Esprit Orchestra

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Esprit Orchestra is Canada's only full-sized, professional orchestra devoted to performing and presenting new music.

Founded in 1983 by Music Director and Conductor, Alex Pauk, Esprit’s commitment to commissioning and advancing contemporary music has set it apart as one of the few organisations of its kind on a global scale. Esprit consistently collaborates with outstanding composers and performs with first-class soloists and ensembles from Canada and abroad.

With a dynamic annual subscription concert series, this skilled orchestra presents music that is otherwise unavailable in Canada. Esprit performances are regularly recorded, and many can be viewed online in full.

During the 2025/26 Edge of Your Seat Festival II, Esprit will present four concerts at Toronto's Koerner Hall, comprising the very best in contemporary music from around the world. Esprit will present new co-commissioned concerti by Dieter Ammann and Misato Mochizuki for violist Nils Mönkemeyer and violinist Akiko Suwanai, premiere 2 new Canadian works, and perform music by such esteemed composers as Claude Vivier, Thomas Adès, Aziza Sadikova, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Ben Nobuto, Arvo Pärt, Anders Hillborg, Alexina Louie, Gabriella Smith and more!