Media release - for immediate release
March 5, 2025
SINFONIA TORONTO PLAYS 'ITALIANA'
Guest conductor Giulio Marazia joins Sinfonia Toronto on April 11 for two beautiful Italian works and a superb new violin concerto by Canadian composer Andrew MacDonald. Maestro Marazia will lead the orchestra in Ottorino Respighi’s neo-Baroque ‘Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No.3’ and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari’s lyrical ‘Serenade for Strings.’
The brilliant Canadian violinist Christina Bouey will play the world premiere of Andrew MacDonald’s ‘Violin Concerto No. 2: A Distant Point in the Vast Heavens.’ Hailed in a review of her Carnegie Hall début for playing “with exquisite, quivering beauty,” Christina has won top prizes in the Canadian Music Competition and many other competitions, and has performed with dozens of orchestras across Canada, the US, Asia and South America.
Maestro Marazia has conducted at festivals and concerts throughout Italy and Europe. He has been assistant conductor at the Teatro Verdi in Salerno and the Opera Royal de Wallonie in Liège, Belgium. Currently Music Director of the Campana Philharmonic, he has recorded with that orchestra and with the Pergolesi Orchestra of Milan for Nova Records.
Sinfonia Toronto is a renowned chamber orchestra dedicated to presenting fine classical performances for audiences in Toronto and beyond. Under the leadership of Music Director Nurhan Arman, the orchestra has earned a reputation for innovative programming, exceptional quality and commitment to fostering a lifelong love of music. They perform an extensive repertoire including all the major string orchestra works of the 18th through 21st centuries and premiere many new works. Now in its 26th season, the orchestra has toured twice in Europe, in the US, South America and China, receiving glowing reviews. It has released six CD’s, including a JUNO Award winner.
Nurhan Arman has conducted throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Canada and the US, returning especially often to Europe. Among the orchestras Maestro Arman has conducted are the Moscow Philharmonic, Deutsches Kammerorchester Frankfurt, St. Petersburg State Hermitage Orchestra, Orchestre Régional d’Ile de France, Hungarian Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic and dozens of orchestras in Italy, with many return engagements.
Sinfonia Toronto is supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Government of Ontario and the Socan Foundation.
Tickets: Adult $52; Senior (60+) $40; Student $20 at https://www.sinfoniatoronto.com
Contact for more information:
Margaret Chasins, Director of Operations
margaretchasins@sinfoniatoronto.com
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Media release - February 10, 2025
For immediate release
SINFONIA TORONTO ANNOUNCES 2025-2026 SEASON
Musical Masterpieces and World Premieres
Toronto, ON (January 27, 2025) – Sinfonia Toronto has unveiled its 27th season. Under the baton of Music Director Nurhan Arman the orchestra will present a captivating journey through timeless classics and groundbreaking new works. The 2025-2026 season promises memorable experiences for music lovers of all ages, showcasing the orchestra's exceptional artistry and commitment to innovative programming.
During the next season Sinfonia Toronto will continue to offer three different concert series:
Masterpiece Series: Seven brilliant concerts in Toronto's finest halls - the orchestra's signature series and the best subscription value.
Downtown Concerts: Four intimate performances at the Trinity-St. Paul's Centre presenting superb soloists and captivating repertoire.
North York Concerts: Three concerts of musical masterpieces in the magnificent acoustics of George Weston Recital Hall at the Meridian Arts Centre.
Guest Soloists: A roster of nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians and emerging young Canadian performers will join the orchestra. Returning to Sinfonia Toronto are violinist Igor Pikayzen, Italian flutist Luisa Sello and pianist Anya Alexeyev. Making their Sinfonia Toronto débuts are Berlin Philharmonic oboist Christoph Hartmann, Canadian virtuoso cellist Noémie Raymond, Canadian flute star Susan Hoeppner, soprano Kripa Nageshwar, The Ezra Duo and the brilliant young violinist Evan Pyne.
World Premieres: The orchestra continues its dedication to contemporary composers by presenting world premieres of new works that enrich the repertoire and expand the horizons of classical music. World premieres of works by Canadian composers Alice Ping Yee Ho, Norbert Palej, David Jaeger, Colin Eatock and Petros Shoujounian are scheduled throughout the season.
