Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky brings summer sounds to Hawrelak Park

Your Edmonton Symphony Orchestra concludes summer with the 15^th annual

Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky

Friday, September 4^th - Monday, September 7^th

Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park

Edmonton, AB … Concluding the summer festival season in Edmonton is Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky. Taking place Labour Day weekend, September 4^th – 7^th, 2009, this annual festival is sure to delight concert-goers of all ages, by bringing the invigorating sounds of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) to the beautiful river valley setting of Hawrelak Park.

Charismatic Conductor Bob Bernhardt returns to lead the ESO in five outdoor concerts that will celebrate the 15^th annual outdoor festival of orchestral music. Over the course of four days, audiences can sample the varied music programming presented by the ESO all through the concert season. From classical masterpieces, operatic classics, Hollywood movie favourites, and a tribute to Sinatra, there is something for every musical taste and style!

“It is with delight and great pleasure that I’m back for my fourth season of Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky” says Maestro Bernhardt. “As always, we strive to provide a wide variety of excellent and entertaining programs for the entire family that has become the hallmark of this festival. We hope that you find much to enjoy!”

This year, the ESO is also extremely pleased to have Bullfrog Power as a partner to lower the electricity-related emissions footprint of the festival with Alberta-made wind power. Bullfrog Power is a leading Canadian provider of 100 per cent green electricity, and the only all-green electricity provider in Alberta. Providing green power for this event will not require any special equipment or wiring. Bullfrog Power will simply inject clean, emissions-free EcoLogo^M-certified electricity to the Alberta electricity grid to match the amount of power used by the event, just as it does for thousands of homes and hundreds of organizations in Alberta and Ontario.

“By choosing to use Bullfrog Power, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is setting an important example about how easy it is for organizations and companies to lower their electricity-related emissions footprint,” says Theresa Howland, Vice President, Western Region, Bullfrog Power.

On Friday, September 4^th, the festival opens with ESO Music Director Bill Eddins stepping into the role of guest piano soloist, taking on Gershwin’s vivacious, jazz-influenced Concerto in F. Bob Bernhardt will conduct two other treasured works of classical music, Mussorgsky’s rousing A Night on Bare Mountain and Mendelssohn’s shimmering “Italian” Symphony, in this 7:00pm concert of Sparkling Classics.

Saturday, September 5^th welcomes Canadian soprano Kathleen Brett for an afternoon performance of operatic delights, and an evening performance of glorious music from Oscar-winning movies. The 2:00pm matinee concert Operamania!, will bring some of the greatest orchestral as well as vocal works from opera to the Amphitheatre stage, with a showcase of music by Mozart, Rossini, Léhar, and Strauss.

Following the matinee, stick around for the 4^th annual Family BBQ, as ESO musicians cook up burgers from Sobeys on party-sized BBQs provided by Big Top Rentals. All proceeds to support Kids Kottage – a charity that assists families in crisis situations.

The day concludes with Hollywood Adventures and Romances – our annual “movie night” which has rapidly become one of the festival’s favourite concert programs. Enjoy a summer night of familiar music and themes from The Lion King, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, The Lord of the Rings, and so much more! This evening performance begins at 7:00pm.

The festival continues on Sunday, September 6^th, at 2:00pm, with a move-along, sing-along event for the entire family, The Hi-Lo Big Top Circus. In a colourful and lively circus setting, parents and children will learn musical concepts through storytelling and audience participation. This hour-long concert which will highlight music of the great composers of classical music, including Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn, does not include musicians of the ESO.

Fun for the whole family continues immediately following the concert with the Teddy Bear Picnic! Enjoy games, face painters, and inflatable activities, plus meet ESO musicians and make some music at the ESO’s original instrument petting zoo! Instruments are provided in part by the Edmonton Public School String Enrichment Program. Festival favourite Fat Franks will also be onsite selling delicious hot dogs, with all proceeds to support the ESO’s education programs.

Sunday concludes with a tribute concert to Old Blue Eyes himself. Steve Lippia brings his uncanny Sinatra style to the Heritage Amphitheatre for a night of vocal magic in Simply Sinatra with Steve Lippia, at 7:00pm. Bob Bernhardt conducts your ESO through songs that include New York, New York, My Way, That’s Life, You Make Me Feel So Young, Cheek to Cheek, and many more.

