October 15-21, 2023

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WHEN: October 1-20, 2023

WHAT: The Canadian Opera Company presents Beethoven’s Fidelio. 

Beethoven’s only opera follows the story of Leonore, a woman who disguises herself as a man to go undercover into the very prison where she suspects her husband is being held as a political prisoner. As she descends deeper into the prison’s cells, she uncovers a sinister plot of abuse and oppression.

 

Acclaimed director Matthew Ozawa transports the action to a modern-day prison facility, reminding viewers that Beethoven’s warnings in Fidelio—about power, corruption, and tyranny—remain as relevant today as they were 200 years ago, while crystallizing the composer’s vision for justice and freedom.

 

Featuring Miina-Liisa Värelä as Leonore; Clay Hilley as Florestan; Dimitry Ivashchenko as Rocco;  Anna-Sophie Neher as Marzelline; Josh Lovell as Jaquino; Johannes Martin Kränzle as Don Pizarro; Sava Vemić as Don Fernando; Wesley Harrison as First Prisoner; Alex Halliday as Second Prisoner. 

Conductor: Johannes Debus. Director: Matthew Ozawa

 

WHERE: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St W, Toronto, ON

HOW: Order online via the COC website. https://www.coc.ca/season-calendar 

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WHEN: October 6-28, 2023

WHAT: The Canadian Opera Company presents Puccini’s La Bohème. 

From a cold but charming apartment in the Latin Quarter to the bustling street scenes at the Café Momus, we follow the poet Rodolfo and his seamstress neighbor Mimì, struggling artists searching for love and life in Bohemian Paris.

These spirited scenes unfold against a set designed out of perpetually shifting painted canvases, all under the direction of Tony Award-winner John Caird. The real-life married couple of tenor Pene Pati and soprano Amina Edris star as the show’s tragic young lovers.

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Featuring Amina Edris, Jonelle Sills (October 22) as Mimì; Pene Pati, Kang Wang (October 22 and 28) as Rodolfo; Joo Won Kang as Marcello; Charlotte Siegel as Musetta; Blaise Malaba as Colline; Justin Welsh as Schaunard; Wesley Harrison as Parpignol; Korin Thomas-Smith as Customs Officer. 

 

Conductor: Jordan de Souza

Original Director: John Caird; Revival Director: Katherine M. Carter

 

WHERE: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St W, Toronto, ON

HOW: Order online via the COC website. https://www.coc.ca/season-calendar 

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WHEN: Sunday, October 15, 3:00 PM

WHAT: Amherst Chamber Ensembles (ACE) Orchestra concert

with guest baritone soloist Andrew Kowtalo. Mr. Kowtalo will be performing

Copland's ‘Simple Gifts’ and ‘Bless This House.’

WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church of Amherst, 711 Niagara Falls Blvd., just north of Longmeadow

HOW: Free to the public. For more information, email Yvonne Verplanke at nytp44@gmail.com

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WHEN: Friday, October 20, 2023, 7:30 PM (VIP Open Bar and Hors d'oeuvres from 6:00 PM)

WHAT: The Sotto Voce Vocal Collective presents ‘Incantations.’ 

Join us for the unveiling of the new Sotto Voce with an evening of music, food, and fundraising for our 2024 production of Mozart's The Magic Flute. Our program will showcase local talent singing excerpts from Sotto Voce's past productions - featuring music by Kaija Saariaho, Henry Purcell, and Jessie Downs, as well as previews of shows on the horizon - Mozart's The Magic Flute, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, and Puccini's La Boheme.

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WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, 695 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo, NY 14222

HOW: Click Here to Order Tickets via Eventbrite 

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WHEN: Friday, October 20, 2023, 7:30 PM

WHAT: Opera-Lytes presents a fully staged production of Gilbert and Sullivan's farcical operetta Cox and Box, featuring John Clayton, Ken Schlimgen, and Ciaran Krueger, accompanied by Ivan Docenko at the piano.

On the second half of the program are favorite Gilbert and Sullivan solos, duets and trios. Among the featured singers are Mariami Bekauri, Michael Warner, Emily Barger, Liz Klimek, Andy Gonlag, Paul Berglund, Lesta Ammons, and others. Nicholas Mark Czaplicki conducts. 

Dessert Reception to follow performance.

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WHERE: 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, NY 14226

HOW: Tickets available at the door. For more information, visit the Opera-Lytes Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OperaLytes 

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WHEN: Friday, October 20, 2023, 8:00 PM

WHAT: Vocális Chamber Choir presents ‘Phenomenal Women.’

In the opening concert of its 22nd season, Vocális highlights the extraordinary contributions of female composers to the choral art. For centuries, women have created deeply moving and exciting choral works. Join us as we shine a light on these often neglected works, both past and present.

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WHERE: University Presbyterian Church, 3330 Main Street, Buffalo, NY

HOW: Individual Concert Tickets: $20 Adult | $10 Student

Individual tickets are sold at the door one hour before the concert begins, or in advance at www.vocalischamberchoir.org 

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WHEN: October 20-22, 2023

WHAT: The Toronto Operetta Theater presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera is packed full of sentimental pirates, blundering policemen, absurd adventures and improbable paradoxes. 

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Featuring Alexander Cappellazzo as Frederic, Ana Isabella Castro as Mabel, Gregory Finney as Major-General Stanley, Karen Bojti as Ruth, and Sebastien Belcourt as The Pirate King. Jennifer Tung, conductor. 

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WHERE: The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. 27 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5E 1B4

HOW: Order tickets via the box office (416) 366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754. Or on Ticketmaster https://www.ticketmaster.ca/artist/2443008

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WHEN: Saturday, October 21, 2023, 4:00 PM

WHAT: The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center presents Opera-tinis: An Evening of Song & Spirits. Join us for a spectacular evening of opera and cocktails at the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center! Get ready to be mesmerized by breathtaking performances from talented opera singers while sipping on delicious spirits. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of opera and indulge in a delightful evening of music and libations. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience!

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VIP TICKETS receive preferred seating, a private bartender w/ open bar, souvenir glass with custom designed glass charm from BFLOgals jewelry. hors d’oeuvres, petit fours, music and unlimited libations

 

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience!

 

WHERE: Legacy Theater (2nd Floor), The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 

HOW: TICKETS: $50; VIP TICKETS: $100. Order Tickets via Eventbrite 

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