Quotes: "We are thrilled to present our 27th season, a testament to Sinfonia Toronto's enduring commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement," says Nurhan Arman, Music Director of Sinfonia Toronto. "This season is a celebration of already-beloved masterpieces and beautiful new music, showcasing the wonderful talent of our own musicians and exciting guest soloists. We invite you to join us on an extraordinary musical journey."
Subscription Benefits: Subscribers enjoy a range of exclusive benefits, including:
- Priority seating and series savings
- Free ticket re-issues and exchanges
- Invitations to special events
- Access to pre-concert talks and behind-the-scenes insights
How to Subscribe: Early bird subscriptions are available until May 10, 2025, offering significant savings. First-time subscribers benefit from a reduced-price welcome offer. All subscriptions are available on the Sinfonia Toronto website at www.sinfoniatoronto.com or by calling 416-499-0403.
About Sinfonia Toronto: Sinfonia Toronto is a renowned chamber orchestra dedicated to presenting fine classical performances for audiences in Toronto and beyond. Under the leadership of Music Director Nurhan Arman, the orchestra has earned a reputation for innovative programming, exceptional quality and commitment to fostering a lifelong love of music.
Sinfonia Toronto, now in its 26th season, has toured twice in Europe, in the US, South America and China, receiving glowing reviews. It has released six CD’s, including a JUNO Award winner. Under the baton of Maestro Nurhan Arman, they perform an extensive repertoire including all the major string orchestra works of the 18th through 21st centuries and premieres of many new works.
Nurhan Arman has conducted throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Canada and the US, returning especially often to Europe. Among the orchestras Maestro Arman has conducted are the Moscow Philharmonic, Deutsches Kammerorchester Frankfurt, St. Petersburg State Hermitage Orchestra, Orchestre Régional d’Ile de France, Hungarian Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic and dozens of orchestras in Italy, with many return engagements.
Sinfonia Toronto is supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Government of Ontario and the Socan Foundation.
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Contact for more information:
Margaret Chasins, Director of Operations
margaretchasins@sinfoniatoronto.com
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SINFONIA TORONTO
http://www.sinfoniatoronto.com
4005 Don Mills Road, Suite 253
Toronto ON M2H 3J9 Canada
416-499-0403
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Media release - February 3, 2025
STAR VIOLINIST RETURNS TO SINFONIA TORONTO
Toronto, ON - Award-winning violinist Haik Kazazyan will return to Sinfonia Toronto to play Baruch Berliner's iconic Violin Concerto 'Jacob's Dream'. Maestro Nurhan Arman will conduct Sinfonia Toronto's DEATH AND THE MAIDEN concert on Saturday, March 1, at 8 pm in George Weston Recital Hall at the Meridian Arts Centre in North York.
Beautiful melodies and intense emotions highlight Franz Schubert’s famous 'Death and the Maiden' string quartet. The orchestra will perform it in a stunning orchestral arrangement by Maestro Arman. Its four movements form one of the best-loved compositions of the entire Classical era.
The concert will present the Canadian premiere of Baruch Berliner’s 'Jacob's Dream'. A combination violin concerto and tone-poem, 'Jacob's Dream' flows through three evocative movements tinged with nostalgia, joy and longing.
The top prize winner of the Rome Classic Violin Competition, violinist Haik Kazazyan has previously won competitions including a Gold Medal at the 2004 Tibor Varga Violin Competition, the 2007 Yun Isang Violin Competition and the 2011 George Enescu International Violin Competition. He has also been a prize-winner at the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition, Bronze Medalist at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, and the International Long-Thibaud Competition. He has appeared in halls from the Bolshoi to Carnegie, performed with the Mariinsky Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic, Orchestre National de France and many others, and collaborated with artists including Valery Gergiev, Andrew Litton, Pavel Kogan and Denis Matsuev, to name just a few. He made his Canadian début in 2017 with Sinfonia Toronto in Toronto and Montréal.
Sinfonia Toronto, now in its 26th season, has toured twice in Europe, in the US, South America and China, receiving glowing reviews. It has released six CD’s, including a JUNO Award winner. Under the baton of Maestro Nurhan Arman, they perform an extensive repertoire including all the major string orchestra works of the 18th through 21st centuries and premieres of many new works.
