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Toronto Consort Season opens with The Real Man of La Mancha With guest harpist Maxine Eilander, October 27 and 28, 2006 at 8:00 pm TORONTO, October 3, 2006 — Long before Captain Jack Sparrow and Pirates of the Caribbean, there was the swashbuckling hero Don Quixote, who sprang from the imagination of 17th century Spanish writer, Miguel Cervantes. The writer’s own life rivals that of any of his fictional characters: Cervantes fought in battles, gambled his fortunes, and was captured by pirates. His own life story and writings provide the basis for the Toronto Consort’s season opener, The Real Man of La Mancha — a musical narrative of 16th and 17th-century Spain. One of the world’s leading experts on historical harp, Maxine Eilander, joins the Consort in bringing these irrepressible dances and haunting musical romances to life. The Real Man of La Mancha takes place at 8:00 pm, on October 27 and 28 at Trinity St. Paul’s Centre. Tickets may be purchased though the box office at 416 964-6337. Maxine Eilander is one of the world’s leading experts on historical harp. Born in Deventer, Holland, she grew up in South Africa and was based in Bremen, Germany before recently relocating to Seattle where she co-founded the Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera with Stephen Stubbs. She has appeared as a continuo player and soloist with many ensembles including Teatro Lirico, Tragicomedia, Les Talens Lyriques, Tafelmusik, Les Voix Humaines, The Sixteen, Seattle Baroque, La Stagione Frankfurt and Mala Punica. She has appeared around the world in productions of Monteverdi’s three operas. Ms. Eilander plays a range of specialized early harps: the Italian arpa doppia, the Spanish cross-strung harp, the German ‘Davidsharfe’, the Welsh triple harp, and the classical pedal harp. She is featured as soloist on an increasing list of recordings, including Handel’s harp concerto with Tafelmusik (A Baroque Feast, Analekta), Ay que si, Spanish 17th century music with Suzie LeBlanc and Les Voix Humaines (ATMA), Sonata al Pizzico: Italian music for harp and baroque guitar with duo partner Stephen Stubbs (ATMA), and a recording with Teatro Lirico on the ECM label. Other recordings include Scarlatti’s oratorio Hagar and Ishmael, with Seattle Baroque (Centaur), and Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine, with Tragicomedia. One of Canada’s premiere period music ensembles, The Toronto Consort is known for inventive programming that transforms the music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and early Baroque into living, breathing concert events for its enthusiastic audiences. Artistic Director since 1979, David Fallis has crafted an imaginative and dynamic 2006/2007 season which evokes a wide range of contrasts, from the sly, sexy comedy of 17th century Siena, to the exquisite serenity of the female monastic world, and to the brilliant Yuletide combination of early brass and voices. For more information, visit www.torontoconsort.org. These concerts are supported by the Consulate General of Spain.Listing information: Media Contact:
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The Toronto Consort
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