Finally, on Monday, September 7^th, at 2:00pm, your ESO wraps up its annual summer festival in a tradition of grand proportions. Hometown favourite trumpeter Jens Lindemann brings extraordinary musicianship and a disarming stage presence to the festival’s final afternoon, presenting a dynamic mix of virtuosity and lyricism. Following dramatic pieces by Gershwin, Haydn, and Bizet, the guns of the Royal Canadian Artillery, as ever, will supply the awe-inspiring cannonades to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture in the weekend’s grand finale.

This year, do your part and join your Edmonton Symphony in going Green! Thinking of driving to the park? Avoid the long waits in your car and limited parking space at the park – simply leave your vehicle at the U of A Stadium lot (pay-parking lot located northwest of the Butterdome – 116 St and 88 Ave) and ride Hybrid ETS buses for free directly to Hawrelak Park. Or better yet, ride your bike! Free, supervised bike racks will be available on site, courtesy of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society. Bringing a picnic lunch for the family? Summertime snacks have never tasted better than when they come packed in reusable containers!

This year’s festival will once again play host to our digital concert attendees - bloggers and tweeters. Blogging Under the Sky is open to anyone with a personal blog/Twitter account, who is interested in blogging/tweeting live from Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky. Those interested should email their blog address to esoblognight@winspearcentre.com. Festival tickets will be given to participating bloggers and tweeters.

For a full concert listing of Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky, please visit www.edmonontonsymphony.com. All events will be held at Hawrelak Park.

In case of inclement weather, listen to Shine 105.9 FM. Any venue changes will be announced on air, posted on edmontonsymphony.com and http://twitter.com/edmsymphony, and noted at (780) 428-1414 and 1-800-563-5081.

In addition to the generous support of Sobeys, festival supporters include Bullfrog Power, TELUS, the City of Edmonton through the Edmonton Arts Council, The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, The Edmonton Journal, AM 930 The Light, and 105.9 Shine FM.

The Monday, September 7^th performance is generously sponsored by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada.

Ongoing support to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is provided by The Canada Council for the Arts, The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and The Edmonton Arts Council.

Box Office and Tickets

The Box Office at Hawrelak Park opens two hours prior to the first performance of each day of the festival. The amphitheatre gates open one hour prior to each performance. The amphitheatre is closed between matinee and evening performances.

Weekend passes range from $82 to $120, and single tickets prices range from $18 to $27. All child grass seating is FREE* and child reserved tickets are $13. Agency fees apply. The 2 for 1 New Subscriber Promotion applies to weekend passes.

Non-refundable/non-exchangeable tickets are available now through the Winspear Centre Box Office: in person at #4 Winston Churchill Square, by phone: (780) 428-1414 or 1-800-563-5081, or on-line at www.edmontonsymphony.com. Please note that the Hawrelak Park Amphitheatre Box Office is CASH ONLY. An ATM machine will be available on site.

*Ticket still required for child grass seating.

Three ESO musicians move on to new musical and personal endeavours

Three ESO musicians to make final performances as core members of the orchestra

Edmonton, AB … As the 2008-2009 Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) concert season draws to an end, three remarkable ESO musicians and friends move on to new personal and musical endeavours. Charles Hudelson, Susan Ekholm, and Aaron Au will be retiring as core members of the orchestra after this weekends’ Masters series and season finale, A Dramatic Conclusion. Combined, these three musicians have made music within the ESO for 78 seasons.

"It's always bittersweet when musicians retire. The orchestra will be losing decades of experience and knowledge, and we'll miss making music with these wonderful friends and colleagues. We wish them continuing good health and happiness, and they leave with the respect and affection of everyone at the ESO." ~ Bill Eddins

ESO Principal Clarinet since 1975, Charles “Chuck” Hudelson had also been the Calgary Philharmonic’s Principal Clarinet for the previous 6 seasons (1969-1975), making him a 40-season principal player between Alberta’s two largest orchestras. He will be named the orchestra’s Principal Clarinet Emeritus this weekend.

A graduate of Northwestern University, with both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music, Susan Ekholm joined the viola section of the ESO in 1976, following several years performing with the New Zealand National Symphony. In November of 2007, Susan Ekholm assumed the position of Education & Outreach Manager for the ESO, and maintains this position today.

