Cecilia Concerts

08/13/2026

South Korean cellist Sung-Won Yang and Italian pianist Enrico Pace return to Halifax to open our new season on September 19th with a program spanning three centuries of music for cello and piano. J.S. Bach’s Sonata in G minor, originally written for viola da gamba and keyboard, sits alongside Brahms’s Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor and Debussy’s Cello Sonata, one of the composer’s final works. The program also includes César Franck’s Sonata in A major, originally written for violin and heard here in an arrangement for cello and piano. Together, these four works explore the changing relationship between the two instruments, from Bach through the Romantic music of Brahms and Franck to Debussy’s distinctive early twentieth-century sound. Sung-Won Yang performs internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician and has appeared in major halls across Europe, North America, and Asia. Enrico Pace, a GRAMMY Award-nominated pianist and major prize​ winner, is widely recognized for his concert and chamber music career.

🗓️ Saturday, ​S​eptember 1​9, 7:30pm
📍 The Stage at St Andrews, 6036 Coburg Road, Halifax
🎟️ ceciliaconcerts.ca/cellist-sung-won-yang-pianist-enrico-pace and through the link in our bio

⭐️ Season Sponsor: Nice Moves / Red Door Realty

South Korean cellist Sung-Won Yang and Italian pianist Enrico Pace return to Halifax to open our new season with a program of works by J.S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, Brahms, Debussy, and Franck. The concert moves from the clear lines and dialogue of the Bach sonatas to the larger scale of Brahms’s Sonata...

08/04/2026

Registration may be full, but if you were lucky enough to reserve a seat, here’s a special introduction from acclaimed Australian soprano Nicole Car, who stars as Mimì in the Opéra national de Paris production of "La Bohème". One of today’s leading lyric sopranos, Nicole has appeared with many of the world’s foremost opera companies, including New York’s Metropolitan Opera, London’s Royal Opera House, and the Vienna State Opera.

We look forward to welcoming you this Sunday, August 9 at 2:00pm in Halifax Central Library’s Paul O’Regan Hall for this extraordinary film screening of "La Bohème".

Co-presented by Cecilia Concerts, Alliance Française Halifax, Halifax Public Libraries, and the Opéra national de Paris. Season Sponsor: Nice Moves / Red Door Realty

07/20/2026

Join us this August for four extraordinary screenings of operas and ballets from the Opéra national de Paris, presented at Halifax Central Library’s Paul O’Regan Hall.

Each film screening begins at 2:00pm on Sundays in August, admission is FREE, and registration is available on our website: 🎟️ ceciliaconcerts.ca

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🚀 Opera: Sunday, August 9 – Giacomo Puccini’s "La Bohème"

Experience Puccini’s beloved masterpiece in a bold production set in space in a distant future. Claus Guth reimagines the timeless love story of Rodolfo and Mimì as a poignant tale of memory, hope, and humanity in the emptiness of space.

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🎬 Ballet: Sunday, August 16 – Rudolf Nureyev’s "Cinderella"

Rudolf Nureyev transforms Prokofiev’s beloved fairy tale into the glamorous world of 1930s Hollywood. Blending classical ballet with cinematic magic, this dazzling production follows Cinderella’s journey from obscurity to stardom.

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🦋 Opera: Sunday, August 23 – Giacomo Puccini’s "Madame Butterfly"

Puccini’s heartbreaking opera tells the tragic story of Cio-Cio-San, whose unwavering love is met with betrayal. Robert Wilson’s striking production uses minimalist staging, sculptural lighting, and elegant movement to illuminate one of opera’s greatest emotional masterpieces.

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🩰 Ballet: Sunday, August 30 – Balanchine – Béjart – Pite

Three iconic choreographers. Three unforgettable ballets. From the sparkling energy of Balanchine’s “Who Cares?” set to music by Gershwin, to Béjart’s hypnotic “Boléro” with music by Ravel, and Crystal Pite’s breathtaking “The Seasons’ Canon” set to Max Richter’s reimagining of Vivaldi, this powerful triple bill showcases the extraordinary artistry of the Paris Opera Ballet.

Co-presented by Cecilia Concerts, Alliance Française Halifax, Halifax Public Libraries, and the Opéra national de Paris. Season Sponsor: Nice Moves / Red Door Realty

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06/16/2026

🎉 James Ehnes returns to Halifax​ on October 18th! One of the world’s most celebrated violinists, James Ehnes celebrates his 50th birthday with a special tour across Canada, joined by acclaimed pianist and longtime collaborator Andrew Armstrong.