Maestro Nurhan Arman stepped back onto his Toronto podium this fall after a busy summer of guest conducting at festivals in Italy and Spain and a four-city tour with Austria’s Arpeggione Kammerorchester. He has conducted throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Canada and the US, returning especially often to Europe. Among the orchestras Maestro Arman has conducted are the Moscow Philharmonic, Deutsches Kammerorchester Frankfurt, St. Petersburg State Hermitage Orchestra, Orchestre Regional d’Ile de France, Hungarian Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic and dozens of orchestras in Italy, with many return engagements.
Tickets for the concert are available at sinfoniatoronto.com
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Contact for more information:
Margaret Chasins, Director of Operations
margaretchasins@sinfoniatoronto.com
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Media release ~ for immediate release ~ October 8, 2024
SINFONIA TORONTO PLAYS NEWLY DISCOVERED MOZART
Toronto, Ontario - Sinfonia Toronto announces that it will perform the newly discovered Mozart Serenade at its December 6 VIRTUOSITY concert in the Jane Mallett Theatre. The manuscript of the piece titled 'Ganz kleine Nachtmusik' (Very Little Night Music) was discovered last month in a Leipzig library. It has been catalogued as K. 648.
Maestro Nurhan Arman commented on the upcoming Sinfonia Toronto performance, saying that 'This beautiful Serenade by Mozart is an early work, composed as a String Trio sometime during the 1760's, probably while Mozart was a teenager. It is in seven lively movements lasting about twelve minutes. Like Mozart's 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' and his three string divertimentos, this 'Ganz kleine Nachtmusik' will sound fantastic when performed by a string orchestra. So I have decided to play it with Sinfonia Toronto for our audiences on December 6. Our performance may well be the Toronto premiere of the work".
Sinfonia Toronto's December 6 VIRTUOSITY concert will feature renowned Armenian-Danish pianist Marianna Shirinyan, a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen and guest professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo as well as Canadian oboist Caitlin Broms-Jacobs. The program will include Bach. Mozart, Schumann and the Toronto premiere of Canadian composer Kevin Lau's 'Prayer in a Green Cathedral' Oboe Concerto.
Sinfonia Toronto now in its 26th season, has toured twice in Europe, in the US, South America and China, receiving glowing reviews. It has released six CD’s, including a JUNO Award winner, and performs in many Ontario cities. Its extensive repertoire includes all the major string orchestra works of the 18th through 21st centuries, and it has premiered many new works. Under the baton of Nurhan Arman the orchestra’s performances present outstanding international guest artists and prominent Canadian musicians.
Tickets for the concert are available from sinfoniatoronto.com
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Contact for more information:
Margaret Chasins, Director of Operations
margaretchasins@sinfoniatoronto.com
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SINFONIA TORONTO ~ Nurhan Arman, Music Director
Media release ~ for release on August 26, 2024
SINFONIA TORONTO OPENS WITH 'MOZART & MASQUERADE'
Toronto, Ontario - Sinfonia Toronto will open its 26th season on Saturday, September 28, 8 pm at the Meridian Arts Centre with a gorgeous program titled MOZART & MASQUERADE.
The program includes virtuoso Toronto violinist Conrad Chow in a favourite Bach concerto, delightful Mozart piano concertos with three talented Unionville Music Competition winners, and Maestro Arman’s spectacular string orchestra version of Khachaturian’s ‘Masquerade’ Suite.
In commenting on the program Maestro Arman said that "I am always thrilled to discover super-talented greater Toronto area youth and so happy to introduce them to our audience along with well-established artists like Toronto violinist Conrad Chow. If all the stars align as they should, young pianists Victoria Zeng, Anissa She, Jonathan Wang will be future stars and make Canada proud."
Maestro Nurhan Arman returns to Sinfonia Toronto podium after a busy summer of guest conducting at European music festivals in Italy and Spain and a four-city tour with Austria’s Arpeggione Kammerorchester. In October he will return to Italy again to conduct the Orchestra Filarmonica Campana. He has conducted throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Canada and the US, returning especially often to Europe.
