In September, I attended the first live performance by our superb Vancouver Symphony Orchestra since pre-COVID days in Portland’s Newmark Theater. On Oct. 17, I was one of a very small audience at the VSO-sponsored Young Artists Competition, held at First Presbyterian Church on Main Street. Later I was fortunate to be able to attend the VSO’s second live concert of the season at ilani.
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is a magnificent professional music ensemble under the baton of the world-class conductor and composer who founded it more than 30 years ago, Salvador Brotons. The maestro travels here from his home in Barcelona, Spain, several times each year to give concerts. The VSO has attracted world-class musicians like violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and pianists Orli Shaham and Alexander Toradze as guest performers. I have been told by so many newcomers to our area that they’re astonished that we have such a treasure in our community. Vancouver’s orchestra needs a permanent home, worthy of housing a treasure.
Our city is in the midst of a fantastic period of (re)development, especially along the waterfront and downtown. Construction of a new Vancouver Arts Center to house our orchestra and so much more would be its crowning achievement!
