Music at Sharon 2010

MUSIC AT SHARON ANNOUNCES 2010 SUMMER FESTIVAL

Inaugural season for Co-Artistic Directors Rick Phillips and Larry Beckwith

Wallis Giunta & Stephen Philcox * Ensemble Polaris * Tokai String Quartet with Anton Kuerti * Alexander Seredenko * Les Voix Baroques with countertenor Matthew White

Five-concert subscription: $165.
Single tickets: $45 - $35.

Purchase online at www.roythomson.ca
416 872 4255 or the King & Simcoe box office

TORONTO, ONTARIO – The best thing about summer is a music festival, especially when located just outside the city, in a gorgeous natural setting where music lovers can enjoy the outdoors and a picnic lunch; a pre-concert chat, then classical music in a historic temple featuring renowned musicians; and finally, a post-concert reception to meet the performers.  Of the Music at Sharon festival, the Toronto Star’s John Terauds wrote,  “The ideal summer-festival program allows us to experience top-quality artistry, while also taking us out of the sunlight-blocking concert hall into a more pastoral setting...theSharon Temple fulfilled the ideal in spades."

Music at Sharon is pleased to announce the details of its summer festival season for 2010.  This music series was revived in 2007 to celebrate the 175^th anniversary of the Temple of the Children of Peace.  Some of the best young and veteran talent to emerge from Ontario and beyond will be featured under new co-Artistic Directors Rick Phillips and Larry Beckwith.

Rick Phillips is a well-known Toronto broadcaster, writer, musical tour guide around the world, and speaker.  Larry Beckwith is the Artistic Director for Toronto Masque Theatre, is a music teacher, producer, choral singer and director, and Baroque violinist.  “We’re both thrilled to be programming at Music at Sharon, and delighted the festival has been resurrected. We’re also excited about the fine calibre of artists who are performing at Sharon this summer, and the range of classical concerts we’re offering to music lovers,” said Mr. Phillips.  Mr. Beckwith expanded on this statement: “Not only is it about fine classical music, but it’s about an amazing summer experience outside of the city.  Music at Sharon is a lovelyescape outside the city, in Newmarket.  Arrive early, enjoy a picnic outside, and listen to some of the country’s best musicians.”

All concerts are on Sundays at 3 PM.  The audience is invited to pre-concert chats (included in ticket price) with  Rick and/or Larry at 2:30 PM in the Temple and when possible, the featured soloists.  All concerts feature a post-concert reception for the audience to meet the performers.

June 6:
Wallis Giunta, mezzo-soprano in recital with Stephen Philcox, piano

Ms. Giunta, a quickly rising talent based in Toronto, is currently starring as Cherubino in Opera Atelier’s “The Marriage of Figaro”.  Of her performance, the Globe and Mail’s Paula Citron wrote, “Giunta’s honey tone is luscious, and she … is heading for stardom.”


June 13:
Ensemble Polaris

Ensemble Polaris explores the music of Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, Scotland, and Canada.  The group will offer a mixed programme of composed and improvised material, taking advantage of the superb acoustics and unique spatial possibilities of Sharon Temple.


June 20:
Tokai String Quartet with pianist Anton Kuerti

The quartet will perform Haydn’s String Quartet, Op. 50, No. 6 “Frog”, and Brahms String Quartet in C, Op. 51, No. 1.  Pianist Anton Kuerti will join Tokai in Schumann’s Piano Quintet in Eb, Op. 44.


June 27:
Alexander Seredenko, solo piano recital

This young Toronto pianist is making a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with, and the winner of the 2009 Toronto Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.  Mr. Seredenko’s recital will include the four Scherzi of Chopin as part of the 200^th anniversary of the composer’s birth.


July 4:
Les Voix Baroques

Montreal’s Les Voix Baroques will sing Latin oratorios by Baroque composers Giacomo Crissimi and Marc-Antoine Charpentier.  Artistic Director and countertenor Matthew White, will perform with soprano Shannon Mercer and harpsichordist Alex Weimann.  Again, the acoustics of the temple will be used to the fullest.

Sharon Temple is a beautiful National Historic Site located just north of Newmarket.  An intimate 230-seat venue, the Sharon Temple is renowned for its acoustics, architectural ambience, and the serene beauty of the surroundings.

Directions to 18974 Leslie Street, Sharon, Ontario:

Take Highway 404 north to its end.  Turn left (west) on Green Lane for 1 km.  Turn right (north) on Leslie for 2 km.

The Sharon Temple is on the west side.  There is ample free parking.

General admission tickets: 416 872 4255, or online at www.roythomson.com.z

45-$35 or $165 for a 5-concert subscription.