Tafelmusik with Toronto Botanical Garden
April 30, 2023
Christopher Verrette, violin
Julia Wedman, violin
Program
Maddalena Lombardini de Sirmen
Duetto in A Major, op. 5, no. 5
Andantino – Allegretto
Georg Philipp Telemann
Suite “Gulliver’s Travels”
Intrada
Chaconne of the Lilliputians
Gigue of the Brobdingnagians
Daydreams of the Laputians, with their attendant flappers
Loure of the well-mannered Houyhnhnms / The wild dance of the untamed Yahoos
Thomas Morley
Canzonets: Il Lamento & La Torello (The turtledove)
Joseph Bologne
Sonata no. 1 in B-flat Major, Book I
Allegro – Aria con variatione
Jean-Marie Leclair
Sonate à deux violons, op. 3, no. 5
Allegro ma poco – Gavotta gratioso – Presto
Jean-Pierre Guignon
Variations on a tune by Rameau
A note from Toronto Botanical Garden
As spring arrives, we find ourselves at the final concert in our winter series. We are tremendously grateful for this new partnership and the wonderful response we’ve received for Tafelmusik at the Garden. We hope you will continue to find ways to stay connected with our dynamic plant community and immerse yourself in our enriching learning environment. We encourage you to take a stroll after the concert for the other big show, as 30,000 spring bulbs emerge in the garden.
We continue with our arts and community programming next month with our Annual Plant Sale (May 5–7), and the relaunch of our weekly Farmers Market on Thursday, May 11, 3–7 p.m. This summer, we hope you’ll join us during the Edwards Summer Music Series which includes eight FREE outdoor concerts on Thursday nights (July 13–August 31) and the return of Bloom: Dance + Circus in the Garden (July 10–19), an immersive outdoor high-flying dance, circus, and garden experience. Follow us on social media or sign up for our free weekly enews for what’s on at the Garden.
We would also like to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous support towards the recent upgrades to our AV equipment in both our halls, enhancing your enjoyment of live performances, educational programming and events.
The Garden is open daily from dawn until dusk and admission is free. Our Visitor Centre, Garden Shop, Weston Family Library, and public washrooms are open daily.
For information on upcoming programs and events: torontobotanicalgarden.ca/events
About Tafelmusik
Tafelmusik is one of the world’s leading period-instrument ensembles, performing on instruments and in styles appropriate for the era of the music. Renowned for dynamic, engaging, and soulful performances, Tafelmusik performs for audiences across Toronto and digital audiences around the world, and is Canada’s most toured orchestra, having performed in more than 350 cities in 32 countries. The critically acclaimed Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, and its director Ivars Taurins, often share the stage with the orchestra. Tafelmusik’s recordings on the Sony, CBC Records, Analekta, and Tafelmusik Media labels have garnered ten JUNOs and numerous international recording prizes.
“We are delighted to partner with Toronto Botanical Garden for these chamber concerts, which take place in the most beautiful setting imaginable,” says Daniela Nardi, Tafelmusik’s Interim Executive Director. “The inaugural Tafelmusik in the Garden winter series aligns with our quest to explore baroque and beyond while nurturing community life. In the depths of a Canadian winter, nothing could be more alluring than the promise of spring accompanied by the sound of live music.”
Christopher Verrett
Violin
Christopher Verrette joined Tafelmusik as a violinist in 1993 and has been a frequent soloist and leader with the orchestra. He has performed music from 7 centuries in 25 countries and on over 50 recordings for 16 labels. A native of New Hampshire, he studied at Indiana University with Stanley Ritchie, and contributed to the revival of early music in the American Midwest as a founding member of Ensemble Voltaire and the Chicago Baroque Ensemble, and as a guest with numerous other ensembles. In Toronto he is lead violinist with the Musicians in Ordinary and the Schola Cantorum of St. Michael’s College, and participates in the Toronto Bach Festival. He is also heard in film and television soundtracks such as The Tudors, and on the companion recording to Sylvia Tyson’s novel, Joyner’s Dream.
Photo credit: Sian Richards
Julia Wedman
Violin
Violinist Julia Wedman (juliawedman.com) grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. After studies at UWO, Indiana University, and the University of Toronto, she joined the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in 2005 and quickly developed a reputation for her solo performances with the group. In addition to being featured regularly on the group’s home series in Toronto, Julia has performed solos on tours in Canada, the US, Germany, France, Mexico, Puerto Rico, China, Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. She was a long-time member of I FURIOSI and is currently in the Eybler String Quartet, who are on faculty at the groundbreaking EQ: Evolution Quartet program at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Julia recently joined 2022 Juno award-winning L’Harmonie des Saisons (Montréal), and will be featured on their upcoming CD of Bach concerti. Her highly acclaimed CD of Heinrich Biber’s Mystery Sonatas is available online.
Photo credit: Sian Richards
Thank You to our Generous Donors
Tafelmusik is deeply grateful to our generous donors who have continued to support us through this challenging time. Your support has inspired us to remain strong and to deliver joy to our community through our music, and will enable us to persevere until we can once again perform live for you, our cherished patrons. Thank you for believing in Tafelmusik and in the power and beauty of music.
If you would like to make a gift, please click here or contact us at donations@tafelmusik.org.
Thank you to our government sponsors
