April 3, 2023: Your Soul will Soar as Orchestra Toronto Takes Its Audience to the Opera
Orchestra premieres new opera, Romance of the Gods by Composer-in-Residence, Elizabeth Raum
Toronto, Ontario – April 3, 2023 – Orchestra Toronto is presenting an emotional roller coaster of opera selections at its latest concert, “An Afternoon At The Opera”. The concert will be held in the George Weston Recital Hall at the Meridian Arts Centre on April 16, 2023 at 3:00pm. A pre-concert chat with Music Director and Conductor, Michael Newnham, begins at 2:15pm.
Orchestra Toronto is performing new and old favourites from the operatic stage, plus the world premiere of a new opera, “Romance of the Gods”, by the Orchestra’s Composer-in-Residence, Elizabeth Raum. Opera star sopranos Ariane Cossette and Holly Chaplin, along with mezzo soprano Catharin Carew and baritones Alexander Dobson and Nicholas Borg are joining Orchestra Toronto to perform the operatic selections.
“We are thrilled to be sharing the stage with these five Canadian opera stars,” said Michael Newnham, Music Director of Orchestra Toronto. “This is an opportunity for us to bring our audience some of the greatest moments from the classic operatic repertoire, as well as present a delightful world premiere. Whether tragic or comic, opera touches the soul and moves the spirit and we are excited to be able to share these journeys with our audience.”
The full performance includes:
Selections from “La Traviata” and “La Forza del Destino” by Verdi
Selections from “Gianni Schicchi” and “Manon Lescaut” by Puccini
Selections from “Tannhäuser” and “Lohengrin” by Wagner
Selections from “Samson et Dalila” by Saint-Saëns
Featuring Elizabeth Raum’s “Romance of the Gods”, a new opera for Orchestra Toronto
Orchestra Toronto has welcomed 240 newcomers to Canada at its first three concerts this season as part of its Welcome Seat program. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of RBC for this program, Orchestra Toronto looks forward to welcoming more people for the last two concerts of its season.
Further information on Season 2022-2023, including concert packages or individual concert tickets, can be found on Orchestra Toronto’s website (www.orchestratoronto.ca). In addition, music lovers of all generations can interact with and hear Orchestra Toronto on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OrchestraToronto), Twitter (@OrchToronto), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMJ-IHjJQ_TP7rJL5fIopUg) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/orchtoronto/).
Effective March 21, 2022, and in alignment with provincial and City orders, TOLive lifted its mandatory mask mandate. This change applies to all audiences and staff members across its venues and TOLive will no longer
enforce the wearing of masks. Orchestra Toronto respects the choice of each individual audience and orchestra member to wear a mask or not and requests that others also respect that choice. Orchestra Toronto works closely with its partners at TOLive to make the concert experience as safe and enjoyable as possible for all involved. The health and safety of its audience and performers are of the utmost importance to Orchestra Toronto and the organization bases its protocol and practices on the best, most current research available. As recommendations change, Orchestra Toronto will adjust its practices as required. Please visit the website for the most current COVID-19 protocols that will be in place.
About Orchestra Toronto
Comprised of approximately 80 musicians, Orchestra Toronto is an orchestra created by passionate musicians within the community, for the community. We offer the enjoyment of music, foster education and music appreciation and support emerging Canadian talent. Our organization of volunteers is committed to making symphonic music accessible to a broad and diverse public beyond the concert hall.
For more information or to arrange interviews with artists, guest artists or the Music Director, please contact:
Julianna Cole, Orchestra Toronto Executive Director at: executive.director@orchestratoronto.ca
