Welcome to the 70th anniversary season of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra!

For seventy years you have been our partners.The journey started in 1948 when Walter Kaufmann launched the first regular season of the WSO at the Winnipeg Auditorium.The years that followed were filled with one high note after another.Two tours to Carnegie Hall, international guests including Pierre Monteux, , and Jacqueline du Pré, the move to the Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall, and the launch of the Winnipeg New Music Festival.

This season, we celebrate with nods to the past and a steady gaze to the future.The season opens with the preeminent violinist of our day, Itzhak Perlman, and closes with a visit from WSO conductor laureate and Brandon-born , who TH ANNIVERSARY will join the Vancouver Symphony on Tour to Winnipeg. 70 We launch a new Movie Series with Harry Potter and The SPECIAL EVENTS Philosopher’s Stone and The Wizard of Oz, and we will get in June 28, 2017 the Christmas spirit with The Tenors in a great new show. 70th Anniversary Community Celebration It is a season of exciting music that could only happen Sep 16, 2017 in a city that embraces its orchestra.Without you, Itzhak Perlman,The Asper Family we could not perform.Without you, we could not Opening Night Gala Performance create.Thank you for your energy.Thank you for Oct 13, 2017 your support.Thank you for your love of great Happy 70th WSO! - See Page 6 music! See you at the Concert Hall. Oct 27 - Nov 4, 2017 Angels & Demons: WSO Autumn Festival Apr 26, 2018 WSO 70th Anniversary Spring Gala May 23, 2018 Bramwell Returns! with James Ehnes and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Music Director

wso.ca/seventy Photographer: Grajewski Fotograph

2 2017 I 2018 Season 204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 3 Photographer: Lisa-Marie-Mazzucco

THE ASPER FAMILY OPENING NIGHT: Itzhak Perlman Sep 16 I 7:30 pm Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman enjoys May 23, 2018 I 8:00 pm The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra comes to superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician.The Winnipeg Symphony the Centennial Concert Hall with two men who Orchestra is excited to welcome this legendary violinist for The Asper Family Bramwell Tovey, conductor need no introduction to Winnipeg audiences. Itzhak Perlman, violin Opening Night Gala Performance on September 16, 2017. James Ehnes, violin Brandon-born James Ehnes, renowned for his Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor beautiful tone and exceptional control, performs Tovey: The Inventor: Time Tracks the romantic Brahms .WSO Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 in F minor Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major Celebrate Opening Night with a Gala Evening including Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major conductor laureate Bramwell Tovey opens the Elgar: concert with one of his own compositions and VIP reception, premium seating, and an intimate dinner wso.ca/perlman closes with the great crowd-pleaser, Elgar’s with Itzhak Perlman on the Piano Nobile.Tickets $1,000. Enigma Variations. Call 204-949-3973 to reserve your gala ticket. wso.ca/vso SUBSCRIBER PREFERRED PRICES SUBSCRIBER PREFERRED PRICES $120 $100 $80 $60 $40 $140 $120 $100 $80 $60

*200 seats reserved throughout the hall for Soundcheck members. *200 seats reserved throughout the hall for Soundcheck members. Available on first come-first serve basis. Available on first come-first serve basis.

4 2017 I 2018 Season 204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 5 SERIES A Classics

Bruckner 9 Happy 70th WSO! Seven Deadly Sins Schumann Mar 9/10 Oct 13/14 Nov 3/4 and Beethoven Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor Feb 9/10 Gwen Hoebig and Karl Stobbe, violins , special guest conductor* Sarah Jo Kirsch, soprano Yegor Dyachkov, cello Vocal quartet: José Luis Gomez, conductor J. S. Bach: Concerto in D minor for Two Violins Peter John Buchan, tenor Katherine Chi, piano Bruckner: Symphony No.9 in D minor Beethoven: Leonore Overture No.3* Scott Reimer, tenor Haydn: Cello Concerto No.1 in C major Kris Kornelsen, baritone Schumann: Manfred Overture Brahms: Symphony No.2 in D major Derek Morphy, bass Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.3 Canadian Mennonite University Chorus, in C minor Janet Brenneman, director Schumann: Symphony No.3 CELEBRATION Victor Feldbrill, in E-flat major (Rhenish) Kurt Weill: The Seven Deadly Sins conductor of the WSO from Liszt: Dante Symphony 1958-1968, returns to open the 70th season of the WSO alongside Maestro Mickelthwate. Feldbrill TRANSFORMATIONS To close the Autumn GENIUS Guest conductor José Luis Gomez, a graduate of the transformed the WSO into the Festival, two tales of morality told through markedly El Sistema program in Venezuela, guides us through the work of two professional orchestra we know today. different voices. Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s Seven musical giants. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 introduced a more For this special performance he has Deadly Sins crackles with superbly controlled frenzy. personal style as the composer started to push the piano to its MAJESTIC Bruckner, woefully unsure of himself, worried that his chosen Beethoven’s dramatic Leonore It is a satire of the petty bourgeois morals wherein expressive limits. He didn’t bother completing the piano part for the music was insufficient in the eyes of God. He needn’t have worried for Overture No.3. the seven deadly sins transform into virtues in Weill’s premiere, simply playing the work from memory. his towering symphonies envelop the soul in tapestries of sound.The unmistakable cabaret style. colour, harmony, and rhythm stretch the limits of Romanticism. Brahms swore to carry on Beethoven’s As the new conductor of the Düsseldorf orchestra, Schumann wanted to symphonic legacy, yet had such self- Franz Liszt, a mystical dreamer, envisioned a “music of impress the proud Rhineland folk. His lovely Rhenish symphony was the The epic majesty of Bruckner is set against the detail and precision of a doubt it took twenty-one years to the future”that fused poetry and music. In the Dante result: a journey from imposing brass to bucolic waltzes to magnificent Bach concerto featuring the WSO’s own Gwen Hoebig and Karl Stobbe write his angst-ridden first symphony. Symphony he takes us through Hell to Paradise via cathedral impressions.The concert opens with Schumann’s take on – a perfect setting to hear two of our city’s most talented musicians. Purgatory and then to the Magnificat, the ultimate Manfred, the original Byronic hero. His Second went much faster, wso.ca/bruckner-and-bach completed in a single summer, and it "Vision" of Paradise with a choir of angels singing a reflects the beauty of nature, flowers, hymn to the Virgin. wso.ca/schumann-and-beethoven and sunshine. wso.ca/seven-deadly-sins wso.ca/happy-70th

