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Discover Victoria

May in Victoria: Mahler's Fifth, Alice in Wonderland and the end of Allegro's first year

Just as orchestras and ensembles across Victoria wrap up their seasons, so too concludes the first year of Allegro Classical.

We set out to connect more people to classical music, and it has been genuinely something to watch this community grow — not just in Victoria, but across the country. Hundreds of people now visit Allegro to check what's on in their city. Thank you for supporting your local classical music community.

As for May itself: Christian Kluxen conducts Mahler's Fifth at the Royal Theatre, which contains the Adagietto — the movement Mahler wrote as a love letter to his bride, and probably the single most famous ten minutes he ever composed. Ballet Victoria's Alice in Wonderland lands mid-month, Cascadia Strings marks ten years with a programme of surprises at The Coda, and the Meridiem Wind Orchestra builds a concert around the idea of sanctuary.

If you'd rather ease in than commit to a concert hall, the Mother's Day Musical Garden Tour runs across two days: nine gardens, live music in each, in support of the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

This is the same lineup that went out in this month's newsletter, adapted here in case you'd rather browse than scroll an inbox. If you're new here, Discover is the editorial side of Allegro — a little more opinionated than the full listings. Subscribe below and I'll send the next one straight to your inbox.

🌟 Top Highlight 🌟

Thu
May 14
7:00 PM
Meridiem Wind Orchestra: Sanctuary

Meridiem Wind Orchestra: Sanctuary

Music exploring the theme of Sanctuary — refuge, safety, community, and stillness. Led by Artistic Director Scott MacInnes and Associate Conductor Mik…

📍 Dave Dunnet Community Theatre

🎭 Meridiem Wind Orchestra

🎼 Best First Classical Concert 🎼

Sat
May 9
10:00 AM
Mother's Day Musical Garden Tour

Mother's Day Musical Garden Tour

Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour: 9 gardens & live music, May 9–10 in support of the Victoria Conservatory of Music

📍 Victoria Conservatory of Music

🎭 Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM)

🚀 For the Adventurous 🚀

Fri
May 15
7:30 PM
Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

A whimsical ballet retelling of Lewis Carroll's classic tale.

📍 Royal Theatre

🎭 Ballet Victoria

✨ Can't Miss ✨

Sat
May 9
7:30 PM
Life and Laughter

Life and Laughter

A choral concert exploring life's full range — from the profound to the humorous — leaving audiences thoughtful, with a twinkle in their eyes and a sm…

📍 Church of St John the Divine

🎭 Vox Humana Chamber Choir

Sun
May 10
2:30 PM
Kluxen - Mahler Symphony No. 5

Kluxen - Mahler Symphony No. 5

Christian Kluxen conducts Mahler's magnificent Symphony No. 5, featuring the famous Adagietto movement—a tender love letter to his bride. A journey th…

📍 Royal Theatre

🎭 Victoria Symphony

Thu
May 14
6:30 PM
Cascadia Strings at The CODA: Blind Date

Cascadia Strings at The CODA: Blind Date

Come celebrate 10 years of Cascadia Strings, through a program of many surprises, including Brahms' Sextet No. 2, & 12th & Fraser by Canadian, award-w…

📍 The Coda

🎭 Cascadia Strings

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Upcoming Concerts in Victoria

Sat
Oct 17
7:00 PM
A-Roving: Songs of Travel

A-Roving: Songs of Travel

Join pianist Jillian Forster Fair, tenor Adam Dyjach and friends as we take you far away with songs inspired by the theme of travel.

📍 United Commons (First Metropolitan United Church)

🎭 Jillian Forster Fair

Sun
Jan 24
1:00 PM
Inside Opera | Hansel & Gretel

Inside Opera | Hansel & Gretel

An hour-long introduction to Hansel & Gretel hosted by Robert Holliston, exploring the story, music and characters behind the opera. Space is limited …

📍 Baumann Centre

🎭 Pacific Opera Victoria (POV)

Sun
May 2
2:30 PM
Tea with Ai Horton

Tea with Ai Horton

In the gardens of the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific, Japanese-Canadian soprano Ai Horton joins Victoria Baroque for a musical voyage following t…

📍 The Gardens at HCP (Horticultural Centre of the Pacific)

🎭 Victoria Baroque Music Society

Sun
May 16
2:30 PM
DREAM: A Climate Passion Play for Vancouver Island

DREAM: A Climate Passion Play for Vancouver Island

A choral 'Passion' in the style of J.S. Bach, written for Vancouver Island, in which singing guides listeners into sleep, through night terrors and to…

📍 St. Mary's Church (Metchosin)

🎭 Ensemble Laude