Video: Isaac Albéniz: “Asturias” Played by Michael Bridge | CBC Music
Recorded at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, Ont., in May 2018.

Michael Bridge has had an amazing summer so far. On June 9, 2022, he presented the Canadian premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s “Fachwerk!” Michael commented, “Thank you @espritorchestra and maestro Alex Pauk for a great Canadian premiere of Gubaidulina’s “Fachwerk! in Toronto’s iconic Koerner Hall. We brought the audience to their feet with this amazing contemporary concerto. It is truly one of my favourite works. I look forward to playing it again.” Photos by bo huang photography.

In May 2022, Michael was the cover accordionist for Brett Dean’s “Hamlet” at the Metropolitan Opera House. Michael said, “For the last three weeks, I’ve been practicing 24/7 as there is a major on-stage role for the accordionist. (My job, Cover Accordionist, means that Veli Kujala is performing, but in case he gets sick, I am here—fully prepared, memorized, costumed, and rehearsed with the orchestra.) We have both learned this 88-page part in 3 weeks, including memorizing 40 pages for when we’re on stage. It’s an extremely difficult opera for all involved, but I have to say the warmth of all the artists and administration has been outstanding and assisted in getting up to speed. I’m grateful to be a part of this amazing production.”

Michael Bridge shares, “I play digital accordion a lot, but next week, I’ll perform 4 solo concerts in Québec and Ottawa on my analog, non-digital, unplugged, soul-southing, harmonic-creating, air-vibrating, human-connection-making beast of an acoustic accordion. Come feel the good vibes.”

July 2022 performances include:
July 3 – CAMM AC Music Centre (Québec)
July 4 – Ottawa (Music & Beyond opening gala)
July 5 – Ottawa (Music & Beyond solo concert: El Acordeón Español, with special guest Yolanda Bruno)
July 6 – Ottawa (Music & Beyond: Behind the Bellows Young People’s Concert)

Michael will also be a featured performer at the ATG Festival July 20 – 24, 2022 in Lisle (Chicago), Illinois.

Photo up: Michael Bridge performs with Esprit Orchestra
Photo right: Michael Bridge and Conductor Alex Pauk
Photo left: Michael Bridge at Metropolitan Opera House in “Hamlet”