Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre

Last night, my partner and I had the great pleasure of seeing the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) kick off their 2010/11 season with a concert featuring the extraordinary Canadian pianist Avan Yu. Together with Conductor Bramwell Tovey and the VSO, Yu’s brilliant rendition of Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5 was the highlight of the night and earned a spontaneous standing ovation—just one of the evening’s many thrills.

There are so many things to love about a night at the Symphony. It’s a chance to dress up (not that you have to; this is Vancouver), to dine out before the show,  to indulge in a special night with your partner, friends, family. It’s a chance  to experience a concert at one of Vancouver’s best venues—last night the VSO performed at their traditional home, the historic and breathtaking Orpheum Theatre—and to see world-class musicians performing some of the most renowned musical works in human history. There’s a drama to such an evening, an elegance, that’s not the same as your typical “date night” or night on the town. Seeing the VSO in action is unique, and guarantees a night to remember!

If you’ve never been to the VSO, you really should try it. If you’re scared away by “classical music,” try one of the concerts from the VSO Pops series—this year their performances include a tribute to Ray Charles—or try something so famous its familiar even to non-classical music fans, like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra 2010/11 season features over 150 concerts and there is definitely something for everyone, from classic and modern masterpieces to holiday crowd-pleasers like A Traditional Christmas.

Here are just a few of the upcoming highlights from the first half of the 2010/11 season, showcasing the VSO’s diversity and range:

• VSO Pops: An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan – October 8 & 9, 2010
• The Music of Mozart, with Marc-Andre Hamelin – October 15, 16, 19, 2010
• The Masterpieces of Schumann and Shostakovich – October 23 & 25, 2010
• The Lord of the Rings Symphony – November 27, 2010
• A Traditional Christmas – December 9 – 18, 2010
• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – December 17, 18, 20, 2010

For the complete list, check the VSO Concert Calendar.

Love the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as much as I do? Please share in the comments!