COC's January 2011 Performances & Events Listing Info Announced

Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The company enjoys an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation.

January 2011

OPERA

The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
12 performances: Jan. 29, Feb. 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 23, and 25, 2011
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St. W. (Queen and University)

The Canadian Opera Company's 61st season continues with a new COC production of Mozart's beloved masterpiece The Magic Flute. Conducted by COC Music Director Johannes Debus and directed by Diane Paulus, The Magic Flute is a playful, sometimes profound exploration of the trials of growing up, seeking ideals and finding love. This delightful production for all ages features Canadian opera stars Michael Schade and Isabel Bayrakdarian in the roles of Tamino and Pamina. Sharing the roles with Mr. Schade and
Ms Bayrakdarian are young Canadian singers, tenor Frédéric Antoun and COC Ensemble Studio soprano Simone Osborne.

Single tickets for The Magic Flute are $62 - $281 (specially-priced $22 tickets are available for people under the age of 30). Tickets are available online at coc.ca, by calling COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office, located at 145 Queen St. W., Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*New this season - Standing Room tickets for only $12. Sixty spaces are available and tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. the morning of the performance at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office. Limit of two tickets per person. Subject to availability.

FREE CONCERT SERIES IN THE Richard Bradshaw AMPHITHEATRE
PRESENTED BY NATIONAL BANK
Jan. 11 - Jan. 27, 2011
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St. W. (Queen and University)

The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre presented by National Bank 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.

Date
Series
Artist
Jan. 11, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Jazz Series
Winter Heat
The Humber Contemporary Jazz Ensemble explores the myriad delights of director Don Thompson's legendary compositions.

Jan. 12, 2011
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Jazz Series
The Fifth Season
Known to audiences for over 10 years as Duologue, saxophonist Mike Murley and guitarist David Occhipinti present their unique and intimate musical collaboration ranging from jazz standards to original compositions, including Occhipinti's evocative Fifth Season.

Jan. 13, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Chamber Music Series
Klezmer Meets Classical
The acclaimed father and son team of Jacques and Michael Israelievitch present an exciting mix of duets for marimba and violin. Cellist Shauna Rolston will also join them to perform trios and duos by Glick and Golijov.

Jan. 18, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Vocal Series
Highlights from The Magic Flute
In conjunction with the COC's mainstage production of The Magic Flute, the young artists of the 2010/2011 Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio present a program of highlights from this timeless opera by Mozart.

Jan. 20, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Chamber Music Series
Beethoven and Shostakovich: Duos and Trios
Violinist Pam Hinman and cellist Garrett Knecht team up with pianist Jean Desmarais in a presentation of Beethoven's Sonata for Piano and Violin in G Major, Op. 30, No. 3 and 12 Variations on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen" from Mozart's The Magic Flute, as well as Shostakovich's multi-layered Trio No. 2 in E Minor.

Jan. 25, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Chamber Music Series
Tribute to Golijov
Wind and string ensembles of Toronto's
Glenn Gould School perform works by Russian-Jewish Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov, including Lullaby and Doina for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and bass, and a new work for violin and piano. The program also features works that celebrate Golijov's rich cultural heritage, such as Ginastera's Impresiones de la Puna for flute and string quartet and Prokofiev's Quintet, Op. 39 for oboe, clarinet, violin, viola and double bass.

Jan. 27, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Dance Series
The Power of Gesture
Celebrated dance artist Peggy Baker discusses and demonstrates the potency of gesture through a series of dances that employ this essential choreographic device in very different ways.

EVENTS

Opera 101: The Magic Flute
Jan. 7, 2011 at 6 p.m.
Grand Hall, Duke of Westminster, 77 Adelaide St. W.
(First Canadian Place, Adelaide and Bay)
Target: Adults
Tickets: FREE

Now in its ninth year, the COC's popular Opera 101 is a FREE, lively and interactive event designed for people who are new to opera which provides a forum for discussion as well as a question-and-answer period. Joining Opera 101 moderator and CBC radio host Brent Bambury on Jan. 7 is Isabel Bayrakdarian, who stars in this season's production of The Magic Flute as Pamina. A graduate of the COC Ensemble Studio program,
Ms Bayrakdarian's stage presence and musicality last enchanted COC audiences in 2010's Idomeneo and 2008's Pelléas et Mélisande. She recently sang the role of Pamina for the Metropolitan Opera, and will provide an engaging behind-the-scenes look into the COC's whimsical new production of The Magic Flute at this Opera 101 discussion. Opera neophytes can have a drink or a bite to eat while getting the scoop on what the opera is all about. Visit coc.ca for more information.

Opera 101: Nixon in China
Jan. 19, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W. (Queen and Beaconsfield)
Target: Adults
Tickets: FREE

Now in its ninth year, the COC's popular Opera 101 is a FREE, lively and interactive event designed for people who are new to opera which provides a forum for discussion as well as a question-and-answer period. Joining Opera 101 moderator and CBC radio host Brent Bambury on Jan. 19 is Robert Orth, who sings the role of Richard Nixon in the COC's production of Nixon in China. Orth's portrayal of Nixon has been celebrated in leading opera houses and the insight into the world of Nixon in China he'll bring to the Opera 101 discussion makes this event all the more enticing. Opera neophytes can have a drink or a bite to eat while getting the scoop on what the opera is all about. Visit coc.ca for more information.


REGISTRATIONS

Youth Opera Lab: The Magic Flute and Nixon in China
Jan. 19 and Jan. 27, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. (Queen and University)
Target: Youth ages 16 to 21
Tickets: FREE

Youth Opera Lab returns on Jan. 19, 2011 (The Magic Flute) and Jan. 27, 2011 (Nixon in China). In this FREE program, young people age 16 - 21 are invited to attend a rehearsal of a mainstage production and discover the work that goes into putting on an opera. A pre-rehearsal interactive workshop provides context for the opera, and a dinner meet-and-greet with a member of the cast or creative team offers insight into the production. Participants also receive two free tickets to the final dress rehearsal of the COC's production of The Magic Flute or Nixon in China.