Canadian Opera Company Announces Free Concert Series
By Afton MarkayThe Canadian Opera Company releases the details of its 2025 Free Concert Series.
This article only features classical vocal events. All performances are held in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre.
“Meet the Ensemble Studio” opens the season. Soprano Emma Pennell, mezzo-soprano Ariana Maubach, tenor Angelo Moretti, baritone Ben Wallace, and bass-baritone Nicholas Murphy will introduce themselves by singing one of their favorite arias.
Performance Date: September 17, 2025
Up next is, “An Afternoon of Reflections, with Elisabeth St-Gelais.” The soprano performs excerpts from Ian Cusson’s Recital des Anges” and Berlioz’s complete “Les Nuits d’été,” with pianist Louise Pelletier. This concert is held in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Performance Date: September 30, 2025
Students from the University of Toronto Opera School, led by Sandra Horst, present a collection of scenes by composers from The First Viennese School.
Performance Date: October 1, 2025
Opera Atelier presents staged excerpts of its fall production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” for attendees of all ages.
Performance Date: October 2, 2025
Tenor Owen McCausland performs works by Schumann and Strauss in the concert, “Wanderer and Beloved.”
Performance Date: October 7, 2025
Opera Revue presents “An “Opera Revue” Revue.”
Performance Date: October 14, 2025
Soprano Hera Hyesang Park performs a concert as part of a new collaboration with the McGill-UdeM Piano-Vocal Arts Residency.
Performance Date: October 29, 2025
Soprano Kate Fogg presents “Telling Tales: Wirth Vocal Prize Recital.”
Performance Date: November 6, 2025
Artists from the Rebanks Family Fellowship and International Performance Residency Program at The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School give a showcase.
Performance Date: November 19, 2025
Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio present “Operatic Gems.”
Performance Date: December 9, 2025
Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio celebrate the winter season with songs, both sacred and secular.
Performance Date: December 16, 2025
Soprano Ariane Cossette and pianist Brian Cho present a concert featuring works of 21st-century female composers.
Performance Date: December 17, 2025
The Cantala Choir perform Ola Gjeilo’s “Northern Lights,” Andrew Balfour’s “Wyandot’s Realm,” and works by Bev Lewis, Katharine Petkovski, and other Canadian women composers.
Performance Date: December 18, 2025
Mezzo-soprano Michal Aloni and pianist Connor O’Kane give a recital of Hebrew music by Jewish composers and poets. This performance is presented in commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Performance Date: January 6, 2026
Artists of the COC Orchestra and Ensemble Studio present “Simply Mozart.”
Performance Date: January 22, 2026
Bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni performs a concert featuring songs by Francesco Paolo Tosti and Schubert
Performance Date: February 10, 2026
The Glenn Gould School’s Artist Diploma Program perform operatic arias, scenes, and excerpts ahead of the double bill production of Rossini’s “La cambiale di matrimonio” and Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi.”
Performance Date: February 17, 2026
Canadian Art Song Project presents UofT Faculty of Music students in a program that honors Black Canadian composers and artists. This concert is in celebration of Black History Month.
Performance Date: February 25, 2026
The UofT Faculty of Music, France-Canada Academy of Vocal Arts students perform a program of Canadian art songs.
Performance Date: March 3, 2026
The COC-commissioned children’s opera, “The Brothers Grimm” by Dean Burry gets a 25th anniversary performance.
Performance Date: March 18, 2026
Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio present “An Afternoon of Lieder.”
Performance Date: March 26, 2026
“Whit and Whimsy: Opera Buffa” is presented by COC Ensemble Studio members.
Performance Date: April 9 , 2026
Opera 5 artist interns perform selections ranging from opera and musical theatre.
Performance Date: May 4 , 2026
Tenor Michael Colvin and bass Alain Coulombe, along with pianist Liz Upchurch give a recital of favorite songs.
Performance Date: May 11, 2026
Soprano Emily Rocha and bass Duncan Stenhouse are joined by pianist Liz Upchurch in their graduating recital.
Performance Date: May 12, 2026
Opera 5 gives a sneak-peak into its upcoming festival performances.
Performance Date: May 13, 2026
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