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Nov 15, 2019

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TSO Celebrates Its Cultural Diversity During Vivaldi's Four Seasons

TSO Celebrates Its Cultural Diversity During Vivaldi's Four Seasons

November 15, 2019—Audiences who attend the TSO’s performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on November 16, 17, 20, and 21 will also be treated to the four sonnets representing each season, recited in a variety of languages. Highlighting the diversity of the Orchestra, the sonnets will be presented by various musicians at the start of each concerto and delivered in English, French, Serbian, Mandarin, Korean, Hungarian, and Japanese.

Unusual for the period, Vivaldi published the concerti with the sonnets to articulate what it was about the spirit of each season that his music was intended to evoke. The concerti stand as one of the earliest and most detailed examples of program music, which tells a story. The decision to have these sonnets recited in diverse languages allows the TSO to spotlight its musicians in a way that celebrates the cultural mosaic of Toronto.

Below please find a list of participating musicians:

November 16 - Roy Thomson Hall 
November 17 - George Weston Recital Hall
Spring: Yolanda Bruno, Violin (English)
Summer: Eri Kosaka, Assistant Principal Second Violin (Japanese)
Autumn: Zeyu Victor Li, Associate Concertmaster (Mandarin)
Winter: Emmanuelle Beaulieu Bergeron, Associate Principal Cello (French)

November 20 - Roy Thomson Hall
Spring: Jennifer Thompson, Violin (English)
Summer: Etsuko Kimura, Assistant Concertmaster (Japanese)
Autumn: Ivan Ivanovich, Viola (Serbian)
Winter: Victor Fournelle-Blain, Principal Viola (French)

November 21 - Roy Thomson Hall
Spring: Michael Chiarello, Associate Principal Double Bass (English)
Summer: Douglas Kwon, Violin (Korean)
Autumn: Roberta Janzen, Cello (English)
Winter: Theresa Rudolph, Assistant Principal Viola (Hungarian)


The TSO Season Presenting Sponsor is BMO Financial Group.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, and the City of Toronto.

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About the TSO: One of Canada’s most respected arts organizations, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) plays a vital role in the city’s dynamic cultural life. Committed to serving local and national communities through vibrant performances and expansive educational activities, the TSO offers a wide range of programming that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. With a notable recording and broadcast history complementing international touring engagements, the TSO is a unique musical ambassador for Canada around the world.

The TSO continues its long-established history of connecting younger generations with orchestral music. Two core programs include School Concerts, performed for over 40,000 students annually, and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO), which, in a tuition-free model, offers high-level orchestral training for talented young musicians aged 22 and under. Additionally, the TSO supports the development of next-generation artists through its annual open call for Canadian orchestral scores, and its essential Resident Conductor and Affiliate Composer positions.

Sir Andrew Davis serves as TSO Interim Artistic Director for the 2019/20 season, prior to the arrival of incoming Music Director Gustavo Gimeno in 2020/21. Sir Andrew Davis is well known to Toronto audiences, having a 44-year relationship with the TSO and returning to the TSO stage regularly. 

The TSO was founded in 1922 by a group of Toronto musicians and gave its first performance at the historic Massey Hall. Since 1982, Toronto’s iconic Roy Thomson Hall has been the TSO’s home, drawing patrons from around the world. Soon to celebrate its centenary, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s name remains synonymous with musical versatility and growth, and artistic distinction.

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