Luca Buratto VIRTUOSIC The steely brilliance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 comes alive with Honens Competition-winner Messiah Plays Prokofiev Luca Buratto. Prokofiev wrote four of his five piano concertos Apr 6/7 for his own hefty virtuosity.The Second left one critic “frozen Dec 15/16 HALLELUJAH! An of triumph and joy. It was born with fright, hair standing on end.” out of Handel’s struggle to stay at the forefront of 18th century Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor Julian Pellicano, conductor England’s taste for opera. Running short on money, he had no Luca Buratto, piano Rachmaninoff, another stunning pianist, kept his foot firmly in TBD : sopranos the Romantic 19th century, filling his music with sweeping Daniel Peasgood, countertenor choice but to go the oratorio route, where Handel found Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor melodies, lush orchestration, and ever-present emotion. Peter John Buchan, tenor enduring success. Messiah is a masterpiece with drama to spare Rachmaninoff: Symphony No.2 in E minor Kris Kornelsen, baritone in every page of its score. It feels as fresh today as it did when first wso.ca/russian-passion Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra premiered in Dublin in 1742.This performance features the debut Chorus, John Wiens, director of the new WSO Chorus and an all-Manitoban cast of soloists.

Handel: Messiah wso.ca/messiah

Classics Series A Concert Times > FRI @ 8:00 pm / SAT @ 8:00 pm6

Adults / 6 Concerts SUBSCRIBE TODAY $558 $468 $378 $288 $18 6 See Page 18 6 2017 I 2018 Season 204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 7 SERIES B Classics

Beethoven, Chopin Strauss, Ravel A Night in Spain Fauré & Poulenc th Feb 23/24 Celebrating the 200 Anniversary and a Sorrowful Song and More of St. Boniface Cathedral Oct 27/28 Dec 1/2 Yaron Traub, conductor Gaëlle Solal, guitar Mar 23, 24, 25 Daniel Raiskin, conductor Jun Märkl, conductor St. Boniface Cathedral Natasha Paremski, piano Paul Jeffrey, trumpet Albéniz: Suite española Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor Nathalie Paulin, soprano José Evangelista: Symphonie Minute Yuri Klaz, conductor (March 25) Dvorˇák: The Water Goblin Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez Lara Ciekiewicz, soprano Beethoven: Creatures of Prometheus: Overture John Estacio: Trumpet Concerto Turina: Danzas fantásticas Matthew Pauls, baritone Chopin: Piano Concerto No.2 : Death and Transfiguration Falla: El sombrero de tres picos Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir Henryk Górecki: Symphony No.3 Ravel: La valse (Three-Cornered Hat): Suites 1&2 Malcolm Forsyth: Three Métis songs (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs) from Saskatchewan Poulenc: Gloria Fauré: Requiem ECSTASY AND DESPAIR… adversaries at IDEALS Richard Strauss couldn’t resist a story. In Death the heart of the Autumn Festival. It starts with and Transfiguration, a dying man, presumably Strauss IBERIAN DREAMS Guest conductor Yaron Traub, Music MÉLODIE The exquisite Pie Jesu from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem Beethoven’s colourful interpretation of the Prometheus himself, recalls the artistic ideals he didn’t achieve and as the Director of the Orquesta de Valencia, directs a tour of Spain with guaranteed the composer immortality. Fauré wrote: “everything I myth: humanity’s creation and its protector’s eternal fatal hour arrives, his soul takes leave. But now, the eternal guitar virtuoso Gaëlle Solal. Gypsy castanets, flamenco guitar, managed to entertain by way of religious illusion I put into my punishment.Then Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, cosmos presents a magnificent realization of the ideal. jota dance, Iberian sunshine…an antidote to February’s fury. Requiem, which moreover is dominated from beginning to end by written in the passion and pangs of first love. Chopin In 1919, Ravel started work on a tribute to Vienna. But World Manuel de Falla was the soul of Spanish music for half a century. a very human feeling of faith in eternal rest.”Purity, objectivity, and dedicated the Adagio to this love, creating a piece Liszt War I had ended with a “fatefully inescapable whirlpool.’’ But the other composers on this program equally carried the beautifully crafted vocal lines permeate Fauré’s greatest work. called “a perfection almost ideal.” So, Ravel created a waltz that emerges from surreal mists, torch for their native country. Especially Joaquin Rodrigo, whose The Requiem is paired with ’s Gloria, almost Vivaldi- Górecki’s Symphony No. 3 is a lament so powerful it moves to the ballroom, only to end in a crash of orchestral Concierto de Aranjuez supplied a languid Adagio that became like in its elegance. Nonetheless, Poulenc’s fierce wit and fearless transcends genre.The text comes from messages colour, its waltz time destroyed forever. Dvorˇák’s tragically the most popular guitar piece of our time. “The guitar does not light-heartedness is still present. Forsyth’s Three Métis Songs ground scratched on the walls of a Gestapo prison.“I wanted devilish tale and Estacio’s sparkling new Trumpet Concerto play loud but far,” once said. Let the virtuosity of us in our own history as the WSO performs in St. Boniface’s grand to express a great sorrow,”Górecki said, a goal he complete the evening. guest artist Gaëlle Solal carry you away. Cathedral-within-ruins, celebrating its 200th anniversary. achieved with profound beauty. wso.ca/strauss-and-ravel wso.ca/a-night-in-spain wso.ca/sorrowful-songs wso.ca/faure-and-poulenc

