MONTREAL — It's time for a Montreal spring music and theater fling.
Arion Orchestre Baroque presents a fanciful program with "J.S. Bach: Cantatas and Concertos" tonight and Friday at Salle Claude Champagne of the University of Montreal.
The orchestra celebrates its 29th season with a Bach cantata program featuring soprano Christine Brandes and 15 musicians under the direction of harpsichordist Alexander Weimann. Tickets start at $10 and are available at (514) 355-1825 or www.arionbaroque.com.
'SIMON BOCCANEGRA'
Continuing its season's theme of education, the Segal Centre for Performing Arts presents "Old Wicked Songs" now through March 21. The Pulitzer-Prize nominated drama by American playwright Jon Marans tells the tale of a young American piano prodigy who's in need of a little musical inspiration. The play, set in post-Nazi Austria during the 1980s, portrays a difference of musical opinion between the struggling prodigy and the temperamental music professor.
The play is a co-production of Montreal's French-language Theatre du Rideau Vert. "Old Wicked Songs" made its Montreal premiere in French. Actors Jean Marchand and Emile Proulx-Cloutier reprise their roles in English for the Segal production.
Tickets range from $31 to $44. Student and senior discounts available. At 5170 Cote Ste. Catherine just off the Decarie Highway (Route 15N). Call (514) 739-7944 or visit www.segalcentre.org.
L'Opera de Montreal presents the Verdi classic "Simon Boccanegra" this Saturday and March 17, 20, 22 and 25 at Place des Arts. Boccanegra, the main character, rises in the ranks from pirate to local magistrate in the days of the Renaissance. The twist — and there's always a twist in opera — is that his long-lost daughter reappears on the scene after years away, only to have fallen in love with her father's archenemy.
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts is at 175 St. Catherine St. W. Tickets range from $46 to $127. For more information, call the Place des Arts Box Office at (866) 842-2112. Also visit www.pda.qc.ca or www.operademontreal.com.
MIDDLE EAST MAYHEM
The spring Infinitheatre production is the world premiere "Father Land" by playwright Arthur Holden. Directed by Montreal theater alum Guy Sprung, "Father Land" follows Eric Brook, a young Westmount, Montreal, high-school student who, along with his father, comes to the aid of his uncle — a down-and-out character on the run from the local mob. Brook's history essay on Uday and Qusay, the sons of Saddam Hussein, soon comes to life with father and uncle trapped in their house while waiting for the enemy to arrive.
"Father Land" continues now through March 28 at Bain St. Michel, 5300 St. Dominique St. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Call (514) 987-1774 or visit www.infinitheatre.com.
Middle East mayhem continues with the Tableau D'Hote Theatre production of "A Line in the Sand" now through March 21 at the Segal Centre Studio. A Canadian army colonel aims to uncover the truth about the torture and death of a Palestinian teenager, possibly at the hands of the teen's former friend, a young Canadian soldier.
Tickets cost $22 for general admission; $15 for students and seniors. At 5170 Cote Ste. Catherine. Call (514) 739-7944 or visit www.segalcentre.org.
QUEBEC DEBUT
Centaur Theatre presents an updated version of the William Shakespeare classic "The Comedy of Errors" now through March 28. The current version is directed by Peter Hinton, the artistic director of Ottawa's National Arts Centre English Theatre who received the prestigious Officer of the Order of Canada award last fall.
While the Shakespearean narrative stays the same, the updated take on the classic romantic farce includes mod lighting, electric scooters, leather-clad drag and iPods.
Adult tickets cost $38.50. Senior, student and under-30 discounts available. The Centaur Theatre is at 453 St. Francois Xavier St. in Old Montreal. Call (514) 288-3161 or visit www.centaurtheatre.com.
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra enjoys a busy spring season with a number of productions. German violinist Christian Tetzlaff makes his Quebec debut with a Tchaikovsky concerto conducted by Sir Andrew Davis March 15 and 16 at Place des Arts. Adult tickets range from $29 to $175.
Next, the orchestra ventures out of this world. "Escape into Space" includes excerpts from Holst's "Planets," Mozart's "Jupiter Symphony" and John Williams's "Star Wars" music. The all-ages show is presented in two matinee performances March 21. Adult tickets range from $13.55 to $33.86. Visit www.osm.ca.
A&E
Drama, music, opera on tap in Montreal
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'Two Horns and a Quartet' sound off in mini tour
Area performances feature Ann Ellsworth, Rachel Drehmann and the Osso String Quartet.
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Winter Encore returns this weekend
"Winter Encore: Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival" features Soovin Kim, Romie de Guise-Langlois and the Old City String Quartet.
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Local actors discuss 'Next Fall'
Upcoming play is at 8 p.m. Feb. 10 and 11 at Plattsburgh City Hall. INCLUDES VIDEO
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Montreal festival offers fun for family
Montreal en Lumiere, formerly dubbed Montreal High Lights, includes two weeks of outdoor activities, concerts, light shows, gourmet food and more.
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'Big Miracle' a charming family film
If whales are in peril, people just naturally want to help them, which provides the basis of "Big Miracle," a terribly titled but lighthearted flick, Steve Ouellette writes.
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ArtsExpress: Feb. 9, 2012
Order Sweet Adelines for Valentine's Day; Scholarships available for young poets; TAUNY offering woodcarving workshop.
- Thursday, February 2, 2012
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Church musician explores many moods of love
"The Piano Stylings of George Cantin" can be heard at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Newman Center.
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Tim Hartnett and Julie Canepa welcome friends to Palmer Street
Oh! Betty, Tim Hartnett and Julie Canepa, host a select open mic Friday at Palmer Street Coffeehouse.
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'Scientific Americans' takes stage in Montreal
The Segal Center production tackles the question: Are you responsible for what you create?
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'The Grey' uneven, unsatisfying flick
Film tries to mix what it does best — violence and male bonding — with a dose of heavy philosophy, but it falls short, Steve Ouellette writes.
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ArtsExpress: Feb. 2, 2012
State of the arts to be discussed; BluSeed offering 'Adventures in Clay'; Fort Ti to host unique weapons presentation.
- Thursday, January 26, 2012
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What happens in Finland ...
Adirondack Wind Ensemble celebrates its 10th anniversary with the music of Finland.
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Howard Jennings returns to Cadyville Concert Hall
Singer-songwriter to play his hometown venue on Friday.
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'In Absentia' a story of loss, longing
Morris Panych world-premiere play opens Jan. 31 at the Centaur Theatre.
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'Haywire' a different kind of thriller
The film starring a mixed martial arts champion is a no-frills project with an indie feel from a big-name director, featuring an outstanding supporting cast around the untrained lead actress, Steve Ouellette writes.
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'Two Horns and a Quartet' sound off in mini tour







