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A little patriotism kicks off symphony season

Sudbury Symphony is opening the fall season feeling a little “Canadian.” Music Director Victor Sawa returns to conduct the Sudbury Symphony on Sept.
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Violinist Nicole Li makes her debut with Sudbury Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 28. Supplied
Sudbury Symphony is opening the fall season feeling a little “Canadian.”

Music Director Victor Sawa returns to conduct the Sudbury Symphony on Sept. 28 in a program featuring the works of Smetana, Bruch and, paying tribute to the patriotric spirit, Canadian composer Claude Champagne.

Entitled “Ma Vlast (My Homeland),” Smetana composed his series of symphonic poems from 1874-1879 to depict the countryside, history and legends of Bohemia. The symphony tackles three of these in their opening performance, including audience favourite, “Die Moldau.”

Nicole Li makes her Sudbury Symphony debut with Bruch’s Violin Concerto. The 18-year-old placed first at the national finals of the Canadian Music Competition seven times and has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Sherbrooke Orchestra, Toronto Sinfonietta, Brampton Symphony Orchestra and as soloist on a Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra tour of B.C.

“Nicole is truly an incredible artist and performer,” said Dawn Cattapan, the symphony’s executive director. “Her passion for the violin is contagious, and with talent well beyond her years, she will be sure to amaze audiences, young and old.”

And while Smetana and Bruch are nice, the night at the symphony opens with the atmospheric work of Montreal-native Claude Champagne. “Paysanna” is a celebratory piece commissioned by the CBC in honour of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Sudbury Symphony Orchestra will be the first orchestra to perform this piece in over a decade.
The Sept. 28 concert also marks the last opportunity to buy tickets to the Getaway Your Way Raffle. The draw for this raffle — and the choice of one of three trips — will take place in the second half of Saturday’s concert. Tickets are $20 each, or $50 for three, with proceeds going to support the Northern Lights Festival Boréal and the Sudbury Symphony.

Tickets for both the raffle and the concert are available by phoning the box office at 705-673-1280 or online at sudburysymphony.com.

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