Two Starlets, One Day

We've been telling you all about a certain young jazz starlet who's been stealing the international scene and is gracing our airwaves tonight on Canada Live (and don't forget about the two ways to win!)...

But first, today on Sunday Afternoon in Concert we meet a lady who could be her Operatic doppleganger: an equally young, powerful, talented, sultry (I could go on...) vocalist who is taking the Classical world by storm.

Join us this afternoon for a concert with Simone Osborne as we feature highlights from the BC Scene program at Ottawa's National Arts Centre.

Simone Osborne is just 22 years-old, but she's already blown away critics at The New York Times. Yes, The New York Times. Their critic, Anthony Tommasini is the one who praised her “sweet and clear sound, sensitive phrasing and gleaming sustained high notes," when she debuted at the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions last year. Where she won the Grand Winner Award. Making her the youngest person ever to do so. Right.

Today, Bill Richardson brings you a concert from the National Arts Centre in Ottawa where Osborne is accompanied by pianist Andrea Grant in a recital program that includes Richard Strauss’s Brentano Lieder, a selection of French songs by Liszt, and the world premiere of a new work by young B.C. composer Iman Habibi.

Also on today's show:

Brotherly love sparks incredible music when two talented siblings combine their skills on the piano. Vancouver’s hometown heroes Jon Kimura Parker and James Parker studied their craft at the Vancouver Academy of Music and the University of British Columbia, and have played with every major orchestra in Canada. Jon Kimura is renowned for his technique as well as his sense of humour. James is a two-time Juno Award winner and acclaimed for his work with the Gryphon Trio. They team up in works by Lutoslawski, Rachmaninov and even Peter Schickele (the man behind the "discovery" of P.D.Q. Bach).

And, from West Point Grey United Church in Vancouver comes a special concert, full of devilish delights! Vetta Chamber Music, led by violinist Joan Blackman, welcomes François Houle, clarinet; Kenneth Broadway, piano; and our very own Bill Richardson as narrator, for a performance of A Soldier's Tale, by Igor Stravinsky. Come with your ears wide open but hold on to your soul! They also perform soul stirring music of Ravel and Piazzola.