The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) has announced it will be returning to live concerts and events at Koerner Hall in its upcoming 2021-22 season, including many events featuring some of Canada and the world’s foremost singers. Details were announced by Dr. Peter Simon, Michael and Sonja Koerner, President & CEO of the RCM, Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts, and James Anagnoson, Dean of the Glenn Gould School.
“This special concert season is infused with a restoring and revitalizing energy, and we are overjoyed to welcome audiences back in our venues to share the vitality of live music together in person again,” Mr. Mehta said in a statement. “We also have several surprises that we have been able to add to our new season to keep things fresh and exciting.”
Operatic highlights of the upcoming season include American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato‘s program entitled Eden, Glenn Gould School productions of Ana Sokolović’s Svadba (Wedding), Handel’s Rinaldo, and the world premieres of Tapestry Opera & Maniac Star‘s Gould’s Wall and Without Ceremony, the latter as part of a vocal concert starring Canadian bass baritone Gerald Finley.
On Nov 5 & 6, students from The Glenn Gould School’s vocal program will perform Svadba (The Wedding), the celebrated Canadian opera for six a cappella female voices. Composed by Serbian-born Quebec-based Ana Sokolović, this Dora award-winning contemporary opera tells a tale of friendship, rivalry and sisterhood. Jennifer Tarver will direct and Peter Tiefenbach will serve as Musical Director.
In January, the 21C Music Festival will host the world premiere of Tapestry Opera & Maniac Star Gould’s Wall, an opera that re-imagines the life of Canadian icon and classical pianist Glenn Gould. Composed and conducted by the award-winning Brian Current, with libretto by Liza Balkan, this daring opera runs Jan 12-16 and features The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble. Casting is still to be announced. As part of the same festival, Gerald Finley, accompanied by Julius Drake, will present the world premiere of Without Ceremony, a song cycle co-commissioned by The RCM and Stanford University.
On March 16 & 18 Koerner Hall will stage Handel’s Rinaldo, conducted by Ivars Taurins and directed by Tom Diamond (cast to be announced). DiDonato’s vocal concert Eden will follow on April 19, exploring the majesty, might and mystery of nature through evocative music and theatrical affects. The production will be streamed worldwide. DiDonato will be joined by instrumental ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro, conductor Maxim Emelyanychev and stage director Marie Lambert.
Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato sings for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts series alongside pianist Craig Terry, trumpeter Charlie Porter, bassist Chuck Israels, drummer Jason Haaheim, and accordionist Antoine Plante. Photo: Catie Dull/NPR
“As a community, we have managed to navigate through some extraordinary times, but I am proud to say that our beautiful Conservatory will be, once again, a hive of artistic activity,” Dr. Peter Simon said in RCM’s press release. “Music is such an essential and intrinsic part of the human experience, and we are thrilled to be able to open our doors in order to welcome back our guests and patrons, as well as a host of extraordinary musicians and artists, to Koerner Hall for the 2021-22 season.”
More details on Koerner Hall’s upcoming 2021-22 season here.
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Angela Bell is Opera Canada’s Digital Media Specialist. She has held digital and PR roles with various businesses including the Walt Disney Company, Sullivan Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival.
