The Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra’s Global Soundscapes Festival presents four days of adventurous classical and world music – a rich feast of sounds & rhythms from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Canada. Festival concerts will showcase outstanding local musicians alongside acclaimed national and international guest ensembles.

This year’s Festival showcases string instruments from many cultures: Persian santur, oud, and kamanche, the chang from Uzbekistan, and Chinese erhu will share the stage with violins, violas, celli, double bass, and piano. Featured acts include Montreal santur virtuoso Amir Amiri, Croatia’s Stančul Trio, and Vancouver’s own Borealis String Quartet, Tukhtamishev Trio, and the VICO String Orchestra under the direction of Janna Sailor.

In the intimate atmosphere of the Historic Theatre at the Cultch, audiences can expect to see and hear many virtuoso performers playing instruments from all over the world, rarely seen or heard together on the same stage. The Festival offers a beautifully diverse sound palette and a range of innovative, inspiring approaches to making music that transcends borders.