Recognized by The Times as “a violinist in a class of his own,” Ehnes is admired for his clarity, virtuosity, serene lyricism, and musical depth. Armstrong, praised for his passionate expression and dazzling technique, has collaborated with Ehnes on several acclaimed recordings.

Ehnes’ extensive discography has earned two Grammy Awards, three Gramophone Awards, and twelve JUNO Awards, the most of any classical musician in history.​ For this special Halifax recital, Ehnes and Armstrong perform music by Christian Sinding, Johannes Brahms, Béla Bartók, and the world premiere of ​"Imaginal​:, a new work by acclaimed Canadian composer Carmen Braden.

​P​resented in partnership with Symphony Nova Scotia, Scotia Festival of Music, and Cecilia Concerts.

​🗓️ Sunday, October 18 • 2:00pm
📍 The Stage at St Andrews, 6036 Coburg Road in Halifax
🎟️ Tickets at symphonynovascotia.ca/concerts-and-tickets/concerts/st-andrews-united-church/james-ehnes-50th-birthday-recital

*​"Imaginal​" was commissioned by the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, lead commissioner, Symphony Nova Scotia, Cecilia Concerts, Scotia Festival of Music, and other commissioning partners.

05/20/2026

Explore our 2026/27 season, a year of live chamber music shaped by exceptional artists, memorable performances, and inspiring musical partnerships.

This new season features pianists Louis Lortie, Enrico Pace, Jonathan Fournel, Michael Davidman, and our new Musician-in-Residence, Illia Ovcharenko, along with cellists Sung-Won Yang and Christina Mahler, violinists Yolanda Bruno, Julia Wedman, and Jacques Forestier, bass-baritone Marcus Nance, and ensembles including Trio Hélios, Ekmeles Ensemble, Poiesis Quartet, Quatuor Agate, the Viano Quartet, and more.

With returning favourites, major international artists, and important new voices, the season offers a rich range of live music experiences for longtime audiences and first-time concertgoers alike.

🎟️ Concerts start Fall of 2026 at The Stage at St. Andrews in Halifax. Full season subscription packages are now available at ceciliaconcerts.ca

🌟 Season Sponsor – Nice Moves / Red Door Realty
⭐️ Musician-in-Residence Presenting Partner – Lang Optometry & Eyewear

📷 Poiesis Quartet

We are thrilled to bring you a year of live chamber music shaped by exceptional artists and memorable performances. This new season includes concerts featuring pianists Louis Lortie, Enrico Pace, Jonathan Fournel, Michael Davidman, and our new Musician-in-Residence Illia Ovcharenko, as well as celli...

05/16/2026

🎹​ Tonight at 7:30pm, Haligonian pianist Alex Yang, winner of the 2026 Cecilia Concerts Developing Musician Award, ​performs on the Stage at St. Andrews in Halifax with a bold and demanding solo recital.​ His program features Schubert’s “Allegretto in C Minor,” D. 915, Chopin’s complete “24 Preludes,” Op. 28, Beethoven’s “Sonata in C Minor,” Op. 111, and Liszt’s dazzling “Rhapsodie espagnole.”

Alex has earned national and international attention for performances shaped by sensitivity, clarity, and musical insight. A student at the Juilliard Pre-College in New York City, he has received a full fellowship to the Aspen Music Festival and School, won first prize in the Juilliard Pre-College Concerto Competition, and was named the 2026 Debut Atlantic Award for Musical Excellence winner for a second consecutive year.​ Join us for this choose-what-you-pay concert and hear one of Canada’s most exciting young pianists at a major moment in his artistic development.

🗓️ Saturday, May 16, 7:30pm
📍 The Stage at St Andrews, 6036 Coburg Road, Halifax
🎟️ ceciliaconcerts.ca/pianist-alex-yang

⭐️ Season Sponsor: Nice Moves / Red Door Realty

Winner of the 2026 Cecilia Concerts Developing Musician Award, Halifax pianist Alex Yang brings extraordinary poise, depth, and command to a demanding and wide-ranging solo program. Still only 17, Alex has already earned national and international attention for playing marked by clarity, sensitivity...

05/13/2026

Tonight at 7:30pm, join us for a free concert of music sung in Inuttitut and English. Featuring JUNO Award-winning Inuk soprano Dr. Deantha Edmunds, her daughter, soprano Annabelle Edmunds-Ramsay, and ECMA-winning recording artist and collaborative pianist Jennifer King. The program brings together music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Abraham Peter Schulz, George Frideric Handel, Carl Wilhelm Fliegel, Sid Dicker, and Deantha Edmunds. You will also hear a recitation of Mi’kmaw poet Rita Joe’s “Poem 14,” set to Nova Scotia composer Sandy Moore’s “Nocturne No. 3.” This special evening offers a rare opportunity to hear an Inuk mother and daughter perform together in Inuttitut, sharing music shaped by language, family, and cultural connection.

