November at The RCM

A NEW ERA FOR THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY

The Royal Concert Season 08.09

Features an Expanded Program of Spectacular Performances

This fall, The Royal Conservatory (RCM) returned home to the spectacular new TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning! With its beautifully restored Ihnatowycz Hall, gorgeous concert venues, state-of-the-art technology, and academic spaces, the new Centre will expand the global reach of the RCM's innovative programs and allow for Canada's greatest artists and emerging performers to be showcased in exciting new ways.

Designed as a musical celebration of the Conservatory's return home, The Royal Concert Season features a greatly expanded Great Artists Series, World Music Concerts, Royal Conservatory Orchestra series, Rising Stars Series, and the free Master Class Series, featuring performances of opera, orchestral and chamber music, and recitals.

"This concert season heralds a new era in our history, as we open our spectacular new home," said Dr. Peter Simon, President of The Royal Conservatory of Music. "It reflects our legacy of diversity, artistry and excellence, and is a terrific opportunity to experience performances by our accomplished students - the next generation of Canadian talent - as well as our extraordinary faculty and acclaimed guest artists."

In November, cross cultural borders and discover the RCM's World Music Concerts. George Gao, pioneer of new music for the erhu, often referred to as a "Chinese fiddle", will play on November 6, and Aditya Verma, a charismatic young sarod player, (the sarod is a stringed musical instrument, used mainly in Indian classical music) will appear on November 20.

The Great Artists Series, which opened in September with a sold out inaugural concert conducted by Maestro Mario Bernardi, continues with ARC (Artists of the Royal Conservatory) on November 7 with a very special concert, Music in Exile, featuring the music of composers who resisted the Nazi regime. Martin Beaver, First Violin of the Tokyo String Quartet, and pianist Li Wang will present a program of Beethoven, Brahms, Bach, and Prokofiev on November 14. And, Juno award-winner, harpist Judy Loman, and Principal Flute of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Nora Schulman, will charm audiences with a showcase of stunning works on November 23.

One of the best kept secrets at the RCM are the free concerts and events, and November is full of them! On November 12 students of the Vocal Department of the Glenn Gould School will be featured in a GGS Vocal Showcase. The Master Class Series, which offers audience members a unique opportunity to observe great artists in the process of teaching young musicians, as well as a glimpse into the personalities of these extraordinary musicians, is an experience not to be missed. The following internationally acclaimed artists will be conducting master classes: Martin Beaver (violin) on November 13, Michael Mermagen (cello) on November 14, Marc Durand (piano) on November 21, Mimi Zweig (violin) on November 28, and finally Stuart Hamilton (voice)

also on November 28.

November also sees the first of a free 5-part lecture series given by the internationally renowned Beethoven interpreter, pianist Anton Kuerti. Each of his 90-minute lecture-demonstrations will be dedicated to one of the five Beethoven Piano Concertos. The first lecture takes place on Friday, November 28 at 2pm.

Capping the music-filled month of November is the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, one of North America's finest training ensembles, who will perform on November 20, conducted by Yoav Talmi and featuring 2006 GGS Concerto Competition winner Sonia Sielaff (clarinet). The program will include Mahler, Strauss, and Neilsen's Clarinet Concerto.

Since it was founded in 1886, The Royal Conservatory has been a leader in music and arts education, and has played a central role in developing a uniquely Canadian culture. Today, the RCM continues to cultivate the next Glenn Gould, Oscar Peterson, and Teresa Stratas.

THE ROYAL CONCERT SEASON - November 2008

George Gao, erhu (World Music Concerts): Thursday, November 6 at 7:30pm

ARC Music in Exile (Great Artists Series): Friday, November 7 at 8pm

Students of the GGS Vocal Department (GGS Vocal Showcase): Wed, November 12 at 8pm*

Martin Beaver, violin (GGS Master Class Series): Thursday, November 13 at 6pm*

Michael Mermagen, cello (GGS Master Class Series): Friday, November 14 at 10am and 5pm*

Martin Beaver, violin, and Li Wang, piano (Great Artists Series): Friday, November 14 at 8pm

Aditya Verma, sarod (World Music Concerts): Thursday, November 20 at 7:30pm

Yoav Talmi, conductor, and Sonia Sielaff, clarinet (Royal Conservatory Orchestra):

Thursday, November 20 at 8pm

Marc Durand, piano (GGS Master Class Series): Friday, November 21 time TBA*

Judy Loman, harp, and Nora Schulman, flute (Great Artists Series): Sunday, November 23 at 2pm

Mimi Zweig, violin (GGS Master Class Series): Friday, November 28 time TBA*

Anton Kuerti, piano (GGS Lecture Series): Friday, November 28 2pm*

Stuart Hamilton, voice (GGS Master Class Series): Friday, November 28 time TBA*

Tickets $20.00 - $30.00, students $10

Tickets available online at www.rcmusic.ca, by calling 416-408-2824 X321,

or at the door at the RCM, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto

* Free event

All events, except for the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, will take place at the Conservatory's new home, the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, 273 Bloor Street West.

The Royal Conservatory Orchestra performs at the George Weston Recital Hall at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.ca or call 416.872.1111.

More information about the 2008-2009 Concert Season is available on The Royal Conservatory website at www.rcmusic.ca.