Aaron Au began his tenure with the ESO in September, 1999. Aaron has studied violin and viola under Thomas Riebl at the Universitaet Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and previously studied under Andrew Dawes and Gerald Stanick at the University of British Columbia where he graduated as Head of the Class. Aaron has seen much success as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player.

Alvin Lowrey was the ESO's Principal Trumpet for 33 years, from 1975 until last year, when he retired. He will be named the orchestra's Principal Trumpet Emeritus this weekend.

Alvin and Chuck will hold the first two emeriti positions ever named by the ESO.

ESO Concertmaster Martin Riseley is taking a one year leave of absence, for the 2009-2010 concert season. Martin will travel to Wellington, New Zealand – where he was born - to be Head of Strings at the New Zealand School of Music. The 2008-2009 season marks Martin’s 15^th season as Concertmaster with the ESO.

The ESO wishes Charles, Susan, Aaron, and Martin all the very best in their future endeavours.

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra announces 2009/2010 season

Listen… Your ESO is Playing!

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra 2009-2010 Season

Edmonton, AB … The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) and Music Director William Eddins today announced exciting details of the upcoming 2009-2010 season. Audiences are invited to experience the inspiration and indulge in the celebration of the new season which will feature rousing concerts, acclaimed conductors, and renowned guest artists. Leading the ESO into their 58^th season, and his fifth as Music Director, Bill Eddins will conduct concerts in every series including the Classic Landmarks Masters, Sunday Showcase, Robbins Lighter Classics, Midweek Classics, Robbins Pops, Symphony for Kids, and ESO Specials.

"In this uncertain time that we find ourselves living, it is comforting to know that some things do not change - great soloists, a great hall, and the fabulous Edmonton Symphony Orchestra back for another year of music to delight and surprise you with. Come join us as we hold the torch of civilization high and remind our community that these are still wonderful times to enjoy classic music, and that there are even better times ahead." ~ Bill Eddins

Internationally renowned artists Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Dawn Upshaw, Manuel Barrueco, Karen Gomyo, and Marc-André Hamelin are just a few of the very special guests who will grace the Winspear stage with the ESO throughout the 2009-2010 season.

While Mr. Eddins will conduct over 30 programs this upcoming season, the ESO will also be led by returning guest conductors and audience favourites Robert Bernhardt, Jacques Lacombe, Jean-Marie Zeitouni, Giancarlo Guerrero, Bruce Hangen, Jack Everly, Erich Kunzel, and Steven Reineke. Making their conducting debuts with the ESO this season are Eri Klas and Alondra de la Parra.

Beginning his first season with the ESO will be new Resident Conductor, Lucas Waldin. He will begin his tenure with the ESO at the start of the 2009-2010 season, under the mentorship of Music Director Bill Eddins. This is a two-year appointment, funded in part by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Musicians of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra will take centre stage in a variety of series this coming season. Charles Pilon (Assistant Principal Viola) and Colin Ryan (Principal Cello) will be featured in the Classic Landmarks Masters series. Lidia Khaner (Principal Oboe) and Robin Doyon (Principal Trumpet) perform in both the Classic Landmarks Masters and Midweek Classics series. John McPherson (Principal Trombone) and Robin Doyon are both featured in the Sunday Showcase series, Nora Bumanis (Principal Harp) makes an appearance in both Sunday Showcase and Robbins Lighter Classics, and Elizabeth Koch (Principal Flute) appears in the Robbins Lighter Classic series.

The 2009-2010 season begins on September 14^th, 2009, as the ESO welcomes one of the great voices of the century, internationally acclaimed baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, for a special Gala performance with conductor Bill Eddins. In this spectacular orchestral event, ESO patrons have a rare opportunity to hear the expansive, refined, and powerful voice of this world-renowned Russian opera singer. This will be Mr. Hvorostovsky’s debut with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Many ESO Specials highlight next season’s calendar. The orchestra and conductor Bob Bernhardt proudly present the Canadian debut of Sonnenschein Express in Oktoberfest!, a family friendly event showcasing the lively tradition of Bavarian alpine music. Beloved Canadian tenor John McDermott will offer a heartfelt salute to those who have bravely served their country in Lest We Forget, while jubilant Christian artist Sandi Patty sings timeless hymns and inspirational classics about the struggles, joys, and moments of peace in our life’s journey. And finally, it will be a potent panoply of piano pleasures in a tuneful evening of solos, duets, and excerpts from concerti. Piano Spectacular will present an unforgettable evening of enjoyment with pianists Angela Cheng, Jon Kimura Parker, Michael Massey, and Bill Eddins.

