August, 2004 - Nr. 8
Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall
2004-2005 Season
Toronto, August 18, 2004 - Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall will once again demonstrate why they are Toronto’s premier destinations for world-class entertainment during a dynamic 2004/2005 concert season announced today. The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall unveiled the foundation of their new season-featuring the best of the world’s classical, jazz, world music and dance, pop and comedy artists and acts-and promised many more in the months to come.
"We are delighted that both our halls have earned an international reputation that attracts some of the finest artists and companies," said Charles Cutts, President and CEO of The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall. This season Massey Hall will present three of the most dynamic jazz pianists performing today. Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Keith Jarrett have each left an indelible mark on contemporary jazz and indeed each other. "This season we are particularly pleased to welcome back Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove and Michael Brecker in the second installment of Directions in Music. These three jazz masters will pick up where they left off with their last concert at Massey Hall-and companion Grammy Award-winning live CD-to continue exploring the evolution of jazz." The 2004 Directions in Music tour "Our Times" will celebrate the influences of contemporary composers such as Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea and the late Ray Charles.
The 2004/2005 concert season also welcomes four internationally acclaimed opera singers in Roy Thomson Hall’s International Vocal Recitals featuring solo recitals by three artists among the new generation of operatic superstars: Matthias Goerne, Salvatore Licitra and Isabel Bayrakdarian. American mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, one of the world’s most beloved and captivating opera divas, rounds out the stunning music series. Also the Virtuoso Performances Series returns to Roy Thomson Hall with three world-acclaimed ensembles: Québec’s celebrated chamber orchestra and choir, Les Violons du Roy and La Chapelle de Québec, under the baton of their dynamic leader, Bernard Labadie, with their award-winning version of Mozart’s Requiem; Britain’s revered Tallis Scholars, the international superstars of early choral music, led by founding director Peter Phillips; and St. Petersburg’s mighty Kirov Orchestra with charismatic maestro Valery Gergiev in two unique performances.
In October, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, under the visionary leadership of Juan de Marcos González, will display the fierce talent that has made them a compelling, innovative force in the global revival of Afro-Cuban music. And as previously announced the legendary Tony Bennett will fly Toronto audiences to the moon in not one but two unforgettable performances.
Later in the season, audiences will also be able to catch Australia’s operatic crooners the Ten Tenors who, last year, wowed concertgoers with their Canadian debut featuring an eclectic mix of styles from operatic standards to rock classics. In addition, the 18th annual Women’s Blues Revue and political satirist Bill Maher, provocative host of Politically Incorrect, make their Massey Hall debuts. And Roy Thomson Hall will explode with brilliant colour and spellbinding feats as China’s celebrated troupe of acrobats the Imperial Circus takes to the stage.
The 8th Annual Free Noon Hour Choir and Organ Concerts at Roy Thomson Hall will also continue to give the community at large the opportunity to enjoy the acoustical achievements of Roy Thomson Hall. Generously supported by the Edwards Charitable Foundation and featuring some of Canada’s finest choirs and organists in performance, these concerts showcase Roy Thomson Hall’s magnificent Gabriel Kney pipe organ.
For information go these websites:
www.roythomson.com
www.masseyhall.com
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
#550 – 212 King Street West, Toronto, ON, M5H 1K5
www.tso.ca
