Symphonic shenanigans for April Fools’.

Expect the unexpected with Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, featuring symphonies by P.D.Q. Bach (the “Weird Al” of classical music) and “Papa” Haydn. Also, not one, but two viola concertos – we’re not joking – performed by Canadian violist Sharon Wei, including a French forgery of J.C. Bach and a new commission from Saman Shahi.

*Co-commission by Obiora Ensemble, Stratford Symphony Orchestra, PEI Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony Nova Scotia.

About the Artists: 

Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, conductor

A passionate communicator, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser brings clarity and meaning to the concert hall, fostering deep connections between audiences and performers. He is concurrently the Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Principal Education Conductor and Community Ambassador of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Partner and Community Ambassador of Symphony Nova Scotia, and Resident Conductor of Engagement and Education of the San Francisco Symphony.

Daniel has conducted the Houston Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Link-Up Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Vancouver Symphony, Regina Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, and he is the Music Director of the Kennedy Center Summer Music Institute. He served as Assistant Conductor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and Associate Conductor of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and was Cover Conductor with the Washington National Opera.

Daniel is the host of CBC’s nationally broadcast weekly radio show Centre Stage.

Sharon Wei, viola

Sharon Wei is a dynamic and multi-faceted musician, recognized as one of the most respected violists on the scene today. She has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Kingston Symphony, Sinfonia Toronto, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, and premiered Mascall’s Ziigwan concerto with London Symphonia. She has performed recital tours with Debut Atlantic and Prairie Debut with pianist Angela Park. Sharon premiered Saman Shahi’s viola concerto—inspired by the Northern Tornadoes Project—in Montreal with Ensemble Obiora, with additional performances in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

As a chamber musician, Sharon regularly performs at festivals such as Marlboro, Verbier, Banff, Seattle, and Ravinia. She is the violist of the award-winning New Orford String Quartet and has collaborated with renowned musicians including James Ehnes, Claude Frank, Joseph Silverstein, and the Amernet and St. Lawrence String Quartets. Sharon co-founded Ensemble Made in Canada in 2006, and their Mosaïque Project—which won the 2021 JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year—toured across Canada in both traditional venues and unique settings, such as the seabed of Hopewell Rocks at low tide.

Sharon has served on the faculties of Yale and Stanford Universities and is currently Associate Professor of Viola at Western University, where she has also held the role of Assistant Dean of Research. She is a regular faculty member at Curtis Summerfest, Scotia Festival, Toronto Summer Music, and the Orford Academy. Sharon won the viola prize at Yale University, is a Western Faculty Scholar, and has received grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and FACTOR.

Ticket info

Tickets are on sale now, starting at $48.50 (HST & fees incl.) or only $36.50 for under-30s and students (HST & fees incl.).

Please note that ticket exchanges are a subscriber perk, and single tickets are not eligible for exchange. Please refer to our What if I can’t make it page for more information on ticket exchanges.  

NEW THIS SEASON: Flex10 Pass! Our Flex10 Pass gives you last minute flexibility, choice, and a discount too! Plus, you can share with your friends, so you always have a date! These can be redeemed at anytime throughout the season. Click here to learn more about the Flex10 Pass.

You can also save up to 25%, reserve the best seats in the house, and enjoy a great set of benefits with a ticket package. Click here to learn more about ticket packages or call the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office at 902.494.3820 to book your tickets today.

TICKET TIPS

Here are a couple handy tips when booking tickets on the Dalhousie Box Office website:

• You’ll be asked to log in to book your tickets. If you’re not sure you have an account, click “Forgot your password?”
• You’ll need to agree to the Terms and Conditions before checking out.
• You’ll need to choose a Delivery Method:
  • If you choose “Hold at Box Office”, you’ll need to pick up your tickets when you arrive, up to 1 hour before the concert. We recommend this for easy exchanges throughout the season!
  • If you choose “Print at Home”, your tickets will be included with your confirmation email as a PDF attachment.
• You will receive an email confirmation from the Box Office.

If you have questions about your account or about ordering tickets online, please contact the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office in person at 6101 University Ave or by phone at 902.494.3820, Wednesday-Saturday, 12:00 pm-4:00 pm.