles, including percussionist Rick Sacks of ArrayMusic, the all-female piano quartet Ensemble Made in Canada,
Netherlands-based saxophone ensemble Amstel Quartet, cellist Yegor Dyachkov, violinist Mark Fewer, The National Ballet Brass Quintet, and ensembles from The Glenn Gould School.
Brilliant pianists from Canada and around the world present a richly varied repertoire in 13 concerts this season. Highlights include first-time appearances by Kara Huber with a world premiere from emerging American composer Natalie Draper, Chinese virtuoso Haiou Zhang in a rare Toronto appearance, award-winning young Canadian Leonard Gilbert, genre-bending Canadian pianist and composer John Kameel Farah, and one of Canada’s hottest new piano teams, Duo Volando. Rising stars returning to the series include Alexander Seredenko, Mehdi Ghazi and Ryan MacEvoy McCullough.
The Jazz Series presents Canadian legends and emerging talent on the Toronto jazz scene in 14 sizzling and soulful performances. In a season featuring a broad repertoire of jazz standards and edgy new compositions, drummer Morgan Childs kicks off the series with his award-winning new quartet in a high-octane hour of
swinging standards and original tunes. Back by popular demand, powerhouse pianist Robi Botos reunites with Cuban pianist Hilario Durán for another meeting of extraordinary musical minds. Additional highlights include Michael Occhipinti and Shine On’s tribute to the music of John Lennon, students and faculty of Humber College, the Shirantha Beddage Quartet, the Elizabeth Shepherd Trio, and the Joe Sealy Trio.
This season’s seven dance performances showcase some of the city’s most inventive dancers and choreographers, drawing from a variety of cultural and dance traditions. Styles range from the traditional Indian Kathak dancing of Infusion Dance, to the urban street moves of Gadfly Dance. Signal Theatre’s preview of choreographer Michael Greyeyes’ powerful new work, A Soldier’s Tale, and excerpts from Opera Atelier and Atelier Ballet’s Persée, a lavish retelling of the classic Greek myth, also display the diversity of the series. The Free Concert Series welcomes return appearances from the University of Toronto’s Dharma Santi with their distinguished guest artists from
Bali, and notable Canadian companies Peggy Baker Dance Projects and Ballet Jörgen.
Nine world music performances bring sounds and rhythms from around the world to the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Audiences begin this global musical journey in Turkey with Andrew Downing’s Anahtar Project in a tribute to Istanbul with oud player Güç BaÅŸar Gülle, and finish in Russia with domra virtuosa Iraida Erokhina and acclaimed accordionist Alexander Sevastian on bayan. Additional series highlights include Nagata Shachu’s heart-pounding taiko drum beats, The Sicilian Jazz Project’s cross-cultural blend of Sicilian folk music and modern jazz, and Indo-jazz meets classical Indian fusion group Monsoon:Synthesis.
COC’S FREE CONCERT SERIES
RETURNS WITH DIVERSE MIX OF INTERNATIONAL TALENT AND RISING STARS FOR 2013/2014 SEASON
September 26, 2013 to June 4, 2014
Toronto – The Canadian Opera Company’s Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre kicks off an eighth season of dynamic programming this fall, bringing together established artists and rising young talent from Canada and around the world. In a popular Free Concert Series tradition, the first concert of the 2013/2014 season introduces audiences to the opera stars of tomorrow with a performance by the
artists of the COC Ensemble Studio on September 26, 2013 at 12 p.m.The 13/14 season features over 400 artists in 79 concerts and dance performances, including five world premieres featuring Canadian bass Robert Pomakov and the internationally acclaimed Gryphon Trio; the cutting-edge young musicians of The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble; young American pianist Kara Huber; percussionist Rick Sacks of the inventive contemporary music collective ArrayMusic; and champions of new Canadian music, the Canadian Art Song Project.
