The Royal Conservatory Orchestra goes big with Handel and Mahler in Toronto

By Stanley Fefferman, 18 February 2013

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Reviewed at The Royal Conservatory of Music, TELUS Centre, Koerner Hall, Toronto on 15 February 2013

Handel, Royal Fireworks Music, HWV 351

Mahler, Symphony no. 1 in D major "Titan"

Royal Conservatory Orchestra

Johannes Debus, Conductor

Leon Fleisher and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra in Toronto

Daniel Frasca , 17th February

As children, we all had our iconic heroes, famous mentors, or performers we would die to meet. It is not very often in life these dreams become reality; however, The Royal Conservatory Orchestra had the unforgettable opportunity to rehearse, study, and perform under the honorary Leon Fleisher.

****1

Christopher Alden’s Rigoletto returns to Canadian Opera Company

Michelle Assay, 28th January

Christopher Alden’s Victorian-era Rigoletto still divides opinions, despite top-notch performances all around in this Toronto revival.

***11

COC triumphs with Kentridge’s brilliantly conceived Wozzeck

John Gilks, 25th April

William Kentridge's production of Berg’s Wozzeck has it all: wonderfully imaginative and disturbing designs, terrific acting and singing plus fabulous orchestral playing.

*****

Musically and visually stunning, La Reine-garçon ticks all the boxes

John Gilks, 31st January

Bilodeau and Bouchard’s La Reine-garçon is contemporary opera at its best, telling a great story with outstanding music and stunning visuals.

*****

Scattered borrowings fail to cohere in COC's new Faust

Gianmarco Segato, 11th October

Amy Lane's scattered borrowings from Tim Burton to Stanley Kubrick fail to cohere in the Canadian Opera Company's new Faust.

***11

Kasper Holten's cinematic Don Giovanni shines at the COC

John Gilks, 2nd February

Kasper Holten’s much travelled and spectacular Don Giovanni gets a fresh and lively remount at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre from a young cast headed up by Gordon Bintner.

****1

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Stanley Fefferman

Stanley Fefferman is Professor Emeritus at York University, Toronto. He is active in classical, new music, and jazz circles as a writer and accredited performance photographer. His work is archived on Canadian sites The Live Music Report.com, Showtimemagazine.ca, and OpusOneReview.com. His website is here.