November 2023

Beethoven Symphony No. 7

Sunday, November 5, 2:30 pm

Farquhar at UVic

KALENA BOVELL, conductor

ALAN LIU, guitar

Cassandra Miller: Premiere VS/VSO co-commission with the support of Hugh Davidson Fund at the Victoria Foundation

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major

Kalena Bovell has a distinctive voice as a maestra, speaker, and poet. The Panamanian-American conductor is an Awardee of the 2022-2024 Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship, and serves as Assistant Conductor of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. She premieres a VS/VSO co-commission by the Metchosin-born composer Cassandra Miller and welcomes the award-winning B.C. guitarist Alan Liu for courtly dances in the Concierto de Aranjuez. Wagner proclaimed the praises of Beethoven’s Seventh, calling it the “apotheosis of the dance” for its endless and varied rhythmic drive.

Jurassic Park ™ in Concert*

Thursday, November 9, 7:30 pm

Friday, November 10, 7:30 pm

Royal Theatre

SEAN O’LOUGHLIN, conductor

The action-packed adventure pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, this epic film is sheer movie magic 65 million years in the making. Now audiences can experience Jurassic Park as never before: projected in HD with a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture.

Welcome… to Jurassic Park !

*Jurassic Park in Concert is not included in subscription purchase discount

Kluxen – Bach, Prokofiev, and Mozart

Concert underwritten by Helen Stuart & Jill Gibson

Terence Tam underwritten by Sandra Lackenbauer

Sunday, November 19, 2:30 pm

Farquhar at UVic

CHRISTIAN KLUXEN, conductor

TERENCE TAM, violin

J.S. Bach (orch. Webern):

The Musical Offering – Ricercar à 6

Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2

Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G minor

In 1747, Bach impressed Frederick the Great with The Musical Offering. Years later, Webern was inspired to reframe Bach’s famous 6-voice fugue with a pointillistic pen, illustrating genius at a whole new level. The romantic second movement of the Violin Concerto No. 2 foreshadows Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet —he created both on the cusp of leaving the West for life under the Soviets. A similar range of Sturm und Drang colours Mozart’s “Little G minor symphony,” which completes the program.

Being Robert Schumann –“Spring” Symphony

Concert underwritten by the Gail O’Riordan Climate & the Arts Legacy Fund at the Victoria Foundation

Sunday, November 26, 2:30pm

Royal Theatre

CHRISTIAN KLUXEN, conductor MIYAMA MCQUEEN-TOKITA, koto and bass koto

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Overture, Nocturne, & Scherzo

Rita Ueda: Bloom with the support of Hugh Davidson Fund at the Victoria Foundation

R. Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major, “Spring”

Trading bouquets of mutual admiration and professional support, Schumann lent his discerning ear to the ‘dreamy’ incidental music written by his close friend Mendelssohn—the first person to conduct Schumann’s “Spring” symphony. The same work was the starting point for composer Rita Ueda in a VS/VSO co-commission.

A celebration of Tokyo’s famed cherry blossom (sakura) season features koto soloist Miyama McQueen-Tokita in a fusion of ancient Japanese traditions with the present day.

December 2023

Gryphon Trio – Echo: Memories of the World*

Sunday, December 3, 2:30 pm

Farquhar at UVic

GRYPHON TRIO

MARION NEWMAN, mezzo-soprano (Kwagiulth and Stó:lō First Nations)

AARON WELLS, actor (Nuučanuł and Ts’ymsyen nations NW coast BC)

Imagined within this multimedia project is an exploration of the many efforts around the world to bring voice to submerged histories. Echo: Memories of the World highlights these important efforts through a unique fusion of music, video, spoken word, soundscape and other artistic media. With a core team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous creators, this project not only tackles, but engages in the process of establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships between artistic genres, timeframes, spaces, histories and peoples.

A co-presentation of the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria. Sponsored by the Farquhar at UVic and Voices in Circle.

*This performance by the Gryphon Trio does not feature the Victoria Symphony and is not included in subscription purchase discount.

Jens Lindemann –Christmas Pops

Concert underwritten by John H. & Margery

M. McEown Trust for the Performing Arts and Dallas & Len Chapple

Saturday, December 9, 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 10, 2:30 pm

Royal Theatre

SEAN O’LOUGHLIN, conductor JENS LINDEMANN, trumpet

The holidays shimmer and shine with the Victoria Symphony and Canadian trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann. As one of the pre-eminent performers of our time, Mr. Lindemann brings his signature style and showmanship to our annual holiday tradition. Prepare to be dazzled and amazed as we bring Christmas Pops to brassy new heights.

Handel’s Messiah

Concert and Victoria Philharmonic Choir underwritten by Penelope & Jim Kingham

CONCERT SPONSOR

Friday, December 15, 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 17, 2:30 pm

Farquhar at UVic

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.”

Beginning with those simple words, one of the best-loved musical works continues to inspire, year over year. With the Victoria Symphony led by Associate Conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia and featuring four leading Canadian soloists as well as the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, Handel’s sublime seasonal masterpiece Messiah delivers dramatic choruses and sublime solos. Hallelujah!

