Canada's oldest symphony orchestra to turn 100

Quebec (Top40 Charts) - While many Canadian symphony orchestras are struggling, one of the oldest is doing better than ever and getting ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary this fall.

In September the Toronto Symphony said it was on the verge of going broke and issued a plea to patrons and the government for an emergency infusion of cash.

Calgary's musicians were locked out for one month earlier this year in a labor dispute that revolved around wage rollbacks.
But Quebec City's orchestra is bucking the trend. Since hiring the well known Israeli conductor Yoav Talmi in 1998, attendance has soared 35 percent. The maestro, who conducted orchestras in Berlin, Oslo, Warsaw and Israel, helped build the reputation of the Quebec City ensemble.
"For the second consecutive year, we will have balanced financial results," orchestra president Michel Sanschagrin told reporters Thursday as he unveiled the program for the orchestra's centenary.

Founded in October 1902 by conductor Joseph Vezina, the orchestra attracts some 100,000 Quebec music lovers annually. But more than half of its yearly C$6 million (US$3.8 million) budget comes from government subsidies.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the orchestra asked four Canadian composers - Brian Cherney, Jose Evangelista, Denis Gougeon and Randolph Peters - to create exclusive work.

The Quebec City orchestra will visit Vancouver, Regina, Winnipeg, Banff and Toronto as part of its first Canadian tour in the spring of 2003.