Okanagan Symphony Christmas brings joy this holiday season
AN OKANAGAN SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS:
“HOLLY JOLLY GELATO”
The Okanagan Symphony’s annual Christmas concert takes place in Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton on Dec. 17, 18 and 19.
https://www.ticketseller.ca/tickets/event/jolly-gelato
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra’s (OSO) beloved kickoff to the holidays embraces the season with Christmas classics, featuring the Orchestra conducted by Music Director Rosemary Thomson, audience sing-alongs, and the dazzling artistry and irresistible humour of Duo Gelato, two members of the internationally renowned ensemble Quartetto Gelato – Colin Maier and Matti Pulkki.
“I am so excited to welcome Colin and Matti to perform this holiday show with us,” says Rosemary Thomson. “Their high-octane energy will radiate off the stage and bring magic to this season.”
Multi-instrumentalist, film actor and Cirque de Soleil acrobat Colin Maier and brilliant Finnish accordionist Matti Pulkki bring their energy and talent to a program featuring oboe, fiddle, concertina, musical saw, accordion, vocals and more. This spectacular ensemble’s holiday program brings a “warm, endearing vitality,” (NY Times) setting the perfect tone for a Holly Jolly Christmas!
About Colin Maier
Colin Maier is a highly accomplished oboist, multi-instrumentalist, musical theatre actor, stuntman, choreographer, acrobat, soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, recording artist, guest lecturer, recitalist —and more. As the oboist with the internationally renowned ensemble Quartetto Gelato for over ten years, he has entertained audiences all over North America, as well as Korea, Russia, Italy, China, the Bahamas, Mexico, the UK, and has been heard in radio broadcasts in Asia, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Europe.
Star turn moments include Colin’s appearance as the “Devil Fiddler” in the Flying Blue Canoe for the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, combining his skill as a Cirque de Soleil acrobat with his musical prowess. He has also appeared as an actor in the Toronto Mirvish production of “Lord of the Rings,” “KA” (Cirque du Soleil), “Amadeus” (Alberta Theatre Projects), “A Chorus Line” (StageWest), Sarah Brightman’s World Tour, and on TV’s “Honey I Shrunk the Kids!” amongst many others.
About Matti Pulkki
Matti Pulkki is the accordionist for the critically acclaimed ensemble Quartetto Gelato and its offshoot, Duo Gelato. He got his first accordion and began his music studies at the age of six in the small town of Joutseno in eastern Finland and grew up immersed in traditional Finnish music, old dance tunes, virtuosic showpieces, and classical music, performing and competing on the accordion from an early age.
In addition, Matti has performed internationally with numerous ensembles and as a soloist, frequently performing premieres of new solo and chamber works. He has also been involved with multiple theatre and opera productions both in Finland and Canada and holds lectures about the accordion for composition students in institutions around the world.
The Program
Hear beloved carols like “Silent Night” and “In the Bleak Midwinter,” seasonal pop classics like “The Christmas Song” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite (would it really be Christmas without a little Nutcracker?), and a whole lot of unexpected fun courtesy of our innovative guest artists — please join us at what is sure to be an incredibly joyful kickoff to the holiday season.
Performances are on Friday, December 17 at 7:30 pm in Kelowna, Saturday, December 18 at 7:00 pm in Vernon, and Sunday, December 19 at 2:00 pm in Penticton. Tickets are available through www.okanagansymphony.com/tickets. For patrons who are not yet ready to return to the theatre, livestream access to Friday’s performance, through Unicorns.live, is available by donation. Access to the livestream is also found at the above link.
Interior Health Authority recently removed capacity restrictions for concerts and events, moving allowable capacity to 100%. The mask mandate continues to be in force, and ticket holders continue to be required to show their BC Vaccination card, as proof of vaccination, to access the theatres. The OSO continues to follow all public health directives to ensure the safety of musicians, Symphony staff, and patrons.