“It’s about time we respected his Strauss: AUDACIOUS Critics don’t like your work. What to do? Compose a huge symphony full of self- Nielsen & Mozart notes as we would Mahler’s.” A Hero’s Life quotations and cast yourself as the main character. - Gramophone on Carl Nielsen That is what Richard Strauss did in Jan 12/13 LYRICISM Between the breadth of Mahler and the purity of Sibelius May 11/12 (A Hero’s Life), “a monstrous act of egotism,”according is the unique world of Nielsen, articulated in six splendid symphonies. Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor to one reviewer. The result? A fabulous tone poem Alexandre Da Costa, violin His Third, subtitled the Sinfonia espansiva, opens with a Tchaikovsky- Bomsori Kim, violin where every section of the orchestra works overtime. TBD, conductor like waltz before moving to a tranquil Second movement that An audience favourite at competitions around the wordlessly melds soprano and tenor in a hymn to man and nature. Imam Habibi: The Promised Hand world, Bomsori Kim performs Shostakovich’s Violin Harry Stafylakis: New Work Shostakovich: Violin Concerto Concerto No. 1, an attack on Russian anti-Semitism, Mozart: Violin Concerto No.5 Mozart’s Fifth and final Violin Concerto is delightful in the bright key of No.1 in A minor rich in Jewish melody and written for the great David in A major (Turkish) A major, interpreted here by the young Canadian virtuoso Alexandre Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben Nielsen: Symphony No.3 Da Costa. Harry Stafylakis’“dreamy yet rhythmic”(NY Times) style is one Oistrakh. Imam Habibi is a new voice on the Canadian scene, who has quickly garnered awards and praise (Sinfonia espansiva) reason he was chosen WSO Composer-in-Residence. Expect a dramatic for his lush and lyrical style. and emotional work in this world-premiere performance. wso.ca/strauss-a-heros-life wso.ca/nielsen-and-mozart

Classics Series B Concert Times > FRI @ 8:00 pm / SAT @ 8:00 pm6

Adults / 6 Concerts SUBSCRIBE TODAY $558 $468 $378 $288 $18 6 See Page 18 8 2017 I 2018 Season 204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 9 POPS

Jan 19-21 Kurt Browning, host Geoffrey Tyler, vocalist Lucas Waldin, conductor World Champion, Olympian and Canadian icon Kurt Browning hosts an evening of figure skating’s greatest hits, taking audiences on a behind-the- scenes journey into the figure skating world! wso.ca/kurtbrowning

CHARLES CHAPLIN: Mar 16-18 Stars of Rainbow Stage Oct 20-22 City Lights Live Julian Pellicano, conductor Feb 16-18 Ashley MacIsaac, fiddler The WSO and the stars of Rainbow Stage Sep 22-24 Julian Pellicano, conductor Julian Pellicano, conductor team up again to bring you the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-Award winning A Chorus Line. Arrival from Sweden, vocal group Ashley MacIsaac has won international acclaim playing the fiddle in Universally praised as one of the greatest films ever made, this The story is a roller-coaster of emotions as Julian Pellicano, conductor a hard-nosed, traditional Cape-Breton style, while mixing genres and is the timeless tale of a tramp who sets out on a quest to restore contenders audition for an unnamed musical updating Celtic music for a new spectrum of fans.The enfant terrible the sight of the blind flower-seller he loves. Starring the great with a series of vigorous dance numbers This is by far the best ABBA show out there! Arrival has toured of the fiddle, MacIsaac is one of the most dynamic fiddlers Cape Charlie Chaplin, City Lights is presented in full cinematic glory, while sharing their personal stories.We are 56 nations, sold out 35 US tours, and performed symphony Breton has ever produced. with the WSO performing its superb soundtrack live. thrilled to bring you the music and drama shows with over 60 orchestras around the world. ABBA is still with backing of the WSO. Sweden’s biggest music export.Their passion and sound wso.ca/ashley-macisaac wso.ca/chaplin-city-lights continues to live on through their fantastic music, from wso.ca/a-chorus-line generation to generation.Their legacy will live forever. wso.ca/abba