Ken Lavigne – We Need a Little Christmas

Saturday, December 16, 7:30 pm

Royal Theatre

Monday, December 18, 7:30 pm

Dogwood Auditorium, Royal Roads University*

KEN LAVIGNE, vocalist

Vocalist Ken Lavigne has charmed his way into the hearts of concert goers across North America with his exciting blend of classical tenor sound and modern style. From show tunes and popular favourites to arias and Christmas classics, Ken’s lyric tenor voice spreads holiday cheer. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and Ken Lavigne will be sharing his musical gifts in concert with the Victoria Symphony.

*VS West Shore concerts are not included in subscription purchase discount

January 2024

New Year’s Day Celebration

Monday, January 1, 2:30 pm Royal Theatre

GIUSEPPE PIETRAROIA, conductor

LAUREN MARGISON, soprano

MEMBERS OF THE PACIFIC OPERA

VICTORIA CHORUS

DANCERS FROM BALLET VICTORIA

It’s a resolution worth keeping! Revel with Giuseppe Pietraroia, the Victoria Symphony, and guests for our special New Year’s Day event. You’ll be welcomed with a sumptuous musical banquet of arias and choruses, glamorous dances, and much-loved instrumentals. So break out the bubbly and raise your glass!

Being Robert Schumann –Adieu

Allyson McHardy underwritten by George Lovick

Sunday, January 21, 2:30 pm

Farquhar at UVic

HOLLY MATHIESON, conductor

ALLYSON M c HARDY, mezzo-soprano

ROBERT HOLLISTON, piano

Schumann: Overture, Scherzo and Finale

R. Murray Schafer:

Adieu Robert Schumann

Schubert/arr. Berio: Rendering, for Orchestra

Holly Mathieson returns to travel through musical space and time. In the wake of his marriage to Clara Wieck, music poured out of Schumann’s pen, including the three “symphonic” gems that open this program. A dozen years later, Clara’s diaries detailed her heartrending reaction to her husband’s descent into madness, as depicted in Schafer’s moving monodrama. Schubert left several of his works “Unfinished” in his short life, but a fragmentary Symphony in D major provided the 19th century framework for Luciano Berio’s 20th century Rendering of what Schubert had in mind.

Victoria Symphony at the Movies*

Wednesday, January 24, 7:30 pm

Denford Hall, Glenlyon Norfolk School, Senior School

SEAN O’LOUGHLIN, conductor

Denford Hall is the setting for a night of music from such cinematic classics as West Side Story, Indiana Jones, and Amadeus. This intimate evening also features composer Aaron Copland’s exquisite Music for Movies as well “Gabriel’s Oboe” from The Mission , by legendary film composer Ennio Morricone. It is an evening not to be missed as the Victoria Symphony and Principal Pops Conductor Sean O’Loughlin bring the silver screen to life.

*VS Onstage @ Denford Hall concerts are not included in subscription purchase discount

Victoria in Love

Concert underwritten by Sara Neely and Petra Janusas & Bill Majercsik

Lizzie Klemperer underwritten by Petra Janusas & Bill Majercsik

Saturday, January 27, 7:30 pm

Sunday, January 28, 2:30 pm

Royal Theatre

SEAN O’LOUGHLIN, conductor

LIZZIE KLEMPERER, vocalist

Love is in the air with dances and romances performed by the Victoria Symphony. The stage of the Royal Theatre heats up with the story of Romeo and Juliet, as told through the music of Bernstein, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky. Broadway vocalist Lizzie Klemperer will have the audience swooning with favourites ranging from West Side Story to Moon River and more.

Kluxen – Transfigured Night

Concert underwritten by Tim McGee (KC) & Mary Mullens

Ryan Cole underwritten by Marc & Patricia Lortie

David Jalbert underwritten by George Lovick

Sunday, February 4, 2:30 pm

Farquhar at UVic

CHRISTIAN KLUXEN, conductor

DAVID JALBERT, piano

RYAN COLE, trumpet

Mozart: Divertimento in D major, K.136

Shostakovich: Concerto in C minor for Piano, Trumpet, and String Orchestra

Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht

The strings of the Victoria Symphony are showcased in three works, beginning with a familiar, high-spirited piece by a 16-year-old Mozart. Shostakovich’s sparkling wit, sly humour, and love of musical parody are displayed in his energetic Concerto for piano, trumpet, and strings. Then step out from the darkness into the light, and have your view of Schoenberg’s music transformed. “Transfigured Night” is an early, overtly romantic piece with musical echoes of Brahms, Wagner, Mahler, and Richard Strauss.

February 2024

Kluxen – Shostakovich

Symphony No. 5

Concert underwritten by Jim & Betty Hesser and Fritz & Dora Boehm

Brian Yoon’s performance underwritten by Barb & Steve McKerrell and Jim & Betty Hesser

Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra underwritten by The Sunflower Fund

Sunday, February 11, 2:30 pm Farquhar at UVic

CHRISTIAN KLUXEN & YARIV ALONI, conductors

BRIAN YOON, cello

GREATER VICTORIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Enescu: Romanian Rhapsody No. 2

Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in D minor

Victoria Symphony teams up with the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra in a special joint performance sure to inspire. Enescu’s work sets the stage in a stately and supremely lyrical manner that tugs at the heartstrings. VS principal cellist Brian Yoon tackles one of the top five cello concertos, still popular 150 years after it was written. With his career hanging by a political thread, Shostakovich composed his subtly defiant Symphony No. 5. The 45-minute ovation that followed its premiere assured his musical voice would go on to inspire future generations.