It's been so long since I've had the time to post a few culture oriented things. Very busy summertime, mostly good with the exception that one of our extended family is quite ill, and that situation is taking gobs of our time.
I was supposed to comment on Mahler 8th; it was terrific in every way. Having such enormous choral forces present can be exciting, but such a thing can overwhelm almost any acoustic, and that was the only iffy part. TSO
really dazzled in this piece as did some of the soloists (essentially Adriana Chuchman and Erin Wall).
Here is Kaptainis' review on the Mahler:
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/06/14/concert-review-tso-presents-mahlers-eighth-symphony-3/
In response to your comments about the new Montreal concert hall and whatnot, well, I had to attend a funeral in Montreal last week, and so I stole some time to run off and see the hall in the flesh. The final product has endured some criticism, theme "lost opportunity", and I totally agree. In fact, I am underwhelmed with it in almost every respect. Street aspects are strange and do not "strike a chord" (sorry) with their surroundings. Interior? Well, you may like it but it's surely not to my taste. Acoustics are
not being praised as I expected that they would. I could carry on at length about exactly how the opportunity was squandered, but I don't feel it's worth the bother. (Maybe in person). I felt that Diamond's comments about Erickson were disingenuous and truly out of place. I still feel strongly that RTH can be turned into a top flight concert hall with another 40 million or so. Not unthinkable in this town right now.
For the next amazing Toronto high culture season, we are re-seated at the opera, and have scored the coveted parterre seating, yes, yes, yes !!! We got our TSO subscription, too, and we will be re-arranging a few concerts because our series contains some stuff we just don't wish to hear (starting with de Falla, count me out of that one).
Do walk along the Queen side of the opera house, and behold the opera season posters. The COC surely knows how to tantalize their audience. Quite a lineup for 12/13.
I am involved in courses during the next year, plus music lessons, and I also hope to have time for some very extensive AGO touring. I'm hopefully not overloading my plate.