MUSIC OF THE MADMEN Dec 8/9 or Dec 10 The Tenors Julian Pellicano, conductor Alexander Mickelthwate, Ace Burpee, host ERA conductor Plus amazing talent from across Manitoba Apr 27-29 Nov 10-12 Julian Pellicano, conductor There’s almost no end to the fun Since 2008,The Tenors have Cirque de la symphonie Five By Design, vocal group been thrilling audiences you’ll find on our annual holiday Julian Pellicano, conductor around the world with classic show where favourite An amazing cirque act shares the stage their powerful songs and seasonal music goes hand-in-hand with the WSO in a brand-new show.The Five By Design takes us back to the outstanding harmonies. with comedy, storytelling, sing-alongs, audience is thrilled and bedazzled by aerial Mad Men Era with the music of Bobby Blending classical music plenty of good cheer and of flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, Darin, Peggy Lee,Wayne Newton, and contemporary pop, course, a visit from Santa! jugglers, balancers, and strongmen.These Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, and the the award-winning and accomplished veterans include world songs they made famous in excellent wso.ca/christmas-celebration multi-platinum selling band “Seriously, how did record holders, gold-medal winners of new arrangements. has achieved international they do that?” international competitions, Olympians, and success.The Tenors join the - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wso.ca/mad-men some of the most original talent ever seen. WSO for a very special Christmas concert. wso.ca/cirque-de-la-symphonie wso.ca/the-tenors Air Canada Pops Concert Times > FRI & SAT @ 8:00 pm / SUN @ 2:00 pm6

Adults / 8 Concerts SUBSCRIBE TODAY $696 $584 $472 $360 $232 See Page 18 10 2017 I 2018 Season 204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 11 Sinbad,Aladdin, andothermagical tales fromTheArabian Nights Oct 15 Dec 3 Enchantment Theatre Company Julian Pellicano, conductor Julian Pellicano, conductor Winnipeg Boys Choir

Back by popular demand, Raymond Briggs’ heartwarming holiday classic film The Snowman has brought our audience to its feet every time it has been performed. The Snowman tells of a little boy who wakes Oct 31 up to find that everything has turned snow-white. He rushes out to build a snowman who comes to life and Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor takes him on an amazing journey. Features the Howard Todd Martin, vocals Blake hit song Walking in the Air. Plus, the classic tale of Brother Heinrich’s Christmas. Feb 25 Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain Saint-Saëns: Danse macabre wso.ca/snowman Mark Cameron, entertainer Heinz-Karl Gruber: Frankenstein!! A Pan-Demonium for Chansonnier & © Snowman Enterprises Limited Manny Tuba,WSO mascot Orchestra after children’s rhymes by H.C.Artmann “The Snowman”by Raymond Briggs is published by Puffin image © Snowman Enterprises Ltd Julian Pellicano, conductor HALLOWEEN - H.K. Gruber’s wild and wacky satire takes on political monsters Your child’s imagination will soar as Mr. Mark and WSO to reveal their true faces. Is Frankenstein the unfortunate scientist, or mascot Manny Tuba find themselves mixed up in the someone else whom we forget at our peril? Plus Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald most important gathering of birds from all over the world. Mountain, etched in our memory for the image of winged ghouls wreaking havoc in Walt Disney’s Fantasia. Don’t forget your costume! Join Scheherazade, our storyteller heroine, and her cast of fabulous characters! Sail on Sinbad’s A twelfth-century Persian Sufi dreams he has been ship; battle a dragon with the Kalandar Prince; discover Aladdin’s lamp and the surprises hidden transformed into a bird, a hoopoe, and travels to a wso.ca/frankenstein inside. Scheherazade takes her Sultan on a journey of self-discovery, experiencing the kindness of gathering to decide who will be the new king of birds. strangers, the triumph of good over evil, and the miracle of forgiveness and love. Set to evocative Apr 8 Mr. Mark and Manny Tuba land right in the middle of this music of Rimsky-Korsakov, with stunning costumes, spellbinding magic and spectacular puppets. most curious gathering and find themselves tangled up Al Simmons, entertainer in its mysterious outcome. wso.ca/scheherazade Julian Pellicano, conductor wso.ca/mr-mark-birds "For those in search of the truly zany, the undisputed king is Al Simmons." PRE-CONCERT - Maclean's Magazine ACTIVITIES Jan 14 "Riotously funny! Simmons‚ props Come at 1:00 pm and and costumes are wildly inventive visit the Dandi Productions in concept and ingenious in execution" station, instrument Feb 14 Julian Pellicano, conductor - Winnipeg Free Press petting zoo, rhythm ensembles & more! Lisa Vroman, soprano Based on a traditional African folk tale, this triumphant story JUNO Award-winner Al Simmons leads Julian Pellicano, conductor travels through dark forests, vast plains and spooky swamps to action-packed sing-a-longs and pits his bizarre, deliver a thrilling tale of family unity and courage.The twins homemade instruments against the string, An enchanting evening of Broadway love songs with classic hits from use their own song (in Swahili) to find each other just when woodwind, brass, and percussion sections of the Porter, Sondheim, Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and more. things look hopeless.The story is complete with an exciting WSO. He manages to coax music out of tin Fall in love in the company of Lisa Vroman, best known for her score by John Estacio. Beautiful carved masks, costumes, cans, soda straws, garden hoses, turkey record-breaking run as Christine in Phantom of the Opera.You will be singing, and movement create an exotic atmosphere, as basters and doorstoppers. In the slapstick swept away by the talent and stage presence of this music theatre star! powerful music sweeps the young audience to a faraway land. process, Al shows the science behind the music by comparing his crude instruments wso.ca/valentines wso.ca/twins-and-monster to their more expensive counterparts. “Few ladies singing today possess the exquisite wso.ca/al-simmons clarity and range of Lisa Vroman.” Concerts for Kids Concert Times > SUN @ 2:00 pm6/ Pre-Concert Activities @ 1:00 pm - Harold Prince 5 Concerts KIDS CONCERTS SUBSCRIPTIONS Adults $100 Children 12 and Under $40 See Page 18

