Film Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Toon Story’ Tour Sees Strong Demand in Canary Islands

The Film Symphony Orchestra (FSO) has firmly established itself in the Canary Islands, with its latest show, Toon Story, selling over 80% of available tickets. The strong public response—which has already led to two sold-out performances—highlights the success of a partnership that began in 2017 and has made the islands a key stop on the orchestra's national tour.

Moving the production is a major logistical undertaking. The two-week visit involves over 70 musicians and nearly a ton of equipment, including 50 large instruments and an intricate sound and lighting system, all transported by a three-axle vehicle. While the heavy gear and technical crew travel by sea and land, the musicians carry their smaller woodwind and brass instruments on flights.

The orchestra will perform at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this weekend, followed by shows at the Auditorio de Tenerife on May 2nd and 3rd. Conductor Constantino Martínez-Orts noted that while the logistics are demanding, the enthusiastic local audience makes the effort worthwhile.

The two-hour program features music from beloved animated films, including Aladdin, The Incredibles, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and How to Train Your Dragon. This tour, which launched last October and includes 70 performances nationwide, is part of a strategy to build loyal audiences by blending symphonic music with visual storytelling. Given the high demand in the Canary Islands, the orchestra may add more dates, further proving the popularity of these large-scale touring productions in the region.