This Friday, many of us at the COC will be getting dressed up and ready for Operanation VII. But if indie rock and theremins aren't your style, there's another place on Friday where you can see our artists at work: our Music Director Johannes Debus (copy for a previous RCM concert describes him as "urbane") will be conducting the Royal Conservatory Orchestra roughly four subway stops away from the Four Seasons Centre.

The program includes works by Fauré, Schumann, and Barber, and features a performance by the winner of this year's Glenn Gould School Concerto Competition, soprano Jennifer Taverner. It begins at 8 p.m. in the high-tech and beautiful Koerner Hall, and ticket prices start at $20. More information about the concert can be found on the RCM website. 

If you'll be at Operanation (or elsewhere) instead that evening but still would like to see Johannes at work, you've got two more chances this year: he'll conduct the final performances of Aida on Nov. 2 and 5.

Photo: Michael Cooper © 2009