The ESO’s flagship series, the Classic Landmarks Masters, features a diverse blend of great classics and captivating discoveries. From time-honoured masterpieces including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Vivaldi’s Guitar Concerto, and Bartók’s Violin Rhapsody, plus music by Brahms, Mahler, Mozart, Respighi, and Schubert, this series continues to serve as the core of the 2009-2010 season. Among a number of Edmonton Symphony Orchestra premieres is a titan of the opera repertoire, Wagner’s glorious Die Meistersinger, arranged as a lush 50-minute orchestral tone poem and given its first Canadian performance.

Some of the most lauded musicians in the world today appear with the ESO in The Classic Landmarks Masters series lineup next season. Jacques Lacombe, Jean-Marie Zeitouni, Giancarlo Guererro, Eri Klas, and of course Bill Eddins, all take to the podium to the lead the orchestra, while George Gao (erhu), cellist Julie Albers, violinists Karen Gomyo and Lara St. John, guitarist Manuel Barrueco, pianists Marc-André Hamelin and Katherine Chi, sopranos Dawn Upshaw, Laura Whalen and Lyne Fortin, and the Richard Eaton Singers all make guest appearances.

Audiences are invited to try something different next season. Late Night with Bill Eddins is all about being able to enjoy great music in a relaxed atmosphere. Taking place on two (2) Friday evenings at 9:30 pm, audiences can hear music of the masters in these spontaneous, intermission-free concerts. Following an evening celebrating Beethoven, and a springtime journey featuring the music of France, guests are also welcome to relax after the concert with some live music and cocktails in the lobby.

The ESO Presents is another new addition to the season lineup that will certainly appeal to all audiences. Working with some of today’s brightest young musicians, the ESO will bring future stars on their way to the top right to the Winspear stage. These two (2) special concerts will feature debut artists in performance with the ESO in the first half, then in solo recitals in the second half. Dazzling pianist Gabriela Montero, who recently performed with former ESO Gala artist Yo-Yo Ma at the inauguration ceremony for President Barack Obama, will first perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2, then proceed to connect to her audience in a completely unique and powerful way through improvisational performance. Cameron Carpenter will make his brilliant Canadian debut in a performance you’ll have to see to believe, with breathtaking performances on the Davis Concert Organ.

Meet a soloist from the ESO and a young, imminent musician in our Sunday Showcase performances which blend timeless masterpieces and new discoveries. Sparkling suites, medieval magic, tango tradition, and an enchanting fusion of ballet and salon music, are all highlights of this series’ rich music programming. Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra, renowned for her orchestral leadership and founding of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, will be joined by marimbist Pius Cheung. Young Canadian violinist Maia Cabeza and pianist Daniel Fung join conductor Bill Eddins.

The Midweek Classics series returns for its fourth season, as a sanctuary of beloved music from the heart of the baroque and classical repertoire. Providing audiences a refuge in the midst of their busy weeks, these four vibrant concerts interspersed throughout the season will feature soloists from the ESO, plus special guests including pianist Stewart Goodyear, soprano Simone Osborne and Edmonton organist Jeremy Spurgeon, performing a dramatic baroque concerto on the Davis Concert Organ. Jean-Marie Zeitouni, Lucas Waldin, and Bill Eddins all conduct colourful, inspiring, and groundbreaking showpieces, including Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and Mozart’s Oboe Concerto in the Midweek Classics.

Accessibility continues to be the premise of the Robbins Lighter Classics series, as some of music’s “greatest hits” are presented live on stage by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. These six Thursday evening themed concerts are hosted by engaging conductors including Bob Bernhardt, Bill Eddins, and Steven Reineke. Whether delving into the breadth of Celtic music, the treasure trove of Mozart, tapping into a rich vein of holiday sentiment, or celebrating athletic excellence through musical exuberance, this series will be an unforgettable musical journey for concertgoers. The ESO will be joined by soprano Jolaine Kerley, pianist Michael Massey, organist Jeremy Spurgeon, baritone Nathan Berg, pianist Sarah Ho, the Richard Eaton Singers, and the Knock School of Irish Dance.

