Season: 2026-2027

CANADIAN DEBUT Post-performance Talk Back As a child, Lukas Sternath travelled the world as a member of the famed Vienna Boys’ Choir. He studied piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, and then completed his master’s degree at the University of Hanover, where he was Igor Levit’s only student. He also…

Thomas Dunford, Artistic Director & luteLea Desandre, mezzo-sopranoLouise Ayrton, violinAugusta McKay Lodge, violinManami Mizumoto, violaCyril Poulet, celloDoug Balliett, double bassTom Foster, harpsichord & organKeyvan Chemirani, drums This wonderful young early music ensemble captivated the VRS audience when they made their Vancouver debut at the Chan Centre in 2023 with a stunning all-Vivaldi program. Immediately after…

Since his first appearance for the VRS at the Telus Studio Theatre in 2018, where he wowed the audience, Jean Rondeau’s star has been on the ascent. Combining profound respect with boundary-pushing programming, Jean is at the forefront of the movement to bring the harpsichord into the 21st Century. His outstanding talent and innovative approach…

ORLANDO: SONGS ABOUT LOVE AND IDENTITY FROM DOWLAND TO DYLAN Two of the most imaginative and daring artists of their generation craft a genre-defying program titled ‘Orlando’, which traces the legendary troubadour’s journey across centuries and continents, from the medieval Chanson de Roland to Ariosto’s epic poem, and Virginia Woolf’s groundbreaking 1928 novel. This bold…

Post-Performance Talk Back Since her professional debut at the age of 11, this Canadian-South African cellist has performed as a soloist with orchestras in Europe and in South Africa. Luka won the Paulo Cello Competition and received First Prize at the Pablo Casals International Award competition. In addition, she graduated from the Royal Conservatory of…

Pre-Concert Talk at 2:15pm Since his impressive Canadian debut on our stage in 2019, Filippo Gorini’s career has taken off in the most fascinating way. Upon completion of his Borletti-Buitoni Trust-funded project ‘Ricercare on the Art of Fugue’ (which he performed in Vancouver with a wonderful introductory lecture and post-concert Q&A), he embarked upon his…

Pre-Concert Talk at 2:15pm We can find any number of glowing quotes about Minsoo Sohn’s performances, but we booked his VRS appearance after Leila attended his performances of Rachmaninov, Bach and Beethoven, which were masterful and deeply moving. Minsoo won the Honens International Piano Competition in 2006, and shortly thereafter played Bach’s Goldberg Variations at…

Schiff’s interpretations were beautifully conceived with an intimacy and insight that spoke of his own profound feeling for the music. — Daily Telegraph, London Imagine having the opportunity to experience the artistry of Sir András Schiff, acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest pianists, in this most intimate of venues, the acoustically-superb, 250-seat Roy Barnett…

Post-performance Talk Back His playing is illuminating in its detail, aided by what’s clearly a formidable technique. — Gramophone (Jonathan Swensen) Jonathan Swensen has more than justified his nomination by Gramophone as ‘One to Watch’. The Danish cellist, recipient of the 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant, was awarded joint First Prize at the 2024 Naumburg…

CANADIAN DEBUT Post-performance Talk Back One of the most thoughtful and sensitive of British pianists. — The Times Over the past several years, we have tried to bring Mishka Rushdie Momen to Vancouver for her Canadian debut, and each time we were thwarted by the pandemic. Finally, this season she joins our wonderful roster of…