Since 1991 the Virtuosi Concert Series has been delighting audiences with world class chamber music, performed by some of the best musicians on the scene.
On Friday October 13th at 7:30 at St. Andrew’s River Heights United Church, the Virtuosi Concert Series will be kicking off their 2023-24 Season with a Concert that features a cello star both on the Canadian and world-wide scene; Canadian cellist Stephane Tetrault. This is just the first of a whole series of amazing concerts that make up the 2023-24 Virtuosi Season; a season that features both solo artists and chamber ensembles performing music from a wide array of styles and genres.
This planning for season has been a year in the making. The planning starting points for the season consisted of a combination of pitches from artists and their management, mixed with a knowledgeable Virtuosi artistic staff, and a genuine desire to collaborate with artistic groups here in Manitoba, such as Prairie Debut, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the Winnipeg Boys Choir.
One of the real drawing points for this season is that the breadth of performers and different styles of music is quite broad. There is a concert inspired by dances such as the tango and the fox trot; the renowned New Orford Quartet will be plucking there way on stage in a concert called Pizzicato Landscapes. There is a concert that fuses 17th century devotional song with indigenous music. This year Winnipeg will be treated to pry its first ever recital that features the traditional and very beautiful Chinese instrument called the guzheng.
For Artistic Director of Virtuosi Jennifer Thiessen, the wide cross section of variety is very important to ensure a vibrant and successful season. As Thiessen explains, "The world is changing and classical music is changing and needs to stay up to date, and listen to what’s happening, and really represent our actual community and population….not only the works that classical music lovers know and love so well, which are all still there and so valuable….but mix it with composers who also were making music at that time but whose music has been lost throughout history. Music from women composers or composers of various cultures and backgrounds that didn’t make it into the history books for whatever reason…music that is still in that western classical esthetic but shows a perspective from a variety of people’s points of view."
Thiessen also explains that current trends are important as well in regard to scheduling the season. “In regards to composers and performers, we are looking for the stories that are shaping classical music now and wanting to represent our community here in Winnipeg and Manitoba.”
Composers such as Beethoven, Ravel and Brahms will be heard throughout the season, but also the music of Latin America, China, and the music of the Metis people. In addition there will be compositions written by Canadian composers. Virtuosi has put together a season that has something for everyone.
As we are facing another notorious and infamous Winnipeg Winter, it is nice to know that Winnipeg audiences can warm up with the sounds of Virtuosi concerts. The team and Virtuosi have put together another truly stellar season!
To find out more details visit the Virtuosi website.