You have heard him on CBC and now you can see and hear him live on stage at The Port Theatre as The Vancouver Island Symphony proudly welcomes Daniel Bartholomew‑Poyser to the podium as Guest Conductor for Mischief, Madness & Mystery. Audiences may recognize Daniel as the host of CBC’s Centre Stage, where he brings his insight and artistry to national audiences each Saturday. A passionate communicator with an international career, Bartholomew‑Poyser brings clarity, warmth, and meaning to the concert hall, fostering deep connections between performers and listeners. His guest conducting appearances include the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Canadian Opera Company.
Mischief, Madness & Mystery, a program of colour, contrast, and curiosity, will feature the works of Dmitri Shostakovich, Canada’s own Jared Miller, and Edward Elgar’s masterful Cello Concerto. A marked departure in style, Elgar’s Cello Concerto reflects a more somber, introspective voice in the years following WWI. Although the 1919 premiere was met with little enthusiasm, the work steadily gained admiration over time and is now one of the most frequently performed cello concertos in the international repertoire. We are thrilled to welcome back to the stage, acclaimed Canadian cellist Cameron Crozman. When covid hit and all events were shut down – your orchestra was on stage and Cameron was the guest artist to be featured. It has taken us six years to get him back and we are delighted to feature him this weekend to perform this beloved concerto.
Known for his expressive artistry and commanding stage presence, Crozman maintains an active performing career across Canada, the USA, and Europe. He has appeared as a soloist with the Orchestre National d’Ile‑de‑France (Paris), the Montreal, Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Vancouver Island Symphony, among others. His performances have taken him everywhere from the Philharmonie de Paris and the Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre to the Qidi Vidi Brewery of St. John’s, Newfoundland – a testament to both his versatility and adventurous artistic spirit.
Described by Classica Magazine as displaying “technical perfection with a personal style that leaves us wanting to hear more,” Crozman continues to earn international praise for his award-winning artistry. His work has been broadcast on CBC, Radio France, Radio Classique, and Medici.tv.
Cameron currently performs on a rare 1734 Domenico Montagnana cello, an instrument renowned for its extraordinary character. Generously on loan from the Canimex Collection in Quebec, it is part of one of the world’s most prestigious collections of fine string instruments. Montagnana cellos have been played by many of the world’s greatest artists, including Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, Lynn Harrell, Truls Mørk, and Raphael Wallfisch.
Mischief, Madness & Mystery takes place on Saturday, November 14 at 7:30 pm at the Port Theatre with a pre-concert talk starting at 6:30 pm.