Victoria’s Inner Harbour won’t be filled with the sounds of a symphony this B.C. Day long weekend, but classical music enthusiasts can tune into the Symphony Splash online.
The event, which in past years has attracted tens of thousands of people to downtown Victoria, will play out its 31st year via streaming video. Like all large gatherings and music festivals, Symphony Splash is adapting to the ban on large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symphony will re-broadcast its 2018 Splash, which included classics such as the Star Wars theme song and music from E.T.
The broadcast will include an introduction from CTV’s Adam Sawatsky and an interview during intermission with 19-year-old Danielle Tsao, who wowed the crowd in 2018 as a young soloist.
Last year, about 30,000 to 40,000 people took in Splash from the Inner Habour causeway, the legislature lawn, and kayaks and boats on the water.
Due to the pandemic, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has limited gatherings to 50 people or fewer.
“It will give people longing for the event a chance to reminisce,” said Jill Smillie, director of marketing for the Victoria Symphony.
Symphony Splash can be watched on the Victoria’s Symphony’s website at victoriasymphony.ca and its Facebook page at facebook.com/vicsymphony on Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m., the same time as the Splash would have been.
The Victoria Symphony is asking for donations since it has lost a huge opportunity to fundraise this year, Smillie said. “We’re hoping people will be generous and supportive.”
