May sees our classical music season drawing to its conclusion and there are some grand finales in the works
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May sees our classical music season drawing to its conclusion. Some groups have already signed off, but a few big projects, like Vancouver Opera’s latest, La Bohème, are still on offer. And there are some grand finales still in the works.
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This spring, unfortunately, saw a couple of high-profile cancellations: Daniil Trifonov begged off sick, cancelling a number of West Coast performances; and Philippe Jaroussky, slated to end the Early Music Vancouver season with a triumph, ran into visa issues. Add to this some touring artists’ increasing reluctance to perform in North America, and this may be an unwelcome harbinger of instability to come in seasons ahead.
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Fortunately, there are lots of things to enjoy this month, starting with the final VO performances of the season:
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Sun Spots
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La Bohème
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When: May 2, 7:30 p.m.; May 3, 2 p.m.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Tickets/info:vancouveropera.ca
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Vancouver Opera anticipated considerable demand for Puccini’s tale of love in the garrets of Paris — some five performances, with a double cast of principals. The last two performances are in the first weekend of May.
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Hayato Sumino (“Cateen”), piano
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When: May 7, 8 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theatre
Tickets/info: vanrecital.com
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It’s been quite a season for the Vancouver Recital Society, with many fine concerts and new discoveries. Here, the VRS takes a flutter on an internet sensation: Japanese pianist Hayato Sumino (who goes by the moniker Cateen), an event that will demonstrate whether a massive online reputation can succeed in attracting a new live audience.
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Ian Bostridge and Wenwen Du
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When: May 14, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Playhouse
Tickets/info: nebulaperformances.com
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Celebrated tenor Bostridge and pianist Du provide a real springtime treat with lieder by Hugo Wolfe and Benjamin Britten in a mid-month one-night only recital. The pair have delighted local audiences before, and it’s high time for a return engagement — this time for the relatively new Nebula Performances Society.
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A Choral Fest!
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When: May 14, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Christ Church Cathedral
Tickets/info: vancouverchamberchoir.com
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On the same evening the Vancouver Chamber Choir ends its season by hosting the fourth edition of an on-going project to bring Canada’s other professional choirs to town. This year, Calgary’s Luminous Voices and Edmonton’s Chronos Vocal Ensemble join our own singers. The plan is for each ensemble perform a solo set, before what the VCC promises to be “a larger-than-life finale” — all three groups combined in song.
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BMO Day of Music
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When: May 16, from 10 a.m.
Where: In and around the Orpheum
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The VSO’s annual extravaganza presents a plethora of ensembles and soloists, starting in the morning and running through an Orpheum concert at 7:30 p.m. All events are free.
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Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
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Hélène Grimaud & Alexander Shelley
George Gershwin Piano Concerto in F Major
Ravel Daphnis et Chloé
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Where/when: May 22 and 23, 7:30 p.m., at the Orpheum Theatre
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Mahler’s Third Symphony
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Where: May 29 and 30, 7:30 p.m., at the Orpheum Theatre
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Tickets/info:vancouversymphony.ca
