Hear! Here! concert features Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

Hear! Here! Society presents Atlantic Virtuosi in concert at Holy Trinity Church, 61 William St., Yarmouth, on Saturday, May 25, 7 p.m.

The eight-member string orchestra will showcase Antonio Vivaldi's masterpiece Four Seasons, with the solo violin part performed by Symphony Nova Scotia assistant concertmaster Mark Lee.

“Playing Seasons is like a musical dance, spontaneous as the everchanging weather, depicting nature's colours and whims,” says Lee.

Also included on the program is another masterpiece for string orchestra, Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings.

Before the concert, at 6 p.m., Geoffrey Day will lead a pre-concert discussion of the music, with demonstrations provided by Lee. This interactive session aims to enhance the concert experience for both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to classical music.

Atlantic Virtuosi is a group of Nova Scotia-based string players who are each accomplished solo and chamber musicians: violinists Day, Lee, Charna Matsushige and Amy Spurr-caveney; violists Carolyn Farnand and Ellis Yuen-rapati; cellist Aiden Russell; and bassist Jemma Jones.

As an ensemble of equals, Atlantic Virtuosi operates without a conductor and artistic leadership is shared among the musicians. This new ensemble has been created to explore the vast string ensemble repertoire.

Tickets for this event are available in advance, $25 ($10 for students), at Hearheresociety.ca.

Tickets at the door will be $30.

For more information, contact Day at gdayviolin@gmail.com or 902749-7411.

Presented by Hear! Here! Society, this event marks the culmination of the presenter group's 2023-24 season. Acknowledging the ongoing support of Arts Nova Scotia, Society co-chair Virginia Stoddard says, “Since we began 16 years ago, our goal has always been to make these concerts accessible to all who want to hear live classical music here in Yarmouth. Grant funding is critical to meeting that goal.”

Looking ahead, Hear! Hear! Society is already planning for the 2024-25 season, featuring pianist and Hear! Here! alumnus David Potvin on Wednesday, Sept. 18, as part of the Debut Atlantic series. Hear! Here! Society will present guitarist Adam Cicchillitti on Friday, Nov.

29, and internationally known, award-winning pianist Teo Gheorghiu on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. Symphony Nova Scotia returns to Yarmouth on March 28, 2025.

Dates for summer selections from Musique Royale, including the return of Best of Boxwood, will be announced shortly.