Violinist Conrad Chow has been described as “a voice of distinction, impeccable in technique and a most vivid painter of tone. He has a glorious sound and handles each of these works as if he was born to them.” In demand as a performer and educator, he is also an active chamber musician and recitalist, appearing in Toronto’s Koerner Hall and regularly with iPalpiti Chamber Orchestra in Los Angeles, as well performing and teaching at the Summit Summer Music Festival in New York, Seattle University and Eilat Chamber Music Festival in Israel. He is on the faculty of the Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and Visiting Professor of Violin at the University of Jinan, College of Music in Shandong, China. His CD Premieres, recorded with Sinfonia Toronto, attracted received superlative reviews and reached the top of the Canadian Classical Music Charts just two weeks after it was released.
Sinfonia Toronto now in its 26th season, has toured twice in Europe, in the US, South America and China, receiving glowing reviews. It has released six CD’s, including a JUNO Award winner, and performs in many Ontario cities. Its extensive repertoire includes all the major string orchestra works of the 18th through 21st centuries, and it has premiered many new works. Under the baton of Nurhan Arman the orchestra’s performances present outstanding international guest artists and prominent Canadian musicians.
Tickets for this concert as well as season subscriptions are available from sinfoniatoronto.com
Contact for more information:
Margaret Chasins, Director of Operations
margaretchasins@sinfoniatoronto.com
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SINFONIA TORONTO ~ Nurhan Arman, Music Director
Media release ~ for release on August 1, 2024
SINFONIA TORONTO LAUNCHES COLOURFUL SEASON
Toronto, ON - Fresh off celebrating their 25th Anniversary, Sinfonia Toronto will dive into their 26th year in September with wide-ranging repertoire and multiple guest stars.
Season guest artists include three precociously talented young competition winners, six superb Canadian artists and five eminent international guests including a Tchaikovsky Competition Gold Medal winner. The orchestra’s programs will include Bach concertos, many beloved Classical works and Romantic favourites, colourful folk-influenced masterpieces, several modern classics and four premieres by Canadian composers Kevin Lau, Andrew MacDonald, Norbert Palej and Barbara Assiginaak.
The season is offered as the seven-concert Masterpiece Series, split subscriptions for Downtown Concerts and North York Concerts and as single tickets, with concerts presented in George Weston Recital Hall, the Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre and the Jane Mallett Theatre.
Music Director Nurhan Arman will step onstage for the first concert of the season will be performed in George Weston Recital Hall 8 pm on Saturday, September 28, featuring Unionville Music Competition winners Anissa She, Jonathan Wang and Victoria Zeng in two Mozart piano concertos, violinist Conrad Chow in Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major, and Maestro Arman’s own custom arrangement for Sinfonia Toronto of Aram Khachaturian’s spectacular Masquerade Suite.
Canadian soloists featured during the rest of the season will include violinists David Baik and Christina Bouey, oboist Caitlin Broms-Jacobs, pianist Anya Alexeyev and a return by the young piano phenom Sunny Ritter. Eminent international guests soprano Dominika Zamara, pianist Marianna Shirinyan, accordionist Maciej Frackiewicz and conductor Giulio Marazia will make their Canadian debuts; and violinist Haik Kazazyan will return after a magnificent performance with the orchestra in 2017, winner of a Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition.
Sinfonia Toronto will kick off 2024-25 the week before the new season’s first concert with a BBQ party on Thursday evening September 19 at the private Balmy Beach Club, a casual evening with dinner and entertainment overlooking Lake Ontario.
Sinfonia Toronto now in its 26th season, has toured twice in Europe, in the US, South America and China, receiving glowing reviews. It has released six CD’s, including a JUNO Award winner, and performs in many Ontario cities. Its extensive repertoire includes all the major string orchestra works of the 18th through 21st centuries, and it has premiered many new works. Under the baton of Nurhan Arman the orchestra’s performances present outstanding international guest artists and prominent Canadian musicians.
Maestro Nurhan Arman steps back onto the podium here after a busy summer of guest conducting at festivals in Italy and Spain and a four-city tour with Austria’s Arpeggione Kammerorchester. In October he will return to Italy again to direct the Orchestra Filarmonica Campana. He has conducted throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Canada and the US, returning especially often to Europe. Among the orchestras Maestro Arman has conducted are the Moscow Philharmonic, Deutsches Kammerorchester Frankfurt, St. Petersburg State Hermitage Orchestra, Orchestre Regional d’Ile de France, Hungarian Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic and dozens of orchestras in Italy, with many return engagements.
Subscriptions, single-concert tickets and party tickets at sinfoniatoronto.com
Contact for more information:
Margaret Chasins, Director of Operations