🗓️ Wednesday, May 13th • 7:30 PM Halifax Central Library's
📍 Paul O'Regan Hall, 5440 Spring Garden Road
🎟️ Free - More details: ceciliaconcerts.ca/inuit-connections-katingakatigennik
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⭐️ Co-presented with Halifax Public Libraries. Season Sponsor - Nice Moves / Red Door Realty. See less

05/12/2026

🎹 Pianist Alex Yang, winner of the 2026 Cecilia Concerts Developing Musician Award, brings depth​ and command to a powerful solo recital​ this Saturday at 7:30pm in Halifax. His program features Schubert’s “Allegretto in C Minor,” D. 915, Chopin’s complete “24 Preludes,” Op. 28, Beethoven’s “Sonata in C Minor,” Op. 111, and Liszt’s dazzling “Rhapsodie espagnole.”​

Alex​​ h​as earned national and international attention for performances full of sensitivity and musical insight. A student at the Juilliard Pre-College​ in New York City, ​h​e has received a full fellowship to the Aspen Music Festival and School, won first prize in the Juilliard Pre-College Concerto Competition, and was named the 2026 Debut Atlantic Award for Musical Excellence winner for a second consecutive year.

Join us for this choose-what-you-pay concert and hear one of Canada’s most exciting young pianists at a major moment in his artistic development.

🗓️ Saturday, May ​16th 7:30pm
📍 The Stage at St Andrews, 6036 Coburg Road in Halifax
🎟️ ceciliaconcerts.ca/pianist-alex-yang

⭐️ Season Sponsor: Nice Moves / Red Door Realty

Winner of the 2026 Cecilia Concerts Developing Musician Award, Halifax pianist Alex Yang brings extraordinary poise, depth, and command to a demanding and wide-ranging solo program. Still only 17, Alex has already earned national and international attention for playing marked by clarity, sensitivity...

05/09/2026

🧡 Wednesday at 7:30pm, join us for a free concert of classical vocal music sung in Inuttitut and English, led by JUNO Award-winning Inuk soprano and Member of the Order of Canada, Dr. Deantha Edmunds. The soprano is joined by her 15-year-old daughter, emerging artist Annabelle Edmunds-Ramsay, and by ECMA-winning recording artist and collaborative pianist Jennifer King. The program brings together music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Abraham Peter Schulz, George Frideric Handel, Carl Wilhelm Fliegel, Sid Dicker, and Deantha Edmunds, along with a brief throat-singing demonstration. This special evening offers a rare opportunity to hear an Inuk mother and daughter perform together in Inuttitut, sharing music shaped by language, family, and cultural connection.

🗓️ Wednesday, May 13th • 7:30 PM

📍 Halifax Central Library's Paul O'Regan Hall, 5440 Spring Garden Road

🎟️ Free - Register at ceciliaconcerts.ca/inuit-connections-katingakatigennik

⭐️ Co-presented with Halifax Public Libraries. Season Sponsor - Nice Moves / Red Door Realty.

Join us for a moving concert of classical vocal music sung in both Inuttitut and English, led by JUNO Award-winning Inuk soprano and Member of the Order of Canada, Dr. Deantha Edmunds. She is joined by her 15-year-old daughter, emerging artist Annabelle Edmunds-Ramsay, whose vocal poise and maturity...

05/09/2026

🎻​ ​Tonight at 7:30​pm in Halifax, our 2025/26 Musician-in-Residence, cellist Bryan Cheng, shares the stage with the prize-winning Balourdet Quartet for his final residency concert of the season.​ The program pairs two towering works for strings: Maurice Ravel’s luminous “String Quartet in F major” and Franz Schubert’s expansive “String Quintet in C major.” Together, they offer a striking journey from the colour and clarity of French Impressionism to the emotional depth of the Viennese Romantic tradition.

With five exceptional string players on stage, this promises to be a memorable close to Bryan Cheng’s residency season​! Tickets are available on our website.

🗓️ Saturday, May 9th 7:30pm
📍 The Stage at St Andrews, 6036 Coburg Road in Halifax
🎟️ ceciliaconcerts.ca/bryan-cheng-and-balourdet-quartet

⭐️ Presented with the generous support of Musician-in-Residence Presenting Partner – Lang Optometry & Eyewear and with our Season Sponsor​ – Nice Moves / Red Door Realty