February 2002 - Nr. 2
K-W & Beyond
by Irena Wandschneider
The Centre in the Square – Masterpiece Series
The Masterpiece Series of concerts has always been a popular subscription series. Last fall it was expanded to two performances per concert, Friday and Saturday. It shows increased appreciation of music – high quality – by the Tri-City population.
Two concerts that I have been fortunate to attend presented young promising conductors, Charles Oliveri-Munroe with charm and style conducting Northern Reflections in November, Yannik Nezet-Sequin, even younger, led Romance & Tragedy in December. Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Patetique were exquisite. More concerts to come every month – "Beethoven and Beyond" with Concertmaster Stephen Sikarski the soloist of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, and a première of local composer Peter Hatch - all conducted by our new Principal Conductor Martin Fischer-Dieskau in early March, Mozart in April with Angela Cheng on piano and then a spectacular finale in May.
Which reminds me of the forthcoming Gala Evening with Martin Fischer-Dieskau himself and the K-W Sympony which promises to transport you – as it says on the poster - to the Vienna Woods for an evening of beautiful Music, Dance and Dinner. It is to take place on the 20th of April at the recently renovated Marshall Hall at Bingemans This promises to be an exciting classical feature with a kick. An event not to be missed! The audience will receive a donation receipt for portion of the ticket.
Stratford – new season to come in 2002
The Stratford Festival has sent out new programs for the summer. Again there is a lot to anticipate and plan for: in line of classic Shakespeare there is a fine selection of "King Lear" with an opportunity to see Christopher Plummer in the title role, "Richard III" with Tom McCamus in the main role, one of the most dramatic and horrifying plays ever written, and "Romeo and Juliet", a wonderful opportunity to introduce your children to the fine art of classic drama – or perhaps to refresh your own memory?
Some lighter performances - " My Fair Lady" – light, optimistic and delicious in the summer months after a walk in the park watching the swans. Personally I am looking forward to "The Threepenny Opera" by Bertold Brecht, somehow I always missed the opportunity to see it on stage and listen live to famous "Mack the Knife".
The Stratford Festival is expanding and opening a new Studio-Theatre for smaller audiences with the goal, as stated in the notes in the season program, " to explore avenues that have not hitherto been easily available". New or never staged plays will be presented, young artists or directors, or senior festival artists having a space to show their talents and ideas.
Look at the website: www.stratfordfestival.ca or call 1-800-567-1600 for the brochure.
Niagara-on the-Lake
- Shaw Festival more to come -
Shaw Festival is the lighter Festival in comparison to Stratford, requiring less effort and less preparation on the side of the audience. The selection is less demanding, frequently amusing and extremely popular.
There will of course be two of Shaw’s plays: "Candida" and " Caesar & Cleopatra". Neither too frequently staged, both very much worth seeing. Some less known plays from the same era "The Return of the Prodigal" by St.John Hankin, "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals" and then "His Majesty" are new in the theatrical selection.. "The House of Bernarda Alba" by Federico Garcia Lorca hopefully will bring some diversity to an otherwise well-tested repertoir.
In the last decade – if not even earlier – Shaw Festival directors have often chosen mysteries in Agatha Christie style. They have proven to be great successes, very liked and regularly rewarded by full houses. This year there will be "Detective Strory" by Sidney Kingsley and "The Old Ladies" by Rodney Ackland.
Again: the website is www.shawfest.sympatico.ca , toll-free number 1-800-511-SHAW for brochure or ticket orders.
Both brochures – Shaw Festival is the same concept as Stratford – aside of theatrical program, ticket prices, seating etc is full of information on restaurants, interesting places and activities, B&B and hotels. Both Festivals offer special tickets for previews, Sunday evenings or some other alternatives. It is worth requesting them and then planning summer weekends.
There is a lot to look forward to and to choose from in the coming summer months. It is an easy drive whether coming from Toronto, Hamilton, or Waterloo Region. Lets make plans and enjoy. I will send you my impressions and notes on these events as they come.
