Luminato Kicks Off Friday
Posted June 10, 2010 12:48 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
On the eve of one of the city’s most ambitious cultural festivals, an elaborate set-up is underway in one of the busiest squares in the city.
The stage at Yonge-Dundas Square will be one of many hosting events for Luminato, the annual celebration of arts and creativity that takes over not only traditional theatres, galleries and concert halls, but also public spaces throughout the city.
Over the course of 10 days, Rufus Wainwright – called “the greatest songwriter on the planet” by Elton John – will debut his first opera, Prima Donna; the Toronto Symphony Orchestra will put on a late-night performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9; and John Malkovich will play an Austrian evildoer in The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a Serial Killer.
Those are paid events, but many others are free, including dance parties, large-scale art installations and an operatic ensemble of 100 small, robotic rabbits created by French artists.
Conceived as a showcase that would unite Toronto’s artists with creative people from around the globe – not to mention one that would boost tourism – Luminato launched in 2007 and grew to attract 1.5 million people last year.
Luminato’s opening night concert takes place Friday at Yonge-Dundas Square from 7pm – 11pm. The festival runs June 11 – 20.
For more information and tickets, visit the Luminato website.
