Photo: Olivier Allard

Male soprano Samuel Mariño will make his Canadian debut with Tafelmusik in the upcoming concert “Higher Love: Virtuoso Arias.”

Mariño will perform select arias from Handel’s “Arminio” and “Atalanta,” Vivaldi’s “Il Giustino,” Scarlatti’s “Il Sedecia Re di Gerusalemme,” and Hasse’s “Marc’Antonio e Cleopatra.” He is joined by the Tafelmusik baroque orchestra with Julia Wedman directing.

The Venezuelan soprano recently made premieres in Australia, Europe, and American opera houses. Mariño is also the founder of Ensemble Teseo, which aims to bring lost or forgotten baroque techniques and works into the opera and concert repertoire.

Before the concert, there will be a Tafel Talk titled “Sopranos, Princes of the Opera World on April 12 at 7 pm ET via Zoom. Conversation topics include the timbres of countertenors and male sopranos and how these voices explore the full range of human expression. American male soprano Michael Maniaci, Canadian mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó,  and American countertenor Darryl Taylor will be on the panel. Matthew White, the CEO of Victoria Symphony, will moderate.

Mariño’s debut will take place in the Jeanne Lamon Hall at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre on April 28 at 8 pm and April 29 at 2 pm. There will also be an open rehearsal on April 27 from 11 am – 2 pm at the concert venue.