69^th CONCERT SEASON

JANUARY 2026 • Special Event Presented by Willow Arts

Friday January 30 & Saturday 31 2026 • 8pm | Meridian Hall Toronto

DISTANT WORLDS: MUSIC FROM FINAL FANTASY CELEBRATING FINAL FANTASY XIV AND XVI

This special concert has music from FINAL FANTASY XIV, FINAL FANTASY XVI, and the entire FINAL FANTASY series, with HD video created by Square Enix just for this tour • Arnie Roth leads the Ontario Philharmonic and Chorus performing classic works by Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, Masayoshi Soken, Yoko Shimomura, and other great FINAL FANTASY composers from throughout the FINAL FANTASY series, with a performance from FINAL FANTASY XIV and XVI original vocalist Amanda Achen, and FINAL FANTASY XVI composer Masayoshi Soken in attendance
• Don’t miss out on this multimedia concert experience! More Details

SPECIAL CONCERT • FINAL FANTASY SERIES

Works by Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, Masayoshi Soken, Yoko Shimomura
• Amanda Achen, vocal soloist
• ONTARIO PHILHARMONIC with Elmer Iseler Singers, chorus

ARNIE ROTH • biography

Arnold "Arnie" Roth (born April 28, 1953) is an American conductor, composer, and record producer, known for his expansive career in the music industry. Roth began his career as a professional violinist before founding AWR Music, where Roth became more involved as a producer of orchestral concerts and recordings. Roth is perhaps best known as the co-creator (along with composer Nobuo Uematsu) and Music Director of Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY, produced in collaboration with the video game company Square Enix. Distant Worlds has performed hundreds of sold-out concerts around the world and has produced six full-length albums of orchestral Final Fantasy music. Roth's son Eric (born 1977) is also a famed conductor.

Roth is a classically trained violinist. As a freelance violinist in Chicago throughout the '70s and '80s, Roth worked with dozens of notable musicians and bands like Styx, Curtis Mayfield, and the Chi-Lites. He was also a performing member of the Grammy Award-winning music group Mannheim Steamroller for decades. In the early 2000s, Roth composed, arranged, and conducted the music for eight of Mattel's sixteen animated Barbie movies. He won the Best Score Award at the2003 DVD Premier Awards for his soundtrack to the film Barbie as Rapunzel and was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2007 for his original song "Shine" from Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses.

Roth, a long-time member of the Chicago music scene, was frequently asked to assist in contracting local talent. Roth created AWR Music in 2000. It is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company has two components, AWR Music and AWR Music Productions, which focus on contracting talent and concert production, respectively. While concert productions became more prominent as Roth's collaboration with Square Enix grew, the company continues to source and hire local talent from locations all around the world.

Roth has worked with several notable artists, including Andrea Bocelli, Diana Ross, Il Divo, Jewel, Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, Patrick Stewart, Peter Cetera, Pat Benatar, Dennis DeYoung, and others. He has conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, and the Sydney Symphony.

AMANDA ACHEN • biography

A versatile, multi-genre vocalist, praised for her "crystalline soprano" and "tear-jerking performances", Amanda's enchanting presence graces stages worldwide. From commanding concert halls, to jazz clubs with her band, Citizen Kitten, to creating magic in the studio, she has earned critical acclaim in iconic venues like Radio City Hall, Dolby Theater, Hollywood Bowl, Apollo Theatre, and Tokyo Dome.

Contemporary composers recognize Amanda for her unparalleled ability to navigate diverse musical styles. Her rise to prominence in the gaming world, marked by emotionally charged collaborations with Masayoshi Soken for Final Fantasy XIV and XVI, has led to captivating performances at Final Fantasy Symphonies and Fan Fests globally.

In addition to these achievements, Amanda has had the honor of performing with Joe Hisaishi in his Studio Ghibli Symphony Concerts, adding another illustrious chapter to her musical journey. Amanda's unique talents shone as she worked directly with Neil Gaiman during humorous and musically-unconventional PR events for the release of "Good Omens."

