The Okanagan’s only professional orchestra has announced its season for the upcoming year.
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, along with Ballet Kelowna and Opera Kelowna, made the announcement at a reception at Kelowna’s Rotary Centre for the Arts during Culture Days, Sept. 25.
The event included a short performance, or taste, of what attendees will enjoy this fall and served as a welcome for both the Okanagan Symphony’s new executive director Robert Barr and Ballet Kelowna’s new artistic director Simone Orlando.
“Bringing our organizations together for a joint event gave us the opportunity to showcase the strength of the arts here in the Okanagan,” said Rosemary Thomson, OSO music director. “We have such a vibrant community filled with great performing arts. All of us have some very exciting performances in our upcoming seasons.”
This season the Deloitte Masterworks Series will see the OSO performing some of Thomson’s favourite orchestral masterpieces. The orchestra will also share the stage with some extraordinary guest artists.
“Rhapsody in Blue, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Haydn’s Creation are just some of the beautiful pieces we will present this season,” said Thomson. “Our own Fish on Five Quintet will help us celebrate the holidays and Quartetto Gelato will take us on a world tour with music from around the globe.”
The OSO continues to expand its programming to include young listeners and performers with its new youth orchestra, chorus, family matinees and popular education series.
“We have many wonderful offerings for our youngest listeners,” said Thomson. “This season we will end with our OSO Chorus joining us on stage. Our 100-person choir is already rehearsing for our April performance, Creation.
The OSO’s 55th season opens at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Sunday, Oct. 19 with Rhapsody, featuring renowned pianist Ian Parker.
Series subscriptions for all performances, or individual concert tickets, are available at the Ticket Seller box office in the centre. Call 250-549-7469 or visit ticketseller.ca.
More information is also available at okanagansymphony.com.
