Toronto's acclaimed Opera Atelier, will return to the U.S. to tour Mozart's Don Giovanni in February and March 2010. This is a fully staged Commedia dell’Arte production of Mozart’s superb creation – a dark, ironic comedy which reflects the style of Mozart’s 1787 premiere. First seen in Toronto in 1996, this unconventional Don Giovanni has traveled to Korea’s prestigious Seoul Arts Centre, toured eight cities in Japan, and visited the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, causing a sensation wherever it is performed. More images.
                          More about Opera Atelier

First Person: Stories
From the Edge of the World

The National Geographic Society teams up with Ensemble Galilei and NPR's Neal Conan for the new show featuring music, narration and stunning photographs. Large format on-stage projections of spectacular images combine with Neal Conan's narration of original texts from some of the world's greatest explorers, and the gorgeous music of Ensemble Galilei. More

And click here for more information on
A Universe of Dreams: Ensemble Galilei with NPR's Talk of the Nation Host Neal Conan and Projected Images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Read a review of the music for this show.

NEW "Guitarist Is 1-Man String Section With Orchestra" says the Tampa Tribune. Jason Vieaux performs Villa Lobos with Pedro Halffter and the Florida Orchestra. Read more.

Jason Vieaux's new CD, Images of Metheny (Azica) is receiving major attention in North America and abroad. The current issue of Guitart has this to say:

"There is a term used by jazz players called "playing in the pocket", encompassing laying on the back side of the rhythmic beat, conveying a sense of great ease and feel. This is rarely found on the classical guitar for various reasons, but in this case you have but to listen to the first track, Every Day (I thank you), to understand that Jason has this concept deeply engrained in his playing. At once, achingly beautiful and later progressing to more rhythmic devices, this extended work takes you on a sonic journey not easily forgotten. Jason nails the subtle techniques...Jason also set a number of Metheny’s works into a baroque suite, creating a beautifully realized old take on new pieces." More on Jason.

Apollo's Fire tours Lovers & Lyres and Vivaldi in 2007/8
Conductor Jeannette Sorrell leads the acclaimed Apollo's Fire - The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra in several special programs during the 2007/8 season. Lovers & Lyres features Monteverdi's Tales of Love and War. The all-Vivaldi event turns up the heat on the 'rock n' roll' flavors in the 18th century's favorite pop composer. Hear a Vivaldi Four Seasons audio clip to see why critics hail this unique ensemble's performances with such accolades as "superb", "revelatory" and "intoxicating". More

"...imaginative illustrations for the final musical work...expressive and highly inventive arrangements..." reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer

The exciting new tour programs from
I Musici de Montreal include the chamber orchestra version of Mussorgsky's famed Pictures at an Exhibition, complete with animated projections of new paintings by Natasha Turovsky. Videoclip. More

Pianist Katherine Chi returned to the Calgary Philharmonic to close this subscription season with a superb performance of the Rachmaninoff 2nd concerto. The Calgary Herald had this to say:

The main reason for the full house was, of course, the appearance of Chi performing one of the most beloved of all piano concertos, the Rachmaninoff Second...beautifully poised and remarkable not only for her command of the brilliant passages but for the beautiful shaping of the melodies." Read more.