---

One doesn’t normally consider watching children’s cartoons to be a classy and cultural night out on the town, but the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s most recent project proves to be just that. American composer George Daugherty returns to Vancouver after his past Bugs Bunny on Broadway concert with the VSO in the 1980’s. There were several audience members in attendance that had attended that previous show at the Queen Elizabeth theatre back then as well!

Guest composer Bugs Bunny really stole the show, as his silly antics are projected onto several large screens in the Theatre for all to enjoy. Lots of children were in attendance, and the show would have been worth seeing if only to hear the delighted chortles and giggles coming from kids seated nearby, not to mention the great music on stage.

Daugherty gave us several history lessons about how so many talented musicians came to be working for Warner Brothers in the 1940’s to 1960’s, and explained that their recording sessions would have been much like what we were witnessing on stage.

I would have liked to hear more music rather than watching some cartoons that didn’t feature the orchestra as prominently, but it is true what they say – absence makes the heart grow fonder. We realized how important the music was to the film clips when the orchestra members did eventually join in.

Daugherty’s words brought me to several realizations throughout the evening – the most important being that most children’s first exposure to classical music is through cartoons. I had never even considered the musical undertones in the cartoon titles “Merrie Melodies” and “Looney Tunes”!

Other guest performers throughout the night included Tom and Jerry, the Flintstones, and the Scooby Doo gang. Bugs Bunny at the Symphony was a most enjoyable evening that proved once again that the VSO is eager and willing to go out on a limb and try something unique to help nurture a love of classical music in the next generation of audience members.

© 2011 Cassie Silva

---