Orchestras Canada

On January 31, the Kingston Symphony will present the world premiere of a new work for violin, viola and orchestra, featuring Kingston Symphony principal players (and long-time friends) Gisèle Dalbec, violin; and Eileen Beaudette, viola.  The new work is entitled Centre Street Scenes, and it was written for the two string players by Kingston Symphony timpanist and jazz musician Greg Runions.  kingstonsymphony.on.ca

The Orchestre symphonique de Québec, under music director Yoav Talmi, will present its first opera in concert in over fifteen years on January 20 and 21 at the Grand Théâtre de Québec .  In a performance the OSQ describes as “a new year’s gift”, the orchestra will perform Gluck’s Orpheus and Euridice with a cast comprised of Susan Platts, Karina Gauvin and Ilana Davidson, along with the OSQ Chorus, prepared by David Rompré.  osq.qc.ca

February 4-6, the National Arts Centre Orchestra will present its first ever full concert performance of a musical, when the orchestra (led by Principal Pops conductor Jack Everly) performs the complete Guys and Dolls.  The “show” stars Kristen Plumley, Gary Beach and Megan Lawrence, and will be staged by David Levy.  nac-cna.ca

Last week, Premier Jean Charest presented Yoav Talmi, Music Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Quebec, with the province’s highest honour:  an appointment to the position of Officer of the Ordre national du Québec, the highest distinction granted by the Government of Quebec.  The presentation took place at the OSQ’s opening concert of the 2009-10 season.  
 
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra has announced that three of its current first violinists will rotate in the role of Interim Concertmaster for the 2009-10 season.  The ESO’s Concertmaster, Martin Riseley, is taking a leave of absence in 2009/10, returning to his native New Zealand to take advantage of a rare teaching opportunity with the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington.  This season, Broderyck “Broddy” Olson, Eric Buchmann, and Richard Caldwell will each occupy the the Concertmaster’s chair.  “We have an enormous resource of talent in this orchestra,” says ESO Music Director William Eddins, “and in the end, we decided to take full advantage of it.  Broddy, Eric, and Richard all bring something different to the table, and each is an experienced and skilled leader.  I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to work with each of them in the hot seat.”
 
The Kingston Symphony has appointed a new Principal Horn: Austin Hitchcock.