Cello superstar Sheku returns with a wide-ranging solo program, October 29 at the Chan Centre
Crossing centuries of music for the Vancouver Recital Society performance, the artist is planning a grand finale with young cellists

Sheku. Photo by Ollie Ali
Vancouver Recital Society presents Sheku at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on October 29 at 3 pm
CELLO SENSATION SHEKU WAS last here with his six incredibly talented Kanneh-Mason siblings, ranging in age from 13 to 26 years, last spring—but this time he returns to the Vancouver Recital Society to show how riveting he can be solo.
The concert, unmissable for cello fans, will feature the expressive artist interpreting everyone from Johann Sebastian Bach to young 21st-century Welsh composer Gwilym Simcock. Sheku will play the range of solo-cello works on his rare 1700 Matteo Goffriller instrument—all in the impeccable acoustic atmosphere of the Chan Centre.
The highlight, though? The grand finale, when Sheku is joined by a group of young local cellists in a performance of Pablo Casals’s “Song of the Birds”—the Catalan composer, cellist, and peace activist’s haunting standard for any kids trying to learn the beautiful instrument. That performance highlights Sheku’s outspoken mission is to make music accessible to all. He may have become famous to the masses while playing at the wedding of Harry and Meghan at Windsor Castle in 2018, and his gigs span Last Night of the Proms and the Royal Philharmonic, but he’s just as keen on performing at school halls.
This marks the fourth time the star has appeared with the VRS, making his sold-out Canadian debut with the organization when he played at the Vancouver Playhouse in 2017—pre royal wedding. That he's back is a testament to his connection to the organization—and it's a chance to see how he's evolved and explored, even if you didn't get bragging rights to that first magical performance here.
Related Articles
Dutch accordionist Erica Roozendaal explores themes of abuse and childhood instability in her heartfelt solo performance
Performance stars creator Rick Maddocks alongside flamenco dancer Maria Avila, soprano vocalist Dory Hayley, and talented musicians
Astrolabe Musik Theatre presents Farshid Samandari’s The Greater Sea and Gheorghi Arnaoudov’s Notes of the Phantom Woman
Fuelled by curiosity and spontaneity, the acclaimed performer looks beyond the Chopin repertoire that made his name
A guest of the Vancouver Chopin Society, the veteran musician risked it all to stand up against tyranny
Alt-rock band Meltt, D.O.A. frontman Joe Keithley, and singer-songwriter Ché Aimee Dorval are among the Burrard Stage highlights
Stellar local musicians play seminal, sassy funk in North Shore Jazz presentation as part of Vancouver International Jazz Festival
In renowned one-man show I Wish I Was a Mountain, the award-winning British poet leans on rhythm of deep musical influences
Wurlitzer organ, Azerbaijani folk music, rousing chorales, and more culminate in a Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performance at the Orpheum
Newest production to feature Sound the Alarm’s lineup of seasoned singers mines soundtracks of Disney and Hollywood classics
Three concerts at RockRidge Canyon resort in Princeton highlight chamber works prepared by the artists during a week-long intensive
In Western Gold Theatre’s spare staging of Caryl Churchill’s taut, wry work, roles rotate across performances with some astonishing results
The violinist’s Fantasy Vignettes interweaves Baroque music, costume changes, and sewing machines
All-Canadian program Legacy celebrates spring and rebirth as Cassie Luftspring prepares to take the baton
The Zawose Queens, The Milk Cartons Kids, and more to hit the Main Stage at ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park
Program also features North American premiere of Danish composer Thomas Agerfeldt Olesen’s Violin Concerto with violinist Simone Lamsma
Season-closing concert features guest artist Christopher Gaze and a world premiere by composer Thuthuka Sibisi
Now based in the U.S., artist brings more than 60 years of performance experience and award wins to the stage
Beatles songs and Broadway hits are on the program featuring performers of all ages
In the latest installment of the VSO at the Annex series, the conductor and pianist hopes the eclectic program will take some of the intimidation factor out of new music
Paris-born, Montreal-raised pianist won the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw
At Vancouver New Music, Cheldon Paterson’s uncategorizable music fuses his love for nature with his taste for obscure sound
Compelling young artist has performed worldwide and won prizes at the National Chopin Piano Competition
Genre-spanning international and local talents take to North Shore venues in BlueShore at CapU and Vancouver International Jazz Festival presentation
Program includes an Emily Carr–inspired piece by Tawnie Olson, a composition about a satellite falling out of orbit by Chris Sivak, and more
In Have You Heard Judi Singh?, Vancouver director interweaves archival footage, re-created moments, and mesmerizing music in tribute to late Punjabi-Black artist
Set in the aftermath of World War II, updated production adds depth and nuance to the iconic work
Another 30 concerts will take place at Performance Works, Ocean Artworks, and the Revue Stage from June 20 to July 1
Tanzania’s Zawose Queens and Congo’s Les Mamans du Congo x Rrobin rub shoulders with Canadian names like Elisapie and Ocie Elliott at ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park, July 18 to 20
At Pacific Spirit United Church, program draws on previously performed works by Bach, Mahler, and more