A Virtual Concert Gala

Vancouver BC, February 22, 2021 – On Thursday night, Feb 18, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presented The Show Must Go On: Stories of Resilience, a Virtual Gala Performance, presented by NICOLA WEALTH. An event that raised over $500,000 in support of the VSO & VSO School of Music.

The Gala Concert featured musical performances from Maestro Otto Tausk, the VSO and its members, as well as appearances from a host of special guests including Itzhak Perlman, Measha Bruegergosman, James Ehnes, k.d. lang, Geddy Lee, Steven Page, Red Robinson, Stewart Goodyear, Bria Skonberg, Jens Lindemann and more, and Vancouver’s own triple-threat Steve Maddock hosted the event live from the historic Orpheum Theatre, home of the VSO, in downtown Vancouver.

Angela Elster, CEO & President of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra says "This season has been filled with challenges, resilience, courage, kindness, compassion and sheer determination. Last week’s Virtual Benefit Gala was the VSO’s chance to shine a spotlight on these themes through the voices of the international arts community. We are grateful to the many guest artists, sponsors, donors and audience members who helped prove that, together, we are indeed resilient.  On behalf of the VSO and the VSO School of Music we extend our deepest gratitude."

CREATING THE VIRTUAL GALA EXPERIENCE

The VSO partnered with Patrick Roberge Productions, Vancouver’s pre-eminent production house, to create a spectacular show. PRP Principal Patrick Roberge commented “Over this last year, we have had to completely reimagine live events.  For the upcoming VSO Gala we have focussed on the music and the people that bring the music to life. Using live television technology, we are going to bring the Gala experience directly to your living room. We are thrilled to be working with the VSO to create this memorable Gala Concert”. 

EVENT SPONSORS

The VSO would like to thank all of our incredible sponsors, donors, auction contributors and all ticket buyers who help make both this event and all the VSO’s work in our community possible.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

VISIONARIES

MAESTRO’S CIRCLE

BMO Capital Markets | PH&N Institutional | TELUS

CONCERTMASTER’S CIRCLE

CIBC Capital Markets | First Light Foundation | 

Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers | Genus Capital Management Inc | 

Image Group Inc. | McLean Group | Omicron Canada Inc. | TD Bank Group | 

GALA-IN-A-BOX

McCarthy Tetrault | Marquis Wine Cellars | The Lazy Gourmet

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

Blakes | BLG | KPMG | Odlum Brown

GALA COMMITTEE

The VSO would also like to thank the 2021 Gala Committee members for their incredible volunteerism and support during a very dynamic season.

Etienne Bruson, Co-Chair

Jill Tipping, Co-Chair

Alexandra Mauler

Angela Elster

Ben Mink

Cathy Grant

Cheryl Hudson

Christin Reardon-MacLellan

Dana Montalbano

Gillian Hunter-Gibbs

Leanne Davis

Lis Welch

ABOUT THECONCERTHALL.CA

During this unusual and unforgettable season, without in-person concerts, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) continues to offer extraordinary music and to build new audiences – all via its new virtual home, TheConcertHall.ca, presented by TELUS. The VSO’s musicians and guest artists are beautifully recorded in 360-degree views, using state-of-the-art audio and video technology, while following strict social distancing protocols. Highlights of the season on TheConcertHall.ca, since its launch in October 2020 – 13 concerts to date – include Bach with James Ehnes, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, holiday programming for families, and VSO Music Director Otto Tausk, leading music by Beethoven, Mussorgsky and Sibelius, as well as contemporary works by Jennifer Butler, George Walker, and others. Covered by CNN, The Globe and Mail, Rolling Stone, CBC, The Vancouver Sun, The Georgia Straight and more, the VSO’s has helped lead the way in virtual performances throughout the COVID period. TheConcertHall.ca is just another step in the orchestra’s ground-breaking 102-year history.

ABOUT THE VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Founded in 1919, the Grammy and Juno-award winning Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is the third largest orchestra in Canada, the largest arts organizations in Western Canada, and one of the few orchestras in North America to have its own music school. Led by Music Director Otto Tausk since 2018, the VSO performs more than 150 concerts each year, throughout Vancouver and the province of British Columbia, reaching over 270,000 people annually. On tour, the VSO has performed in the United States, China, Korea and across Canada. The orchestra presents passionate, high-quality performances of classical, popular and culturally diverse music, creating meaningful engagement with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Recent guest artists include Daniil Trifonov, Dawn Upshaw, James Ehnes, Adrianne Pieczonka, Gidon Kremer, Renée Fleming, Yefim Bronfman, Itzhak Perlman, Bernadette Peters, Tan Dun, and more. For the 2020-21 special season, the VSO may be heard in its new virtual home, TheConcertHall.ca, presented by TELUS.

MEDIA CONTACT

For interviews, photography, and video requests, please contact:

Neil Middleton, VP Marketing & Sales at (604) 313-0738 or neil@vancouversymphony.ca

A selection of press photos may be downloaded here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q1is6w9hi672q0g/AACrd0gaa1EO2C3D2hrmH8JQa?dl=0