12 2017 I 2018 Season 204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 13 PACKAGES

CHARLES CHAPLIN: POPS City Lights Live Nouveau Platinum Feb 16 / 17 I 8:00 pm / Feb 18 I 2:00 pm Five shows featuring contemporary Five classic pops shows that mix great music Julian Pellicano, conductor

hits and Canadian Stars. with acrobats, entertainers, film and more. The timeless tale of a tramp who sets out on a quest to Arrival from Sweden: Music of the restore the sight of the blind flower-seller he loves. Starring The Music of Abba Mad Men Era the great Charlie Chaplin, City Sep 22-24 Nov 10 -12 Lights is presented in full cinematic glory, with the WSO performing its superb The Tenors soundtrack live. Ashley MacIsaac Dec 8/9 Oct 20-22 OR wso.ca/chaplin-city-lights A Christmas Celebration Dec 10 Music of the Ice with Kurt Browning Charles Chaplin: Jan 19 -21 City Lights Live Feb 16 -18 A Chorus Line A Chorus Line Mar 16 -18 Mar 16 -18

Cirque de la symphonie Cirque de la symphonie Apr 21 I 7:30 pm / Apr 22 I 2:00 pm Julian Pellicano, conductor Apr 27-29 Apr 27-29 Seventy five years after The Wizard of Oz debuted on the big screen, watch it again in all its glory, accompanied by your WSO performing the Harold Arlen score. “Follow the SUBSCRIBE TODAY $533 $446 $360 $273 $174 SUBSCRIBE TODAY $533 $446 $360 $273 $174 Yellow Brick Road”with the incomparable Judy Garland Adults / 5 Concerts See Page 10 & 11 Adults / 5 Concerts See Page 10 & 11 as Dorothy and lovable Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion. You can even dress up as your favourite character! wso.ca/wizard-of-oz Family Pack Three great shows that kids, teenagers and the whole family will enjoy.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Nov 25-26 Nov 25 I 7:30 pm / Nov 26 I 2:00 pm Justin Freer, conductor Relive the film that started it all.Watch the wand choose the wizard, trolls Music of the Ice with Kurt Browning run amok and magic mirrors in high-definition while the WSO performs Jan 19-21 John Williams’ iconic score. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event as Harry, Ron, Hermione and all your favourite characters return to the screen and bewitch the world all over again. Cirque de la symphonie wso.ca/harry-potter

Apr 27-29 SUBSCRIBE TODAY $270 $226 $183 $142 $98 Adults / 3 Concerts See Page 11 & 15 Adults / 3 Concerts SUBSCRIBE TODAY $270 $226 $183 $142 $98 See Page 18 14 2017 I 2018 Season 204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 15 COMMUNITY PARTNERS

