Now it’s time for our best to shine
For the past five weeks, livestreams have been the lifeline connecting musical organizations with audiences around the globe.
Consequently, internauts scouring the four corners of the World Wide Web have been able to view free livestreams from top drawer opera houses in New York, Vienna, St. Petersburg, Moscow and elsewhere, join orchestra’s watch parties, and click on archived concerts by countless other musical entities.
And now, two of Hamilton’s heavy hitters in the classical music field are joining the surge to beef up their online offerings.
Last Wednesday at noon, the HPO launched its Facebook Live Series hosted by composer-in-residence Abby Richardson-Schulte.
Her first remote guest was HPO French hornist Neil Spaulding who talked about his role as the orchestra’s operations and personnel manager, answered viewers’ questions, and crooned “Happy Birthday” to her.
HPO cellist Laura Jones was listed for April 29, while associate concertmaster Lance Ouellette is on tap for May 6, followed by principal flute Leslie Newman on May 13. Communications and outreach assistant Megan Nourse will speak about the HPO’s “A Shared History” project on May 20.
Starting time for each is at noon. The videos will be subsequently uploaded to the HPO’s website and YouTube page.
The HPO’s YouTube page is also where you can view the orchestra’s annual Community Recital, this year on Saturday at 2 p.m.
“The recital is a wonderful opportunity for community musicians of all ages and skill levels to perform for one another in a welcoming environment,” interim executive director Kim Varian told The Spectator.
“While in the past we have asked that the works performed be by, or inspired by, a specific composer, we have opened up this recital to a work of the performer’s choice.
“We feel that the creative outlet of athome music making is particularly special at this time, and we look forward to showcasing what the musicians in our community have been up to over the past few weeks.”
If you’re nimble enough, you can still make Thursday’s registration deadline.
Saturday at 7:30 p.m. is when Boris
Brott’s eponymous festival launches its Brott Music Live series of interactive webcast performances on Facebook Live.
The series will feature musical numbers by guest artists connected with the festival, viewers’ questions, and banter with Brott, all done remotely, of course.
“I am thrilled to engage, live and in real time, with audiences and the artists personally in a way that would be impossible at a concert,” Brott said in a press release.
“Now more than ever, we need the power of music to bring us together and to help us heal. Brott Music Live will allow us to support one another, interact and share the joy of music.”
Up first are Emily Hamper, artistic administrator and coach of BrottOpera, along with her husband, baritone Phillip Addis and their violinist son, Sebastian.
On May 9, it’ll be Dave and Mary Tabone, directors of the BR Xpression Choirs, followed by Jeans ’n Classics lead singer Michael Shotton on May 16. Lou Zamprogna will chat about “The Sound of Music” on May 23.
Acclaimed soprano Adrianne Pieczonka will pick up her guitar and sing on May 30.
Violinist and National Academy Orchestra alumna Leslie Ashworth will be featured on June 6. Clarinetist and Festival of the Sound artistic director James Campbell will perform with his guitarist son, Graham, on June 13. Pianist Valerie Tryon will celebrate Beethoven’s 250th anniversary on June 20. Mezzo-soprano and CBC Radio host Julie Nesrallah will join the fun on June 27.
Starting time for each is 7:30 p.m. The BMF has postponed its June concerts in FirstOntario Concert Hall and the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Guidance issued by public health officials and government agencies will determine whether the hills will be alive with the sound of music in July and August.