World-renowned Italian-Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti will be joining the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) for three unforgettable performances this spring (May 31, June 1, and June 3). If you’re a bona fide music lover, this is a not-to-be missed event.

Benedetti’s list of accolades is so long that it would be challenging to include them all in one piece. She’s been a solo violin star since she was just 8 years old, winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year award at 16. Benedetti has collaborated with orchestras all over, including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra of Washington DC, to name a few!

We can’t wait to hear the symphonic fireworks go off when Benedetti joins the TSO to play Wynton Marsalis’s Violin Concerto, an irresistible fusion of blues, ragtime, and foot-stomping fiddle tradition, written expressly for Benedetti, who gives the Canadian Première in these performances, and Brahms’s Symphony No. 2, a masterpiece that overflows with gorgeous melodies and ends in an ecstatic, triumphant roar. As if this wasn’t exciting enough, these stunning performances will be conducted by the inimitable Elim Chan, who has “electric power emanating from her baton,” (Arts ATL). Like we said—this is not-to-be missed event! 

In March 2022, Nicola became the Director Designate of the Edinburgh International Festival, and the first female Festival Director since the Festival began in 1947. Nicola was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours list, awarded the Queen’s Medal for Music in 2017, the youngest ever recipient, and was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2013 in recognition of her international music career and work with musical charities throughout the United Kingdom. Wow.

Understanding the powerful magnetism of both Benedetti’s stage presence and sound, we’re offering Shedoesthecity readers a special promo code, and you should definitely take advantage!

Head to TSO.ca and enter CITY20 to receive a 20% discount (discount is available for most seats but not applicable to the bottom two price levels).