Mendelssohn and Saint-Saëns

Under the baton of guest conductor Yariv Aloni, the concert opens in a world of enchantment with Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, where Shakespeare’s fairies flit through moonlit woods in music of shimmering lightness and playful spirit. Canadian Cellist Jonathan Lo* then takes centre stage in Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1, a captivating single movement that sweeps from lyrical song to sparkling virtuosity. Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 “Italian” closes the evening in a blaze of colour, its sun-drenched melodies and joyful rhythms capturing the exuberance of Mediterranean life.

Program:

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, Op. 21

Saint Saens: Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 33*

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian"

Financially, the orchestra relies on the generosity of audience members to offset concert and overhead costs, which average $35 per person per concert. The suggested donation of $30 per person can be contributed through Eventbrite on the next page.