Manitoba Live Music Event

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Desiree Abbey is among the most constant virtuosos on the MCO’s stage

Beaming with rare talent and a warm presence Desiree Abbey has regularly appeared as our principal cellist for many years. Despite her approachability, she’s a player with an impressive pedigree: she holds a Master of Music from the New School, has performed at Carnegie Hall, toured Europe, and appeared as a soloist across North America. 

It’s in that role that the indispensable Desi appears at this concert under the baton of  Jean-Marie Zeitouni  one of Canada’s brightest conducting talents. Desi will premiere a cello concerto written for her by the Jamaican Canadian composer Ted Runcie. The impressive McGill grad has a growing, eclectic body of work that counts Barack Obama among its fans.

It’s about time we perform Schubert again! At this concert we play his final — and arguably best — work, the Quintet in C Major. That Schubert died at just 31, before he was even able to enjoy 
a public performance of the quintet, gives the work a certain unintended melancholy. But it’s not enough to overshadow the joy radiating from almost any fibre of this work. 

The Quintet in C Major is rightfully regarded as one of chamber music’s greatest works. Desi and the band’s incredible performance will show you why.