CANZONA WINNIPEG PHILHARMONIC CHOIR Te Deum: Songs of Darkness and Light The Grand Motets Oct 29, 2017 I 3:00 pm Nov 12, 2017 Crescent Fort Rouge United Church Kicking off our 95th season, we look forward to once again performing in the WSO’s In their first concert under new Artistic Director Kathleen annual fall festival.With a theme like Angels & Demons,Winnipeg is in for a week of Allan, Canzona presents a concert of exuberant music from drama and contrasts! The Phil has embraced this vision with Songs of Darkness and the German and French Baroque. Grand motets from the Light, a concert featuring works by Verdi, Britten, Gluck, Lauridsen and Mozart that will court of Louis XIV are paired with German interpretations take us from the depths of the underworld to the sublime heights of eternal light. of the same texts by Bach and Schein.The programme Kurt Weill • Liszt • Górecki • Beethoven culminates in Charpentier’s monumental Te Deum. canzonachoir.com Fauré’s Requiem & Poulenc’s Gloria Mar 23 & 24, 2018 I 8:00 pm / Mar 25, 2018 I 3:00 pm St. Boniface Cathedral AUTUMN FESTIVAL Membra Jesu Nostri In honour of the 200th Anniversary of the Arch-Diocese of St. Boniface, we are thrilled to partner with the WSO for a three-concert extravaganza featuring Apr 22, 2018 world-renowned soloists and our own Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Buxtehude’s Most holy limbs of our suffering Jesus is a cycle thephil.ca of seven cantatas, each dedicated to a different part of Christ’s crucified body. Bringing this physicality to life in collaboration with some of Canada’s finest dancers, Canzona presents Membra Jesu nostri for the first time in its history. STEVE BELL canzonachoir.com Christmastide

- A journey through Advent, CELEBRATE OPENING NIGHT WITH A GALA Nativity and Epiphany EVENING INCLUDING VIP RECEPTION, VIRTUOSI Oct 27 – Nov 4 PREMIUM SEATING, AND AN INTIMATE Virtuosi Concerts presents Dec 12, 2017 I 8:00 pm DINNER WITH ITZHAK PERLMAN ON THE ECSTASY AND DESPAIR, ying and yang,PIANO the dualityNOBILE.TICKETS $1,000.Oct SEATING27/28 Beethoven, Chopin and a Artists of Manitoba Rei Hotoda, conductor of the human spirit… For this year’s AutumnLIMITED. Festival, CALL Sorrowful Song (WSO) Steve Bell, vocals & guitar the WSO dives into musical visions of our204-949-3973 highest TO RESERVE YOUROct 29 GALA TICKET. Songs of Darkness and Light Dec 9, 2017 I 7:30 pm Mike Janzen, piano & arrangements (Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir) Dec 10, 2017 I 3:00 pm Malcolm Guite, poet & narrator aspirations and darkest conceits. Liszt’s massive tone poem inspired by Dante’s Inferno. Kurt Weill’s ground- Oct 30 Natasha Paremski in recital Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall at The University of Winnipeg To attend one of Steve Bell's concerts any given evening is to see what it's breaking musical Seven Deadly Sins. Henryk Górecki’s Oct 31 Frankenstein!! (WSO) Lara Ciekiewicz, soprano like when the gifts of a poet and performer take centre stage. masterpiece Symphony of Sorrowful Songs.Visionary Nov 1 Winnipeg Chamber Music Society Madeline Hildebrand, piano works of art inspired by powerful themes. Nov 3/4 Kurt Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins (WSO) Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra String Ensemble wso.ca/stevebell wso.ca/autumn-festival “Smiles of a summer night” Handel: L’Allegro,Il Penseroso ed Il Moderato (excerpts) Berlioz: Les nuits d’étés (arr.Max Knigge) WOMEN’S MUSICAL CLUB OF WINNIPEG TBA Presents in its 2017/2018 Concert Series Winnipeg soprano Lara Ciekiewicz is “… a versatile stage Pianist Luca Buratto in Recital chameleon,able to crack viewers up one minute with her razor-sharp comic timing,before breaking their hearts the Apr 8, 2018 I 2:00 pm THE BEST WEEK OF THE YEAR next with soulful characterizations.” Winnipeg Art Gallery – Holly Harris, Winnipeg Free Press Muriel Richardson Auditorium The Winnipeg New Music Festival returns for its 27th edition Tickets $25. Students $5 “She possesses all the qualities of a future diva… January 27 to February 2, 2018. International guest artists an exceptional voice…and a great gift as an actress.” meet Winnipeg, Manitoban and Canadian creators in a week The Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg is pleased to be partnering with the – Pierre Meunier, La Liberté Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in bringing pianist Luca Buratto to Winnipeg in that celebrates all things new with music, art, ideas, encounters, and of course great food! virtuosi.mb.ca the spring of 2018. This 2015 Canadian Honens Prize Laureate, is a pianist of "fiery imagination and finesse" (Musical America). His recital performance in Winnipeg 204-786-9000 [email protected] follows his Wigmore Hall and Carnegie Hall debuts in 2017! SUBSCRIBERS – ADD A WNMF FESTIVAL PASS FOR JUST $79 WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE! womensmusicalclubofwpg.ca wnmf.ca

