Arts & Culture

Winnipeg’s Sonora Voices’ Cantemus Choir and Chamber Ensemble are set to present Jonah, an opera for young people by Manitoba composer Sid Robinovitch. The performance will take place on Sunday, March 16, at 7:00 p.m. at Westworth United Church. 

Vienna is preparing for a celestial celebration, marking both Johann Strauss II’s 200th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency (ESA) with an out-of-this-world tribute—beaming The Blue Danube waltz into deep space.

A rare 1715 Stradivarius violin has set a new world record, selling for an astonishing $23 million in a private sale. The "Baron Knoop" Stradivari shattered the previous high of $15,875,800, set in 2011 by the 1721 "Lady Blunt" Stradivari violin.

Winnipeg jazz lovers are in for a treat this Sunday, March 16, at 7 pm when the Pacific Prairie Jazz Quintet takes the stage at the Fort Garry Hotel. The performance promises an evening of soulful, high-energy jazz, led by the dynamic saxophone duo of Anna Blackmore and Tristan Martinuson. Their unique blend of their Prairie roots and West Coast influences creates a sound that will captivate audiences in their hometown once again. 

Aspiring singers in Winnipeg have a new opportunity to join their voices with others, regardless of their ability. 

The Sick & Twisted Choir, an offshoot of Sick & Twisted Theatre, has officially begun rehearsals at the Prairie Theatre Exchange at Portage Place. The local theatre company has long been a leader in creating performance spaces for people with disabilities, and the choir represents a continuation of that mission. 

The next generation of Manitoban composers will be on display this week at Canadian Mennonite University’s Laudamus Auditorium.  

Composition students at CMU’s School of Music will showcase their latest works on March 12 at 11:30 a.m. as they continue to discover their musical voices and the ways in which they want to utilize it. 

On February 28, the Halifax-based label Leaf Music released Unbroken: Music from Ukraine, a powerful album featuring works by Ukrainian composers, performed by Ukrainian-Canadian violinist Viktoria Grynenko.

One of the most famous and influential artists in Manitoba’s history is being put under the microscope for a new exhibit at the University of Manitoba’s School of Art Gallery. 

Jon Sasaki’s I Contain Multitudes, presented in conjunction with the Flash Photographic Festival, can be seen as a responsorial exhibit to the works of Lionel LeMoine Fitzgerald, the former director of the School of Art and member of the iconic Group of Seven. 

March is International Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of women across all fields—including classical music. This week, our 1 p.m. feature spotlights the works of Swedish composer Alfrida Andrée (1842–1929), a pioneering musician who shattered barriers in a male-dominated industry. Join us daily as we showcase some of her finest compositions. 

Celebrating the women who composed history—one note at a time. #InternationalWomensDay

This International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting the voices and compositions of women who shaped classical music across the centuries. From medieval mysticism to Romantic-era brilliance and modern innovation, this playlist showcases the depth and beauty of music written and performed by women.