Review by Danny Gaisin

Disclaimer:  This scribe grew up in Quebec and vaguely remembered a French fable “Belle et Bête” written by Gabrielle Villeneuve in the 18^th century… never made the connection to the play cum cartoon cum stage musical 250 years later. Last night seated at the rear of Meadowvale Theatre next to Ursula & Les who were kind enough to reiterate the modern version, thus prepping me for what THEATRE UNLIMITED was about to offer.

Alan Menken, Howard Ashman & Tim Rice collaborated on a musical adaptation of the Disney interpretation that is rather far removed from my childhood recollection. But, it’s actually a more interesting & imaginative story. Director Richard Henry exhibits an amazing penchant for detail, and has certainly motivated his forty-odd cast members to fully explicate all aspects of their individual roles. The set is intricate and creative, the costumes are first-rate and the 12-piece orchestra led by Jan Stapleton is so talented as to perform faultlessly. More…

Review by Judith Caldwell
On Sunday afternoon at 1^st Unitarian Church in Hamilton we were treated to six very accomplished string players introducing us to some  new music and a lovely older work by Brahms.The concert began with Caitlin Boyle, viola and Rachel Desoer, cello, playing a Duo by Walter Piston, a twentieth century American composer who taught at Harvard.  This work is in three movements ending with a lively playful Molto vivace.Our next Duo were Yehonatan Berick, violin and Rachel Mercer, cello who playedTwo Choros bis (1928) by Heitor Villa-Lobos.  These represented a new form of musical composition, synthesizing different types of Brazilian, Indian and popular music’ according to the composer when he first showcased the pieces.

More…

Exclusive to the “Ontario Arts Review”

Hamilton is the host city of the Canada’s acclaimed NATIONAL ACADEMY ORCHESTRA whose artistic director is Boris Brott  O.C., O.Ont. Maestro Brott has generated great respect for our city as a cultural center and Mecca for young music degree graduates.

Brott has recently been the guest conductor for operas staged at Verona, Trieste and Bari on Italy’s southeast coast.  Last season’s “MADAMMA BUTTERFLY  and “LA TRAVIATA” garnered such critical compliments that he was appointed Principal Guest conductor for Bari’s Petruzzelli Theatre where Lorin Mazel is Musical Consultant. His success in Trieste last season with “Samson and Delilah” and Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony was such that he was asked to direct Donizetti’s ANNA BOLENA and Verdi’s BATTAGLIA DI LEGNANO. Below, in translation, is the review published by the renowned ‘IL MESSAGERO’ of Venice, and critiqued by our Italian counterpart – Danilio Soli More…