The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra explores the section of the repertoire rarely touched by large symphony orchestras. Established in 1972, the MCO presents an annual nine-concert subscription series in Winnipeg. Co-presentations with CBC Radio began in 1984, and Canadians across the country (roughly 3.7 million annually) and fans around the world enjoy the Orchestra in frequent broadcasts and online.

In May of 1986, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra responded to its first out-of-province invitation and drew outstanding reviews for its performance at the Guelph Spring Festival. The MCO represented Manitoba at the Calgary Winter Olympics as part of the International Olympic Arts Festival. At the biennial meeting of the Association of Canadian Orchestras in 1990 in Victoria, BC, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra was presented with a SOCAN Award of Merit for ‘the imaginative programming of contemporary Canadian music,’ due in no small part to the fact that the MCO premieres up to six new compositions each season. In May of 1993, the Orchestra returned to the Guelph Spring Festival for the third time, once again as ‘Ensemble in Residence.’

In March of 1995, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra released its first compact disc on Sweden’s BIS label; Canadian Music for Chamber Orchestra (CD 698) contains works by Andrew MacDonald, Michael Matthews and Sophie-Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté. It is the first time a North American orchestra has been recorded on the prestigious label and the disc is distributed internationally in over 45 countries. Since this time further recordings have been released. Anniversary celebrations in 1997 included the release of a limited edition 25th Anniversary compact disc featuring a live recording of CBC Radio’s 60th Anniversary concert. In October, 1998, the Orchestra released A Britten Serenade (SMCD 5187) on CBC Records. Also, Gerald Finzi: Meditation was released by CBC Records in 2000, Sea Sketches in 2003, and So Much To Tell, with Measha Brueggergosman, in 2004, also on CBC Records.

The MCO toured Southern Italy in August, 1999, and British Columbia in the spring of 2003, performing to sold-out crowds in six of the seven venues. It appeared on the live national broadcast of the Juno Awards in April, 2005. In the summer of 2008, it made its debut appearance at the National Arts Centre and performed for over 7,500 people on Canada Day at Harbourfront in Toronto. The MCO accompanied Canadian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian on a tour to San Francisco, Orange County, Vancouver, Toronto, Boston and New York in the autumn of 2008. Anne Manson was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra in November, 2008, succeeding Roy Goodman in the post.

The MCO conducted a very successful tour of British Columbia in the spring of 2003, performing to sold-out crowds in six of the seven venues, and appeared on the live broadcast of the Juno Awards from Winnipeg in April, 2005.

MCO heads west again in the 2009/10 season, this time with the renowned percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie. The 10-city tour includes concerts in Kelowna, Mission, Sechelt, Trail, Kamloops, Salt Spring, White Rock, Vancouver (Chan Centre), Edmonton and Brandon.

Whether ‘at home’ in Winnipeg, on the road, or on the air, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra continues to explore that ‘new dimension’ in its art.

 

 

Anne Manson / Music Director and Conductor

MCO's 2010/11 season is sponsored by The Great-West Life Assurance Company.
Support has been received from Media sponsors The Winnipeg Free Press, CBC Radio One 990,
CBC Radio 2 98.3, Espace musique 89,9 and Golden West Radio. Heartstrings gala sponsor:
Mann Financial Assurance Limited. Sponsor of open dress rehearsals: Canadian Bridge Federation.
Arts Accessibility Program: Sun Life Financial.

© 2010 Manitoba Chamber Orchestra