Songs of Hope and Sorrow - Gorecki Symphony No. 3, Lau & Bernstein
Schedule
Sun, 17 May, 2026 at 02:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre - St. Catharines | St. Catharines, ON
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Prepare for a concert that spans the spectrum of human experience, from exuberant celebration to profound reflection.The concert begins with Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture – a lively, spirited opening that burst with energy and optimism, setting the stage for an afternoon of musical contrasts.
Next, Kimiko’s Pearl: Symphonic Suite is a moving orchestral adaptation of the full ballet by Canadian composer Kevin Lau that follows a teenage girl’s discovery of her family's hidden past, brought to life through a forgotten diary and heirlooms found in an old family trunk. The ballet tells the story of Kimiko’s journey through her ancestors’ experiences —from early immigration and prosperity to the trauma of WWII internment and eventual renewal. At its heart, the story is a luminous tribute to generations of Japanese Canadians and to a legacy of strength and resilience that transforms pain into hope, much like a pearl reformed into beauty from darkness.
The second half features *Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3: “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs,” a deeply moving meditation on grief, love, and hope. With the haunting voice of Claire de Sevigné soaring above the orchestra, this powerful work will leave you spellbound as it unfolds its emotional depth.
Bernstein Candide: Overture
Kevin Lau Kimiko’s Pearl: Symphonic Suite
Gorecki Symphony No. 3: Symphony of Sorrowful Songs
Claire de Sévigné, soprano
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Where is it happening?
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre - St. Catharines, 242 St Paul St E, St Catharines, ON L2R 3M2, Canada, St. CatharinesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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