WSO Launches a Powerful 2023-2024 Season!

April 20, 2023

WSO Launches a Powerful 2023-2024 Season!

Windsor, ON – On Thursday April 20, 2023, the WSO launches a season of world-class music for Windsor and Essex County to enjoy! For the 2023-2024 season, the WSO continues celebrating music on the heels of its 75^th anniversary with the celebration of 10 Years with Maestro Robert Franz.

SEASON HIGHTLIGHTS

• Masterful classics, powerful, energetic and entertaining Pops, family-friendly favourites
• Canadian musicians in the spotlight including pianist Alain Lefèvre, violinist Nikki Chooi
• WSO musicians take centre stage including Andrew McIntosh, cellist and violinist Émilie Paré
• Guest artists including American Idol finalist LaKisha Jones, and Broadway and TV star Ben Davis
• Return of the St. Clair College Music Theatre Students, Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus, University of Windsor Singers, and the Windsor Classic Chorale
• World Tango Champions Magdalena Gutierrez and Germán Ballejo
• OnStage and Café Concert series return

BILL & ROCHELLE TEPPERMAN MASTERWORKS (5 concerts, 2 performances each)

The classical masterpieces of orchestral canon with value and inspiration to last a lifetime.

World renowned Canadian pianist, Alain Lefèvre, brings to lifeone of the most beautiful works by Sergei Rachmaninoff. The Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’s famous 18^th variation will melt your heart. Paired with Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky, which brings to the stage musical depictions of artwork by the composer’s friend, Viktor Hartmann. The WSO collaborates with Art Windsor Essex to bring artwork to the Capitol stage. A love of Bohemian folk music is the inspiration for Symphony No. 8 by Antonin Dvořák. This concert also features WSO principal cellist, Andrew McIntosh. Vaughan William’s violin concerto, The Lark Ascending, featuring WSO principal second violin Émilie Paré, has beautiful melodies, evocative of the countryside. Brahms’ German Requiem, unique in the choral canon, is filled with grand melodies and achingly beautiful tone. Elgar’s Enigma Variations, a playful nod to his circle of friends and family, paired with Jean Sibelius’ Concerto in D minor. Award winning violinist Nikki Chooi joins the WSO for this masterful violin concerto.

TOLDO POPS SERIES (5 concerts, 2 performances each)

Music that is popular today, iconic and includes many different styles.

The season opens with American Idol finalist and Flint Michigan native, LaKisha Jones as she Sings Soul. The WSO heads into the holiday season with the traditional Holiday Pops, where you’ll hear all your holiday favourites, including Windsorite and vocalist Sara Fontaine along with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus and a special guest in a red suit. Seductive and energetic Fiery Tango Nights brings to the Capitol Theatre stage World Champion Tango partners Magdalena Gutierrez and Germán Ballejo and special guest musician, accordion player with Quartetto Gelato, Matti Pulkki. Broadway and TV star Ben Davis comes to Windsor to perform music from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma, the Sound of Music, Carousel, My Fair Ladyand more! Zap, Bang and a Wham! The WSO wraps the season when all your favourite Marvel and DC Comic Superheroes come to life on stage!

ONSTAGE/CAFÉ CONCERT SERIES (4 concerts)

The popular and intimate Onstage and Café Concert Series return to the Capitol Theatre! Patrons share the stage with Maestro Franz and the orchestra for music, bevvies, & tasty bites, or music, coffee & pastries. Both series are popular with our new patrons and sold-out last season! This season hear Bach, Mendelssohn, Haydn, and Rameau.

MESSIAH & WSO ROCKS!

The inspiring holiday tradition Handel’s Messiah is on the program for 3 evenings, in Windsor, Tecumseh and Leamington. For all the rock and rollers, WSO Rocks! The Music of Fleetwood Mac performed by Jeans ‘n Classics at the Chrysler Theatre will rock your socks off!

SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES

• Renewals open for subscribers at early bird 2019 pricing April 20^th!
• Singles tickets for all WSO performances will be released in August 2023

Robert’s 10 years on the Podium

Franz started with the WSO in 2013. In the last 10 years, he has brought to the stage out of this world guest performers including Col. Chris Hadfield, and female impersonator Randy Roberts. He has conducted 5 world premieres, and introduced audiences to Concert Operas including Carmen, the Marriage of Figaro, Madama Butterfly, La Boheme, and La Serva Padrona. Franz formed the Windsor Symphony Community Orchestra in 2019, and increased performances in Kindergarten through Grade 3. He curated 2 digital concert series, which helped the WSO bring music to homes during the pandemic. We will celebrate Robert and the energy, creativity, and passion he brings to music.

About the Windsor Symphony Orchestra

The Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is Canada’s southernmost award-winning professional symphony orchestra. The WSO is under the helm of the critically acclaimed Music Director, Robert Franz. His passionate approach towards music making and technical control have been hailed as “viscerally thrilling!” The orchestra performs throughout Windsor and Essex County connecting people through music for over 75 years!

For additional information please contact:

Monica Bunde
Manager, Marketing, Communications and Sales
Office: 519-973-1238 ext. 23 | mbunde@windsorsymphony.com