The ESO is once again offering a remarkable lineup of Robbins Pops concerts. Pops master Jack Everly and an all-star cast of singers and dancers will kick-off this spectacular series with Disco Days and Boogie Nights, a tribute to the 70s featuring disco anthems, monster rock hits and classic ballads. Returning for a ghoulish evening of spine-tingling music is Bruce Hangen conducting Halloween: The Concert, while the Òran and Kokopelli Choirs join American pops legend Erich Kunzel to lead audiences down The Great White Way with Broadway’s most recent hits. The excitement continues as violinist Roby Lakatos takes the passionate, hot-blooded tradition of gypsy music and creates musical fireworks as the “devil’s fiddler” in an Eastern European feast for the senses. Rounding out this dazzling series will be the return of Edmonton-favourite Jack Everly with the Richard Eaton Singers performing a choral of classical and operatic treats, and Bill Eddins spending A Night at the Oscars, celebrating timeless cinematic music as film scenes are projected on a screen above the Winspear stage.

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra prides itself on offering innovative programs for young audiences. The ESO’s family series Symphony for Kids will offer four eclectic and interactive orchestral matinees, best enjoyed by children aged 5 – 12. Families are first invited to haunt the hall in their Halloween costumes for Spooktacular with conductor Bruce Hangen, then bring the wee lads and lasses back to embark on A Celtic Adventure with Bill Eddins. Families will need to help the orchestra restore the musical silence that has plagued the hometown of a little girl who loves to sing, in Dandi Productions’ The Mysterious Maestro, adapted from the 2003 Governor General’s Award-nominated book The Maestro. Conductor Lucas Waldin and the ESO bring Mozart to life through his stories and most famous classical works, with a guest appearance by the genius himself!

However you celebrate the holiday season, the ESO presents the perfect blend of festive music to add that extra sparkle to one of the most magical times of the year. Our perennially popular performances of Handel’s Messiah will feature four young Canadian singers and two of Edmonton’s finest chamber choirs, University of Alberta Madrigal Singers and i Coristi Chamber Choir. In one of the most anticipated performances of the season, lustrous baritone Tyler Hamilton, along with the Greenwood Singers will create A Very Merry Pops with conductor Steven Reineke. Mr. Reineke and the ESO will also tap into a rich vein of holiday sentiment and memory with A Lightly Classical Christmas, and they will be joined by conductor Lucas Waldin and special guests in A Family Christmas Concert. The incredibly powerful and diverse voices of the Canadian Tenors will return to the Winspear Stage for an evening of holiday favourites.

Concluding the summer festival season in Edmonton is Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky. Taking place Labour Day weekend, September 4^th – 7^th, 2009, this annual festival is sure to delight concert-goers of all ages, by bringing the invigorating sounds of the ESO to the beautiful river valley setting of Hawrelak Park. Conductor Bob Bernhardt returns to lead the ESO in five outdoor concerts, showcasing classical masterpieces, operatic classics, and Hollywood favourites. Not to mention a tribute show to Old Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, featuring the the guns and members of the Royal Canadian Artillery, will wrap up the festival in this tradition of grand proportions. Soprano Kathleen Brett, vocalist Steve Lippia, hometown favourite trumpeter Jens Lindemann, and Bill Eddins on piano are all part of the stellar lineup celebrating our festival’s 15^th anniversary.

Purchasers of ESO subscription packages can save up to 36% percent off single ticket prices, depending on the series and the seating. Subscribers also have the opportunity to purchase single tickets to ESO concerts before they go on sale to the general public. Subscription prices have not been raised for the upcoming season.

Once again, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’s innovative 2 for 1 New Subscriber Promotion will be offered for the upcoming season. This fantastic offer gives every new subscriber household the opportunity to purchase 2 subscriptions for the price of 1 in their first year. More subscriber information is available online at www.edmontonsymphony.com. The 2 for 1 subscription campaign is generously sponsored by Maclab Enterprises.

Subscription packages for the 2009-2010 season are on sale now.

Subscriber Single Tickets on sale & Sampler Pass redemption begins August 11^th.

Single tickets for the season go on sale to the general public on August 18^th.

For a full listing of the 2009-2010 season, please visit www.edmontonsymphony.com.

