Tamara Wilson, Hera Hyesang Park & Russell Braun Lead Canadian Opera Company’s Fall 2021-22 Season

By Francisco Salazar

The Canadian Opera Company has announced the fall portion of its 2021-22 season.

The season will be made up of various digital offerings that can be seen from coast to coast. In a statement, Perryn Leech said, “Getting singers, instrumentalists, craftspeople, technicians, and creative teams back into the opera house and creating new work is a major milestone. This is an important first step in paving the way toward the next stage in the recovery and return of live opera: welcoming our audiences back into the opera house as soon as it is safe to do so. Being able to perform again from our stage is a wonderful moment of celebration and we’re thrilled to be able to share that with as many people as possible through digital streaming and our exciting new membership program.”

The curtain rises at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts with “In Concert: Russell Braun and Tamara Wilson with the COC Orchestra.” The evening features Braun and Wilson in music by Verdi, Bizet, Wagner, and Puccini. Johannes Debus conducts.

Streaming Date: Sept. 25, 2021 

The COC will present Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi,” in a new production directed by Amy Lane with music led by Italian conductor Jader Bignamini. Baritone Roland Wood takes on the title role alongside Hera Hyesang Park, Megan Latham, Thomas Goerz, Andrew Haji, and David Curry.

Streaming Date: Oct. 30, 2021

The COC will present contemporary Afro-Cuban roots and jazz group, OKAN in selections from its latest album, “Espiral.”

Streaming Date: Nov. 13, 2021

The COC will partner with Against the Grain Theatre for Mozart’s Requiem. The concert features Marion Newman, as well as current and graduate artists from the COC’s Ensemble Studio. Music Director Johannes Debus leads the COC Orchestra.

Streaming Date: Nov. 27, 2021

The fall concludes with “In Winter” which features the world premiere of a new commission by Métis and French-Canadian composer Ian Cusson. “In Winter” will merge instantly recognizable pieces, such as Vivaldi’s exhilarating “Winter” section from his famous Four Seasons with classic songbook selections like “Deck the Halls.” Cusson’s “In Winter” is a meditative piece for chorus and orchestra that sets text by Métis writer Katherena Vermette to original music. The performance will feature Melody Courage.

Streaming Date: Dec. 18, 2021

Throughout the fall, the COC will present a Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. All performances will be available on the COC’s social channels, beginning in October.

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