SAINT JOHN, N.B., [May 9, 2024] – Symphony New Brunswick closes out its 40th Anniversary season with a majestic program that puts Beethoven on centre stage, complemented by a thrilling piano concerto. The program opens with Kelly-Marie Murphy's intriguing work "Rethinking Heroism in the 21st Century", followed by Saint-Saëns' effervescent second piano concerto, with rising star Emmanuel Laforest at the keyboard. After a brief intermission, the orchestra tackles Beethoven's revered third Symphony ["Eroica"].

"The music of Beethoven holds a special place in my heart”, shares Music Director Mélanie Léonard. “This piece brought the symphonic form to a level never previously imagined, and its importance and grandeur reverberates down to our day. It's a terrific way to end this celebratory season. There's no question that our audiences are in for a wonderful treat."

“This is a fitting finale for our 40th", declares Symphony NB President Reid Parker. "From our opening Chart Toppers program to Brahms' magnificent 2nd symphony, an excursion into jazz with Juno winner Joel Miller and the mighty Requiem of Mozart, this has been an outstanding season of music making. To finish off with Beethoven's beloved "Eroica" Symphony allows us to demonstrate just how far we've come under Mélanie's artful direction, and sets the stage for great things to come in Season 41".

The Saint John performance on May 13th will be preceded by a "Balcony Banter" presentation at 6:30 p.m. by Symphony NB President Reid Parker.

Symphony NB's Bravo Series is the orchestra’s primary means to create, produce, and present exceptional live concert experiences for the benefit of everyone in the province.

Schedule

Mon May 13 at 7:30 p.m. – Saint John (Imperial Theatre)

Tue May 14 at 7:30 p.m. – Fredericton (The Playhouse)

Wed May 15 at 7:30 p.m. – Moncton (Capitol Theatre)

Admission

Regular: $45

Student: $20
12 & Under: Free

For tickets or to view the full Bravo Series program, visit symphonynb.ca.

About Emmanuel Laforest

Emmanuel is the 2023 grand prize winner of the CANIMEX Canadian Music Competition, and appears courtesy of a new partnership with Symphony NB.

In 2022 Emmanuel won the prize of the Montreal Conservatory Foundation, which is awarded to the best pianist under 25 years of age. He was the winner of the Conservatory's concerto competition, the grand prize winner in the solo and concerto categories of the "concours de musique de la Capitale, the grand prize winner of the "concours Classical de Valleyfield", the second grand prize of the "concours de Sherbrooke and the second grand prize of the "concours de Sorel".

Emmanuel is sponsored by the "Fondation du Conservatoire" and by the "Fondation AIDA des Jeunesses Musicales Canada". He has performed as soloist with "la sinfonia de Lanaudière" as well as many solo recitals for Orchestre Métropolitain.

About Symphony NB