The Vancouver Island Symphony’s upcoming 2016-17 season delves into the core of the human spirit through music.
The symphony’s new season has the theme of spirit woven throughout the nine concerts featured. Pierre Simard, symphony artistic director, said this year the symphony has done away with the Timeless Treasure and Popular Pleasures series. Simard said it divided the audience into classical and pop listeners and the symphony wanted to change that perception.
“Audience members can build their own series,” he said. “We are the keepers of great music. We aren’t tied to any specific genre.”
The symphony is adding a new series this year called Symphony SoundBites. It includes French Spirit on Oct. 27 and Mozart Spirit on March 23. The shows have about 15 musicians performing.
“It’s a smaller ensemble. It’s more intimate,” said Simard.
Attendees get to choose whether they will enjoy appetizers before a concert or dessert after a one-hour show. People can pick to attend at 5 p.m. for appetizers and enjoy a 5:30-6:30 p.m. show or attend a 7:15-8:15 p.m. show and eat dessert after.
French Spirit features pieces by Debussy, Stravinsky, Simard and Ravel. Mozart Spirit features pieces by Mozart and Don Giovanni.
The symphony presents seven main shows this year.
Symphony Spirit is Oct. 22. It features guest artist Lorraine Min on piano and pieces by Birney, Rachmaninov and Dvorák.
Romantic Spirit, with violinist Karl Stobbe, is Nov. 19 and features pieces by Sibelius, Bruch and Mendelssohn.
Holiday Spirit shows Dec. 3. The show features performances by the Vancouver Island Symphony symphonic and children’s choirs, the Vancouver Island University Jazz Ensemble and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra.
The symphony welcomes 2017 with the show Classical Spirit on Jan 21. It features Andrew Clark on the French horn and pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Chatman and Schubert.
The symphony is hosting an early celebration to honour Canada’s 150th birthday with Canadian Spirit on Feb. 18. The concert features guest artists Jeans ’n Classics.
Rant Maggie Rant performs during Lucky Irish Spirit March 17 and Epic Spirit – Inventions is April 22. Inventions includes guest artists Plan Omega Collective and the VIS Symphonic Choir and VIS Children’s Choir.
Epic Spirit – Inventions includes an original composition by Simard.
“It’s a homage to the great inventors of mankind’s history,” said Simard.
It starts with the invention of the wheel and travels forward through time touching on Galileo’s telescope, the radio and internet. The VIS symphonic choirs will sing a series of poems to accompany the piece.
All nine symphony concerts are $396, the Symphony Sound Bites are $98 and a pick your own series package, five concerts, is $245. For more information or to buy tickets please call 250-754-8550 or go to www.porttheatre.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com