Seasonal Music
For many people there is no better way
of beginning the New Year then making tracks to Roy Thomson Hall
in the afternoon on New Year’s Day for a traditional Viennese concert,
which is now tradition in many different cities in North America,
including New York and Philadelphia. As before, this concert was
fully sold out and scalpers were busy trying to pick up a few tickets
for last minute resale.
 Under the baton of Maestro Guido Mancusi the very big full size
Strauss Orchestra of Canada became alive with the sounds of Vienna
and filled the hall with interesting stories and cheer. Zsusza Kalocsai,
Soprano, sang some of the most beloved melodies from operettas with
an amazing voices and displayed a great acting ability. Her counterpart,
Tenor Daniel Vadasz, also understood how to animate the characters
he personified in his performances. Both singers filled the hall
effortlessly with their amazing voices. Dancers from the Budapest
Ballet, 3 pairs, were the best ever on this tour. They made incredible
use of the small space in front of the orchestra and danced up a
temperamental storm.
 During intermission we met up with the Austrian Trade Commissioner
Dr. Robert Luck and the Austrian Ambassador in Ottawa, who had come
to the concert and already enjoyed Toronto Operetta Theatre’s ‘Birdseller’
the night before. He was much impressed with our local European
traditions and the quality of voices.
The second half of the concert passed much too quickly, as is always
the case when something is wonderful, and after 3 ‘Zugaben’ the
Radetsky March signaled the inevitable and final end. Flowers for
the soloists and standing ovations verified the success of yet another
Salute to Vienna.
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| Standing ovations... |
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| ...for the Maestro,
orchestra and soloists... |
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| ...and the fabulous dancers |
What an incredible 2 and a half hours to start
the New Year in a wonderful and positive way! Thank you, Marion
and Attila Glatz for having this brilliant idea so many years ago
and bringing a wonderful Europe tradition to North America.
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