• The 2011/2012 lineup for the Free Concert Series was announced today! In addition to major artists from our mainstage season such as Russell Braun and Krisztina Szabó, concertgoers can see an exciting diversity of performances including jazz and chamber ensembles, virtuoso pianists, world music and dance. The first concert is Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. and will feature the artists of the Ensemble Studio. You can find the full listings and brochure on our website.

• Making music of their own are the resident honeybees at the Four Seasons Centre, who were photographed with beekeeper Fred Davis for an article about urban beekeeping in Metro Toronto.

• Looking ahead to spring 2012, here's an interview on Operatoonity with tenor René Barbera, who swept the top honours at this year's Operalia competition! He placed first in the opera and zarzuela categories as well as scooping up the audience prize, and he'll be singing Rinuccio with us in Gianni Schicchi.

Photo: Arabesque Dance performs in the Free Concert Series. © Chris Hutcheson 2010