Expert recommendations of the top dance, theater, and classical music performances.
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Canadian Opera Company
“The acoustics are so good in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, you can hear different instruments in the same section.”—Alec Scott, arts columnist, Toronto Life magazine. COC gives modern glosses to the classics and features the world’s leading voices: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ben Heppner, Pavlo Hunka. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street W; tel. +1 416 345 9595. www.coc.ca
National Ballet of Canada
One of the world’s only ballet companies led by a woman; Canada’s sweetheart, former prima ballerina Karen Kain is the artistic director. Ballets are often treated to a modern twist (Rooster is set to the music of the Rolling Stones). 145 Queen Street W; tel. +1 416 345 9595. www.national.ballet.ca
Opera Atelier
“Everything down to the performers’ eyelashes look like they’ve come from Louis XIV’s court.”—Alec Scott. The world’s leading baroque company features opera, ballet, and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries; elaborate period decor and costumes. Performs at Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge Street; tel. +1 416 703 3767. www.operaatelier.com
Soulpepper Theatre Company
A classical repertory theatre in a grand space in the Distillery District. Soulpepper stages classics by Anton Chekhov, Noel Coward, and Bertold Brecht. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill Street, Building 49; tel. +1 416 203 6264. www.soulpepper.ca
Tarragon Theatre
“The heart and soul of Canadian theater; great new playwriting in an intimate space and one of the engines behind the revival of Canada’s theater scene.”—Alec Scott. Located steps from Casa Loma in a former cribbage board factory; 37-year-old theater company nurturing local talent and original work. 30 Bridgman Avenue; tel. +1 416 536 5018. www.tarragontheatre.com
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Helmed by renowned French violinist and concertmaster Jacques Isrealievitch; features starry lineup of guest artists, including Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Maxim Vengerov. 212 King Street W; tel. +1 416 593 7769. www.tso.ca
