All Events

Thursday, May 17, 2012, 8:00 pm
The Last Night of the Proms
Some traditions just get better with age, and the Last Night of the Proms is one of them. The yearly end of the London summer festival comes with a feast of mainstays: classical hits, exciting new music, singing traditional songs, and a special guest with remarkable talent. In the ESO’s tribute to this legendary annual event, young American soprano Mela Dailey sings Puccini, Lehár, and more. One of the ESO’s most popular guest conductors, Bob Bernhardt, is back, to turn the Winspear Centre into the Royal Albert Hall just for one night.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 7:30 pm
Bach, Haydn & Beethoven
Canadian violinist Marc Destrubé makes his ESO debut performing outstanding Violin Concertos by Bach and Leclair. Colourful programmatic works by Haydn and Beethoven will be heard in the final Midweek Classics concert of the season.

Sunday, May 27, 2012, 2:00 pm
Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony
Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto is one of the most treasured examples of the form, and the ESO is pleased to present much sought-after David Requiro as guest soloist. After joining the ESO as a violinist, Stefan Jungkind became Principal Viola of the orchestra in 1997. He presents Romanian master Georges Enesco’s Concertpiece for Viola. The concert also includes one of the most famous celebrations of the marvels of nature, Beethoven’s “Pastorale” Symphony.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 7:30 pm
Elliot Madore
It’s difficult to resist the panache in Toronto-born baritone Elliot Madore. Winner of the 2010 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and not yet 25 years of age, he is already gaining international raves for his voice and artistry. Performing arias and songs from Don Giovanni, The Barber of Seville, Die tote Stadt, and Carousel with the orchestra, this rising operatic star will also present a recital of music by Ravel, Poulenc and de Falla accompanied by Bill Eddins at the piano.

Friday, June 1, 2012, 8:00 pm
A Tribute to Ray Charles
The great blues master Ray Charles set the standard for greatness during a remarkable career that spanned more than five decades. This celebration features multi-instrument virtuoso, dynamic vocalist, and protégé Ellis Hall singing hits including Georgia on My Mind, Hit the Road Jack, Let the Good Times Roll, and Unchain My Heart. Having performed and recorded with musical giants like The Temptations, Patti Labelle, and Stevie Wonder, Ellis Hall will take you on a trip down memory lane with diverse music of an American legend.

Saturday, June 2, 2012, 8:00 pm
A Tribute to Ray Charles
The great blues master Ray Charles set the standard for greatness during a remarkable career that spanned more than five decades. This celebration features multi-instrument virtuoso, dynamic vocalist, and protégé Ellis Hall singing hits including Georgia on My Mind, Hit the Road Jack, Let the Good Times Roll, and Unchain My Heart. Having performed and recorded with musical giants like The Temptations, Patti Labelle, and Stevie Wonder, Ellis Hall will take you on a trip down memory lane with diverse music of an American legend.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012, 8:00 pm
Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to The Beatles
Roll up for the Classical Mystery Tour, step right this way! Featuring hits from their Cavern Club days through Abbey Road, the Classical Mystery Tour is the ultimate tribute to The Beatles. The Beatles stopped playing live in 1966 and many of their hits were never performed live. Classical Mystery Tour provides the opportunity to see these enduring songs performed live accompanied by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Friday, June 8, 2012, 9:30 pm
Late Night Brahms
Having grown up in Edmonton and studied piano at Alberta College and the University of Alberta, Angela Cheng is one of the world’s finest classical pianists. She has been consistently cited for her superb musicianship and brilliant technique, and is an audience favourite in her former city of residence. Joining Bill Eddins for a Late Night concert featuring the music of one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period, Angela Cheng performs Brahms’ First Piano Concerto, a showpiece of grandeur and utmost technicality. Bold in his exploration of harmony and rhythm, Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes for vocalists and piano, plus his exotic Hungarian Dances, will also be heard.

Saturday, June 9, 2012, 8:00 pm
Angela Cheng plays Brahms
Encore Series
Edmonton-raised pianist Angela Cheng frequently returns to the Winspear stage to celebrate. She helps conclude the season of Masters with the powerful First Piano Concerto of Brahms, one of the most involved and expressive works for piano and orchestra ever written. By the time he composed his Third Symphony, Brahms was the highly-regarded guardian of the classical tradition passed down from Beethoven, and his F Major Symphony is rich with melody and a profound harmonic palette.

Friday, August 31, 2012, 7:00 pm
Mozart, Rossini & Tchaikovsky
Kick off the long weekend with three beloved and powerful masterpieces. Vancouver’s Sara Davis Buechner makes her festival debut as we open Symphony Under the Sky with three of classical music’s biggest hits!

Saturday, September 1, 2012, 2:00 pm
Orchestral Showcase
Members of your ESO are featured soloists in this perfect afternoon of music in the park. Join us for familiar favourites that are sure to delight!

Saturday, September 1, 2012, 7:00 pm
The Hollywood Sound
With a bag of popcorn in hand, revel in some of the film world’s most exciting, romantic, and beautiful scores by John Williams, Randy Newman, Ennio Morricone, Miklós Rózsa and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Program will include music from Back To the Future, Casablanca, JAWS, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Rocky, The Natural, and more.

Sunday, September 2, 2012, 7:00 pm
Louise Pitre’s Broadway Showstoppers
The charismatic star of Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables sings a mesmerizing program of music from shows like Oliver!, Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun and Funny Girl, as well as tour de force songs made famous by the likes of Judy Garland, ABBA, and Barbra Streisand.

Monday, September 3, 2012, 2:00 pm
Boléro: Great Symphonic Dances
Exotic and exciting dance rhythms combine with symphonic splendour to create an irresistible afternoon of music. One of Broadway’s most popular young dancers will perform a Concerto for Tap Dancer and Orchestra, and we’ll close out the festival with the 1812 Overture grand finale.

Friday, September 14, 2012, 8:00 pm
From Stage to Screen
Ashley Brown (Broadway’s Mary Poppins) and Sherwood Park’s own Ryan Silverman (star of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway) journey from the glamour of the silver screen to the excitement of Broadway’s great hits, including West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Brigadoon, My Fair Lady, Star Wars and more.