Today in Toronto: Michael Schade and Thomas Quasthoff, The Magnetic Fields and more

Michael Schade and Thomas Quasthoff Tenor Schade makes frequent appearances in Toronto, both on the operatic stage and in concert, but celebrated bass-baritone Quasthoff rarely performs in North America. Quasthoff’s recordings win critical raves, and this concert, which balances his robust baritone with Schade’s lyrical sweetness, is the month’s don’t-miss vocal performance. Find out more »

Tao Japanese Drummers The members of this cult-like ensemble live together in the mountains, wake up every day at 5 a.m. for a 20-kilometre run and spend their days training in martial arts and calisthenics. But all that work pays off: they are the world leaders in Japanese taiko drumming, performing with unparalleled synchrony and discipline. Find out more »

The Magnetic Fields It’s been 13 years since the dryly misanthropic Stephin Merritt and company released their seminal three-disc masterpiece 69 Love Songs. Merritt and his various collaborators have since released 10 albums of literate, slightly cynical chamber pop, including their newest, the synth-heavy Love at the Bottom of the Sea. Though the Fields have never really made it into the mainstream, they remain the favourites of heartbroken humanities grads everywhere. Find out more »