Join our Celebration!

We're launching our 35th season in style, under the leadership of Kevin Mallon. He's a rising international star and just the kind of creative force that will make Ottawa sit up and take notice!

Kevin Mallon

A Message from Kevin Mallon

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 35th season of the Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra and my first as Artistic Director!

One of the most impressive things I witnessed when I worked with the orchestra last year was the great support and affection felt by the audience. The Thirteen Strings is truly beloved and I hope to do my part to build on that support and move the orchestra into a new era. I look forward to building on the work of Jean-François Rivest and joining an elite list of conductors who have worked with the orchestra.

One of the gems of the organization is our ensemble manager, Peter Webster, and with his help we have designed a great season! Peter and I share a particular love of the English 20th century string repertoire, and as you look over the programs you will see that we will be presenting showstoppers such as the Finzi Clarinet concerto, Britten's Les Illuminations as well as English chestnuts like the Holst St. Paul Suite.

Another specialist stream of the orchestra is music from the Baroque era, and we have a healthy feast for you! Local favourite Thomas Annand gives us Locatelli, we have Handel performed by the extraordinary young baritone Giles Tomkins and conducted by my talented colleague Leslie Dala. Meanwhile I have the pleasure of conducting the Christmas concert and presenting the delicate and yet beautifully crafted music of the French Baroque composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier.

As if the orchestra's talents were not enough, the upcoming season has a host of extraordinary soloists. From the National Arts Centre Orchestra, we present Yosuke Kawasaki, violin, and Kimball Sykes, clarinet. The beautiful soprano Donna Brown is featured as well as the young Berlin-based tenor Joseph Schnurr. Kevin Reeves' Seventeen Voyces perform and, last but not least, our own Junior Thirteen Strings!

It is a great season! Don't miss it.

Kevin Mallon
Artistic Director

Concert Schedule

Kevin and the orchestra's players have put together a full season of concerts that reaffirm our roots in Baroque music while exploring the diversity of musical styles right up to the present day.

We're the break you deserve

Everyone hurries. Everyone rushes. There's always too much going on, and too much stress. Never enough time for the things that make you feel good.

We offer a break that refreshes the spirit. In the calm, welcoming atmosphere of St. Andrew's Church, we give life to great music. We take our time. We slow down. We indulge in an incredible luxury.

Each time, the music surrenders its secrets.

Each time, it's a special moment.

If you've never experienced the spiritual renewal that classical performance can bring, then come to a concert. Better yet, bring a companion and share the luxury of unhurried time. You deserve it!

See All Six!

By subscribing, you'll be sure to catch every minute of the excitement! We offer six evenings of musical excellence. Bring your loved ones. Tell your friends! Plus you'll save money: A full subscription rewards you with a discount approaching 20%, and 25% for seniors! We also offer an option to pick any four of our concerts.