The Tempestuous Violin
February 7 to 12, 2019
“Onofri is a man of both steel and deep sensitivity, and one marvels at his reserve and discipline in displaying his virtuosity. It is fascinating to watch him play.” —Seen and Heard International
Toronto, January 18, 2019 … “Is there anything more powerful than music?” asks Enrico Onofri. The charismatic baroque violinist, opera conductor, and former concertmaster of Il Giardino Armonico makes his Tafelmusik debut with
The Tempestuous Violin, February 7 to 10 at Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, and February 12 at George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts. Complete details are available at tafelmusik.org.
Onofri and Music Director Elisa Citterio appear as soloists in a program that explores innovation and turbulence, whether evoked through man-made conflicts such as battles, or Mother Nature’s own tempests. Composers of the first half of the 17th century started to favour a more direct, emotional approach and experimented with new forms, such as the sonata and concerto. Vivaldi took the experimentation one step further with his exhilarating L’Estro armonico, which forever changed how concertos were composed. Works by Castello, Gabrieli, Kaspberger, Scheidt, Locke, Corelli, and Vivaldi shape this thrilling program, which includes five Tafelmusik premieres.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the Tafelmusik stage with my friend and colleague Enrico Onofri. In addition to being an astonishing violin virtuoso and an amazing conductor, he is one of the most encouraging and inspiring teachers I have ever encountered. It gives me great pleasure to introduce Enrico to Toronto audiences,” said Elisa Citterio.
Audience members are invited to join Tafelmusik violinist Chris Verrette for a free pre-concert chat one hour before each performance.
Enrico Onofri presents a masterclass on Saturday, February 9, 2:30 to 4:30 pm at Jeanne Lamon Hall. Open to the public, free admission with a suggested donation of $10.
ABOUT ENRICO ONOFRI
Enrico Onofri’s career began with an invitation from Jordi Savall to be concertmaster of La Capella Real when he was still a student. He soon found himself working with Concentus Musicus Wien and Concerto Italiano. From 1987–2010 he was concertmaster and soloist of Il Giardino Armonico. In 2002 he took up conducting/directing, which has brought him great acclaim and invitations from orchestras and opera houses such as Akademie für Alte Musik, Festival Strings Lucerne, Haydn Philharmonie, Kammerorchesterbasel, Bochumer Symphoniker, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Opéra de Lyon, Pomo d’Oro, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Divino Sospiro, Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla, EUBO, and others.He founded Imaginarium Ensemble. He has performed in the most famous halls, alongside artists such as Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Gustav Leonhardt, Christophe Coin, Cecilia Bartoli, and Katia and Marielle Labèque. His recordings have been awarded prestigious prizes. Enrico has taught baroque violin at Conservatorio Scarlatti in Palermo since 1999, and gives masterclasses worldwide.
LISTING INFORMATION
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra presents
The Tempestuous Violin
Enrico Onofri, guest director and violin soloist
Thu Feb 7 to Sat Feb 9 at 8 pm
Sun Feb 10 at 3:30 pm
Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor Street W.
Tues Feb 12 at 8 pm
George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St
Regular & 65+: From $39 | Youth (18 and under) – $30 |Tafelscene (19-35 yrs)- $30, best available seating, only available through Tafelscene email list sign-up
Tafelmusik Box Office: (416) 964-6337
ABOUT TAFELMUSIK
Led by Music Director Elisa Citterio, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir is one of the world’s leading period ensembles and Canada’s most-toured orchestra. Tafelmusik engages Toronto audiences with an annual season of more than 80 concerts in diverse venues across the city, as well as national and international audiences through an extensive schedule of tours and critically acclaimed recordings. The Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, under the direction of Ivars Taurins, was formed in 1981 to complement the Orchestra. Tafelmusik also seeks to transport audiences to the baroque and classical periods through adventurous cross-cultural collaborations, on stage with Toronto’s Opera Atelier, and underground at its Haus Musik series. The orchestra’s musicians share their knowledge and experience through artist training initiatives such as the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer and Winter Institutes. Tafelmusik’s catalogue of award-winning recordings on the SONY, CBC Records, Analekta, and Tafelmusik Media labels have garnered nine JUNO Awards and numerous other recording prizes. Jeanne Lamon continues her association with Tafelmusik as Music Director Emerita.
2018/19 SEASON PARTNERS
Tafelmusik wishes to thank the following for their generous support: BMO Financial Group, TD Bank Group, RBC Foundation, Hal Jackman Foundation, KPMG, Great West Life, London Life, Canada Life, McLean Foundation, Blakes LLP, iA Securities, Stikeman Elliott LLP, Margaret and John Catto, Margaret and Jim Fleck, The Pluralism Fund, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Classical 96.3 FM, NOW Magazine, and Wholenote Magazine. Tafelmusik is a proud partner of the Bloor St. Culture Corridor.
Website: tafelmusik.org
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Media contact: Luisa Trisi, Big Picture Communications, (416) 456-0499
ltrisi@sympatico.ca| 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1X7