The Victoria Symphony launched its 2018/19 season on Wednesday at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium, unveiling concert details for Maestro Christian Kluxen’s second season as music director.
The season’s lineup includes a cross-section of returning guest artists including Lorraine Min and Stewart Goodyear, as well as international artists Tasmin Little and Leonardo Colafelice making their first appearances in Victoria.
Kluxen and Symphony CEO Kathryn Laurin announced the season in front of hundreds of supporters, which elicited some oohs and aahs from the audience.
The announcement of the Irish Tenors as the Christmas special received plenty of applause.
In his second season as musical director, Kluxen will present a broad range of his favourite pieces alongside a lineup of phenomenal artists. The season opens with the dramatic Mahler Symphony No. 4 and closes with Wagner’s Lohengrin Act III complete with a cast of international soloists and the Victoria Choral Society.
Other musical highlights at the Royal Theatre include pianist Lorraine Min performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, animateur Paul Rissmann joining the VS to undress Berlioz in Naked Classics: Symphonie Fantastique and Israeli-Canadian cellist Daniel Hass performing Tchaikovsky.
Sean O’Loughlin will make his debut as Principal Pops Conductor of the VS, bringing in music from Star Wars, Super Heroes & Villains, Broadway, Bernstein, The Best of Queen and a VS first: The Wizard of Oz. The film will be screened at the Royal Theatre accompanied by live orchestra.
The Classics series features the return of Maestra Tania Miller, baroque star Monica Huggett leading a baroque concert, violinist Tasmin Little and pianists Charlie Albright and Lukas Geniušas. Bach, Brahms, Beethoven and Vivaldi will all be performed.
This season will again feature the VS performing over 50 concerts in our theatres and throughout our communities. Our main stage concert series remain the same this year, and we are thrilled to present three spectacular Masterworks series at the Royal Theatre in addition to our Classics series at the University of Victoria. VS Pops and Concerts for Kids as well as our New Music Festival and Holiday presentations will round out another remarkable season for the Victoria Symphony.
Tickets for all 2018-19 season concerts are now available to those renewing or purchasing six or more tickets or a new subscription. Please call 250-385-6515 or visit victoriasymphony.ca for details.
– Courtesy Victoria Symphony Orchestra