COC December Listings

December 2 to December 18, 2008

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue)

The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre includes concerts, performances and presentations by young artists, Canadian and international opera stars and COC staff. This is an exciting opportunity for Torontonians to experience the artistic excellence and cultural diversity of the city. All performances are free to the public.

Date	Series	Artist
December 2, 2008 12 ’Äì 1 p.m.	World Music Series	University of Toronto’Äôs 20-piece Balinese Gamelan ’ÄúDharma Santi’Äù with I Wayan Sinti, playing the Balinese suling, presents Music from the Temples and Palaces of Bali. I Wayan Sinti is one of Bali’Äôs most distinguished artists, who specializes in the Balinese flute known as suling.
December 3, 2008 5:30 ’Äì 6:30 p.m. December 9, 2008 5:30 ’Äì 6:30 p.m.	Jazz Series Jazz Series	Sultans of String features Chris McKhool, violin, and Kevin Lalibertˆ©, guitar, performing Songs of Canada and Beyond. This unique mix of global rhythms and sounds comes together to tell stories like only the Sultans of String can. The Sultans of String have made their mark on the Canadian music scene, receiving two Ontario Independent Music Awards as well as being finalists in the 2008 International, Canadian and Toronto Independent Music Awards. The Humber Vocal Jazz Ensemble featuring director, Trish Colter, perform Vocalise and All That Jazz. Imaginative director, Trish Colter and an exciting eight-voice ensemble with jazz rhythm section, explore the sounds of Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, Vocalise and All That Jazz.
December 10, 2008 12 ’Äì 1 p.m.	Vocal Series	The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble led by conductor Brian Current presents composer Dean Burry’Äôs Pandora’Äôs Locker. This new urban-inspired opera tells the story of the Greek myth, Pandora’Äôs Box. The opera places the myth of Pandora in the contemporary setting of an inner-city high school. Modern themes like gender issues, sexuality, and gun violence along with the musical ensemble of modern and urban inspired electronics help achieve the setting of Pandora’Äôs Locker.
December 11, 2008 12 ’Äì 1 p.m.	Vocal Series	The Artists of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio perform Seasonal Songs. The young artists of the COC Ensemble Studio brighten up the holiday season with a lively performance. Enjoy a varied selection of music celebrating the festive season.
December 16, 2008 12 ’Äì 1 p.m.	World Music Series	Jeng Yi and the JM Dance Collective present Korean Dances and Korean Drums. This program delivers a captivating mix of original and traditional Korean percussion and dance pieces. The Toronto-based JM Dance Collective is a contemporary Korean dance ensemble presenting a combination of traditional and modern work.
December 18, 2008 12 ’Äì 1 p.m.	Piano Virtuoso Series	Pianist Li Wang performs Prokofiev Piano Sonata No. 6 ’ÄúWar Sonata 1.’Äù An acclaimed pianist and Glenn Gould School Alumnus, Li Wang, presents the first of Prokofiev’Äôs three powerful ’Äúwar sonatas.’Äù The largest and most turbulent of Prokofiev’Äôs spectacular sonatas, Piano Sonata No. 6 has become one of the cornerstones of 20th-century piano repertoire. The program will also feature excerpts from Tchaikovsky’Äôs Seasons and the Dumka, Op. 59.