Message from the Premier
Congratulations to the esteemed Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra on their 2023-2024 season. The NSO is a cultural arts institution in Newfoundland and Labrador. Its ambitious and varied programming each year attracts regular audience members, and new fans alike. Over the last number of years, their inclusion of performances based on iconic pop culture have been met with enormous popularity and have drawn audiences of all ages. The NSO has a strong commitment to community partnerships, reaching over 10,000 students in 2022-23 with their in-school, virtual and interactive programs and providing online concerts, free of charge, to more than 80 senior’s homes. Congratulations, as well, to Marc David, now in his final full season as Music Director, on his outstanding artistic achievements during his long career with the NSO The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is a proud supporter of the NSO and values its contributions to our province’s arts and cultural sector. All the best for a successful season.
Message from the Mayor
On behalf of Council, it is my pleasure to congratulate the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra on its 61st Anniversary, Celebrating the year of the Arts. The City of St. John’s is a proud supporter of the arts and of this vibrant organization. With multiple performances every season, the educational experiences and entertainment provided to all ages is amazing. This season promises to entertain like no other and we are extremely fortunate to have talented musicians as the heartbeat of our musical community whom are there to share their talent and love of music with us all. The NSO board, staff, volunteers and sponsors work diligently each and every year to bring these shows to our community. Allow me to express my appreciation for your hard work and dedication and thank you for the significant contributions you make to the truly unique culture of our City. Best wishes –
Message from the Lieutenant Governor
As Patron of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, I welcome you to the 2023-24 season as we celebrate the Year of the Arts. As always, the NSO collaborates with the local arts community to deliver exciting programs. NSO performances consistently provide outstanding entertainment, and showcase some of the most talented musicians and performers not only in our province but our country and beyond. Undoubtedly, people of all ages will enjoy the myriad of excellent performances which the orchestra is offering this season. As an advocate of the arts, I congratulate the NSO. It has shown itself to be a cultural tour de force in our community, rivaling the best in Canada. I have no doubt you will continue to entertain and delight your audiences.
MASTERWORKS 1: Under the Big Top
Marc David, conductor
Sacha Jorba-Wu, violin
Isabelle Chassé, director
Joel Baker, Alexander Koblikov, Nicole Malbeuf, Nick Hodge, Aubin Constanceau, Sarah Norden, Antoine Carabinier-Lépine, Genevieve Morin (St. John’s International CircusFest performers)
PROGRAMME
Leonore #3 Overture - L. van Beethoven
Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso - C. Saint-Saëns
Zigeunerwisen - P. Sarasate
INTERMISSION
Symphony No. 1 - L. van Beethoven
III. Allegro molto e vivace
Concerto “Winter” - A. Vivaldi
I. Allegro non molto
Swan Lake - Introduction and Waltz - P. I. Tchaikovsky
Romeo and Juliet - Montagues and Capulets - S. Prokofiev
The Marriage of Figaro - Overture - W. A. Mozart
Symphony No. 4 - P. I. Tchaikovsky
II. Andantino in modo di canzona
IV. Finale: Allegro con fuoco
Special thanks to our accommodations partner:
MASTERWORKS 1
UNDER
Sacha Jorba-Wu (violin) - is a 10 year old Canadian Violinist who started lessons at age 5, and made his Solo debut (age 6) at Olympic Plaza. He has been a member of 5 orchestras, including the Elgar Orchestra (2023) where he performed alongside Concertmasters Andrew Wan (Montreal) and Jonathan Crow (Toronto). He is the founder of Trio-Magico, a Senior Violinist at Mt Royal, and works on his Solo repertoire with mentor, Concertmaster Diana Cohen. In CPAF 2023, he won all of UPPER STRINGS (all ages) and went on to win our Provincials (awarded FIRST PLACE for VIOLIN SOLO in the AMFA finals for 2021, 2022 and 2023). Sacha was the Grand Prize winner of his age category for all instruments at the Canadian Music Competition (CMC) for both 2022 in Québec city (score of 97%) and 2023 in Toronto (score of 99%). Sacha also received the highest marks in both CMC auditions. At age 9, Sacha was honoured to Solo with both the Quebec (July 2022) and Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestras (Dec. 2022). Lastly, he soloed with Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and the Sinfonia Orchestra (Spring 2023). In July 2023, Sacha was invited to perform at the Mozarteum during the Salzburg Festival and Summer Masterclasses. Before returning to Canada for the Parcival Project, Sacha had the opportunity to perform Danse Espagnol at the Paulo de la Musica in Barcelona. Sacha is very grateful for the privilege of participating in Masterclasses with Canadian Concertmasters Andrew Wan, Gwen Hoebig, Ian Swensen, Robert Uchida, Timothy Chooi.
