Cendrillon All the Way!

Rarely performed Massenet opera a highlight at The Royal Conservatory in March

Diverse programming continues at The Royal Conservatory’Äôs TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning as March comes to a close.  A fanciful fairy tale will be brought to life by the Conservatory’Äôs most talented students, a master musician offers insights into piano playing, and an all-star ensemble of international performers delivers sizzling pan-American jazz. 

The first staged opera in Koerner Hall will be presented from March 20-25, when The Royal Conservatory’Äôs Glenn Gould School (GGS) mounts Jules Massenet’Äôs rarely performed Cendrillon, a whimsical retelling of the Cinderella story.  Students from The Glenn Gould School’Äôs Vocal Program are supported by members of the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, once again under the baton of Maestro Uri Mayer, who was appointed as Director of the Orchestral Program and Resident Conductor of The Glenn Gould School in September of 2009.  The production is helmed by notable opera director, Graham Cozzubbo.  Having already directed for opera companies across North America, Cendrillon represents his directorial debut for The Royal Conservatory.  The double cast of talented students features soprano Meghan Lindsay and mezzo-soprano Cassandra Warner in the title role of Cinderella.  Both recent graduates of The Glenn Gould School, Lindsay was recently accepted into the Netherlands Opera Studio for the 2010-11 season and Warner was hired by Calgary Opera for 2010-11.

Legendary pianist and pedagogue Leon Fleisher returns to The Royal Conservatory from March 22-24 to continue his long-running series of master classes.  Held in Mazzoleni Hall, they provide a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and wisdom from the legendary pianist and pedagogue, as he listens to students of The Glenn Gould School and provides insights into issues of technique, interpretation, and style. 

Audiences will be treated to genre-bending jazz on March 27, when two-time Grammy Award-winner, Danilo Pˆ©rez, comes to Koerner Hall.  This Panamanian pianist, who is also an accomplished composer and educator, is visiting Toronto to kick off his North American tour.  His exhilarating blend of jazz, folk, and world music has enraptured critics and audiences alike.  The New York Times remarked: ’ÄúWhen the dust settles’ĶDanilo Pˆ©rez will be looking like one of the best things that happened to jazz around the turn of the millennium.’Äù  He is joined by a hand-picked collection of international musicians, including David Sˆ°nchez (Puerto Rico, tenor saxophone); Rudresh Mahanthappa (India, alto saxophone); Amir ElSaffar (Iraq, trumpet); Jamey Haddad (Lebanon, percussion); Ben Street (United States, bass); and Adam Cruz (Puerto Rico, drums).  The lineup reflects the musical melting pots of many of Gillespie’Äôs own collaborations (Pˆ©rez was the youngest member of his United Nations Orchestra).  The program is a celebration of his mentor, jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie.  It includes new arrangements of classic Gillespie tunes, as well as original group compositions.  Pˆ©rez will discuss his musical inspirations during a post intermission chat with Mervon Mehta, the Conservatory’Äôs Executive Director of Performing Arts.  He will also offer his distinctive musical insights during a free public master class on March 26.  Following the concert is a postlude performance by the Royal Conservatory School Latin Jazz Ensemble with Ruben Vasquez in the Conservatory Theatre. 

The Royal Conservatory acknowledges all of its sponsors and donors and recognizes the remarkable generosity of: 

TELUS ’Äì Official Season Sponsor of the 2009-10 Koerner Hall Concert Season

The Globe and Mail ’Äì Season Media Sponsor

Department of Canadian Heritage ’Äì Performance Sponsor (Cendrillon)

Ontario Arts Council ’Äì Performance Sponsor (Cendrillon)

D & T Davis Charitable Foundation ’Äì Performance Sponsor (Cendrillon)

RBC Foundation ’Äì Sponsor, The Royal Conservatory Orchestra Guest Conductor Program

JAZZ FM ’Äì Performance Sponsor (Danilo Pˆ©rez)

Marilyn and Charles Baillie ’Äì Performance Sponsor (Danilo Pˆ©rez)

CONCERTS AND EVENTS AT THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY ’Äì MARCH 16-31, 2010

KH ’Äì Koerner Hall; MH ’Äì Mazzoleni Hall; CT ’Äì Conservatory Theatre

The Glenn Gould School Opera: Jules Massenet’Äôs Cendrillon: Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 7:30pm;

$10-$20 (KH)

The Glenn Gould School Opera: Jules Massenet’Äôs Cendrillon: Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 2pm;

$10-$20 (KH)

Master Classes with Leon Fleisher: Monday, March 22, 2010 at 10am & 2pm; Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 10am & 2pm;$10 (MH)

The Glenn Gould School Opera: Jules Massenet’Äôs Cendrillon: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 11am;

$10-$20 (KH)

Master Class with Leon Fleisher: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 10am & 2pm; $10 (MH)

The Glenn Gould School Opera: Jules Massenet’Äôs Cendrillon: Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 7:30pm;

$10-$20 (KH)

Danilo Pˆ©rez Master Class: Friday, March 26, 2010 at 5pm; FREE (CT)

Danilo Pˆ©rez ’Äì Things to Come: 21^st Century Dizzy: Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8pm;

$20-$65 (KH)

Tickets are available online at www.rcmusic.ca, by calling 416.408.0208,

or in person at the Weston Family Box Office, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto

More information about upcoming concerts and events is available The Royal Conservatory website at www.rcmusic.ca.