Vancouver Island Symphony to present Majestic Mozart! in Nanaimo<\/p>\n
Published 5:30 am Sunday, March 8, 2026<\/p>\n
Vancouver composer Dorothy Chang will have her compositions featured alongside Mozart and Nicole Liz\u00e9e, in Vancouver Island Symphony\u2019s latest Nanaimo show.<\/p>\n
Majestic Mozart! Featuring the World Premiere of Dorothy Chang\u2019s Three Songs Without Words takes place at the Port Theatre on Saturday, March 14.<\/p>\n
Cosette Justo Vald\u00e9s, artistic director, told the News Bulletin that the music crosses generational boundries, creating an all-ages experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is music that is incredibly beautiful,\u201d Justo Vald\u00e9s said. \u201cThat is one thing in common for the three pieces in the program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three of Chang\u2019s pieces will be performed, described in a press release as a \u201cluminous exploration of colour, texture, and character \u2013 an intimate dialogue between soloists and orchestra.\u201d Chang, who is known for \u201cmusical storytelling,\u201d has each of her three pieces delivering a different solo, creating what is intended to represent an \u201cinstrumental\u201d voice. Featured soloists include Paolo Bortolussi, on the flute; Hannah Addario-Berry, on cello; Lani Krantz, on harp; and Christopher Lee, on clarinet.<\/p>\n
While Chang might be at the heart of the concert, her music is joined by Nicole Liz\u00e9e\u2019s Sepulchre, a piece that blends acoustic with electronic worlds, which the symphony said is \u201ccelebrated for its originality, precision, and cinematic flair, making Sepulchre a thrilling addition to the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n
To conclude the concert, attendees will hear Mozart\u2019s Symphony No. 41 in C major, otherwise known as Jupiter.<\/p>\n
\u201c[It] is one of his most famous, if not the one most famous symphony,\u201d Justo Vald\u00e9s said. \u201cEverybody loves it, the listeners and musicians alike.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justo Vald\u00e9s said Chang\u2019s modern harmonies complement the classic with its colourful nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cChamber music, as I said, is intimacy and freshness. In this case it will be a nice piece that we will perform for the first time \u2026 It\u2019s a gorgeous piece that I\u2019m sure many orchestras will want to perform in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., with a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n