BlackCreek Summer Music Festival – London Symphony Orchestra

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Capital One BlackCreek Summer Music Festival
London Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Lorin Maazel
Adrianne Pieczonka, soprano, Ekaterina Metlova, mezzo-soprano, Richard Margison, tenor, René Pape, bass, and the BlackCreek Festival Chorus
Aug 27, 2011

I’ve been attending a constant round of theatre, dance, music and opera festivals all summer. As well, the inaugural BlackCreek concert opened opposite the premiere of the National Ballet’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Therefore, the very last BlackCreek Summer Music Festival concert was also the very first one I was able to attend.

The London Symphony Orchestra under Lorin Maazel and the superb singers assembled for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony was a treat indeed. I, however, want to talk about the concert venue.

York University’s Rexall Centre might be a schlep, but it’s doable. After the first visit, it will be a piece of cake. The stage was built expressly for BlackCreek in Belgium and it’s a gorgeous structure. Most of all, the acoustics work. The amplified sound comes from the stage. In fact, the separation of elements is fantastic.

Given the talent line-up and large forces this festival is able to produce, it’s a wonderful addition to the Toronto music scene.