The Vancouver Island Symphony’s 2024 winter concert schedule includes three stops at the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay.
The symphony brings Your Favourite Composers- Episode 1 to the Sid Williams stage on Sunday, Jan. 21; AMOR on Sunday, Feb. 11; and Cuban Hits! on Sunday, March 10.
Cosette Justo Valdés will conduct all three performances.
Your Favourite Composers- Episode 1 is described as “musical gems by Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart are some of the most marvellous, energizing, and popular pieces in orchestral repertoire,” is a press release. “Marianna Martines will become one of your favourites too! She was a pupil of Haydn and a friend of Mozart, and the discovery of her Sinfonia in C major will enrich what you already love about the classical era of music.”
The program also includes Vivaldi’s L’estro armonico (The Harmonic Inspiration), Op. 3 No. 3, Bach’s Suite No. 3 in D major, BWW 1068, and Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in Eb major, K. 364 by Mozart.
AMOR, playing two days before Valentine’s Day is, fittingly, inspired by a love story.
“Schönberg was inspired by deep love when he wrote Verklärte Nacht,” reads the press release. “Villa-Lobos’ work is written for eight cellos. The Quietness of that Winter by Alice Ho and text by Tina Biello will be premiered by mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó. This deeply romantic concert finishes with Marín’s playful Cuban dance vibes.”
The program includes Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Op. 4 by Schonberg, Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 (II Mov.) by Villa-Lobos, and Jorge Lopez Martin’s El médico de pianos
Other featured guest artists for AMOR include Mayquel González on the trumpet, and percussionist Yaroldy Abreu, who also both perform as guests for the March 10 production of Cuban Hits!
Cuban Hits! is exactly as the title suggests - an evening of Cuban music.
“In La Habana, Cosette and guest artists Mayquel and Yaroldy were students together,” reads the press release. “She is very proud to feature the incredible talent of these jazz players, who have performed all around the world. Get ready to move and feel the heat.”
All three shows are matinees, with 2 p.m. start times.
For tickets, visit sidwilliamstheatre.com