Michelle Assay

Jan 25, 2025 | bachtrack.com | Michelle Assay

Puccini’s Japanese tragedy Madama Butterfly has somehow been caught in the eye of a perfect storm: between charges of colonialist Orientalism on the one hand and misogynist objectification on the other. Yet its popularity with audiences continues to defy all accusations. Many productions now go out of their way to address the ‘issues’, be it by manipulating the context or by taking special care with the central roles.

Dec 9, 2024 | bachtrack.com | Michelle Assay |Loading image.. |Semyon Bychkov

It is said that, on the way from New York, weather fronts often make a stop in Toronto. Alas, that’s far less common for international orchestras, so it was no surprise to see a near-capacity turnout for the revered Czech Philharmonic and their Music Director, Semyon Bychkov, in the first of two concerts in Koerner Hall.

Nov 22, 2024 | ludwig-van.com | Michelle Assay

Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Emilie LeBel: the sediments (TSO Commission); Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin. Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Gustavo Gimeno, conductor; Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Jean-Sébastien Vallée, TMC Artistic Director. Nov. 21, 2024 at Roy Thomson Hall. Continues Nov. 22 and 23; tickets here.

Nov 7, 2024 | ludwig-van.com | Michelle Assay

Ravel: Alborada del gracioso; Debussy/arr. John Adams: Le Livre de Baudelaire; John Adams: “This is prophetic!” from Nixon in China and Frenzy (Canadian Première/TSO Co-commission). Toronto Symphony Orchestra, John Adams, conductor; soprano Anna Prohaska. Roy Thomson Hall, November 6, 2024. Repeats November 9; tickets here.

Sep 27, 2024 | bachtrack.com | Michelle Assay

Here’s a guaranteed-to-work formula for a season-opener: take one new work by an in-demand composer (Atlanta native Carlos Simon, whose music also featured in this year’s Last Night of the Proms), add the most famous composer of all (Beethoven), throw in a brilliant, home-favourite pianist (Calgary-born Jan Lisiecki), and add a warhorse synonymous with spectacular visuals (Mussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition).