Ontario Philharmonic (OP) is integral to the landscape of Ontario's classical music scene. OP continues its emergence as one of the most exciting orchestras in the Durham Region/Toronto/GTA areas earning its place among the leading performing arts organizations of the province. OP is comprised of players that are among the finest professional musicians in the GTA and is led by one of Canada's most distinguished conductors on the international scene, Marco Parisotto. OP's early history began in Oshawa, Durham Region, where it was founded in 1957. OP continues to win the acclaim of both critics and audiences.
OP is comprised of up to seventy-five musicians and performs its main concert programs in UOIT's Regent Theatre, Oshawa and Koerner Hall (Telus Centre for Performance and Learning) Toronto. As well, the orchestra performs in various other venues in the GTA. Although the great symphonic and choral/symphonic repertoire is its mainstay, the OP's programs reflect a wide variety of styles from Baroque/Classical/Romantic/Modern to light classical, pop music, jazz and music of the world, in an effort to satisfy the taste of all audiences, diverse cultures, as well as young listeners.
OP's first leaders were Wallace Young, Francis J. Francis and Ed Oscapella. It later had as principal conductor Roy Cox who was also a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Cox was followed by Jacob Groob and then Winston Webber.
An era of spectacular development began in 1996 when present Maestro Marco Parisotto was elected as Music Director. One of Canada's most distinguished conductors on the world stage, under his leadership the orchestra grew into a large professional symphonic ensemble of high standard. With a strong artistic vision and determination Maestro Parisotto brought about significant and fundamental changes to every aspect of the OP. With the introduction of innovative and original programming and the invitation of prominent Canadian and international soloists, the recipe for success was clear as he steered the OP to a high point of popularity with an ever-increasing audience.
The year 2008 marked the beginning of the orchestra's association with one of Canada's newest and most successful universities, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). This organizational alliance and association of Knowledge and Art significantly contributes to the continued growth of the orchestra and helps Ontario Philharmonic maintain the highest of artistic standards. UOIT's historical Regent Theatre is generously provided by UOIT for OP's Durham Region annual concert series.
In 2012 Ontario Philharmonic inaugurated its instantly popular Great Soloists Series at Koerner Hall (Telus Centre for Performance and Learning) in Toronto and at Regent Theatre in Oshawa, showcasing some of the world's most renowned soloists.
In its earlier years the orchestra was known as the Oshawa Symphony. OP's name was changed in 1995 and again in 2008 in answer to the widening of its audience and its increasing role in providing classical symphonic music to a greater public in the various communities of Durham Region, Toronto, the GTA and other areas of Ontario. Since 2008 the orchestra has been known permanently as Ontario Philharmonic - a prestigious name fittingly reflecting its impressive development, its service to an area with the major share of the Ontario population, and in homage to the beauty and grandeur of our province.
We invite you to come and experience exciting, powerful and passionate performances with our thrilling orchestra - Ontario Philharmonic.
