Early Music Vancouver (EMV) is delighted to unveil its 2025/26 season, which features a glittering lineup of world-renowned artists, bold collaborations, and timeless masterpieces performed on period instruments. From transcendent vocal artistry to cross-cultural encounters, this season offers audiences a diverse banquet of performances that unite historical authenticity with the thrill of live discovery.
“The 2025/26 season invites audiences to experience music as a living, breathing, and flourishing art form,” says EMV’s Artistic and Executive Director Suzie LeBlanc. “Historically informed performance lets us step into the sound worlds of Bach, Handel, and Beethoven, and the clarity of period instruments makes every note speak anew.”
Season Highlights
This season, EMV welcomes five world-class baroque instrumental ensembles to its stage: Vancouver’s own Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra (Toronto), Gli Incogniti (Europe), Ensemble Artaserse (Europe), and the exuberant Ruckus Ensemble (New York).
Adding to the season’s instrumental offerings are three of today’s most captivating interpreters of the baroque violin repertoire: Rachel Podger with Tafelmusik (Nov 15), the charismatic Théotime Langlois de Swarte with harpsichordist Justin Taylor (Mar 21), and the radiant Amandine Beyer with her ensemble Gli Incogniti (Apr 17).
Audiences will also revel in the artistry of some of the early music world’s leading vocal soloists: soprano Amanda Forsythe (Sept 27) delights with her signature repertoire of Handel arias, as well as a powerful new work by Métis composer Pat Carrabré; renowned Bach specialist Hana Blažíková joins the dynamic Ensemble Constantinople for Bach and Khayyam (Jan 30); and the legendary countertenor Philippe Jaroussky returns to Vancouver with his Ensemble Artaserse (May 1).
Forte-pianists renowned for their technical mastery and interpretative depth champion EMV’s historical keyboard collection: Eric Guo, winner of the 2nd International Chopin Competition for Historic Instruments, makes his Vancouver debut on EMV’s recently restored 1876 Pleyel piano (Sept 14), and Ronald Brautigam plays EMV’s 1819 Graf fortepiano by Paul McNulty in a riveting programme of Beethoven and Schubert (Feb 28).
To adorn the holiday season, Handel’s Messiah returns to the Orpheum, featuring soloists Myriam Leblanc, Cecilia Duarte, Jacob Perry and Sumner Thompson, the Vancouver Chamber Choir and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, under the direction of Alexander Weimann. For the first time, this Messiah performance will also be presented at Fraserview Church in Richmond.
Early Music Plus
As well as presenting treasured classics of the early music repertoire, EMV continues to expand the boundaries of historically informed performance by showcasing new compositions and innovative collaborations such as Bach and Khayyam, a poetic meeting of baroque and Persian traditions, and Amour Courtois, a medieval–jazz fusion that explores timeless themes across centuries and genres.
For tickets and information, visit earlymusic.bc.ca
About Early Music Vancouver (earlymusic.bc.ca)
Early Music Vancouver’s concerts offer a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and exploration of diverse perspectives and relationships with the past. Under the leadership of Artistic/Executive Director, and internationally acclaimed soprano, Suzie LeBlanc, C.M., EMV presents a variety of live performances and digital concerts featuring some of the most renowned artists in the early music genre drawn from all parts of the globe.
LISTING INFORMATION EMV presents 2025-2026 Main Season
Dates: September 14, 2025 – May 1, 2026
Various Venues: Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard St.)
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (6265 Crescent Rd.)
Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton St.)
The Orpheum (601 Smithe St)
Fraserview Mennonite Church, Richmond (11295 Mellis Dr.)
Ticket Prices: From $35.75 to $84
Under age 35: 35% off regular priced tickets and subscriptions
Free tickets for Indigenous persons
Students with a valid post-secondary student ID enjoy $15 tickets to most EMV concerts.
Pay-What-You-Can tickets available
Ticket policies available here
Ticket link: earlymusic.bc.ca/emvs-2025-2026-main-season
Website: earlymusic.bc.ca