On November 7, 2023 at 12:00 PM, a free concert titled “Songs and Suppression: A Musical Journey out of Exile” will take place in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, featuring the exceptional talents of Samuel Chan, baritone, and Constanze Beckmann, piano.

This unique event reveals the profound and powerful world of art songs composed by Jewish-German artists. Constanze Beckmann, a remarkable pianist of Jewish-German descent, and Samuel Chan, an incredible Singaporean Chinese-Canadian baritone, have come together to create an immersive experience that explores themes of xenophobia, racism, exile, and personal and artistic suppression through the lens of music.

A biographical short film will be shown before the performance that shows the lives of these two musicians who were both forced to flee their homes due to the anti-semitism of Nazi Germany, and whose works were informed by their respective stories of exile.

Their performance will not only be a celebration of musical excellence but also a thought-provoking exploration of historical and contemporary issues. The event will be a reminder of the resilience of artists in the face of adversity, and how music can transcend borders, prejudices, and time.

This performance is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the power of music to depict the truth, to tell stories, to inspire change, and to connect people from diverse backgrounds. It is a reminder that art, in all its forms, can be a beacon of hope and a force for unity.

Event Details:

Date: November 7, 2023

Film starts at 11:00 am

Concert starts at 12:00 PM

Location: Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M5H 4G1

The performance is part of the Canadian Opera Company’s Free Concert Series and as such accessible without cost or ticket. For more information, feel free to check out the COC’s website.