The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) is thrilled to launch its new International Orchestra Series in the winter of 2023, presenting internationally renowned orchestras annually in the intimacy and perfect acoustics of Koerner Hall. This historic initiative will be a highlight of Toronto’s concert calendar as it inspires and enriches the cultural landscape of our city.
The International Orchestra Series will commence on February 1 and 2, 2023 with two concerts by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) conducted by Riccardo Muti.
“The Royal Conservatory is very proud to host one of the greatest orchestras in the world in its first performance in Toronto in more than 100 years,” said Dr. Peter Simon, President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory. “Led by the legendary Maestro Riccardo Muti, hailed as one of the world’s most preeminent conductors, we look forward to celebrating his legacy as he leads the CSO in performances of two different programs featuring the works of Beethoven, Liadov, Mussorgsky, and Prokofiev.”
“I remember with great joy my visit and concerts in Toronto with the Philadelphia Orchestra,” said Riccardo Muti. “Toronto is a very musical city with an audience that loves music deeply and follows the performances with knowledge and with great discipline and involvement. I look forward to making music again in your wonderful city.”
“Toronto audiences will be able to bask in the glory of the famous ‘Chicago sound’ in our spectacular Koerner Hall – a match made in heaven! In the 1990s, I spent several years working with the CSO at the Ravinia Festival and in their Symphony Center home, and it is a personal thrill and a dream come true to present them here,” said Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts. “This is but the beginning in a series of the world’s greatest orchestras and conductors visiting the RCM over the next few seasons,” he added.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra was voted the best orchestra in the United States and the fifth best orchestra in the world by editors of Gramophone in 2008 and the same was said by a panel of critics polled by bachtrack in 2015. In addition, recordings by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus have earned 63 Grammy Awards!
The musicians of the CSO command a vast repertoire and annually perform more than 150 concerts. The CSO also tours nationally and internationally and, since its first tour to Canada in 1892, the Orchestra has performed in 29 countries on five continents in 62 international tours. The Koerner Hall concerts will represent the CSO’s first appearance in Toronto since 1914 – truly a historic return!
In September 2010, renowned Italian conductor Riccardo Muti became CSO’s tenth music director. Former music directors include Sir Georg Solti and Daniel Barenboim. The 2022-23 CSO season celebrates the legacy of Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra – one of the most extraordinary chapters in the CSO’s history. Muti, whose tenure concludes in 2023, marks the 13th year of this exceptional artistic partnership that has thrilled audiences in Chicago and around the world.
The Koerner Hall concerts will cap Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s North American tour, Maestro Muti’s final tour as Music Director.
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 program:
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, op. 92
Sergei Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B flat Major, op. 100
Thursday, February 2, 2023 program:
Ludwig van Beethoven: Coriolan Overture, op. 62
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F Major, op. 93
Anatoly Liadov: The Enchanted Lake, op. 62
Modest Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
Of a recent CSO performance of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, Chicago Classical Reviewwrote: “Muti draws fresh, powerful results … Thursday night’s performance was richly idiomatic.” The review headlines raved:
“CSO, Muti combine for robust performance of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5. It is a mighty work that requires a mighty performance, and it got that Thursday evening, the kind that is only possible when a top-level conductor and top-level orchestra are completely in sync” (Chicago Sun Times) and “Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Muti Sets Orchestra Hall on Fire With Prokofiev Symphony” (WTTW).
In addition to the performances, musicians from the CSO will also conduct master classes for students
of The Glenn Gould School, organized by the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO. The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School is one of the foremost schools dedicated exclusively to performance training, and its exceptional master class program, over 125 per year, provides an extraordinary opportunity for invaluable mentorship from distinguished international artists. GGS students will also be invited to attend a CSO rehearsal.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra North America Tour is generously sponsored by the Zell Family Foundation.
Opening Night Dinner Sponsor: TELUS
The Michael and Sonja Koerner Fund for Classical Programming
The Royal Conservatory’s mission to develop future generations of musicians and to bring the world’s greatest performers to Toronto has been made possible, in large part, due to the generosity of Michael and Sonja Koerner. In 2022, the Koerners invested $10 million to create The Michael and Sonja Koerner Fund for Classical Programming, securing the future of the finest classical music concerts at Koerner Hall and our other performance venues. This latest investment, along with the naming of Michael and Sonja Koerner Hall, support of Glenn Gould School students through The Michael & Sonja Koerner Scholarships, the donation of The Michael and Sonja Koerner Early Instrument Collection, the naming of The Alexandra Koerner Yeo Cello Program and The Alexandra Koerner Yeo Chair in Cello, and support of the annual 21C Music Festival, underscores the Koerner family’s dedication to music and to the RCM.
Government Supporters: Government of Canada, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council
Koerner Hall has been awarded a #SafeTravels Stamp by World Travel & Tourism Council for adopting health and hygiene global standardized protocols. Click here to learn more about our safety protocols.
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PLAYS BEETHOVEN AND PROKOFIEV
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 8pm in Koerner Hall
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PLAYS MUSSORGSKY
Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 8pm in Koerner Hall
Tickets are on sale starting Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 10am
Ticket prices start at $85
The concerts take place at The Royal Conservatory of Music
TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto
A limited number of $15 Rush Tickets are available
starting 3 hours before all performances presented by The Royal Conservatory.
Rush Tickets are limited to one ticket per person.
Seat locations are assigned at the discretion of the box office and locations may vary.
Rush Tickets are available by phone only, on a first-come first-served basis.
Tickets and subscriptions to all concerts are available online at www.rcmusic.com/performance,
by calling 416.408.0208, or in person at the Weston Family Box Office
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