16 2017 I 2018 Season 204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 17 Brahms’ 2nd Schumann’s 3rd PACKAGE PRICING Matinee Oct 13 Feb 9 Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor José Luis Gomez, conductor : Symphony No. 2 in D major Robert Schumann: Symphony No.3 Centennial Concert Hall Seating Travel behind the scenes at a Friday in E-flat major (Rhenish) morning matinee with an open SEATING SECTION Symphony of rehearsal and concert performance. Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Loge 1 2 3 4 SAVE Hear the conductor’s introduction Sorrowful Songs Apr 6 to the music, a complete performance Classics A $558 $468 $378 $288 $186 25% Oct 27 of the work, and participate in a Q+A Daniel Raiskin, conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor Classics B $558 $468 $378 $288 $186 25% - All in one hour! Nathalie Paulin, soprano : Symphony No.2 in E minor Autumn Festival Add-on $109 $89 $76 $69 $59 Henryk Mikolaj Górecki: Symphony No.3 wso.ca/matinee (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs) The Ultimate Classics $1044 $876 $708 $540 $348 30% Strauss: Strauss & Ravel Ein Heldenleben Full Pops $696 $584 $472 $360 $232 30% MATINEE SUBSCRIPTIONS Dec 1 May 11 Platinum Pops $533 $446 $360 $273 $174 15% All 6 Concerts $80 Individual Concerts $20 Jun Markl, conductor Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor Pops Nouveau $533 $446 $360 $273 $174 15% Matinee > FRI @ 10:30 am Richard Strauss: Tod und Verklärung Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (Death and Transfiguration) Kids Concerts : La valse,poème chorégraphique Adults $100 28% Children 12 and Under $40 44% NEW Movie Series $270 $226 $183 $142 $98 27% Dinner & Symphony with Family Pack $270 $226 $183 $142 $98 27% Youth 14 and Under $36 Enjoy a journey of gourmet food and Seating Map for: beautiful music in partnership with Bergmann’s on Lombard all in one Kurt Weill’s Symphony Super Pass $1500 $1250 $1025 $775 $500 40% CLASSICS location at the Centennial Concert Hall, POPS Piano Nobile level. Each three-course meal The Seven Deadly Sins A Night in Spain New Music Festival Add-on $79 MOVIES is themed to a specific WSO concert, Nov 4 Feb 24 offering patrons a unique opportunity to A Southern BBQ Spanish Cuisine Flex 4 Pack $448 $374 $302 $230 $146 10% KIDS CONCERTS explore cuisine from around the globe. and Flex 6 Pack $639 $537 $432 $330 $210 15% MATINEE SERIES wso.ca/dinner Harry Potter and the Luca Buratto Flex 8 Pack $792 $672 $540 $412 $264 20% are general admission All 4 Dinner & Single Evening Symphony Events Starting from Philosopher’s Stone In Concert Flex 12 Pack $1116 $936 $756 $576 $372 25% Please be advised that line of sight issues exist for Plays Prokofiev some balcony and orchestra level seats. for only $378 $109 Seating map is for reference purposes only. Nov 25 Apr 7 3-COURSE DINNER *Includes all taxes and box office fees. Does not include CCH sustaining fee. Starts @ 5:30 pm / Saturdays Magical Feast! Russian Revelry Add Dinner for only $75

Subscriber benefits: Important dates: • Free ticket exchanges and replacement tickets. Season ticket holders avoid April 9 Air Canada Draw a $5.00 box office exchange fee and replacement fee for lost tickets. May 15 Opening Night with Itzhak Perlman on sale to public • 20% off additional ticket purchases. See a concert you'd like to attend May 28 Early Bird Deadline outside your subscription? Automatically save 20%. June 18 Renewal deadline to save your existing seats • Front of Line Priority Seating. Subscribers have first access to the best seats. June 19 Seats are released for sale to new ticket subscribers • Extended Payment Plan.You can pay in six easy monthly installments. Late August Season Tickets are mailed out • Additional special offers throughout the season. How to Order: Ordering your subscription is easy. Simply call the box office at 204-949-3999 or visit wso.ca/subscribe

18 2017 I 2018 Season 204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 19 THANK YOU FOR 70 YEARS!

Your donations to the WSO over the past 70 years have made an impact by: · bringing live orchestral music to generations of Winnipeg audiences WE TAKE PEOPLE PLACES. · supporting music education programs for children and young people BUT IT’S MUSIC THAT · attracting tourism dollars to the city of Winnipeg · helping attract and retain people and families who want to live in a city with a vibrant arts community TRULY MOVES THEM. · collaborating with community service groups to provide musical experiences to underserved populations · contributing to the city’s creative capital through musicians, staff and volunteers Official airline of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. · uniting individuals and cultures through shared artistic experiences.

The WSO is community funded. 33% of our operations come from donations.Your gift today helps to lay the foundation for the next 70 years. When you renew your subscription, please give generously.

To learn more contact Beth Proven at (204) 949-3989 or go online to wso.ca/donations.

