The third instalment of this Agnes Grossmann–led fest is themed In the Fire of Conflict. The month-long event touches on the myriad ways artists shed light on all aspects of society, reflecting historical events and finding inspiration in social unrest and war.

ARIADNE AUF NAXOS Musical director Grossmann and stage director Titus Hollweg oversee four performances of Strauss’ 1912–1916 opera. A setting of a libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, the piece combines Greek tragedy and Italian buffo-style comedy, and calls for the singers to execute some of the most challenging music ever written for the human voice. Complementing the performances are a series of pre-opera talks with expert Iain Scott; a full-day workshop on Ariadne auf Naxos with interactive discussions; an opportunity for kids (ages eight and up) to recreate the characters with clay; and a three-part lecture series on the opera and its context. Aug. 14 to 17. Opera, workshop and individual lectures, $50 each.

LEIPZIG STRING QUARTET The German ensemble performs Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade; Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet no. 15 in E-flat Major, op. 144; and Beethoven’s String Quartet no. 8 in E Minor, op. 59, no. 2—which the Russian ambassador at the time commissioned the German master to compose. U of T music prof Robin Elliott also lectures on the evening’s theme, The Russians Are Coming. Aug. 2. $37.

MUSIC AND DANCE Cellist Denise Djokic serves up pieces from the 20th century and beyond: Britten’s Suite for Solo Cello no. 1, op. 72; and Kodály’s Sonata for Solo Cello, op. 8; plus the world premiere (also featuring percussionist Russell Hartenberger) of a work by Greek-born Toronto composer Christos Hatzis, In the Fire of Conflict, translated into movement by choreographer and dancer Peggy Baker. Hatzis, a composition prof in U of T’s faculty of music, delivers a lecture on his piece. Aug. 5. $37.

MUSIC AND MASKS The Gryphon Trio performs Mozart’s Piano Trio no. 1. in B-flat Major, K. 254; Maurice Ravel’s Piano Trio in A Minor; and Hong Kong–born Toronto composer Chan Ka Nin’s And the Masks Evoke. Chan, also a professor of composition, delivers a lecture titled Revealing the Masks. Aug. 12. $37.

PRESSLER & FRIENDS Octogenarian pianist Menahem Pressler, one of the most highly regarded musicians of his generation and a founding member of the great Beaux Arts Trio, plays two classic chamber music works from the 19th century: Robert Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, op. 47, and Brahms’ Piano Quartet no. 1 in G Minor, op. 25, with violinist Alexander Kerr, violist Roberto Díaz and cellist Paul Watkins. Pianist Marcia Beach delivers a talk on the subject of Brahms and the Hungarian style. Aug. 9. $37. —Rick MacMillan