In Wednesday’s (4/4) London Free Press (Ontario), James Reaney writes, “No NHL playoffs for your Leafs or your Habs? No worries. Orchestra London music director Alain Trudel has a Toronto gig next month Leaf and Habs fans will want to cheer—at the same time. For once. Trudel will conduct the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of Canadian composer Abigail Richardson’s The Hockey Sweater on May 12 at Roy Thomson Hall. It’s inspired by the famous Roch Carrier story of the same name. … The Hockey Sweater is based on Carrier’s Hab fan agony as a boy growing up in Sainte-Justine, Que., in 1946. Carrier’s beloved Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater, with Maurice Richard’s No. 9, wears out. His mother orders a new one from Eaton’s English-language catalogue service. The young Carrier is tormented when he receives a sweater bearing a Leafs logo. … The May 12 TSO Young People’s Concerts performance has an all-star team, with Carrier narrating his tale and former Montreal Canadiens’ goalie Ken Dryden as host of an all-Canadian concert. A late-blooming Hab fan after a youth devoted to classical music, Trudel has found a new team to cheer for, too, after joining Orchestra London last year.”
Posted April 5, 2012
