Performing Arts
The Isabel announces its 2023-24 season
April 27, 2023
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The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts at Queen’s University has announced its 2023-24 season which includes more than 30 events featuring local and internationally-renowned artists and creators.
“Our programming for the coming season is truly exciting and highlights a range of diverse voices and stories,” says Gordon E. Smith, the Isabel’s interim director.
Highlights of the 2023-24 season include Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar Gospel Choir, Grammy Award-winning tabla player Zakir Hussain, Manchester Collective with cellist Abel Selaocoe, the Esme Quartet with pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, and a season opening concert with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and violinist James Ehnes. Other featured artists include a voice recital with soprano Camilla Tilling and pianist Emanuel Ax, Jazz at Lincoln Centre, a holiday concert by Kingston vocalist Miss Emily, solo piano recitals featuring Janina Fialkowska, Tony Siqi Yun, and Angela Cheng, and more.
In the fall, the Isabel will offer a program of Indigenous performances and events dedicated to Truth and Reconciliation titled Listenings. The programming includes an evening of music and stories with Dene contemporary roots duo Sechile Sedare, a concert with Wabanaki musician and activist, Mali Obomsawin, a free workshop of storytelling for children, an art exhibit of a curated replica of a residential school classroom titled Faded Memories of Home by Tom Wilson, and an art exhibit to raise awareness of waste(s) in Pangnirtung, Nunavut titled The Art and Waste in Panniqtuuq (Pangnirtung), created in collaboration with Inuit artists and micky renders.
The Isabel will also bring to the stage two Bader & Overton Canadian Cello Competition 2020 alumni – a concert with Cheng2 Duo featuring cellist and winner Bryan Cheng alongside pianist Silvie Cheng, and another featuring cellist and semifinalist Dominique Beauséjour-Ostiguy with pianist Jean-Michel Dubé.
In addition to its season, the Isabel welcomes the National Youth Orchestra of Canada back for their month-long summer residency, which includes open-to-the-public chamber music concerts in June and July, and a full concert program on July 14.
“We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to share in what promises to be a rich and amazing 2023/24 season,” Dr. Smith says.
Details on programming are contained in the Isabel’s 2023/24 season brochure.
Most programming in the Jennifer Velva Bernstein Performance Hall will be streamed for free through the Isabel Digital Concert Hall.
Subscriptions for the 2023-24 season are on sale starting June 2. Single tickets are on sale starting July 24. For tickets and more information, visit .
2023-24 SEASON
*Asterisk denotes the artist’s Isabel debut.
VIRTUOSI SOLOIST SERIES
Eve Egoyan and David Rokeby on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Camilla Tilling* and Emanuel Ax on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m., Tony Siqi Yun* on Friday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m., Janina Fialkowska on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 2:30 p.m., Angela Cheng on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 2:30 p.m., and Zakir Hussain* on Wednesday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m.
ENSEMBLE SERIES
Chanticleer* on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m., Capella Cracoviensis* on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 7:30 p.m., Esme Quartet with Yekwon Sunwoo* on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m., Pavel Haas Quartet* on Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m., Manchester Collective* with Abel Selaocoe* on Wednesday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m., and ARC Ensemble on Sunday, April 21, at 2:30 p.m.
BADER & OVERTON COMPETITION ALUMNI
Cheng2 Duo on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2:30 p.m., and Dominique Beauséjour-Ostiguy with Jean-Michel Dubé* on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 2:30 p.m.
LISTENINGS
Faded Memories of Home art exhibit by Tom Wilson from Sept. 11-28, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Leela Gilday* and Jay Gilday*: Sechile Sedare on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 7:30 p.m., Mali Obomsawin* on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m., Indigenous Storytelling for children on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m., and The Art and Waste in Panniqtuuq (Pangnirtung) art exhibit by Oleepika Nashalik, David Kilabuk, Talia Metuq, Malaya Pitsiulak, Madeleine Aasivak Qumuatuk, and micky renders from Oct. 23-Nov. 3, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT CONCERTS
National Youth Orchestra of Canada on Friday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m., National Arts Centre Orchestra
with James Ehnes on Friday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m., Celebrating the Holidays with Miss Emily on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m., Gryphon Trio Echo: Memories of the World on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m., Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar Gospel Choir* on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m., Jazz at Lincoln Centre Presents: Sing & Swing* on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m., Gryphon Trio Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time on Wednesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m., and RKY Camp Summer Album Release Concert on Friday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Art For All balloted fundraiser from Oct. 10-14, Alfred and Isabel Bader Lecture in European Art: Encounter as Author in Early Modern Images From the Atlantic World on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m., and RasberryJAN* children’s workshop Sounds Like Family: A Musical Celebration on Saturday, March 9, at 11 a.m.