YOUNG STARS OF THE YOUNG CENTURY
FEATURED IN 3RD INTERNATIONAL GALA CONCERT

Ten of the world’s most gifted young musicians are set to dazzle Toronto audiences, when Show One Productions Inc proudly presents YOUNG STARS OF THE YOUNG CENTURY: The Third Annual International Gala Concert. The event – featuring virtuoso players and singers ranging from age of 10 to 20 – takes place Friday, May 4, 2007, 7 p.m. at the George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street. Tickets, $30-$50, are available from Ticketmaster, 416-870-8000 or www.ticketmaster.ca, or from the Toronto Centre for the Arts box office. For information, visit www.showoneproductions.ca or phone 416-737-6785. Group rates are available.

Most of the prodigies come from the far corners of the former Soviet Union. All were winners of national and international competitions, and chosen by the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation. Joining them are Toronto pianists Jia Li (Cathy) Yang (b. 1991), and Amadeusz Kazubowski-Houston (b. 1996), and soprano Antonella Cavallaro (b.1986).

Special guests are the Dance Ensemble of Toronto’s Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural Society and the Armenian Day School Choir

The evening is a vibrant mix of breathtaking virtuosic solos, duets, and dance and choral numbers. For the finale, the soloists unite on stage to perform the ever-popular Russian song “Podmoskovnie Vechera” (Moscow Nights).

Pianist Luka Okrostvaridze, 16, from Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, who was a hit at the 2006 Toronto concert, is returning, as is Thornhill violinist David Lakirovich, 17. The two will perform together for the first time. Also coming from Eastern Europe are pianist Ksenia Rodionova (Moscow, b. 1988), violinist Rustem Monasypov (Kazan, Tatarstan, b. 1990), oboist Sergey Finoedov (Smolensk, b. 1993), balalaika-player Gregory Tsvetkov, (Zelenograd, Russia, b. 1993) and accordionist Pavel Morozov (Nelidovo, Russia, b. 1987).

Toronto’s Show One Productions first presented Young Stars of the Young Century in February 2005. It was a spectacular sell-out, as was the second edition in March 2006. Impresario Svetlana Dvoretskaia, who represents the Vladimir Spivakov Foundation in North America, expects the third annual Gala, on May 4, to be just as thrilling. “It is astonishing to see such a brilliant gathering of young talent,” she says. “This is a rare opportunity to catch new prodigies from Eastern Europe and their Canadian counterparts before they go on to world renown.”

The Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation (www.spivakov.ru -> English) was established in 1994 and is headed by celebrated Russian violinist and conductor Vladimir Spivakov, conductor of the famed Moscow Virtuosi and the National Philharmonic of Russia. The Foundation participates in the UNESCO project “In Support of the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence.” Since its inception, it has granted scholarships to more than 800 young talents.

Schools and organizations wishing to host a full main stage recital or a mini-concert are invited to contact Show One Productions at info@showoneproductions.com or 416-737-6785.

SPECIAL EVENT: PIANO RECITAL BY LUKA OKROSTVORIDZE

Show One Productions presents the North American solo recital debut of Georgian pianist Luka Okrostvaridze, 16, Wednesday,May 9, 2007, 8 p.m. in the Studio Theatre of the Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street.

N.B. Concert-goers can save 15% on both tickets when purchasing tickets for both the Young Stars of the Young Century and Luka Okrostvaridze’s solo recital.

For further information, please call 416-737-6785 or email: info@showoneproductions.ca