CANCELLED due to the Coronavirus - Memorial Concert: Berlioz and Beethoven 5

The strong connection between the Netherlands and Winnipeg goes back to the Second World War. Many Canadians who fought in the liberation of the Netherlands and Europe were members of regiments from the Winnipeg area. More than 7500 Canadians lost their lives in the Netherlands. As a tribute to Canada and its liberators, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra was invited to the festivities surrounding 75 years of liberation. Hence the choice of the "European" composer Ludwig van Beethoven and Berlioz' Messe solennelle, a "solemn mass" whose lost score only surfaced in Belgium in 1991. The Canadian accent comes from a new work by Whittall, a Canadian composer now living in Finland.