Toronto's new Koerner Hall books Canadian, international stars

The first season at Toronto's new Koerner Hall, the concert hallat the Royal Conservatory of Music, will include performances by Grammy winner James Ehnes and Japanese violin sensation Midori.

The RCM released a partial list of performers for the 2009-10 season on Tuesday.

The 1,135-seat Koerner Hall is expected to become a venue for classical music as well as other musical genres, including jazz and world music, Mervon Mehta, executive director of RCM performing arts, said Tuesday.

Japanese violinist Midori will play at the concert hall in October and Ehnes, a Manitoba-born violinist who is in demand around the world, in November.

Other chamber music and classical stars lined up are the Zukerman Chamber players, under National Arts Centre maestro Pinchas Zukerman, pianists Jon Kimura Parker and Louis Lortie and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra Brass Ensemble.

Canadian sax and flute player Jane Bunnett and The Cuban Piano Masters are part of a jazz series that will also bring Cuban composer Paquito D'Rivera and fellowCuban musicians Tiempo Libre.

World music artists include Portuguese-Cape Verdean singer-guitarist Sara Tavares, German cabaret singer and bandleader Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester and bluegrass family band, Cherryholmes.

Canadian bass-baritone Gerald Finley will make a rare Toronto appearance on Mother's Day in 2010.

Also on the schedule:

• Tallis Scholars, a U.K. vocal ensemble.
• Quartetto Gelato & Ethel, a Canadian world music group.
• Mark O'Connor, U.S.-based strings player.
• Absolute Ensemble with Simone Dinnerstein, chamber music.
• Andras Schiff on piano.
• Roby Lakatos,gypsy violinist.
• Danilo Perez: 21st Century Dizzy, playing jazz.
• Yefim Bronfman on piano.
• Christian Tetzlaff,German violinist.
• Yuja Wang on piano.
• Emerson String Quartet, chamber music.

The hall is part of an extensive renovation of the historic Royal Conservatory costing more than $60 million.