The concert season is fully upon us! Having lived in Ottawa for a few years, where audiophiles need to patiently seek out those rare contemporary music events, Toronto is a nice change. There’s a lot going on these days in Toronto, especially by young, emerging ensembles. I’ve already attended an interesting concert by the new Blue Moss Ensemble , Thin Edge New Music Collective’s very enjoyable and eclectic fundraiser, Tapestry New Opera’s entertaining and brilliantly staged Opera Briefs, and a few other concerts. Tomorrow night I’m seeing Peter Grimes at the Canadian Opera Company, and this weekend is the start of the Music Gallery’s X Avant Festival .
Non-musical events have also been creatively inspiring, including Nuit Blanche this past weekend (despite the swarming crowds), and a great film featured at TIFF called Stranger by the Lake . I’m hoping to venture into new worlds this year, musical and otherwise. Jazz, improv, visual art, theatre… you name it. Anything experimental.
I’ve also booked a trip to NYC at the end of the month, to see some concerts, catch up with some composerly (and other) friends, and generally explore a city I don’t really know at all.