Calgary Opera is set to present “Little Red Riding Hood,” the famously funny, bite-sized opera by Seymour Barab. The one-hour family favorite brings a playful twist to the classic fairytale, making it the perfect introduction to opera for young audiences. Mieko Ouchi, Stage Director of this production, who is also a Canadian actress, playwright, and director, said, “I am thrilled {…}
Calgary Opera is set to open its 2025-26 season with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The opera will be performed on Nov. 1, 2 & 7, 2025, at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, and will be directed by acclaimed stage director Mo Zhou and conducted by Calgary Opera’s Artistic Director Jonathan Brandani. In a statement, Stage Director Mo Zhou said, “Set in {…}
Calgary Opera has named Tara Laberge as the New McPhee Artist Development Program Manager. She will take over starting on Sept. 1, 2025. Laberge is a performer, educator, and adjudicator, and will be charged with the McPhee Artist Development Program, which supports young artists and bridges the gap between academic training and progressional careers for up to eight singers per {…}
Calgary Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. Opening the season is “Madama Butterfly” starring Yasko Sato, Matthew White, Nina Yoshida Nelsen, and Phillip Addis. Mo Zhou directs and Jonathan Brandani condudcts. Performance Dates: Nov. 1 – 7, 2025 “Little Red Riding Hood” gets a showcase at Mamdani Opera Centre. Performance Dates: Nov. 28 – Dec. 7, 2025 Then comes “Hansel and Gretel.” {…}
Calgary Opera is set to present Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale.” The opera, which is set to be performed on Feb. 1, 5, and 7, 2025, will be showcased in a Hollywood cinematic production at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. The all-Canadian cast will include John Fanning in his role debut as Don Pasquale, Lucia Cesaroni as Norina, John Tessier as Ernesto, {…}
Calgary Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. First up is “Don Giovanni.” the opera stars Philip Addis, Aviva Fortunata, Guido Loconsolo, Chuan Wang, Midori Marsh, and Neil Craighead. Anna Theodsakis directs and Jonathan Brandani conducts. Performance Dates: Nov. 2-9, 2024 Next up is “The Witty Squirrel.” The opera features music by Nino Rotta. Performance Dates: Nov. 29-Dec. 8, 2024 John Fanning, Lucia {…}
(Credit: Richard Termine) Calgary Opera will present the Donizetti classic “The Elixir of Love” this February. The production, which opens on Feb. 3 and runs through the 9th at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium for a total of four performances, will be directed by Pablo Maritano and conducted by Farkhad Khudyev. “’Elixir’ is a heartwarming story of young love, with {…}
Calgary Opera’s Board of Directors has announced that Sue Elliott has been appointed the next General Director & CEO. The new position will be effective on Nov. 20, 2023. In her new position, she will work in partnership with Artistic Director Jonathan Brandani to realize the company’s mission of enriching the community with diverse operas, educational programs, artist training, and {…}
Heather Kitchen, the General Director and CEO of Calgary Opera will leave the organization on Dec. 31. In January 2019, Calgary Opera’s Board of Directors appointed Kitchen as the Managing Director and CEO in a co-leadership position with Director Bramwell Tovey. In 2020, Kitchen agreed to serve as General Director as well as CEO when Tovey stepped down due to {…}
Calgary Opera is set to present Verdi’s “Macbeth” in a production by Rachel Peake. The opera, set to be presented between April 22 and 28 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, will star Giuseppe Altomare in the title role and Vittoria Yeo as Lady Macbeth. The cast will be rounded out by Andrew Haji as Macduff and Robert Pomakov as {…}
The Calgary Opera is set to present Bizet’s “Carmen” on November 19, 23 and 25, 2022 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. “Carmen” will feature Tunisian-Canadian rising star Rihab Chaieb, Panamanian-American baritone Nmon Ford, Canadian tenor David Pomeroy, members of the Cantaré Children’s Choir, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and the McPhee Artists of the Calgary Opera. Mark Morash conducts with {…}