The Vancouver Island Opera (VIO) recital series is presenting its third event of the season on Sunday and once again some high calibre talent will be in Parksville.
Flautist Dr. Paolo Bortolussi will perform baroque, classical and romantic music accompanied by pianist Nicolai Maloff on April 15.
Bortolussi is known as a passionate and provocative performer of a wide range of musical styles. Raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician across Canada and the U.S. Currently principal flutist with the Vancouver Island Symphony (VIS), Bortolussi has appeared as soloist with the VIS as well as the Albany (NY) Symphony and has performed with the Turning Point Ensemble, the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, The Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra, as well as the Vancouver and Victoria Symphony Orchestras.
The 2012/13 season at the VIS in Nanaimo will feature a new flute concerto written especially for Bortolussi and the VIS by Vancouver composer Jocelyn Morlock, commissioned with funds from the Canada Council for the Arts.
The recital is being held at the McMillan Arts Centre Gallery (formerly the Oceanside Arts Council Gallery) located at 133 McMillan Street, Parksville. Performances start at 3 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.
In the final performance in the recital series on May 27 the entertainment will be an eclectic program that includes of the music of Beethoven.
The Friends of Nikolai Chamber Quartet who will present a Beethoven fest will also be joined by two singers who will perform Irish songs.