Isabelle Chassé (CircusFest performance director) is one of the co-founders of the company from Montreal the 7 Fingers. A pivotal figure in Quebec’s circus history and a highly accomplished contemporary artist, Isabelle Chassé entered the National Circus School of Montreal as a child. She is among a group of core artists who contributed to the success of Cirque du Soleil. The recipient of numerous awards, including the gold medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain de Paris and at the International Circus Festival of MonteCarlo, Isabelle toured internationally from a young age, performing hundreds of shows with an innovative and dynamic contortion quartet. As a young adult, she left a mark with her memorable performance on the aerial tissu in Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam. Isabelle has also participated in several film projects including the film Martyrs and the Grammy-nominated short film Satie and Suzanne
Joel Baker (MC) is a professional performer, circus arts coach, and director, with over two decades of industry experience. After graduating from San Francisco’s Circus Center and their Clown Conservatory program in 2002, Joel launched his career as an acrobatic clown by joining the legendary San Francisco New Pickle Circus. Joel went on to perform in shows across the globe including LOFT by The 7 Fingers and the award-winning Cirque du Soleil production, The Beatles LOVE, the latter with an additional role as Artistic Coach. Joel’s passion and enthusiasm for teaching eventually drove him to design the Physical Comedy & Connection Workshop. It’s here that he delves into his creative toolbox, helping students of all levels explore what makes them unique and interesting. This emotional exploration allows artists to develop a sense of wonder, humor, and a genuine connection with the audience. Joel passes down the guidance and knowledge he received from over 23 years of working with the best directors and performers in the industry. When Joel isn’t busy teaching or performing on stage, he spends his time illustrating his fellow circus performers— each show Joel performs in becomes a new painting in a series of watercolors.
Alexander Koblikov (Ukrainian juggler) Since 2008, he has received awards at international circus festivals (gold medal at the International Circus Festival Cirque de Demain, silver clown at the Monte Carlo Circus Festival) and worked all over the world (Big Apple Circus in New York, Roncalli in Germany and in famous cabarets such as the Palazzo in Munich or the Krystallpalast in Leipzig). His juggling act, exceptional in its technique, is soft, poetic, precise, and fluid. He has lived in France for the past several years and seeks to develop projects other than his act and to put his juggling to the service of shows. He is part of the team of performers for the next creation of Collectif Petit Travers.
Nicole
(CircusFest performer) is a circus artist and instructor based in Peterborough, Ontario. Her focus is in hair suspension, aerial arts, and physical theatre. She runs an aerialdance theatre company called Trellis Arts and she prioritizes the sharing of performances and instruction with regional communities across Ontario. You may know her for her work in Anthropic Traces (Balancing in the Edge) and Construction Guys (Hercinia Arts Collective). In 2022 she launched Canada’s first hair suspension course. She is currently working on a full-length production, A Hen Called Freedom, set to debut in 2024. Nicole loves gardening, animals, sewing, and eating!
This year, we are happy to feature the return of Listen Up! hosted by Dale Jarvis.
Listen as we go behind the scenes with interviews of the artists, musicians and composers behind our concerts.
For this concert, we have special guest host, Hugh Donnan!
Our guests will be: Marc David, conductor Anahareo Dölle, CircusFest
