Season: 2025-2026

Pre-concert talk at 6:45pm Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has become one of the world’s most sought-after artists in recent years, capturing the public and critical imagination with profound musicianship and visionary programs. His recordings have led to over one billion streams and he has won numerous awards, including the 2025 GRAMMY for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for his…

BENJAMIN APPL, baritone & JAMES BAILLIEU, piano SCHUBERT: Winterreise A voice that belongs to the last of the old great masters of song. — Süddeutsche Zeitung Pre-concert talk: 45 mins before the performance in the Royal Bank Cinema Benjamin Appl and James Baillieu closed out our 2022-23 Season with a recital that moved many in…

BENJAMIN APPL, baritone & JAMES BAILLIEU, piano SCHUBERT: Schwanengesang A voice that belongs to the last of the old great masters of song. — Süddeutsche Zeitung Pre-concert talk: 45 mins before the performance in the Royal Bank Cinema Benjamin Appl and James Baillieu closed out our 2022-23 Season with a recital that moved many in…

BENJAMIN APPL, baritone & JAMES BAILLIEU, piano SCHUBERT: Die schöne Müllerin A voice that belongs to the last of the old great masters of song. — Süddeutsche Zeitung Pre-concert talk: 45 mins before the performance in the Royal Bank Cinema Benjamin Appl and James Baillieu closed out our 2022-23 Season with a recital that moved…

Jonathan Schwarz, violinAmelie Wallner, violinMayu Konoe, violaLukas Schwarz, cello Post-performance Talk Back The Leonkoro Quartet was founded in Berlin in 2019, and by 2022 they had garnered a number of prestigious awards, solidifying their place among the most celebrated ensembles of their generation. Their swift rise in classical music is highlighted by their First Prize…

Post-performance Talk Back After his impressive Canadian debut on our stage in 2023, we were determined to bring this remarkable young Japanese pianist back as soon as possible. For his first VRS appearance he played an all-Mozart program at our request. We were amply rewarded… it’s quite rare to hear a performer of Mao’s age…

Post-performance Talk Back We’re happy to welcome yet another talent from the preternaturally gifted Kanneh-Mason family! Jebena made her debut on the international scene at the BBC Proms performing the Florence Price Concerto, and was described by London’s Evening Standard as “an eloquent advocate for the piece with her sensitive yet alert playing.” Now an…

Pre-concert talk at 2:15pm This concert will showcase a wonderful pair of local talents. Both are acclaimed performers and both are professors at UBC School of Music. Jose Franch-Ballester is an Avery Fisher Career Grant-winner who has been praised for his “poetic eloquence” (The New York Sun) and “technical wizardry” (The New York Times). David…