Orchestra Toronto’s 2025–2026 season, aptly titled A Season of Transformation, promises an exhilarating array of six concerts, each designed to take audiences on an emotional and musical voyage. Whether it’s classical luminaries or innovative cross-genre explorations, this season offers something for every music lover.

Into the Light
Saturday, 18 October 2025, 20:00 (pre-concert talk at 19:15)

Programme: Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 featuring concertmaster Corey Gemmell, and Strauss’s tone‑poem Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration). This programme charts a dramatic trajectory from heroic struggle and lyrical introspection to spiritual transcendence.

Seasonal Celebration with The Sultans of String
Sunday, 7 December 2025, 15:00

A festive crossover blending global roots music with orchestral textures, featuring The Sultans of String. Expect virtuosic solos, spirited arrangements and celebratory flair to mark the season’s festive spirit.

Darth Vader Meets The Godfather
Saturday, 24 January 2026, 20:00

A unique cinematic orchestra experience, pairing iconic themes from Star Wars and The Godfather. This programme merges two legendary film scores in a theatrical orchestral tour de force.

Exploration of the Soul: Tchaikovsky & Adler
Sunday, 1 March 2026, 15:00

A reflective concert combining Tchaikovsky’s emotionally profound Manfred Symphony with a contemporary work by Canadian composer Adler. A stirring dialogue between Romanticism and modern introspection.

Pardon Our French: Music from Ravel & Gershwin
Sunday, 19 April 2026, 15:00

Celebrating Franco-American musical brilliance, this concert juxtaposes Maurice Ravel’s lush orchestral textures with George Gershwin’s jazzy, vibrant style—an ode to cross-cultural musical fusion.

Resurrection
Saturday, 6 June 2026, 20:00 (pre‑concert chat at 19:15)

To close the season, Orchestra Toronto performs Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 2, the “Resurrection”. Featuring expansive orchestra, choir and soloists Leslie Ann Bradley (soprano), Simona Genga (mezzo) and the Resound Choir, this symphony journeys through death, renewal and spiritual awakening.

Visual Collaboration

Each concert will spotlight original illustrations by members of Urban Sketchers Toronto, capturing orchestral rehearsals in February 2025. These artworks will enhance the concert experience across the season. From Beethoven’s noble upheavals to Mahler’s cosmic finale, Orchestra Toronto’s 2025–2026 season offers a rich tapestry of classical masterpieces, cinematic hits and world music fusion. With world‑class soloists, engaging pre‑concert chats and vibrant artistic collaborations, it’s a season poised to inspire and transform.

About Orchestra Toronto

Orchestra Toronto is one of Canada’s premier community orchestras, known for delivering high-calibre performances that inspire, educate, and engage audiences of all ages. Founded in 1954, the ensemble brings together over 80 skilled volunteer musicians under the baton of Music Director Michael Newnham. Performing at the George Weston Recital Hall in the Meridian Arts Centre, Orchestra Toronto presents a dynamic season of classical masterworks, contemporary Canadian compositions, and innovative collaborations. Through outreach programmes, family-friendly concerts, and artistic partnerships, the orchestra is dedicated to making orchestral music accessible and relevant to Toronto’s diverse communities.