By: Himani Ediriweera
An endless summer of rain left me longing for a new season. I purged myself of pent-up anguish over the dismal summer and sought the comfort I always find in familiar repertoires and dance — it was that time. It was hall season.
I knew Toronto-based Latin temptress Amanda Martinez would turn up
the heat at any fall gathering with her sensual music — a perfect fusion of
Mexican, Cuban and Spanish beats.
The vocalist and composer, whose sultry singing in three languages is
intoxicating, is as genuine as she is talented. The unassuming beauty is win-
ner of the Best World Music Artist of the Year at the Toronto Independent
Music Awards and a three-time nominee for Latin Jazz Artist of the Year at
the National Jazz Awards.
Martinez and her band perform October 23 at the brand new Koerner
Hall to launch Amor.
Perhaps one of the most poignant performances of the season will be the
return of renowned Canadian tenor Ben Heppner with the Canadian Opera
Company at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
Under the direction of Johannes Debus, who makes his debut as music
director of the COC orchestra, the world’s finest dramatic tenor appears for a debut solo performance to celebrate the COC’s 60th anniversary.
Featuring works by Berlioz, Meyerbeer, Halévy, and Wagner, the romantic
French and German repertoire that made him famous, The Grammy and
Juno Award-winning tenor last performed at the Four Seasons Centre in 2006.
Heading out west, Alberta Ballet concludes its three-year Shakespeare
cycle with an encore presentation of Jean Grand Maître’s intensely riveting
performance of Romeo and Juliet, set to one of the most brilliant scores written for ballet, by Sergei Prokofiev. The enduring masterpiece of infinite love surrounding two ill-fated lovers is brought to life through dance in Calgary October 22 to 24 and Edmonton November 6 to 7.
Grand Maître — who serves as the choreography director for the
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Opening and Closing Games — is reputed
as one of the country’s greatest.
Performing at the General Motors Place in Vancouver is musical show-
man, producer and songwriter, David Foster. Embarking on a 10-city tour,
Foster is on a quest to find his next vocal superstar.
Emerging artists — chosen by a collective collaboration of Foster and fans
in each city the tour visits — will be narrowed down to a winner, who will fly
to Vancouver November 8 with Foster for the final performance.
With surprise guests in each city, performers are set to include Earth
Wind and Fire’s Philip Bailey, Peter Cetera, American Idol’s Michael Johns
and Ruben Studdard and piano wiz Lang Lang.
When Chinese prodigy Lang Lang played Massey Hall with Herbie
Hancock in Toronto this past summer, the pair effortlessly bridged the gap
between jazz and classical in a phenomenal showing of dueling keys.
Playing with Montréal Symphony Orchestra November 17 and 18, Lang
Lang returns to Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier and Théâtre Maisonneuve November 22.
Lang Lang, 27, with his assured technical virtuosity and whimsical musi-
cal theatrics, took part in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic
Games in Beijing.
So, bring on fall. I have the hottest seats in the house.
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