The Regent comes alive with music

The cold October wind outside of the modern entrance to The Regent Theatre in Oshawa grows silent as you walk through the doors.

The modern entrance transforms inside into something that takes you back in time. The deep royal blue ceiling with golden cherubs and engraved molding wrap around five golden chandeliers.

An orchestra warms up on the full stage as people start to fill the red cushioned seats.

“Welcome to the 58th season of the Philharmonic,” proclaimed Charles Morison chair of the Ontario Philharmonic, as it recently unveiled its new season in Oshawa.

The lights lowered and that’s when the crowd went silent. The music started and almost everyone was still, mesmerized by the sound. The orchestra was bathed in golden light as it started to play with guest conductor Jesus Medina.

Medina moved to the music as if it was taking over his body and he was willing them to play. He moved fiercely as the music got louder and more powerful, and flowed as the lighter choruses appeared.

The entire orchestra was dressed in black and moved in unison. The violinists’ bows danced through the music.

Throughout Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C major the large cellos boomed into sound keeping time with the violins. Principal flutist Leslie Newman accented the harmony with her bright sounds that fluttered through the music.

Intermission showed the first signs of sounds from the crowd as it responded with thunderous applause.

Once the intermission was over and the lights were turned down the crowd roared as a vision in white came onto the stage. Violinist Etsuko Kimura walked onto the stage in a floor length white dress that sparkled in the light.

The music started again with Medina moving his body to the music as Kimura waited standing beside him. Kimura held her violin as if it is her child, close to her heart, tenderly, with both hands as she swayed to the music waiting for her moment.

Kimura played her violin with her entire body. She moved violently, as the music turned darker and louder. Her hands moved so fast it almost looked inhuman. The entire orchestra was completely still.

BEETHOVEN’s Violin Concerto op. 61 in D major was a powerful display of sound accompanied by the light angelic sounds of Kimura’s violin.

The violin strings in the entire orchestra played on the crowd’s heartstrings as they flowed through different emotions with sound.

The crowd erupted with cheers, applause and a standing ovation for Kimura, Medina and the rest of the Philharmonic.

“I thought I was more cultured, but I keep thinking I’m going to see dancing brooms,” said Catya MacEachern as she walked out of the theatre.

The Ontario Philharmonic will return to The Regent Theatre on Nov. 28 to perform Sultans of String.