The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) has launched single ticket sales for its 2016-2017 season, one that promises to inspire, entertain and welcome new and seasoned audience members to the OSO stages in Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon, October through May.
With a pre-concert chat before each of the Deloitte Masterworks Series concerts, open dress rehearsals, family matinées, school concerts, preschool activities, the OSO Chorus and the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra, there are so many ways to make the OSO a part of your life, said music director Rosemary Thomson.
“Planning a season is one of the great joys of being a music director,” she said. “There is so much wonderful music to choose from. Our artistic planning team is excited to share our season with you, our passionate audience, and we hope that it will stir your imagination as you consider these concerts.”
This season the OSO will perform three symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms and Mendelssohn as well as Mussorgsky’s towering Pictures at an Exhibition.
The OSO also pays tribute to vibrant music from Latin and South America.
“The Christmas performance of Handel’s Messiah will appeal to those who love tradition, and a new collaboration with Ballet Kelowna to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial will close the season and excite those who love to discover something new,” said Thomson.
The season opens in October with the infectious rhythm of Kodaly and soaring music of Brahms and Tchaikovsky, the “meat and potatoes” of symphonic music, said Thomson.
The music of Elton John will be performed in November for the OSO’s annual pops concert, Jeans ‘n Classics.
“The OSO invites you to relive the past decades as we sing and play all of your favourites,” said Thomson.
The New Year will see the return of guest artists Ian Parker in January and Minsoo Sohn in March, which will be book-ended by the symphony’s annual side-by-side concert with the OSYO in February, featuring flautist Christie Reside.
The OSO has also partnered with Bumbershoot Theatre to bring Hansel & Gretel to the stage for the OSO’s annual family matinée in December and will close off the season with a collaboration with Ballet Kelowna in May.
The OSO season opens at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Sunday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. (doors and pre-concert chat opens at 6 p.m). Tickets are $56.25 for adults; $49 for seniors and $26.75 for youth and are available at the Ticket Seller box office. Call 250-549-7469 or order online at ticketseller.ca.