WSO Brings Musical Gratification

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is proud to announce its 2011-2012 season, chock-full of connoisseurs in the classical and pop worlds. With an impressive line-up – both in programs and guest artists – the 2011-2012 season is guaranteed to charm, inspire and provide concert-goers with profound musical experiences from September to May.

“There are so many musical geniuses and enchanting concert programs to celebrate and enjoy,” says WSO Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate. “This season will be so inspiring for every kind of music-lover and deserves to be savoured and indulged in. The musical gratification will be undeniable.”

The WSO will be presenting a multitude of international soloists and conductors who will make up one of the best WSO seasons yet, with seven unique concert series, 33 concert programs and 57 concert dates. Back by popular demand are the Matinée (four Friday morning concerts) and Soundbytes (perfect for the first-time symphony-goer or the seasoned symphony lover) series as well as Dinner and a Symphony (worldly food perfectly paired with the evening’s concert).

Season highlights:

• Opening night with Grammy nominated and Emmy Award winning pianist Horacio Gutierrez, September 23-24;
• The music of Dmitri Shostakovich, one of the 20th century’s greatest composers, will be featured for a rare performance with his son, Maxim Shostakovich conducting, October 28-29;
• Dawn Upshaw, worldwide celebrity soprano, performs a special program of music very close to her, including Three Songs, written specifically for Upshaw, March 23-24;
• Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, an overwhelming experience and unforgettable journey, May 4-5;
• Jon Kimura Parker, internationally-acclaimed Canadian pianist plays Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2, March 2-3;
• A multi-media presentation of Dvorak’s New World Symphony – Beyond the Score® will provide the perfect way of getting inside a piece of music, February 25;
• Buster Keaton’s The General, with the score performed live by the WSO, April 28;
• Tony Award winning Len Cariou in the world premiere of Send in the Clowns: The Music of Stephen Sondheim Starring Len Cariou, a program the WSO has put together with Dry Cold Productions, November 4-6;
• Lorna Luft, daughter of Judy Garland, returns for A Judy Garland Christmas: Songs My Mother Taught Me, December 9-11;
• Original members of Grammy Award winning The Manhattan Transfer, April 13-15.