About this Event
Explore evocative Romantic and Impressionistic soundscapes withTafelmusik’s Marco Cero, oboe and english horn, and Nicole Presentey, piano. Schumann, Debussy, Poulenc, Fauré (the beloved ‘Pavanne’), Saint Saens, Bozza, Astor Piazzolla’s ‘Cafe 1930’, from Histoire du Tango, plus ‘Aria,’ from Cold Mountain, by living composer Jennifer Higdon. In the sublime acoustic of St. Thomas’s, Toronto . Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear Marco play the some of the greatest music of this time period!
About the Artists
Oboist Marco Cera studied at the Padua Conservatory of Music (Italy) and at the Musikhochschule der Stadt Basel (Switzerland). In 1996 he was chosen as first oboe for the European Union Baroque Orchestra, with which he performed in Denmark, Portugal, Germany, United Kingdom and South Africa. He regularly collaborates as a soloist with the leading baroque orchestras in Italy and Europe, including Il Giardino Armonico, Concerto Italiano, I Sonatori della Gioiosa Marca, Accademia Bizantina, Cappella della Pieta' de' Turchini, Ensemble Zefiro, Europa Galante, I Barocchisti, Les Talens Lyriques, and Academia Montis Regalis, and has worked with conductors Jordi Savall, Gustav Leonhardt, Robert King, Jesper Christensen, Jaap ter Linden, and Barthold Kuijken. His wide discography includes works for Teldec, Opus 111, Chandos, Dynamic, Tactus. Marco moved from Italy to Toronto to play with Tafelmusik from 2000–2002, and rejoined the orchestra in January 2007.
The pandemic inspired Marco to create a YouTube channel where he shares videos of unusual repertoire on the baroque oboe: arranging, video recording, and editing everything by himself. For Tafelmusik Marco created two multimedia shows: The Harlequin Salon in 2018, and Music & Magic in fall 2021.
Marco Cero photo credit: Dahlia Katz
A native of Ottawa, Nicole Presentey began studying the piano at age four. She made her recital debut several years later in Ottawa and Toronto followed by her first appearance with orchestra at age twelve performing Mozart Piano Concerto K271 with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Recipient of numerous prizes in Canada, she went on to compete successfully in several international music competitions, including the prestigious Royal Overseas League Competition in London. Her performances as a soloist, chamber musician and duo pianist have been heard in this country, the United States, Europe, Great Britain and Scandinavia. Radio-Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Radio Italia have recorded her concerts for broadcast and she has made numerous television appearances on several Canadian networks.
Her performances are now rare but sought after, and have elicited praise from critics such as Jacob Siskind: “Presentey seemed at one with the spirit of Schubert…giving the melodic lines a sense of effortless freedom rarely encountered, making the drama under the surface of the melodies bubble and ferment without disturbing the line… These were performances of the very highest calibre, musically and emotionally…soaring effortlessly far above the general level…spontaneous music-making of the very highest order.”
Currently living in Ottawa, Nicole Presentey maintains an active private piano studio. In 2001 she joined Carleton University’s School for Studies in Art and Culture: Music where she is an Associate Piano Performance (Classical) Faculty Member and sessional lecturer. In 2003 she founded and continues to direct the Carleton University Chamber Music Ensembles.
Nicole Presentey is the founder and sponsor of the performances and prizes in Ottawa Chamberfest’s annual Rising Star showcase, named in honour of Anne Presentey.
Nicole Presenty photo credit: Curtis Perry.
Accessibility
St. Thomas's is not (yet) an accessible venue unfortunately. If you have accessibility needs, please email in advance: [email protected].
Ticketing Information
Since this is a pay-what-you-wish event (suggested: $40 regular; $20 students), the Eventbrite order form is set to Donation rather that Ticket. (Otherwise there would be a set ticket price.) Unfortunately, within the Donation option, there is no way to indicate a number of people attending. If ordering/donating on behalf of more than one person, simply enter the amount of the donation (pay what you wish) and then email [email protected] to let us know how many are in your party and their names. Please note that we do not provide tax receipts despite the "Donation" nomenclature in Eventbrite.
Location
The historic St. Thomas's Anglican Church is one block south of Bloor and one block west of St. George TTC station, at 383 Huron Street. www.stthomas.on.ca.
There is no parking lot at the church.
Event venue & nearby stays
St. Thomas's Anglican Church, 383 Huron Street, Toronto, Canada
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