The Canadian Opera Company is set to present Bizet’s “Carmen” with two mezzos. J’Nai Bridges makes her COC debut in the title role and shares it with COC Ensemble Studio alumna Rihab Chaieb. They are joined by Argentine tenor Marcelo Puente as Don José and Lebanese-Canadian soprano Joyce El-Khoury as Micaëla. El-Khoury shares the role with Anna-Sophie Neher, an Ensemble Studio {…}
The Canadian Opera Company is set to open its new season with Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman.” The opera, which will be performed at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, will be directed by Marilyn Gronsdal, taking on the original vision from American director Christopher Alden. COC Music Director Johannes Debus will lead the opera and said, “I was {…}
On August 29, 2022, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts announced the nominations for the 42 Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which recognize excellence in theatre, dance, and opera in Toronto. Leading the opera category with nine nominations is “R.U.R. A Torrent of Light” by Tapestry Opera in partnership with OCAD University. They are nominated for Outstanding Production, Outstanding {…}
The COC Ensemble Studio has announced that four new artists have joined the company’s 2022-2023 roster. The four singers are soprano Ariane Cossette, mezzo-sopranos Queen Hezumuryango and Alex Hetherington, and pianist Brian Cho. The four will join the highly specialized development program for Canadian opera professionals this August, alongside returning sopranos Charlotte Siegel and Midori Marsh, baritone Jonah Spungin, bass-baritone {…}
The Canadian Opera Company has announced its July digital streaming. The company will showcase “Bluebeard’s Castle” in Academy Award-nominated director Atom Egoyan’s production at the helm of an ambitious digital reimagining of Bela Bartók’s opera. The production stars American bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen in the title role and Canadian mezzo-soprano and Ensemble Studio graduate Krisztina Szabó as Judith. Streaming Date: Streaming {…}
“The Queen In Me” is set to explore the many ways that race, gender, and sexuality are represented, and often policed, in the opera industry. The new co-production from the Canadian Opera Company, Amplified Opera, Nightwood Theatre, and Theatre Gargantua was created by and stars interdisciplinary artist Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野. The production will be featured as a Major Cultural Event {…}
Canadian Opera Company has announced that it will honor Asian Heritage Month throughout the month of May. The company will present the “Showcase Series,” which features curated performances that explore Toronto’s cultural landscape. The Asian Heritage Month slate will feature a wide range of performances at the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts and Bradshaw Amphitheatre. “The Showcase Series aims {…}
The Canadian Opera Company has announced its 2022-23 season featuring seven productions and a world premiere. The season kicks off with Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” directed by Christopher Alden and stars Danish bass-baritone Johan Reuter. The cast also includes Marjorie Owens as Senta, Franz-Josef Selig, Miles Mykkanen, Christopher Ventris, and Rosie Aldridge. COC Music Director Johannes Debus leads the {…}
To celebrate its 70-year anniversary, the Canadian Opera Company is set to present Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” this May. The opera will be performed at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts and feature Canadian director Anna Theodosakis leading the revival of the audience favorite. “I’m excited to welcome families and opera lovers back with this timeless fairytale,” said Theodosakis {…}
The Canadian Opera Company is set to showcase Verdi’s “La Traviata” starting on April 23, 2022. The production will feature Amina Edris, Matthew Polenzani, Simone Piazzola, Jamie Groote, Jonah Spungin, Gregory Dahl, Midori Marsh, and Vartan Gabrielian. The creative team will include conductor Johannes Debus, director Arin Arbus, set designer Riccardo Hernández, puppet and costume designer Cait O’Connor, lighting designer {…}
The Canadian Opera Company’s in-person Summer Opera Camps returns this July 2022. The annual program provides youths and teens with the opportunity to make new friends, discover new interests, build self-confidence, and have plenty of fun. The camp experience will offer a number of options and this year the COC introduces the Summer Opera Intensive. The one-week program, intended for advanced {…}