The Prince George Symphony Orchestra has announced its new season filled with a variety of musical events for local residents, offering classical favourites, an outdoor concert and a new-to-the-schedule Halloween show featuring Magical Maestro Zee as host.
Pops in the Park, Great American Songbook, takes place Sept. 8 at Fort George Park at 2 p.m. The PGSO invites the public to attend this free event as a way to say farewell to summer, hello PGSO season. Music will be from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway and the movies.
Mozart and More goes Oct. 5 at Vanier Hall at 7:30 p.m. Laszlo Klein is soloist during Mozart's delightful Horn Concerto No. 3; then back to the Baroque era with Vivaldi and Gluck.
Music and Magic goes Oct. 27 at Vanier Hall at 2 p.m with A Halloween special showcasing ghoulish music especially for youngsters in the audience. There will be tricks and treats, a costume contest, and spell casting with magic wands.
Ode to Joy goes Nov. 23 at Vanier Hall at 7:30 p.m. The spotlight is on Beethoven this season and this is a tribute to his Ninth Symphony, including the Ode to Joy choral finale. Guest choirs and musicians from northern B.C. will gather to perform while showcasing the Integris Youth Concerto competition winner.
The Nutcracker goes Dec. 20 to 22 at Vanier Hall. This event is a biannual partnership between the symphony and Judy Russell Enchainement dance studio to offer up a family favourite filled with magic and the music of Tchaikovsky.
Beethoven: The Romantic Revolutionary will be featured Feb. 1, 2014 at Vanier Hall at 7:30 p.m. Music from Ludwig van Beethoven will showcase Lucas Wong, playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 and Maestro Zakresky conducts the orchestra in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. The show will also premiere a new work by composer, PGSO concertmaster, and Prince George Conservatory of Music artistic director, Jose Delgado-Guevara.
Winter Dreams: The Sounds of Russia goes March 8, 2014 at Vanier Hall at 7:30 p.m.Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony will be offered up by the large orchestra as mezzo-soprano, Melanie Nicol, sings opera from Mariansky and Bolshoi.
Con Amore, featuring Vivace Popera Quartet goes April 5, 2014 at Vanier Hall at 7:30 p.m. The
young Canadian ensemble present an evening of favourites, including Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and Bocelli/Dion's The Prayer.
Encore! Out of Alba April 26, 2014 at Vanier Hall at 7:30 p.m. Last year's Lord of the Dance show sold out so the PGSO invites the Celtic sound of Out of Alba back for an encore. There is traditional tunes and dances, while Out of Alba puts some new arrangements to some of their hits.
Mother's Day Tea & Symphony: Rule Britannia goes May 11, 2014, Westwood Mennonite Church, at 3 p.m. Afternoon tea is paired with British music by Britten and Vaughan Williams as well as a Gilbert and Sullivan sing-a-long.
