Toronto Symphony heads for Israel

Toronto Symphony heads for Israel

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norman lebrecht

November 14, 2016

Israel has fallen off the itinerary of Europe tours by North American orchestra in recent years. The causes are not political. It’s all to do with cost – unusually high insurance premiums – and low expected revenues.

But Toronto has decided to take the plunge, and it’s a timely one. The year 2017 marks the centenary of the Balfour Declaration that created the possibility of a Jewish homeland in the Middle East, as well as the 150th anniversary of Canadian statehood.

Here’s the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—November 14, 2016: The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is pleased to announce a major tour of Israel and Europe under the leadership of its Music Director, Peter Oundjian, that will run from May 7 to 22, 2017.

The TSO will make its first-ever touring appearances in Israel, with performances in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, before travelling to Europe and appearing in Vienna, Prague—as part of the famous Prague Spring International Music Festival—Regensburg, and Essen. The TSO will perform seven concerts in four countries.

Peter Oundjian stated, “The TSO is pleased to be returning to Europe as well as visiting Israel for the first time. A dynamic and world-class city like Toronto should export its excellence. We are proud to represent Toronto and Canadian culture with our outstanding Orchestra.”

toronto symphony

Comments

  • MacroV says:

    Finally an orchestra will stop in Prague on one of its tours. I love the Czech Philharmonic and the Prague Symphony, but hearing another group once in a while is always nice.

    • Olassus says:

      … and for two concerts:

      May 11 – Jerusalem Theatre
      May 13 – Bronfman (Mann) Auditorium, Tel Aviv
      May 16 – Konzerthaus, Vienna
      May 17 – Audimax der Universität Regensburg
      May 19 – Brahms/Dvořák – Smetana Hall, Prague
      May 20 – Schumann/Bartók – Smetana Hall, Prague
      May 21 – Philharmonie, Essen

  • Esfir Ross says:

    Lame excuse for American orchestras. It’s all political reasons.

  • V.Lind says:

    Canadians go where they like (Justin Trudeau is currently in Cuba on a state visit and of course we have all vacationed there for years). The National Arts Centre Orchestra toured Israel a few years ago with Zukerman at the helm — he wanted to take his orchestra to his homeland.

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