This February, Gustavo Gimeno and Toronto Symphony Orchestra will embark on their first tour together. The North American tour is part of the TSO’s Centennial Celebration and includes Gimeno’s debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall on 13 February, the TSO’s annual orchestra exchange with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa on 11 February, and marks the orchestra’s debut at Chicago’s Symphony Center on 14 February. 

The tour program opens with Canadian composer-conductor Samy Moussa’s Symphony No.2, a work dedicated to Gimeno, which the TSO commissioned and premiered last spring. It is followed by Édouard Lalo’s virtuosic Symphonie espagnole, with the renowned 19-year-old Spanish violin María Dueñas as soloist. The third work is Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet, in a special suite compiled by Gimeno.

“For many reasons, I have been anticipating my very first tour as TSO Music Director,” said Gimeno. ​“Not only will it mark my Carnegie Hall debut, but it will also provide us with the opportunity to bring inspiring Canadian music across the border. I’m also delighted to feature music from my home country, performed by my fellow Spaniard, the extraordinary violinist María Dueñas. Above all, however, I can’t wait to see the bonds of this Orchestra grow even stronger. Touring enhances the personal and professional connections between players, enabling the entire ensemble to flourish creatively. There really is nothing else like it.”

In December, Gimeno and the TSO announced the five year extension to their agreement. Gimeno will remain at the helm as Music Director of the Orchestra through the 2029/30 season.