Vancouver, BC — The Grammy and Juno-award winning Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is embarking on its first-ever European tour in April 2026 with an exclusive invitation as the Orchestra-in-Residence at the prestigious Salzburg Easter Festival. Under the leadership of Maestro Otto Tausk, the tour represents a rare and extraordinary opportunity to elevate the VSO’s international profile among the world’s great orchestras and affirm Canada’s place as a nation of music and culture.
Performing at the renowned Großes Festspielhaus in Salzburg during the Easter Festival will mark a milestone in the VSO’s 107-year history. The European tour will take place from April 12–20, 2026, spanning five countries and seven concerts, with performances in Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Germany. The tour will showcase Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada’s talent on the global stage, strengthening cultural ties and expanding the reach of Canadian artistry. Joining the musicians of the VSO are internationally renowned violinists James Ehnes and Arabella Steinbacher as soloists. In addition to works by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev and Barber, the VSO is honoured to showcase Canadian composer Samy Moussa’s work, Adgilis Deda – Hymn for Orchestra.
“Bringing our music to the vibrant cities of Zagreb, Ljubljana, Vaduz, Salzburg, and Friedrichshafen is not just a performance; it’s a celebration of culture, unity, and the universal language of music,” shares VSO Music Director Otto Tausk. “I’m extremely proud and honoured to share the stage with our world-class musicians. We are thrilled to embark on this journey, which will inspire us to reach artistic heights and move us forward to a stellar future.”
The Salzburg Easter Festival is a prestigious annual celebration of opera and classical music held in Salzburg, Austria. Founded in 1967 by conductor Herbert von Karajan, it has established itself as one of Europe’s most exclusive festivals. Each year, the program features a major opera production alongside orchestral, choral, and chamber concerts, attracting world-class performers and audiences from around the globe.
“We are incredibly excited to announce the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s inaugural tour to Europe, a milestone that reflects our commitment to sharing the transformative power of music with audiences around the world, “says Angela Elster President and CEO of the VSO. “This tour not only showcases the exceptional talent of our musicians but also strengthens our cultural ties and enhances the global appreciation of the arts. We look forward to connecting with new audiences and celebrating the universal language of music in some of Europe’s most prestigious venues. We are grateful to all our donors, supporters, and directors for making this tour a reality.”
This historic European tour for the VSO is made possible through the generous support of donors including the Tuey Charitable Foundation, which has provided a gift of $1 million to fund the tour as well as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the VSO School of Music. For more information and to donate to theEuropean Tour, please visit: https://www.VancouverSymphony.
VSO European Tour Spring 2026 Touring Schedule
- April 12, 2026: Zagreb, Croatia — Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall
Tickets at: www.lisinski.hr
- April 13, 2026—Ljubljana, Capital of Slovenia — Cankarjev Dom, Gallus Hall
Tickets at: www.cd-cc.si
- April 15, 2026: Salzburg, Austria: Day 1 residency — Großes Festspielhaus
Tickets at: www.kulturvereinigung.
com
- April 16, 2026: Salzburg, Austria: Day 2 residency — Großes Festspielhaus
Tickets at: www.kulturvereinigung.
com
- April 17, 2026: Salzburg, Austria: Day 3 residency — Großes Festspielhaus
Tickets at: www.kulturvereinigung.
com
- April 19, 2026: Vaduz, Capital of Liechtenstein — Vaduzer Saal
Tickets at: en.tourismus.li
- Apr. 20, 2026: Friedrichshafen, Germany — Fraf-Zeppelin-Haus
Tickets at: kulturbuero-
friedrichshafen.reservix.de/
For full concert programs and soloist dates, please visit: www.VancouverSymphony.
