October 8-14, 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.

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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: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 7:30 PM

WHAT: The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus presents ‘Be the Change,’ a National Coming Out Day concert.

WHERE: Tacoma Performing Arts Center, 351 Tacoma Avenue, Buffalo, NY

HOW: Reserve tickets on the BGM website: https://sites.google.com/thebgmc.org/thebgmc/home

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WHEN: Saturday, October 14, 2023, 7:00 PM

WHAT: The Buffalo Choral Arts Society presents ‘The Heart of the American Soldier.’

Through choral music and video presentation, we will reveal the heart of the American soldier and honor their sacrifices and the country they defend. This concert will feature favorite American and patriotic standards from both choral, pop, and country western music, and accompaniment by a brass quintet and combo. A portion of the proceeds from this concert will be donated to the WNY Heroes.

 

WHERE: St. Francis of Assisi Church,144 Broad St., Tonawanda, NY 14150

HOW: Click Here to Order Tickets online at https://buffalochoralarts.ludus.com/index.php