The PRISMA Festival (June 12–24, 2023)
PRISMA draws over 5000 concertgoers from BC and beyond to daily musical events, symphony and chamber music concerts, master classes and student recitals. The PRISMA Festival Orchestra, the highlight of the festival, performs four full symphony concerts.
PRISMA’s 2023 orchestra program will feature Dvorak, Brahms, Mahler, Stravinsky, and more, charismatically led by artistic director Arthur Arnold, former music director and conductor of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Our esteemed Guest Artists are members of some of the world’s leading orchestras, such as the Cleveland Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, LA Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Montreal Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Victoria Symphony, and more.
Scroll down to see all the concerts of the 2023 season.
Lafayette String Quartet
Tuesday June 13, 7:30 PM
Haydn Op. 20, No 2 in C
Kelly-Marie Murphy “For Fragile Personalities in Anxious Times” (Powell River Premiere)
Beethoven Op. 59, No 3 in C major
Concerto Competition Semi-Finals (free by donation)
Wednesday June 14, 7:30 PM
The exciting performance of 10 gifted young musicians,
competing for a spot in the finals.Get to know the most talented young musicians who made it into the semi-finals.
Don’t miss this exciting event!
A Musical Mosaic – Echoing Beauty and Jewel
Thursday June 15, 7:30 PM
All Guest Artists and the Festival Orchestra
Bianca Bongers – Echo (for violin and piano)
Tobin Stokes – Bits of Beauty (all guest artists)
Bianca Bongers – Jewel for the Harp
(piccolo, bass clarinet, harp, percussion)
Stravinsky – Pulcinella Suite
Symphonic Grandeur – Splendour and Passion
Friday – June 16, 7:30 PM
PRISMA Festival Orchestra
Henry Shapard – Cello
Arthur Arnold, Conductor
Dvořák – Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in B minor op. 104
Brahms – Symphony No. 2
PRISMA on the Beach – Serenade by the Sea
Saturday – June 17
Food Vendors open at 5:00 PM
Music starts at 6:00 PM
Tla’amin Drummers and Singers
PRISMA Festival Orchestra
Henry Shapard – Cello
Arthur Arnold, Conductor
PRISMA for KIDS – Melody Makers, a musical adventure
Tuesday – June 20, 6:30 PM (Fun Fair at 5:30)
An Introduction to the Instruments of the Orchestra
Percussion Passion – Who’s Afraid for the Bass Drum?
From Poland: The Cuore Piano Trio Goes Crazy
Chamber Music Virtuosity – An International Affair
Thursday – June 22, 7:30
PRISMA Guest Artists and Select Students
Program TBA
Titanic Power
Friday – June 23, 7:30 PM
PRISMA Festival Orchestra – Arthur Arnold, Conductor
Concerto Competition Finals
—
Mahler – Symphony No. 1 in D major “Titan”
Titanic Power
Saturday June 24, 2:00 PM – Sail to the Symphony
PRISMA Festival Orchestra – Arthur Arnold, Conductor
Concerto Competition Finals
—
Mahler – Symphony No. 1 in D major “Titan”
* repertoire subject to change
Tickets and passes will go on sale in February.
Become a member for early access to ticket sales and preferred seating!
Gala Grand Opening Concert
Join us on Thursday, June 15 for a musical extravaganza unveiling the 2022 PRISMA Festival Orchestra and world-class guest artists from around the globe. Don’t miss this incredible smorgasbord of all that PRISMA has to offer.
PRISMA on the Beach
The Rotary Bandshell at Willingdon Beach Park is the site of our annual PRISMA on the Beach concert, which entertains thousands of music-lovers from Powell River and beyond. Located in the heart of the city, the park offers a campsite, wharf, fishing pier, playground, museum and other amenities overlooking the sparkling Salish Sea. A popup village of vendors and artists at the event will ensure that there are plenty of dining options to suit your tastes, and the opportunity to pick up a local souvenir or two! Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 17 and join us for this free, family-friendly event.
Chamber Music Concert
Guest artists and select students will inspire your imagination with a host of unique and intimate musical collaborations at our special Chamber Music concert on Thursday, June 22.
Sail to the Symphony Matinée
Spend an exquisite afternoon in Powell River with the PRISMA Festival Orchestra and our 2 Concerto Competition finalists on Saturday, June 24.
Concerto Competition
PRISMA’s annual Concerto Competition provides young, talented instrumentalists with an opportunity to showcase their musical prowess. Semifinalists will play solo with the PRISMA Festival Orchestra during the final concert. The winner of the competition, as judged by our international jury, will receive a $1,500 CDN grand prize. The runner-up will receive $500 CDN. Both finalists will be invited back to PRISMA on a full scholarship.
Masterclasses & Limelight Concerts
Limelight Concerts will feature both students and guest artists in unique configurations, playing the music that excites them the most. From solo tuba to chamber music ensembles, each 30-minute concert will be curated by a different member of the PRISMA Festival Orchestra or Guest Artist roster.
During the master classes the passionate and talented emerging young musicians get instruction from the world class guest artists in front of the Festival audience’s eyes and ears. The audience watches the progress that is happening right there on stage.
Masterclasses and Limelight Concerts are $5 daily admission (free for youth and pass-holders) and take place at the Evergreen Theatre (5001 Joyce Avenue).
Tickets & Passes
Tickets and passes will go on sale in February.
PRISMA for Kids
PRISMA is pleased to offer special access to concerts and events for youth under the age of 18. This includes discounted concert tickets (while quantities last), free access to all masterclasses & limelight concerts, and exclusive access to orchestra rehearsals for school classes.
