Koerner Hall May 23–25, 2025
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
Directed by Julia Wedman
“Samuel Mariño was bullied at school for his voice. But now the male soprano is
storming the classical world—one sequin at a time.”
—The Guardian
April 16, 2025 … As a male soprano, Samuel Mariño belongs to one of the world’s rarest vocal categories. The “extravagantly talented” singer (Opera) joins Tafelmusik to wrap up the 2024/25 season on a high note with Samuel Mariño at the Opera: Bologne & Mozart. Directed by Julia Wedman, the concerts take place on May 23 & 24 at 8 PM and May 25 at 3 PM at Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning. Tickets are available at the Koerner Hall box office, rcmusic.com/tickets.
Mariño’s astonishing range compares to those of the soprano superstars he admires, from Maria Callas to Mariah Carey to Beyoncé. Known for his electric stage presence enhanced by “frothy tulle, slinky sequins and towering heels,” (The Guardian), the 31-year-old Venezuelan has been featured in everything from The New York Times to Dua Lipa’s Service95. Through recordings and numerous appearances across Europe, the US, South America, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, Mariño is dedicated to his mission to make classical music more accessible to a wider audience.
“We can’t think of a better way to close the 24/25 season than with classical rockstar Samuel Marino,” says Cristina Zacharias, Tafelmusik’s Artistic Co-Director. “This program highlights his sensational artistry and shines a light on unfairly neglected composers with important stories to tell.”
Those who witnessed Mariño’s Tafelmusik debut in 2023 will never forget the sheer thrill of his artistry and his “lyric instincts…and sincere emotional investment in the musical material” (Ludwig van Toronto).
With Mariño’s return engagement, audiences can look forward to exhilarating live performances of music from his acclaimed album, Sopranista, including music from L’Amant anonyme by Joseph Bologne, the influential Black 18th-century composer.
Program offerings include works by classical women composers Marianna Martines and Maria Antonia Walpurgis, along with music from Mozart’s Il re pastore and Gluck’s most famous aria, “Che faro’ senza Euridice” from Orfeo ed Euridice. Hand-picked virtuoso arias from operas by Haydn and Salieri framed by orchestral music directed by Tafelmusik’s “inspirational” Julia Wedman (Gramophone) complete the picture.
Bound to delight opera lovers and the opera-curious alike, this operatic tour de force is the perfect showcase for Mariño’s otherworldly soprano voice.
LISTING INFORMATION:
Tafelmusik presents Samuel Mariño at the Opera: Bologne & Mozart.
Directed by Julia Wedman
May 23 & 24 at 8 PM and May 25 at 3 PM.
Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor Street West
Tickets start at $35.00 and are available at the Koerner Hall box office, rcmusic.com/tickets.
Season Presenting Sponsor for the 2024-25 concert season
MAJOR CULTURAL PARTNER
Tafelmusik gratefully acknowledges the support of BMO, Presenting Sponsor of the 2024/25 concert season, as well as support from the Azrieli Foundation, Brookfield, Power Corporation of Canada, and RBC. Samuel Mariño’s performances are generously supported by Christopher and Colleen Paige. We are also grateful to our government partners Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
About Samuel Mariño
Samuel Mariño’s unique vocal talent and glittering stage presence have earned him a stellar reputation with audiences and orchestras alike and allow him to explore a wide range of roles in the baroque and classical repertoire. This season, Mariño makes anticipated returns to Australia and Canada, presenting a new programme with Australian Brandenburg Orchestra – ‘Desperate Heroines’ — and reuniting with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in Toronto. He also made his first appearances with Symphony Nova Scotia. In Europe, Mariño reunites with Concerto de Cavalieri on tour, with Gabetta Consort for performances of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and his programme – ‘Delirio’ – and he reprises the role of Oberto (Alcina) with ensemble Les Épopées under Stephen Fuget. He joins Thüringen Philharmonie for a programme of Mozart arias and Beethoven’s Ah! Perfido, and Heidelburg Sinfoniker in special New Year concerts, both under Michael Hofstetter, and with long time collaborators, L’Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal de Versailles, gives performances in Paris and on tour in China. He returns to Konzerthaus Berlin showcasing Königin der Nacht arias and he makes his role and house debuts at Theater Dortmund as Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro).
About Tafelmusik
Brandon Chui, Dominic Teresi, Cristina Zacharias, Artistic Co-Directors
Glenn Hodgins, Executive Director
Every now and then a group of musicians comes along and changes the way we think about music. For over four decades, Tafelmusik has been synonymous worldwide with dynamic, engaging, and soulful performances informed by scholarship, passion and artistic excellence. Performing on instruments and in styles appropriate to the era, Tafelmusik has performed in more than 350 cities in 32 countries. Its extensive discography on the Sony, CBC Records, Analekta and Tafelmusik Media labels have garnered ten JUNOs and numerous international recording prizes. From a vibrant home season in Toronto, to international tours, award-winning recordings, innovative collaborations, and inspiring education programs, Tafelmusik is a musical powerhouse with a reputation for thrilling and delighting audiences. www.tafelmusik.org
Website: tafelmusik.org
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Media contact:
Luisa Trisi, Big Picture Communications
luisa@luisatrisi.com | 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1X7