Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra launches 2017-18 season

The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is kicking off another busy season of concerts and events featuring local and worldclass artists performing an array of classical, modern and other works.

The 2017-18 season brings back favourites such as the NSO Exxonmobil Big Ticket fundraiser and Handel’s Messiah, while adding new concerts and collaborations, including Sing We Joyous with the Atlantic Boychoir and Sinfonia 3 with Lady Cove.

“This season promises to be a great year for the NSO and for our patrons,” CEO Hugh Donnan stated in a news release. “We are really focusing on some amazing collaborations with local choirs and artists, as well as guest soloists and groups from across Canada and around the world. Our Sinfonia series will feature a number of guest conductors, and we are pleased to be bringing back our Christmas and Spring pops shows, always favourites for our audiences.” This weekend marks the beginning of the 2017-18 season, with Masterworks 1: Songs of the North on Friday at 8 p.m at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre. The concert will highlight songs of Canada and the North as the orchestra pays tribute to Canada’s 150th anniversary. The soloist for Masterworks 1 is renowned Canadian pianist André Laplante, who will join the NSO to perform Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor. Also on the program is Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 and a new composition for Canada 150, Canadian Celebration Overture by Leo Purich.

Laplante will also conduct a masterclass at Memorial University’s D.F. Cook Recital Hall Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. The masterclass is open to the public and free of charge. Masterworks 1 is sponsored by the City of St. John’s and the Community Foundation of Canada’s Community Fund for Canada’s 150th.