As we celebrate our 23rd season, we have been delighted by the enthusiastic response over the past month. Highlights include our Chamber Orchestra concert at the Playhouse featuring Japanese sensational violinist Rio Arai, as well as last weekend’s performance at the Orpheum Theatre with Piotr Alexewicz, Prize Winner of the 2025 Chopin International Piano Competition. We are pleased to announce our Spring Concert for the 2025–2026 season, the Morihiro Okabe Kinen Concert, featuring internationally acclaimed Armenian guitarist Iakovos Kolonian. Mr. Kolonian will perform Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, one of the greatest works in the classical guitar repertoire with orchestra. Its iconic and deeply expressive second movement is especially beloved and will undoubtedly be a highlight for the audience. The concert will open with a beautifully commissioned work, performed by Iakovos Kolonianand our friend Steve (Vahe) Argopian. Mr. Kolonian currently serves as Head of Classical Guitar at the Athens Conservatory and is also a Professor at the Armenian Academy in Yerevan. This concert marks his Canadian debut. The orchestra will also perform Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 in A minor (“Scottish”), a masterpiece inspired by the composer’s walking tour of Scotland, during which he was also moved to write the overture to Fingal’s Cave. This richly evocative and challenging work is one the orchestra eagerly looks forward to performing. Ken Hsieh conducts this compelling programme, which promises to be an unforgettable evening of music not to be missed. Tickets are available online. For more information, please contact the VMO Office. Key Information: VMO 23rd Spring Concert Date: April 11, 2026 Venue: Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe Street, Vancouver, BC) Time: 7:30 pm (Pre-Concert Talk at 7:00 pm) Conductor: Ken Hsieh Guitar Soloist: Iakovos Kolonian Programme: Comissioned work for two guitars (Iakovos Kolonian and Steve Argopian) Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 (Scottish)