Aventa, founded in 2003, is a Victoria-based ensemble with a mission statement of performing and fostering new music in British Columbia and Canada. Aventa regularly commissions both Canadian and international composers and has presented premieres of over 100 works. Recent highlights from the international repertoire include the world premiere of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ Stormwatch, Stormfall (commissioned by Aventa) and the North American premiere of Pierre Boulez’s Dérive II (1988-2007).
Aventa commissioned and presented the world premiere of British composer (and Canadian Permanent Resident) Gavin Bryars’ opera Marilyn, Forever at Victoria’s MacPherson Playhouse Theatre. Marilyn, Forever was presented on the international stage at the Adelaide Festival 2015.
“whimsical, surreal and musically absorbing, “Marilyn Forever” is an undeniable highlight of this year’s Adelaide Festival.” – Graham Strahle, The Australian.
“Marilyn Forever is an intimate piece steeped in beautiful melancholia. Jealousy, fame and the search for love collide making this soulful opera with a perfect ending an Adelaide Festival highlight.” – Gordon Forester, Limelight, Australia’s classical music and arts magazine.
Aventa presented Norwegian composer Rolf Wallin’s Strange News on tour in Seattle, Ottawa, Regina and New York City, alongside performances of Canadian music and the world premiere of Donald Stewart’s crociFISSIONe, a work written explicitly for Aventa.
The ensemble has established itself as a leader in contemporary programming through an established concert series, tours, commissions and premiere performances.
“a superb contemporary-music ensemble” – Elissa Poole, Globe and Mail
“a superb Canadian ensemble” – Sueddeutsche, München
“an amazing performance” – Stephen Pedersen, The Chronicle Herald, Halifax
“an uncommonly compelling interpretation” – B5 Kultur, München
“tight and well-prepared” – Arthur Kaptainis, Montreal Gazette
“a remarkable performance, a tour-de-force to match the music” – Deryk Barker, Music in Victoria
“You’ve had a glimpse of infinity, and lo and behold, it’s a nice place to be” – Elissa Poole, Opus Magazine