Victoria Symphony has announced the return of Splash Around Town: Symphony in the Summer Festival, running July 22 to 31, and bringing an eclectic range of repertoire and artists to spaces throughout the city.
With more free programming than ever, patrons can enjoy afternoon and evening concerts in a wide variety of styles and genres—from jazz and blues to traditional folk and world music of every description, including VS & Caravan World Rhythms, which will perform at Beacon Hill Park.
Jazz icon Dee Daniels will take the Royal Theatre stage, and Bach’s Complete Brandenburg Concertos will be performed at Christ Church Cathedral. For the festival finale, Barenaked Ladies front man Steven Page and his trio will join the full symphony on the Legislature Lawn. The festival promises something for everyone with its diverse array of free and ticketed programming.
“For two years, this city has been without one of its signature celebrations—and we’ve heard from countless community members that summer just didn’t feel quite right without it,” says Matthew White, CEO at Victoria Symphony. “We could not be more excited to not only be returning to a summer festival, but to be hosting one that is more diverse and more inclusive than ever. The music and musicians we’ll be sharing represent not only the western classical tradition, but the many diverse cultures that make up our community. What’s more, this summer’s festival will have more free programming than ever, thanks to a special concert series at Beacon Hill Park’s Cameron Bandshell, presented in partnership with Caravan World Rhythms.”
The full festival line-up includes:
Dee Daniels: Great Ladies of Swing
Friday, July 22, 7:30 pm at The Royal Theatre, with conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia.The celebrations commence with iconic jazz diva Daniels, whose dazzling four-octave range will be on full display in a collection of timeless standards by swing legends Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, and Sarah Vaughan.
Complete Brandenburg Concertos
• Tuesday, July 26, 7:30 pm at Christ Church Cathedral: Bach, Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1, 6, 2
Rameau, Les Boréades – Suite d’orchestre with Marco Vitale, harpsichord soloist and conductor.
• Wednesday, July 27, 7:30 pm at Christ Church Cathedral: Bach, Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 3, 4, 5
Handel, Water Music Suites (selection.)
Universally regarded as some of the greatest musical works ever written, these joyful, genius creations will fill Christ Church Cathedral’s acoustically magnificent space over a two-night celebration.
Mozart & Martinis
Friday, July 29, 6 pm at The Atrium (800 Yates Street), with Sean O’Loughlin, conductor.
An intimate, informal and highly social evening of cocktails, appetizers and exquisite music. Held in the most approachable and unconventional of settings, this signature event offers a distinctly different way to experience the Victoria Symphony outside of the concert hall.
Splash Around Town: Finale
Sunday, July 31, at BC Legislature Lawn (afternoon: start time TBA), featuring La Nef - Sea Shanties, Sean O’Loughlin, conductor.
The summer celebration concludes with a full day of free programming on the BC Legislature lawn. The afternoon begins on a nautical note, with Quebec ensemble La Nef delivering a rousing concert of sea songs and shanties.
Sunday, July 31, at BC Legislature Lawn (evening: start time TBA), featuring Steven Page Trio, Sean O’Loughlin, conductor.
Iconic Canadian musician Steven Page, the co-founder and former lead vocalist for Barenaked Ladies, finishes the festival with a performance alongside Craig Northey (guitar, vocals), Kevin Fox (cello, vocals) and the Victoria Symphony. Featuring a selection of all-time musical favourites and dazzling fireworks.
VS & Caravan World Rhythms Present at Beacon Hill Park
Dates and performers TBA at Cameron Bandshell.
Take a bench, bring a chair or spread a blanket to enjoy a free series of afternoon and evening concerts in a wide variety of styles and genres.
Ticketed events start at $29 and are available from the Royal and McPherson box office at 250-386-6121 or online at rmts.bc.ca. For more information visit victoriasymphony.ca/splasharoundtown.