On February 10th at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, Soundstreams presents Squeezebox, a “cross-cultural concert celebrating all things accordion”.

Canadian accordionist Joseph Macerollo is joined by along with one of his current protégés, 22-year old Michael Bridge, as well as bandoneon player Héctor del Curto, and saenghwang player gamin.

Squeezebox explores music by Astor Piazzola, Alexina Louie, and Marjan Mozetich, as well as new works by Anna Pidgorna, alumna of Soundstreams’ Emerging Composer Workshop.

Macerollo will also play one of over 200 works composed for him by R. Murray Schafer, the “surreal” La testa d’Adriana, with fab soprano Carla Huhtanen. “Dressed in a tattered tuxedo and top hat, he lures the audience to his side show, the bodiless head of a woman saved at the instant before her death. She is awakened by his music and sings an aria of gurgles, trills, whispers, and pops before subsiding once again into her comatose state.”

In our experience, watching Carla Huhtanen perform is a highlight of any show, and La testa d’Adriana seems like the kind of piece to pull the best out of her. Plus, Squeezebox offers up a night of novelty in a beautiful space.

Squeezebox happens February 10th, 8pm, at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. West, with a 7pm pre-show chat hosted by Soundstreams Artistic Director Lawrence Cherney. For full details, and to purchase tickets, follow the box office links below.