December 4 – 13, 2012
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue)
The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, generously underwritten by Peter A. Allen, 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.
GrimmFest: Happily Ever Opera
December 4, 2012
12 – 1 p.m.
Vocal Series
As part of GrimmFest, artists of the Canadian Opera Company weave a spell of musical enchantment with a series of famous and lesser-known operatic arias and duets inspired by the timeless tales of the Brothers Grimm.
GrimmFest: Fairy Tales from Faraway Lands
December 5, 2012
12 – 1 p.m.
Continuing the COC’s week-long GrimmFest celebrations, acclaimed Egyptian-Canadian vocalist Maryem Tollar performs in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Together with Roula Said (vocals/dance/percussion), Naghmeh Farahmand (percussion/vocals) and Waleed Abdulhamid (bass/percussion/vocals), she explores fairy tales, legends and myths from around the world, drawing on timeless stories from Arabic, African, Persian, Balkan and Roma Gypsy cultures.
Creative Explorations
December 11, 2012
12 – 1 p.m.
Chamber Music Series
Artists of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra premiere a jointly composed work based on their experiences as artist-educators through the TSO’s Adopt-A-Player program. Blurring the lines between music and theatre, this original composition offers fun and fascinating insights into the process of creative composition.
The Night is Cold but the Music’s Hot
December 12, 2012
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Jazz Series
Performing songs from her much-lauded album 33, Alex Pangman “has all the vivacity and steppin’ out glee of the Jazz Age” (Toronto Life). Though she takes her cues from the great songstresses of the 1930s and 40s, her performances are living proof of the vitality and relevance this music still has today. For her appearance in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre she will be joined by her long-time quartet The Alleycats.
Drums, Strings and Ribbons
December 13, 2012
12 – 1 p.m.
World Music Series
Korean drum and dance ensemble Jeng Yi is joined by zither player Joo Hyung Kim in an exciting program featuring traditional rhythms and original compositions that breathe new life into Korean traditions. The troupe will also perform their much-talked-about ribbon hat dance.
About the Canadian Opera Company
Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The COC enjoys a loyal audience support-base and one of the highest attendance and subscription rates in North America. Under its leadership team of General Director Alexander Neef and Music Director Johannes Debus, the COC is increasingly capturing the opera world’s attention. The COC maintains its international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation by creating new productions within its diverse repertoire, collaborating with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracting the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world. Designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects, the Four Seasons Centre opened in 2006, and is also the performance venue for The National Ballet of Canada. For more information on the COC, visit its award-winning website, coc.ca.
