En direct, Vidéo: Rechercher des critiques de musique classique, opéra et ballet | Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra

Opera Atelier presents a double bill at the Royal Opera in Versailles filled with Baroque dancing, scenery and music.

Bringing together disparate art forms is no easy task, as Tafelmusik's latest concert House of Dreams sadly proves. 

Opera Atelier’s latest production mixes traditional-specific touches the company is known for, and more high-concept inclusions. The results are mixed — but the singing is spectacular.

Ludwig van Beethoven once said: “Tones sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.” On 19 September, 2013, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra performed three works by the late Classical and early Romantic composer: the overture to Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus, and his first two symphonies.

As Handel made music of John Milton’s poems L’Allegro and il Penseroso , Mark Morris made Handel’s music dance. The 32 scenes of Morris’ ballet breathe with inspiration of figures and designs from watercolours William Blake did for an edition of Milton’s poems.

Opera Atelier espouses truth in advertising: The Magic Flute, they tell us, is a Singspiel in two acts. You can call it a play with songs, a musical comedy, even an operetta, but hardly an opera in the traditional sense. Call it what you will, this is Opera Atelier’s fourth production of the work in the last 22 years.

Opera Atelier has made its reputation as a producer of 17th- and 18th-century operas for more than a quarter of a century, based at the elegant Elgin Theatre in Toronto since 2000. This year it has made a leap into another era and another century with a gorgeous production of Carl Maria von Weber’s Der Freischütz.

An anniversary is undeniably a time for celebration, a time to reflect on past accomplishments whilst keeping the future in close view. This was the case for Tafelmusik’s Chamber Choir on the eve of their 30th anniversary.

Some of the instruments that the members of Tafelmusik play on may sometimes be considered the dinosaurs of the string-instrument family. Nevertheless, the members of this internationally lauded Baroque orchestra have a knack for delivering fresh and lively performances, presenting the Baroque and Classical repertoire in such an invigorating way that it feels as current as a Justin Bieber hit.

As Christmas is quickly approaching, it is only fair to take advantage of some of the musical gifts and traditions that accompany this festive season. Handel's Messiah is one of the most widely-known sacred oratorios, most commonly recognized by its Hallelujah chorus. However, Handel's Messiah, was not always regarded as a popular work for the Christmas season.

The Canadian orchestra Tafelmusik has long reigned as one of North America’s most exciting period ensembles. For its return to Carnegie on Friday 12 November 2011, the orchestra delivered fresh and stylish playing to a sold-out Zankel Hall.