A celebration of the groundbreaking legacy of Dmitri Shostakovich – a revolutionary mind whose life touched the world deeply. Emotional, raw, potent, & triumphant.  A composer of enormous power, Shostakovich is a towering figure who grappled with and rebelled against the Soviet regime in which he lived.

He forged a musical language that is able to access deep emotions, drawing upon a potent mix of anger, introspection, & optimism that he and his people were experiencing.  Shostakovich walked a tightrope between two opposites of the emotional spectrum, writing for both sides of the coin: at times savage, raw, deep, and a sincere reflection of his life, but also simultaneously joyous, witty, and optimistic in order to cope with the times in which he lived.  

Throughout all of this emotional struggle, at the core of Shostakovich’s music exists a quiet strength – a call to hold on to hope in the most desolate of times.

Movie Night continues CCO’s mission to create immersive, inclusive musical experiences. Known for its conductorless, musician-led performances, the CCO continues it's Living Room Listening Party series: recreating the relaxed atmosphere of a living room, complete with couches, rugs, and lamps - fostering an environment where our guests can relax, focus, and hear together

Mendelssohn was only 16 years old when he wrote one of his most famous works, the string octet in Eb major for double string quartet in the year 1825. No doubt, this young prodigious composer was being influenced by the great composers and music being performed throughout Europe, and one such piece that he may have crossed paths with is Schubert's famous String Quartet No. 14 "Death and the Maiden," which was written just one year prior and used themes from songs he had written previously. Schubert was a prolific melodist and song-writer and his influence carries into modern-times, and was the inspiration for Dinuk Wijeratne's "A Letter from the After-life" from his Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems, written in 2015.

Dinuk Wijeratne - “A Letter from the After-life” from Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems (2015)

Felix Mendelssohn - Octet Op.20

The CCO’s debut concert promises an eclectic mix of compositions from renowned composers such as Edvard Grieg, Jessie Montgomery, Kevin Lau, Dinuk Wijeratne, and more. Featuring soloists Radia and Luri Lee, attendees will have the rare opportunity to witness live performances by some of Canada's most sought-after musicians, including stars from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, National Ballet, and others. This event not only celebrates the rich tapestry of classical music but also showcases the versatility of CCO's musicians, capable of bringing the highest level of musical artistry to both grand stages and intimate settings.

Audiences and musicians have been celebrating Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for centuries. The emotions and feelings the four-part masterpiece evokes are almost unparalleled. The Candlelight series invites everyone to experience selections from one the Venetian composer’s greatest works like never before. As well as a talented orchestra doing justice to the breathtaking concertos, this Candlelight performance will also feature pieces by Jules Massenet and Astor Piazzolla.

Taking place at Evergreen Brickworks, a former quarry and industrial site welcoming over 500,000 visitors annually, this Candlelight event on August 17 is set to be anything but ordinary. Find your seat in the expansive space surrounded by the intimate glow of hundreds of flickering candles.