Summer with the National Arts Centre Orchestra: From Murdoch Mysteries to Beethoven

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National Arts Centre Orchestra’s (NACO) programming continues this summer with a mix of contemporary and classical works ranging from Murdoch Mysteries in Concert (July 10–11) to Symphonic Waves: Beethoven for Everyone (July 17).

Murdoch Mysteries in Concert

In collaboration with CBC television’s long-running Murdoch Mysteries, NACO will bring the show to new life in the concert hall. Audiences can watch an episode, “Murder in F Major,” on the big screen, accompanied by a live symphonic score.

“During one of my very first experiences watching the show in concert, I was struck with all the collective laughs. It was nice to hear everyone laughing in real time—and even helping me laugh at things I didn’t think were funny the first time around,” says award-winning composer Rob Carli, who has been the series’ composer for 11 seasons.

Series star Yannick Bisson will host the evening, guiding the audience through classical repertoire and some behind-the-scenes looks at Murdoch Mysteries. This is not the actor’s first time hosting an orchestral performance of the show. In 2020, Murdoch Mysteries collaborated with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in A Music Lover’s Guide to Murdoch Mysteries.

The whole idea was the brainchild of Christina Jennings, chairman and president of Shaftesbury, the production company behind the show. “It was an opportunity to bring Murdoch audiences a fresh and unique experience, and then it only grew from there to what it is now, a live concert experience with thousands across Canada attending,” says Carli.

National Arts Centre Orchestra. Photo: Curtis Perry

Symphonic Waves: Beethoven for Everyone

For their July 17 concert, NACO turns to a familiar name and some beloved repertoire. “Beethoven is a natural choice for this; his music is emotionally direct, inventive and instantly powerful, even for those who’ve never attended an orchestral concert before,” says the orchestra’s Senior Manager of Artistic Planning, Daphne Burt.

Soloist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Winner of the 2024 Concours musical international de Montréal piano edition, Izik-Dzurko joined the orchestra for their June 2025 tour to Japan, and also returns for their 2025–26 season.

“This concert is designed from the ground up to be a gateway experience,” says Burt. “With a very accessible price point, a welcoming atmosphere, and repertoire that’s deeply rewarding without being demanding, it stands apart as a summer event anyone can enjoy.”