Rialto Theatre Montreal

Rialto Theatre Montreal, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

What a treat on Saturday evening! I went to the Rialto Theatre to see a production of Pygmalion by Rameau, performed by the Mont-Royal Baroque Collective. Just seeing the theatre was worth the price of admission. It was built in 1923 and is a mixture of faux baroque and art deco.



My photos just don't do it justice. It served as a movie theatre until 1990. It was recently bought and restored. Now it is being used for concerts of every variety to dance shows and who knows what else is on the horizon?

It has been set up in cabaret style on the main floor, with a bar and tables. Hors d'oeuvres were served before the concert and drinks were available for purchase. Unlike with concerts in traditional theatres, people lingered after the concert to order and drink and chat.

Some of the musicians and cast of Pygmalian

As to the concert, it was delightful. This group is new on the Montreal scene. It is made up of young musicians, many of whom are recent graduates from McGill's Early Music programme. Music and baroque dance in a minimally staged performance - in this amazing theatre all made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.