Canadian Fall Festivals

October 2nd—8th, 2001

An escorted six night, seven day tour

Toronto, Stratford, Niagara-on-the-Lake
458 West 52nd Street #1D
New York, NY 10019
(800) 916-0312

 

Tuesday October 2nd

 

Independent arrivals in Toronto at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Centre, perfectly situated in the Theatre District, close to a wide variety of shopping and sights.  Coach arrival from Ottawa, Canada.  For the past four years, the hotel has won the coveted Torchbearer Award for excellence.  We join together for a lovely Wine and Cheese Reception to meet fellow tour members.

 

This evening, we will attend a verismo double bill by The Canadian Opera Company at The Hummingbird Centre:  Puccini’s Il Tabarro featuring Yuri Nechaev, Eszter Sumegi and Vadim Zapletchny; and  Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana featuring Alina Gurina, Vadim Zapletchny, Susan Shafer, Yuri Nechaev and Krisztina Szabo.  Richard Bradshaw, the General Director of The Canadian Opera Company, will conduct both operas with direction by Tom Diamond.

Wednesday October 3rd

 

Day at leisure.  Toronto is a city of many small neighbourhoods, and we have left this day free for independent sightseeing.  You may choose to explore the Harbourfront, Chinatown, trendy Yorkville, or Casa Loma, Toronto’s romantic castle.  The city boasts many fine museums including the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, The McMichael Gallery, and The Royal Ontario Museum.

 

This evening, we return to the Hummingbird Center for another double bill.  Featured tonight are two masterpieces of the twentieth century:  Bartok’s chilling Bluebeard’s Castle, and Schoenberg’s haunting Erwartung.  Originally staged in 1992 by Robert Lepage, the international sensation caused by these productions defined the COC as one of the world’s most visionary and compelling producers of opera.  Sara Fulgoni is featured as Bluebeard’s wife. Casting for Bluebeard had not been announced at time of printing.  Nina Warren, widely recognized as a leading interpreter of contemporary repertoire, will sing the role of the Woman in Erwartung.  Bernhard Kontarsky conducts.

Thursday October 4th

 

Following breakfast, our private coach will transfer us to the beautiful Victorian city of Stratford, home of the celebrated Stratford Festival—North America’s largest classical repertory theater.  After checking in at The Festival Inn, the afternoon is at leisure to explore the lovely shops and grounds of Stratford.

 

This evening, our first performance in the magnificent Festival Theatre will be Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, Twelfth Night, directed by Antonio Cimolino and starring the esteemed William Hutt.

 

Friday October 5th

 

This morning we will enjoy a private behind-the-scenes look at the Scenic Warehouse and Costume Shop to see the work of the Festival’s world-class designers, followed by a backstage tour of The Festival Theatre.

 

We have left this afternoon free for continued exploration of Stratford, or if you are interested in attending a matinee performance, please let us know and we will assist with those arrangements.

 

This evening, we celebrate with a special privately catered dinner in the Eaton Lounge of the Festival Theatre.  Following dinner, we are in for a riveting performance of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, directed by Festival Director Richard Monette with Paul Soles as Shylock.

 

Saturday October 6th

 

Following breakfast, our private coach will transfer us across the Niagara Escarpment to the charming Victorian town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, home to Ontario’s other renowned theatre festival, The Shaw Festival.  Check in to the centrally located Royal Park Hotel.   We will drive the spectacular Niagara Parkway to visit the delightful Butterfly Sanctuary and enjoy a wine tasting and tour at a premiere vineyard, as well as stopping at the ever popular Kurtz Orchard Country Market.  We then proceed to Niagara Falls to view the beauty of the area and the sheer power and magnificence of this natural wonder.

 

This evening, our first performance at The Royal George Theatre is the musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, by Rupert Holmes based on the novel by Charles Dickens.  This unique musical maintains the spirit of Dickens’ unfinished novel by allowing the audience to help determine the ending.

 

Sunday October 7th

 

Morning at leisure to stroll through the town and enjoy the heritage homes and explore the delightful boutiques, or to visit historic Fort George.

 

This afternoon, we will attend a performance of The Millionairess by George Bernard Shaw.  The production, directed by Allen MacInnes at the Festival Theatre, is one of Shaw’s finest comedies.  This evening, our final performance together is The Man Who Came to Dinner, by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.  Directed by Neil Munro at the Festival Theatre, it is a play full of sharp, classic comedic strokes that dissect the most monstrous of egos!  Following the performance, we join together for a farewell dessert reception.

 

Monday October 8th

 

Following breakfast, our private coach will transfer tour members to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport for independent departures (please make afternoon flight arrangements).  The coach will then continue on to Ottawa for tour members from the Capital area.

 

PERFORMANCES

Canadian Opera Company:  Il Tabarro/Cavalleria Rusticana; Bluebeard’s Castle/Erwartung

Stratford Festival:  Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice

Shaw Festival:  The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Millionairess, The Man Who Came to Dinner

 

INCLUDED MEALS

Welcome Wine and Cheese Reception; One Dinner; Dessert Reception

 

TOUR PRICE

Land Arrangements (Based on Double Occupancy) US$1595 (CD$2250 Canadian Residents)

Single Supplement US$ 400 (CD$550 Canadian Residents)

$1000 Deposit is required to secure your space on tour.  Balance due on September 1st, 2001.

 

TRANSPORTATION

Lowest airfare at time of booking is available directly through Pro Musica Tours, at cost, for your convenience.  A Saturday night stay is included to assure you the lowest airfare possible.