With the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Omicron variant still impacting arts and cultural events in British Columbia, and across the country, the VSO has taken steps to mitigate health and safety risks to its musicians, guest artists, staff, and audiences. The VSO has made the difficult decision to re-program its February concerts.
For the safety and comfort of our musicians, and to provide more physical distancing on stage, smaller orchestral works have been programmed for the month of February. Details on all affected concerts are below.
The most notable concert changes are
- Ode to Joy: Beethoven’s Ninth has been postponed to April 29-30, with a third concert date added on Sunday May 1
- All current ticket bookings for Ode to Joy are automatically transferred to the April dates. Ticket holders’ current tickets remain valid and do not need to be reissued. Should they wish to cancel tickets or change the date of their booking, ticket holders are encouraged to contact VSO customer service at customerservice@vancouversymphony.ca or 604.876.3434. All change and cancellation fees are currently waved due to the pandemic.
- New Concert Program added for February 25 and 26: Nikki Chooi plays Mendelssohn
- Masterworks Diamond Series subscribers retain their tickets to this concert
- Tickets to this concert are on sale now and can be purchased online or by calling 604.876.3434
Of the programming changes, Maestro Otto Tausk says:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has required the orchestra to be really flexible. We have by experience found we needed to take a big step forward then a little step back, and this is happening all the time with the coming and going of these COVID waves, and as a result the different needs of audiences, orchestras, soloists, and conductors. The changes can be frustrating, but they are also a really fun and exciting challenge. I’m looking forward to every single program.”
Thurs, Fri, & Sun, Feb 3, 4, & 6
Now: Mendelssohn & Satie
Let the VSO transport you to Europe with a program that showcases the colours of French Impressionist Satie’s Gymnopedies, and the beauty of the British Isles and Italy through Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and “Italian” Symphony No.4.
Fri-Sun, Feb 18-20
Now: Mozart & Brahms
Be moved by Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, and the lightning virtuosity of the VSO Concertmaster, Nicholas Wright, and Principal Viola, Hung-Wei Huang, in Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante.
CONDUCTOR CHANGE: Associate Conductor Andrew Crust will now lead these performances.
Fri and Sat, Feb 25 and 26
NEW CONCERT PROGRAM: Nikki Chooi plays Mendelssohn
Internationally acclaimed violinist Nikki Chooi makes his VSO debut. Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2, and a new VSO co-commission by Linda Catlin Smith are paired with BC-born Chooi’s performance of Mendelssohn’s exciting Violin Concerto in E minor.
CONDUCTOR: Maestro Otto Tausk will now be leading these performances.
SPECIAL NOTE: Ode to Joy: Beethoven’s Ninth has been postponed to April 29 and 30, with a new concert added on May 1. All current ticket bookings are automatically transferred to the April dates. Current tickets will remain valid and do not need to be re-issued.
Fri-Sun, April 29-May 1
NEW DATES: An Ode to Joy: Beethoven’s Ninth
The Masterwork of the Season! Beethoven’s magnum opus under the baton of VSO Maestro Otto Tausk. Plus, local treasure pianist Angela Cheng (repertoire TBD) and a new VSO co-commission from Canadian composer Samy Moussa.
CONDUCTOR CHANGE: Maestro Otto Tausk will now be leading these performances
In addition to the programming changes noted above, the VSO would like to remind audiences of the measures being put in place to ensure their health, comfort and safety while at the concert hall:
- BC Vaccine Card: Per Provincial Health Orders, all attendees aged 12+ must show valid, scannable proof of vaccination to gain entrance to public events. Those attendees aged 18+ must present government-issued photo ID along with their proof of vaccination. For more information about proof of vaccination please click here.
- Masks: All attendees aged 5+ must wear a mask when entering and attending events in a public space.
- No Intermission: February concerts are programmed without an intermission.
- Comfort Spacing: To ensure proper physical distancing, we have instated comfort spacing at all events, with empty seats between each party. We will book no more than 50% of available seats per event. Please sit in your assigned seat only.