Amanda's artistry is anchored in her mastery of classical repertoire, demonstrating finesse in works ranging from Mozart’s Requiem, to Carmina Burana and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem to the intricate nuances of Bach’s Mass in B Minor and Handel's Messiah. Beyond the classical realm, Amanda ventures into the world of contemporary oratorio, contributing as an original cast member in ground breaking productions such as "Conference of the Birds."

Amanda's voice can be heard in blockbuster films and TV shows, including Frozen 2, Mulan, Birds of Prey, and The Simpsons. Her versatility extends to composition, with original music available on major streaming platforms.

Currently, Amanda is a Twitch partner, engaging with her audience through streaming sessions that include Final Fantasy XIV gameplay, interactive chats, and live musical performances. This additional platform showcases Amanda's dynamic talents and allows her to connect with fans in real-time.

Amanda is based in Los Angeles where she works with local composers in-person and from her home-studio, and frequently enjoys traveling world-wide for performances and musical collaborations.

PROGRAM NOTES
OP Backgrounder‍

ONTARIO PHILHARMONIC A STORY OF SUCCESS
Ontario Philharmonic (OP) is a distinguished player in the classical music landscape of the province of Ontario, representing one of the leading performing arts organizations of Durham Region and GTA. OP is comprised of players 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 was founded in the City of Oshawa, County of Ontario, in 1957 and during its history has evolved into one of the most exciting and respected orchestras in Ontario and Canada.

OP performs mainly at Ontario Tech University’s Regent Theatre in Durham Region, as well as various important GTA venues. Although the great symphonic and choral/symphonic repertoire is its mainstay, OP's programs reflect a wide variety of styles from Baroque/Classical/Romantic/Modern to light classical, pop music, jazz and world music, to satisfy the taste of all audiences, diverse cultures and youth.

OP also serves the community with vital and much-loved outreach programs: Orchestral Literacy Series, Children’s Classical Democracy Series and Seniors Living To The Beat.

In its first two decades, OP was comprised of local musicians performing symphonic and chamber music. OP’s first conductor was Francis J. Francis (1957-63), followed by Edward Oscapella Sr. (1963-7), Jacob Groob (1967-72), Roy Cox (1972-9) and Winston Webber, who conducted until 1994.An era of spectacular development began in 1996 when present Maestro Marco Parisotto was appointed Music Director. One of Canada's most distinguished conductors on the world stage, under his leadership the orchestra grew into a fully professional symphonic ensemble of outstanding artistic quality. With a strong vision and determination, Maestro Parisotto brought about significant and fundamental changes to every aspect of OP. With the introduction of innovative and original programming and the invitation of prominent Canadian and international soloists, success was assured as he steered OP to a high point of popularity with an ever-widening audience.

2008 marked the beginning of OP's association with one of Canada's newest and most successful universities: Ontario Tech University (formerly UOIT). This stellar alliance of Knowledge and Art ensures OP’s continued significant growth, organizationally and artistically. Ontario Tech generously provides its historic Regent Theatre for OP’s main concert series.

The year 2011 commenced OP’s highly successful concert series at Koerner Hall, Toronto and Durham’s Regent Theatre, showcasing some of the world's most renowned soloists. In its earlier years, OP was known as the Oshawa Symphony. Name changes in 1995 and 2008 answered the widening of its Ontario audience and its increasing role in providing audiences with world class symphonic music.

Since 2008 the orchestra has been known permanently as Ontario Philharmonic – a prestigious name fittingly reflecting its impressive development, its ON Tech partnership, its service to Ontario’s most densely populated area, and in homage to the beauty and grandeur of our province.

Elmer Iseler Singers join OP as the chorus for the Distant Worlds Film Concert performances, January 30th and 31st 2026 at Meridian Hall with Artie Roth, Conductor and Guest Vocalist Amanada Achen. We invite you to experience exciting, powerful, passionate performances with our thrilling orchestra: Ontario Philharmonic.

For information about our concerts, please visit OP’s website at www.ontariophil.ca

69th CONCERT SEASON