The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) rings in the new year in style, celebrating one of the most prolific and beloved composers ever with its annual Mozart Festival. TheMozart@260 Festival—curated by Quebec-based conductor Bernard Labadie—includes the famous Symphony No. 40 as part of the popular What Makes It Great?^® series, a splendid program featuring the Jupiter Symphony and more, and a gripping semi-staged production of the Requiem. The TSO then presents Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz, and welcomes back Canadian sopranoBarbara Hannigan for a second time this season.

On January 15, the Mozart@260 Festival kicks off with a performance of the famous Symphony No. 40, led by Rob Kapilow. Described by Katie Couric of NBC’s Today show as “A wonderful guy who brings music alive!”, the convivial host and conductor works his insightful magic on one of Mozart’s last and greatest symphonies.

The January 16 and 17 concerts bring a splendid program displaying Mozart’s genius in three quite different musical forms. Bernard Labadie conducts the Jupiter Symphony (Mozart’s last and most invigorating symphony); the charming Piano Concerto No. 9 “Jeunehomme”, with Alexandre Tharaud at the keyboard; and selections from Don Giovanni, spotlighting tenor Frédéric Antoun and bass-baritone Philippe Sly.

On January 21, 22, and 23, the magnificent, deeply human drama of Mozart’s Requiem is brought to life as a moving theatrical event, directed by Joel Ivany. Soprano Lydia Teuscher, mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy, tenor Frédéric Antoun, and bass-baritone Philippe Sly, joined by the Amadeus Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers, shed a whole new light on the composer’s stirring, final, unfinished masterpiece, now completed by renowned scholar Robert Levin, under the direction of Bernard Labadie. The first portion of the evening features the TSO Chamber Soloists performing an excerpt from the gorgeous Clarinet Quintet in A Major.

On January 27 and 28, the always extraordinary soprano Barbara Hannigan returns to the TSO for Henri Dutilleux’s mystical song cycle, Correspondances. “The soprano’s voice is perfect for Dutilleux’s music, sharing its trademark sensuousness, poise and precision,” reported the Financial Times, “and she remains a formidable dramatic presence…a tough act to follow.” The evening, under the direction of Peter Oundjian, also includes music by Sibelius, and Berlioz’s fanciful Symphonie fantastique.

Peter Oundjian and the Orchestra reprise Symphonie fantastique on January 30. This concert also highlights the TSO’s remarkable Principal Horn Neil Deland who performs one of the landmarks of the repertoire, the Horn Concerto No. 1 by R. Strauss.

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JANUARY 2016 CONCERT LISTINGS
All concerts are at Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, unless otherwise noted.
Call the TSO ticket line at 416.598.3375 or order tickets online at TSO.CA.