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 {…}
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Calgary Opera will host a special concert on Sept. 22. Jonathan Brandani and Alice Farnham will conduct arias, duets, choral, and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Soloists include Tracy Dahl, David Pomeroy, Lyne Fortin, Andrew Love, Krisztina Szabó, Brett Polegato, and John Tessier. Ben Heppner will emmcee. The concert starts at 7:30 pm at the Southern {…}
Calgary Opera has announced its 2022-23 season. The 50th anniversary showcase will kick off with a special gala event hosted by Ben Heppner. It will feature such artists as Tracy Dahl, David Pomeroy, Lyne Fortin, Andrew Love, Krisztina Szabó, Brett Polegato, and John Tessier. Jonathan Brandani and Alice Farnham conduct. Performance Date: Sept. 22, 2022 Brenna Corner will direct “Carmen” {…}
The Calgary Opera will close its 2021-22 season with Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The company will present Verdi’s masterpiece on April 2, 6, and 8, 2022 with a cast that includes Talise Trevigne in the title role, Andrew Haji as Alfredo, and Hyung Yun as Germont. In a statement Heather Kitchen, General Director and CEO of Calgary Opera noted, “We are {…}
Calgary Opera is set to return to its main stage performance series at the South Alberta Jubilee Auditorium with “The Merry Widow” starting on Jan. 29, 2022. Due to health and safety regulations in Canada, the company will be able to open to 50 percent capacity with all audience members required to wear masks. The opera will star Aviva Fortunata, {…}
(Credit: Calgary Opera official website) Calgary Opera has announced that the Emerging Artist Development Program will now officially be named after its late General Director and CEO W.R. (Bob) McPhee. McPhee passed away on March 13, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. His 19-year tenure with the Calgary Opera included commissioning six new works for opera, as well as {…}
Calgary Opera has announced that Jonathan Brandani will become the company’s new Artistic Director. Brandani conducted Calgary Opera’s box office record-shattering 2019 production of Puccini’s “La Bohème” and is passionate about youth education and expanding the inclusiveness of opera. Brandani will work on Calgary Opera’s community initiatives, programming the upcoming 2022-2023 50th Anniversary season, and leading the company’s return to live {…}
The Calgary Opera has announced its 2021-22 season feature two mainstage productions. Mainstage The season opens with Lehar’s “The Merry Widow” starring Aviva Fortunata in the title role. She will be joined by Colin Ainsworth, Richard Suart, James Westman, and Jacqueline Woodley. Omer Ben Seadia directs the production with Tania Miller conducting. Performance Dates: Jan. 29, Feb. 2 & 4, {…}
Calgary Opera has announced the first installment of its new documentary film series, meant to give audiences a behind-the-scenes view into the creation of new operas being produced through their inaugural Opera Labs project. The first, on March 24, will be “The Seeds of Namwayut,” which follows the creation process of the upcoming, Indigenous-themed work “Namwayut.” Led by mezzo-soprano Marion {…}
Arts administrator Bob McPhee passed away on March 13, 2021, following a long battle with cancer. Born in 1956, McPhee graduated from the University of Manitoba and began his career as a baritone, perfoming in theatre, opera, radio, and television. After studying arts administration at Stanford University, McPhee served as artistic director and conductor for choral groups, and taught private {…}
Calgary Opera is set to present a virtual concert and brunch experience entitled “Valentine’s Day Brunch.” The showcase, scheduled for Feb. 14, 2021, will pair opera classics from such works as “Le Nozze di Figaro” and “Don Giovanni” with jazz numbers. The showcase will be headlined by soprano Sharleen Joynt and mezzo-soprano Marion Newman. Other artists in the showcase include {…}