ESO Concertmaster to take leave of absence for 09/10 season

Martin Riseley to take leave of absence in 2009-2010

ESO Concertmaster to share extensive knowledge with new generation of musicians

Edmonton, AB … Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) Concertmaster Martin Riseley is taking a leave of absence for the 2009-2010 concert season.

“My family and I are travelling to Wellington, New Zealand for one year in order for me to be Head of Strings at the New Zealand School of Music,” Dr. Riseley says. “I will see what I can do there to both help the school and its students, and to develop my own solo and chamber music playing. I am excited to take on a class of university-aged students again, as I have enjoyed teaching in the past, and passing on various 'guild secrets' to the new generations of musicians! Also, shaping the developing curriculum of the school is an exciting opportunity, one which does not come along very often. I also look forward to coming back to Edmonton during the year for solo engagements with both our Edmonton Symphony and the Alberta Baroque Society!”

Mr. Riseley has previously served as the Interim Associate Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra for the 2002-2003 season, and was Guest Concertmaster of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra during 2003.

A native of New Zealand, Martin Riseley began violin studies at the age of six, and gave his first solo concert when he was ten. After several years of study with the English violinist Carl Pini, he entered the University of Canterbury School of Music in 1986. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree, he went to the Juilliard School in 1989 where he studied with Dorothy DeLay and Piotr Milewski, and was coached in chamber music by Samuel Rhodes and Joel Smirnoff of the Juilliard Quartet, and by Felix Galimir. Riseley graduated from Juilliard in 1996 with his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree.

Mr. Riseley assisted Dorothy DeLay as a teaching fellow in the Pre-College Division of Juilliard while in New York. He was also Soloist and Concertmaster with the Chamber Players of the Juilliard School in their Merkin Hall debut, and in Alice Tully Hall as part of the Mozart Bicentennial celebrations at Lincoln Centre.

Martin Riseley has been Concertmaster of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra since 1994, giving his first performance on November 30^th of that year. Highlights of Martin’s term as ESO Concertmaster include the North American premiere of the violin concerto “The Bully of Bashan” by Gavin Bryars, and the premiere of a concerto by former ESO Composer in Residence Allan Gilliland in 2002.

Mr. Riseley will return next season to perform with the ESO in both the Classic Landmarks Masters and Lighter Classics series. On September 18 & 19, 2009, he will perform Red Violin Chaconne by John Corigliano. On January 14, 2010, Martin will present some of his favorite “party pieces” for violin and orchestra, including music by Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, Saint-Saëns, Kreisler, Khachaturian, and Wieniawski. Music Director William Eddins will conduct both programs.

The ESO wishes Martin and his family all the best in their new endeavours. In the meantime, the ESO has begun the process of finding a Guest Concertmaster for the 2009-2010 concert season.

The ESO and local choirs embrace powerful and evocative scenic cantata - Apr. 4 & 5

Classic Landmarks Masters

The ESO laments lost love, the coming of spring, and fickle fate in epic cantata Carmina Burana

Saturday, April 4^th – 8:00 pm; Sunday, April 5^th – 2:00 pm

Edmonton, AB … An overwhelming feeling of rhythmic energy will pulsate through Enmax Hall at the Winspear Centre as the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) brings to life the primitive tales of love, lust, the pleasures of drinking, and the heightened moods evoked by springtime. The towering epic and 20^th century masterpiece Carmina Burana is a compelling drama that explodes with its expressive intensity and stirring poetry.

Joining the ESO and Music Director William Eddins in this grand production are Allene Hackleman (ESO Principal horn), tenor Bonaventura Bottone, soprano Ilana Davidson, baritone Hugh Russell, plus the amalgamation of voices from the Kokopelli & Òran choirs, Cantilon Chamber Chorus, and the Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton. Over 200 performers will powerfully denote events of foreboding nature and the capriciousness of fate in O Fortuna, one of the most widely heard and recognized classical music themes of our time.

“Everything I have written to date, and which you have, unfortunately, printed, can be destroyed. With Carmina Burana, my collected works begin.” ~ Carl Orff, 1937

Ticket prices for this performance range from $20-$69 (agency fees apply). Student and senior $20 rush tickets are on sale, subject to availability, two hours prior to performance time. Learn more about the performance on Saturday at Symphony Prelude: 7:15 pm in the Upper Circle (Third Level) Lobby with D.T. Baker.

