Stratagem Artists has announced the expansion of its roster via not only a foray into the Canadian opera world, but with the inclusion of off-stage artists.

Among those added to the company’s team are conductors Kamna Gupta, Geoff McDonald, and Robert Tweten; directors Ellen Jackson, Laine Rettmer, Marcus Shields, and Aria Umezawa; and composers Lembit Beecher, Cecilia Livingston, and Rene Orth.

As far as vocal artists go, the company has signed sopranos Lucía Cesaroni and Aviva Fortunata; mezzo-soprano Reilly Nelson; and baritone Phillip Addis; all of these artists are major players in the Canadian operatic scene. These singers join Canadian baritone James Demler and tenor Adrian Kramer, who are already on Stratagem’s roster.

The company also announced that it would be signing Jenna Simeonov as Associate Artist Manager. Simeonov has vast experience as a coach at the Canadian Opera Company; she has also worked with Against the Grain Theatre. Simeonov is also the editor and founder of renowned publication Schmopera and has contributed to several publications including Opera Canada and The Globe and Mail.