204-949-3999 I wso.ca/1718season 21 Bravo to our Sponsors

Major Sponsors

Concert Series and Special Projects Sponsors

IN MEMORY OF PETER D. CURRY

Performance Sponsors

ARNOLD & MYRA CARMYN ALESHKA FRIEMAN & GREG FETTES

DANIEL FRIEDMAN & ROB DALGLEISH

SANDI & RON MIELITZ

MARTY & MICHELLE Women’s Committee WEINBERG FAMILY of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Media and Corporate Supporters

Government Support

22 2017 I 2018 Season 2017/2018 SEASON CALENDAR

JUN 3 7:30 pm ■ Lower Fort Garry: Stone Fort Sounds JAN 12 8:00 pm ■ Nielsen & Mozart 28 7:00 pm ■ 70th Anniversary Community Celebration 13 8:00 pm ■ Nielsen & Mozart 30 7:30 pm ■ WSO in Kenora, Lucia Melnick Stage 14 2:00 pm ■ The Twins and the Monster 19 8:00 pm ■ Music of the Ice with Kurt Browning JUL 1 10:00 pm ■ Canada Day at The Forks 20 8:00 pm ■ Music of the Ice with Kurt Browning 5 7:00 pm ■ Lyric Theatre, Assiniboine Park 21 2:00 pm ■ Music of the Ice with Kurt Browning Jan 27 - Feb 2 ■ Winnipeg New Music Festival SEP 16 7:30 pm ■ The Asper Family Opening Night: Itzhak Perlman 22 8:00 pm ■ Arrival from Sweden:The Music of ABBA FEB 9 10:30 am ■ Schumann’s 3rd 23 8:00 pm ■ Arrival from Sweden:The Music of ABBA Oct 9 8:00 pm ■ Schumann and Beethoven 24 2:00 pm ■ Arrival from Sweden:The Music of ABBA 10 8:00 pm ■ Schumann and Beethoven 14 8:00 pm ■ Valentine’s Day: Broadway in Love OCT 13 10:30 am ■ Brahms’ 2nd 16 8:00 pm ■■ Charles Chaplin: City Lights Live Oct 13 8:00 pm ■ Happy 70th WSO! 17 8:00 pm ■■ Charles Chaplin: City Lights Live ■ th 18 2:00 pm ■■ Charles Chaplin: City Lights Live 14 8:00 pm Happy 70 WSO! ■ 15 2:00 pm ■ Scheherazade 23 8:00 pm A Night in Spain ■ 24 8:00 pm ■ A Night in Spain 20 8:00 pm Ashley MacIsaac ■ 21 8:00 pm ■ Ashley MacIsaac 25 2:00 pm Mr. Mark and Manny Tuba go to the Birds! 22 2:00 pm ■ Ashley MacIsaac 27 10:30 am ■ Symphony of Sorrowful Songs MAR 9 8:00 pm ■ Bruckner 9 27 8:00 pm ■ Beethoven, Chopin and a Sorrowful Song 10 8:00 pm ■ Bruckner 9 28 8:00 pm ■ Beethoven, Chopin and a Sorrowful Song 16 8:00 pm ■ A Chorus Line Oct 27 - Nov 4 ■■ Autumn Festival 17 8:00 pm ■ A Chorus Line 18 2:00 pm ■ A Chorus Line 23 8:00 pm ■ Fauré & Poulenc NOV 3 8:00 pm ■ Seven Deadly Sins 24 8:00 pm ■ Fauré & Poulenc 4 8:00 pm ■ Seven Deadly Sins 25 2:00 pm ■ Fauré & Poulenc 10 8:00 pm ■ Music of the Mad Men Era 11 8:00 pm ■ Music of the Mad Men Era am ■ nd 12 2:00 pm ■ Music of the Mad Men Era APR 6 10:30 Rachmaninoff’s 2 6 8:00 pm ■ Luca Buratto Plays Prokofiev 25 7:30 pm ■ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 7 8:00 pm ■ Luca Buratto Plays Prokofiev 26 2:00 pm ■ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 8 2:00 pm ■ Al Simmons Symphonic Shenanigans 21 7:30 pm ■ The Wizard of Oz DEC 1 10:30 am ■ Strauss & Ravel 22 2:00 pm ■ The Wizard of Oz 1 8:00 pm ■ Strauss, Ravel and More 27 8:00 pm ■ Cirque de la symphonie 2 8:00 pm ■ Strauss, Ravel and More ■ ■ 28 8:00 pm Cirque de la symphonie 3 2:00 pm The Snowman 29 2:00 pm ■ Cirque de la symphonie 8 8:00 pm ■ The Tenors 9 8:00 pm ■ The Tenors MAY 11 10:30 am ■ Strauss: Ein Heldenleben 10 2:00 pm ■ A Christmas Celebration 11 8:00 pm ■ Strauss: A Hero’s Life 12 8:00 pm ■ Steve Bell - Christmastide 12 8:00 pm ■ Strauss: A Hero’s Life 15 8:00 pm ■ The Messiah 23 8:00 pm ■ Vancouver Symphony on Tour 16 8:00 pm ■ The Messiah

■ Classics A Series ■ Air Canada Pops ■ Matinees ■ Specials ■ Summer Concerts ■ Classics B Series ■ Movies ■ Great-West Life Kids Concerts ■ Festivals

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Call 204-949-3999 or visit wso.ca/1718season facebook.com/winnipegsymphony twitter.com/wpgsymphony youtube.com/winnipegsymphony instagram.com/wpgsymphony