Author Archives: Stanley Fefferman

Eifman’s Rodin Makes Sculpture Dance: A review by Stanley Fefferman

May 23, 2012. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto. The magic of Medusa went one way, turning humans to stone. The magic of Eifman flows two ways: turning dancers to stone and making those stones dance. Spooky music of … Continue reading

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Stanley Fefferman reviews Brahms and Lieberson comfort sorrow with Peter Oundjian and the TSO

“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted”, says the scripture, and it was so last night as Peter Oundjian conducted the mournful music of Brahms and Lieberson. Wave after wave of the rich textures of grieving arose … Continue reading

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The stark glory of Robert Carsen’s Dialogues des Carmélites with Canadian Opera Company

Francis Poulenc’s 1957 opera Dialogues des Carmélites has the virtues of necessity. Director Robert Carsten’s COC production puts these virtues before us in simple black and white. The virtues begin with the story: Blanche, an aristocrat afraid of the French Revolution who … Continue reading

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The Danilo Pérez Trio meets the Cecilia String Quartet reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

The Danilo Pérez Trio tribute to Dizzy Gillespie was many things, including an invitation to relax. It was also a showcase and world première for Camino de Cruces, Pérez’s contribution to the 500th anniversary celebration of the founding of Panama. … Continue reading

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Atom Egoyan’s intoxicating Salome at the Canadian Opera Company reviewed by Stanley Fefferman.

Atom Egoyan’s production of Richard Strauss’ Salome is styled for extreme contrasts. You could think of it as Springtime for Herod in Judea. While patrons spilling out of limos, taxis and Wheel-Trans were gathering on this magnolia blossom-filled May Day … Continue reading

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Soundstream’s Piano Ecstasy: Hit and Myth, reviewed by Stanley Fefferman with photos by Eric Fefferman

April 26, 2013. Koerner Hall, Toronto. Piano Ecstasy is an exciting title. Soundstream’s Artistic Director, Lawrence Cherney, put together a program of compositions with back-stories that promise to match the title’s excitement. Sometimes they did. On the glittering stage of … Continue reading

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Heavens:Amadeus & the Duke, a Raphael Imbert CD project reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

Raphael Imbert. Amadeus and the Duke. Jazz Village Heavens:Amadeus & the Duke, a Raphael Imbert project is like Forest Gump’s momma’s box  of chocolate— you never know what you’re gonna get, but it’s always pretty good. Call this a crossover … Continue reading

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Stephen Fearing BETWEEN HURRICANES CD release with photos by Eric Fefferman

April, 25. Hugh’s Room, Toronto. In this photograph, taken while he performed a second set for the packed house at Hugh’s Room, Stephen Fearing is playing the fabled Six String Nation guitar known as Voyageur. As the song goes Fearing “can … Continue reading

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