The
Vancouver Island Symphony launches their new Season of Performances
Music
is Life. Live it Here! with Timeless Treasures and Popular Pleasures
“Music
surrounds everything we do and touches us in so many ways,” says Maestro Pierre
Simard. Music stimulates the mind, communicates emotion; helps us feel,
nurtures the soul. The human brain is wired for music – so life without music
is unthinkable! It is timeless - and has been a part of life on Earth from the
ancient past with the song of whales and birds through to the present with
iPods and thousands of tunes to choose from. But, while iPods and internet
allow us instant on-the-go music, nothing can match the thrill of a LIVE
concert, and the ‘high’ it can give.
Located right
in the heart of Nanaimo, the Vancouver Island Symphony, directed by Pierre
Simard, gives that thrill, that ‘high’, with the full surround-sound of
orchestrated music performed live on stage by 45 professional and vibrant
musicians and exceptional guest artists who share their outstanding talents.
This year the
Vancouver Island Symphony launches TWO new concert series subscriptions within
their 18th season, titled ‘Music is Life. Live it here!’ It is
a season packed with powerful, inspiring, jaw-dropping music to satisfy every
taste – from Timeless Treasures of the great classics and two world
premieres, to Popular Pleasures and familiar favourites.
Timeless
Treasures Series
Who can deny
the brilliance of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms? On October 20, ‘B is for
Brilliance’ features their fantastic music and the dynamic skills of
pianist Sarah Davis Buechner. On Monday, November 26 the Tafelmusik Baroque
Orchestra presents ‘The Galileo Project’, an audio-visual spectacle with
music by Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Bach, Lully and Handel, accompanied by
high-definition images from the Hubble telescope. To celebrate the season in
style on December 15, the guest choir ‘musica intima’ joins the VI Symphony for
a traditional ‘Intimate Christmas’. Marvelous music by Bartok, Simard,
Barber, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky, and the rapturous voice of soprano Nadya
Blanchette, bring ‘Serenades for Spring’ on March 16. And on April 20
the grand season finale, ‘Birds of a Feather’, features flutist Paolo
Bortolussi, music by Rautovaara and Morlock, and concludes with Beethoven’s
most beautiful ‘Pastoral Symphony’.
Popular
Pleasures Series
Three
exciting and surprise-filled collaborations are perfect introductory
experiences for the new symphony goer. On November 17 there will be magic as
world-class aerialists and acrobats of Cirque de la Symphonie fly
overhead while the VI Symphony performs light classical masterpieces and
popular film music. Then who can pass up The Best of Elton John on
January 19, as singer John Meilleur, pianist John Regan and the Jeans’n
Classics Band join forces with the musicians of the VI Symphony in a rockin’
tribute with Circle of Life, Rocket Man, I Guess That’s Why
They Call It The Blues, and many more favourites! And, Back...by Popular
Demand: Ken Lavigne on Sunday, February 10, at 2 p.m.! This concert is the
perfect Valentine treat as the Island’s much loved tenor embraces the audience
while singing the best love songs of all time... and tells stories.
Get the
best seats now!
With the
purchase of a package of all eight season concerts, or the Timeless Treasures
series of five shows, or the Popular Pleasures series of three shows, the
Vancouver Island Symphony offers up to 40% off the regular single ticket
price. Call the Port Theatre Ticket Centre at 250-754-8550 to book your
symphony tickets now!
‘Music is
Life. Live it Here!’ Downtown in the Hub City, with Nanaimo’s very own jewel of
an orchestra – the Vancouver Island Symphony! For information about concerts, performers,
musicians, community days and more visit: www.vancouverislandsymphony.com.