For a second time, the Free Concert Series partners with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s New Creations Festival. Audiences will experience two important and exhilarating works of the contemporary two-piano repertoire: American legend John Adams’s iconic Hallelujah Junction and acclaimed German-born composer Hans Thomalla’s Noema. Thomalla makes a special appearance in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre to provide personal insight into his composition. Award-winning young contemporary specialists Ryan MacEvoy McCullough and Claudia Chan come together for the first time to perform both of these influential works.First-time Free Concert Series appearances include performances by world-renowned baritone Sir Thomas Allen, acclaimed American tenor Paul Appleby, Holland’s hottest new saxophone ensemble Amstel Quartet,
Canadian jazz icon Joe Sealy, Canadian harpsichordist Hank Knox, and three-time JUNO nominee and jazz vocalist Elizabeth Shepherd. After its overwhelming popularity last season, the Free Concert Series’ all-ages March Break programming returns with two interactive experiences featuring artists of the COC Ensemble Atudio and Jeng Yi Korean Drumming Ensemble.The Free Concert Series brings diverse artistic experiences to 15,000 people annually from September to June in what has become one of Toronto’s most vibrant cultural hubs, the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Performances take place most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 p.m., and some Wednesdays at 12 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Free Concert Series presents artists of the highest calibre in six varied series running throughout the season:
International opera stars and rising young talent perform in 19 noon-hour recitals throughout the season. Several artists featured in the COC’s 13/14 mainstage season make highly anticipated appearances in the Vocal Series, including Canadians baritone Russell Braun, mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy and soprano Tracy Dahl, English baritone Sir Thomas Allen, American tenor Paul Appleby, and Ensemble Studio alumna soprano Simone Osborne.In addition to the season opening concert on September 26, the artists of the COC Ensemble Studio appear in a variety of concerts throughout the year, including a program of highlights from Mozart’s wry comedy Così fan tutte and two musical tributes to Benjamin Britten in honour of the centenary of the composer’s birth.
The series also presents the world premiere of a new song cycle commissioned by the Canadian Art Song Project, under the direction of distinguished Ensemble Studio alumni Lawrence Wiliford and Steven Philcox,
and a rare performance of Gagliano’s 17th-century gem, La Dafne, featuring Baroque music specialists Capella Intima and Toronto Continuo Collective. Students from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music Opera Division and the young artists of Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal showcase the bright future of Canadian opera.The Canadian Opera Company Orchestra returns for a third season of concerts, curated by COC Music Director Johannes Debus. Five concerts feature the orchestra members in various combinations and showcase the works of classical music’s greatest composers, including Bach, Beethoven and Britten. Members of the COC Orchestra also join forces with young artists of the COC Ensemble Studio and artists of the COC’s 13/14 mainstage season in three special presentations in the 13/14 season.
Rounding out the series of 17 concerts are notable local and international artists and ensembles, including percussionist Rick Sacks of ArrayMusic, the all-female piano quartet Ensemble Made in Canada,
Netherlands-based saxophone ensemble Amstel Quartet, cellist Yegor Dyachkov, violinist Mark Fewer, The National Ballet Brass Quintet, and ensembles from The Glenn Gould School.Brilliant pianists from Canada and around the world present a richly varied repertoire in 13 concerts this season. Highlights include first-time appearances by Kara Huber with a world premiere from emerging American composer Natalie Draper, Chinese virtuoso Haiou Zhang in a rare Toronto appearance, award-winning young Canadian Leonard Gilbert, genre-bending Canadian pianist and composer John Kameel Farah, and one of Canada’s hottest new piano teams, Duo Volando. Rising stars returning to the series include Alexander Seredenko, Mehdi Ghazi and Ryan MacEvoy McCullough.
The Jazz Series presents Canadian legends and emerging talent on the Toronto jazz scene in 14 sizzling and soulful performances. In a season featuring a broad repertoire of jazz standards and edgy new compositions, drummer Morgan Childs kicks off the series with his award-winning new quartet in a high-octane hour of
swinging standards and original tunes. Back by popular demand, powerhouse pianist Robi Botos reunites with Cuban pianist Hilario Durán for another meeting of extraordinary musical minds. Additional highlights include Michael Occhipinti and Shine On’s tribute to the music of John Lennon, students and faculty of Humber College, the Shirantha Beddage Quartet, the Elizabeth Shepherd Trio, and the Joe Sealy Trio.This season’s seven dance performances showcase some of the city’s most inventive dancers and choreographers, drawing from a variety of cultural and dance traditions. Styles range from the traditional Indian Kathak dancing of Infusion Dance, to the urban street moves of Gadfly Dance. Signal Theatre’s preview of choreographer Michael Greyeyes’ powerful new work, A Soldier’s Tale, and excerpts from Opera Atelier and Atelier Ballet’s Persée, a lavish retelling of the classic Greek myth, also display the diversity of the series. The Free Concert Series welcomes return appearances from the University of Toronto’s Dharma Santi with their distinguished guest artists from
Bali, and notable Canadian companies Peggy Baker Dance Projects and Ballet Jörgen.Nine world music performances bring sounds and rhythms from around the world to the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Audiences begin this global musical journey in Turkey with Andrew Downing’s Anahtar Project in a tribute to Istanbul with oud player Güç BaÅŸar Gülle, and finish in Russia with domra virtuosa Iraida Erokhina and acclaimed accordionist Alexander Sevastian on bayan. Additional series highlights include Nagata Shachu’s heart-pounding taiko drum beats, The Sicilian Jazz Project’s cross-cultural blend of Sicilian folk music and modern jazz, and Indo-jazz meets classical Indian fusion group Monsoon:Synthesis.
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