Shirley Nadeau
shirley@qctonline.com

It was another delightful evening of music at the Palais Montcalm with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec on April 27. Finnish guest conductor Emilia Hoving was very pleased to be there, too, as this was her first-ever time directing an orchestra, not only in Quebec or in Canada, but in North America!

The program began with Zoltán Kodály’s sprightly Danses de Galánta and ended with Jean Sibelius’ powerful Symphony No. 1, but the highlight of the evening was Camille Saint-Saën’s
Concerto for cello No. 1, performed by Denise Djokic.

Djokic grew up in a large musical family in Halifax and currently lives in Illinois with her husband and young son. Recognized for her “arrestingly beautiful tone colour” (The Strad), she captivated the audience with her natural musical instinct and remarkable combination of strength and sensitivity. Her powerful interpretation, bold command of her instrument and insightful playing have earned her worldwide recognition.

She burst onto the international music scene in 2002 when millions of television viewers watched her performance of Bach at that year’s Grammy Awards after the release of her eponymous debut album on SONY Classical. Djokic has been named one of the top “25 Canadians Who Are Changing Our World” by Maclean’s magazine, one of “Canada’s Most Powerful Women” by Elle magazine, and her life and career have been chronicled by a special BRAVO! TV documentary entitled Seven Days, Seven Nights.

For information on and tickets for the final concert of the OSQ 2021-2022 season on May 25 and 26, and news of the 2022-2023 season, visit osq.org.