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What is the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra?
The Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra (OP) is a Canadian orchestra based in the Greater Toronto Area, led by Music Director Marco Parisotto. It presents a main concert series in GTA venues and describes its programming as a "breathtaking symphonic journey," with the 2026–27 offerings framed as its 70th concert season. Its repertoire mixes core symphonic works (Mahler, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff) with holiday programming and new commissions, such as a world premiere by resident composer Samuel Bisson.
What the programming looks like
The season combines familiar audience draws with discovery:
- Holiday traditions: The Nutcracker (December 12, 2026) and a seasonal choral program with Resound Choir (December 18, 2026).
- Canon and soloists: Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante featuring concertmaster Hanna Kim and principal viola Sam Choi; Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko.
- New music: Bisson's Scherzo Atomico, an OP commission and world premiere.
- Guest conductors: Léa Moisan-Perrier and Guoyong Zhang make OP debuts.
Who it suits
This is a good fit for listeners who want a traditional symphony-orchestra experience close to home, and for gift-givers or families looking for a December holiday outing. Concertgoers curious about living composers get premieres alongside standard repertoire. The orchestra also offers subscriptions alongside single tickets, which matters if you plan to attend several programs.
If you are considering attending, check the OP site for the specific venue and date of the concert you want—its main series moves across several GTA venues—and compare a subscription against buying individual tickets for the programs you would actually attend.
Where does the Ontario Philharmonic perform its concerts, and which venues host its main series?
The Ontario Philharmonic performs across a variety of Greater Toronto Area venues rather than at a single home hall. According to the orchestra's own site, its main subscription series is hosted at the Regent Theatre and at the P C Ho Theatre. The page also notes that the orchestra performs in "a variety of GTA venues," with the main series presented at these two locations.
For a concertgoer, that means the venue depends on which programme you book: a main-series subscription concert will be at the Regent Theatre or the P C Ho Theatre, while other events may appear elsewhere in the GTA. Before buying, check the individual event listing on Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra for the specific venue tied to your date, since the season calendar mixes main-series concerts with holiday and special performances.
How can I buy tickets or a subscription for Ontario Philharmonic concerts?
Use the ticketing links on the Ontario Philharmonic site at Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert listing shows separate BUY tickets and SUBSCRIPTION paths, and subscriptions are listed for two venues: Regent Theatre and P C Ho Theatre. For a specific concert, go to that concert's "learn more" page and buy there; for several concerts, start with the subscription path and check which venue series fits your dates.
The 2026–27 season gives a clear example of the choice. A holiday-goer might pick The Nutcracker on December 12, 2026 or 'Tis the Season with Resound Choir on December 18, 2026 as a single ticket. Someone planning a broader season — Mahler in November 2026, Mendelssohn and Mozart in January 2027, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky in March 2027 — is the natural subscription buyer. Subscriptions usually trade flexibility for lower per-concert cost and earlier seat choice; single tickets suit visitors, gift buyers and people who can only attend one date. Confirm the venue, date and any subscription terms on the official pages before paying, since the site lists multiple GTA venues and season archives.
Which concerts are part of the 2026-2027 season and when do they take place?
The 2026–2027 season, billed as the Ontario Philharmonic's 70th concert season, includes these concerts on the orchestra's page:
- Magnificent Mahler — November 13 and 15, 2026
- The Nutcracker (Tchaikovsky) — December 12, 2026, with conductor Léa Moisan-Perrier making her OP debut
- 'Tis the Season with Resound Choir — December 18, 2026, a holiday program including Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, Jingle Bells and the Messiah "Hallelujah Chorus"
- Symphony al Pesto — January 22 and 24, 2027, featuring Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 under guest conductor Guoyong Zhang, plus the world premiere of Samuel Bisson's Scherzo Atomico and Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with concertmaster Hanna Kim and principal viola Sam Choi
- Romantic Treasures — March 27 and 28, 2027, with pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko in Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4
For planning, note that the season mixes single-date holiday events with paired programs repeated across two dates, so the January and March concerts offer a choice of evening. Check the orchestra's tickets and subscription pages on Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra for venue details and exact start times, since the page lists the Regent Theatre and P C Ho Theatre as subscription venues without assigning each concert.
Is the Ontario Philharmonic a registered charity, and how can I donate to support it?
Yes. The Ontario Philharmonic states on its site that it is now listed with Toronto charities, so it presents itself as a registered charitable organization. For official confirmation—and for a tax receipt—check the charity's registration details directly with the Canada Revenue Agency before giving.
How to donate
The orchestra's own site lists a "Donate" option alongside its tickets and subscription sections, which is the natural starting point for a gift. If you prefer to give in another way, these are the usual routes for a Canadian orchestra—treat them as general options to confirm with the organization, not as features the site spells out:
- Online: use the Donate link on Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra.
- By phone or mail: ask the orchestra's office about cheque donations and receipting.
- Monthly or tribute gifts: ask whether recurring giving or gifts in memory of someone can be arranged.
- Employer matching: many Canadian employers match charitable donations; ask the orchestra whether it can provide the paperwork.
A practical scenario
Suppose you attend The Nutcracker on December 12, 2026, or the holiday program with Resound Choir on December 18, 2026. A donation alongside ticket purchases supports the season you are already enjoying. Before you give, confirm three things with the orchestra: current charitable registration status, whether a tax receipt will be issued, and how your name should be listed if you want recognition.
Decision criterion
If a tax receipt matters to you, verify registration with the CRA first and keep the receipt for your records. If your priority is simply supporting local orchestral programming, the Donate link is the most direct route—and asking the office how funds are used will tell you whether your gift goes to concerts, outreach or general operations.
What should I know before attending a performance, such as the Nutcracker holiday concert or a Mahler symphony program?
Before attending an Ontario Philharmonic performance, plan around the specific program and venue rather than treating all concerts alike. The Nutcracker on December 12, 2026 is a seasonal Tchaikovsky draw, with Canadian conductor Léa Moisan-Perrier making her OP debut; the holiday-themed "'Tis the Season with Resound Choir" on December 18, 2026 is a separate concert built around carols and the Messiah "Hallelujah Chorus." Mahler's "Magnificent Mahler" appears on November 13 and 15, 2026 as part of the orchestra's 70th concert season, and later programs include Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 with guest conductor Guoyong Zhang (January 22 and 24, 2027) and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with Jaeden Izik-Dzurko (March 27 and 28, 2027).
What this means in practice
- Choose by familiarity with the music. The Nutcracker and the carol program suit families, first-time concertgoers and anyone who wants recognizable melodies; the Mahler and Rachmaninoff evenings reward listeners comfortable with longer symphonic works.
- Check the venue before booking. The site notes that OP performs across a variety of Greater Toronto Area venues, with its main series at the Regent Theatre and subscription concerts also listed at P.C. Ho Theatre. Travel time and seating differ between them, so confirm which hall your date uses.
- Note the two-date pattern. Several programs run on two evenings, which gives flexibility if one date conflicts with work or family commitments.
- Subscriptions versus single tickets. The site separates subscription purchase from single-ticket buying, so a subscriber who plans to attend three or more programs can compare the two routes before committing.
A useful next step
If you are deciding between the holiday and symphonic options, pick the concert whose repertoire you could hum afterwards; that is the clearest sign you will enjoy the evening. Then check the listed venue for that date and arrive early enough to settle in, since GTA traffic around evening performances can be unpredictable.
For broader context on orchestral programming in the region, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and National Arts Centre list comparable classical seasons.
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