The next performance of the Masters series will take place on May 8^th and 9^th, as conductor Jacques Lacombe leads the ESO and Richard Eaton Singers Women’s Chorus in A Space Odyssey. Celebrate the heavenly bodies in this, the International Year of Astronomy.

This series is generously supported by Classic Landmarks Master Builder.

Saturday evening’s performance is generously sponsored by Finning Canada.

Media Sponsors: The Edmonton Journal and CKUA Radio Network

Guest Artist Sponsors: Dr. & Mrs. G. Tertzakian & Dr. James Timourian

Sponsorship inquiries can be directed to Marc Carnes, Director of Development, at (780) 401-2518.

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra celebrates launch of 09/10 season with free concert

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra announces

2009/2010 season with FREE noon-hour concert!

Francis Winspear Centre for Music

Thursday, April 2^nd, 2009 – 12:00 pm

Edmonton, AB … The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) invites you to be among the first to hear details of their upcoming season! On Thursday, April 2^nd, 2009, the ESO will celebrate the launch of the upcoming 2009/2010 season with a free noon-hour concert for our patrons, sponsors, and the community of Edmonton. Leading the ESO into their 58^th season, and his fifth as Music Director, William Eddins and the orchestra will present a rousing selection of pieces live on the Winspear stage.

In the last 50-plus years, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra has taken its place as one of Canada's foremost orchestral ensembles. Its current roster includes 56 musicians from Canada and around the world, performing a wide-ranging repertoire from the great classical masterworks to pops and children's concerts, bringing to the stage their unique experiences and incredible musical talents.

During the course of its rich first half-century, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra has played a vital role in the cultural life and well-being of the city, and beyond. The orchestra's musicians contribute both as an institution and individually to the nurturing of Edmonton's artistic community – as performers, clinicians, and especially as teachers.

The magnificent Francis Winspear Centre for Music is the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's performance home. Located in the Arts District in the heart of downtown Edmonton, the intimate surroundings of Winspear Centre offer an up-close musical experience like no other. The incredible acoustics of the hall allow music to be performed 'unplugged' and are equal to the great concert halls of the world.

The presence of the orchestra and its enrichment of the community's quality of life are key elements in the stature and profile of Edmonton on the national and international scene.

Audiences are invited to experience the inspiration and indulge in the celebration of the new season on April 2^nd. No tickets are required for this free concert event.

General admission seating; lobby opens at 11:00 am.

Cirque and the ESO collaborate to create illuminating feats of artistry - Mar. 20 & 21

Robbins Pops

World-class feats of artistry synchronize with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in

Cirque de la Symphonie

Friday, March 20^th, 2009 – 8:00 pm

Saturday, March 21^st, 2009 – 2:00 pm* & 8:00 pm

(*Saturday matinee added due to popular demand!)

Edmonton, AB … Imagine the dazzling performances of Cirque artists combined with the incredible musical experience of a full symphony. In one of the most anticipated concerts of the ESO season, Cirque de la Symphonie, for the first time, brings the magic of Cirque to the Winspear Centre in this illuminating collaboration of artistry with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO). World-class performers will astound audience members with their flawless execution of astonishing acrobatics, pushing the boundaries of imaginative athleticism. Aerial flyers, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen add a stunning visual enhancement to the sounds of popular contemporary music and classical masterpieces, performed by the ESO and led by Music Director William Eddins.

It will be a stimulating experience for the eyes and ears. Don’t miss this incredibly unique synergy of orchestral music and the spectacle of Cirque. Best seats are available for Saturday’s matinee performance. Ticket prices for all three performances range from $24 to $79 (agency fees apply). Tickets are available through the Winspear Centre Box Office. On Friday evening, the Grant MacEwan Jazz Combo will be performing in the lobby, beginning at approximately 7:15 pm.

The next performance of the Robbins Pops series takes place on May 1st and 2nd, and features guest conductor Jeff Tyzik and vocalist/trumpeter Byron Stripling in Nothin’ But the Blues.

This series is generously supported by Bill & Mary Jo Robbins.

Friday’s evening performance is generously sponsored by Deloitte.

Saturday’s matinee performance is generously sponsored by Bennett Jones.

Media Sponsor: The Edmonton Journal