Italian Opera Buffet at Cafe Pacifica
Bring a healthy appetite for both fresh pasta and opera music to Cafe Pacifica in the Pan Pacific Hotel. Every Saturday evening, singers from the Burnaby Lyric Opera Society serenade diners during the Italian Opera Buffet. Be sure to make a reservation, as this popular event usually sells out. Added bonus: the view from the restaurant is spectacular.—Sheri Radford
Friday, April 27
The biannual Ottawa International Writers Festival takes place this weekend and will feature world-renowned writers speaking about their experiences in the field of history, science, fiction, poetry, and more. Some of the big-name draws include Giller Prize-winning author Vincent Lam and CBC correspondent Nahlah Ayed.
In an event that will showcase young Canadian performers, Handel’s opera Giulio Cesare tells the story of seduction and politics. The semi-staged production, put on by Thirteen Strings, is the highlight of the orchestra’s season.
Ana Miura plays at the first-ever Ottawa Grassroots Festival
Saturday, April 28
Folk music takes centre stage at the first-ever Ottawa Grassroots Festival. The event features local talent and includes Ottawa artists such as The Bytown Ukulele Group and Ana Miura.
Simone Osborne
Have ever two families feuded as much as the Capulets and Montagues? Canadian soprano Simone Osborne (pictured) stars as Juliette and Canadian tenor Gordon Gietz plays her star-crossed lover Roméo in this romantic French opera, Charles Gounod’s version of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy (Nov. 26 and 29, Dec. 1 and 3; Queen Elizabeth Theatre).—Sheri Radford
More information:
ROMEO ET JULIETTE (Nov 26, 29; Dec 1, 3). 7:30 pm. $35+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 604-683-0222. www.vancouveropera.ca
Photo courtesy Central City Opera
Start snapping your fingers: the Jets and the Sharks are back and ready to rumble in Leonard Bernstein’s beloved Broadway musical West Side Story (Oct. 22 to 29). Hearts skip a beat as Tony and Maria profess their undying love in “Tonight” and tears fall during Maria’s rendition of “A Boy Like That.” So choose your side and remember: “When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way!”—Jennifer Patterson
More information:
West Side Story (Oct 22-23, 25-29). $35+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 604-683-0222.
www.vancouveropera.ca
La Traviata photo by Richard Termine
According to popular legend, after the March 1853 opening night of his opera, Verdi wrote to his secretary-pupil Emanuele Muzio: “La Traviata last night, fiasco. Is it my fault or the fault of the singers? Time will tell.” Whether or not the story is true, time has definitely proven Verdi’s work to be a masterpiece. Catch a performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Apr. 30 to May 12).—Sheri Radford
Photo by Brett Coomer
APRIL 23 TO MAY 25 Young and old are sure
to be enchanted by a musical take on the classic Cinderella story—with a comedic twist—as
the Canadian Opera Company stages La Cenerentola. Gioacchino Rossini’s Italian opera buffa tells of beautiful Angelina, who lives as a slave to the pompous Don Magnifico and his two daughters until an act of generosity changes her fate. Designed by the innovative Spanish theatre troupe Els Comediants, and featuring renowned tenor Lawrence Brownlee and mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong, this vibrant and ever-entertaining production inspires love and laughter among the entire audience. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, $12 to $281; call 416-363-8231 or click here for showtimes and tickets.
Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman (photo by Bruce Zinger)
APRIL 22 TO MAY 1 Measha Brueggergosman, arguably Canada’s most acclaimed operatic singer, lends her pipes to Opera Atelier’s La Clemenza di Tito. In this lavish new production, the New Brunswick–born soprano portrays the daughter of an aristocrat who plots the assassination of the Roman emperor, whose role is sung by Croatian tenor Krešimir Špicer. Set to music by Mozart, the two-act opera offers a tale of ambition and intrigue—but also forgiveness and redemption. Elgin Theatre, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m., $33 to $166; call 416-872-5555 or click here to purchase tickets.
APRIL 9, 12 & 15 Manitoba Opera presents what is considered to be Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s final and finest opera. The Magic Flute is the story of a prince wandering a strange land. He accepts a quest to aid a grief-stricken local queen by rescuing her daughter from the clutches of an evil tyrant. To aid in his quest, the queen gives the prince a magic flute and sends along the comical bird man, Papageno. Sung in German with projected English translations. Tickets: adult: $39-$137, senior/student: $39-$120, child: $20.25-$69.25. Performance starts at 8 pm; Tue performance at 7 pm. Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main St. call 204-780-3333 or click here for tickets.
La Clemenza di Tito photo by Ken Howard
A great ruler finds power in clemency instead of revenge. The message of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera is just as relevant in the 21st century as it was back in 1791, when the musical genius composed this powerful work, in the final months of his short but prolific life. Vancouver Opera presents a lavish production at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Feb. 5, 8, 10 and 12).—Sheri Radford
Isabel Bayrakdarian (photo by Dario Acosta)
JUNE 18 Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian joins the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in a production of Ravel’s Shéhérazade—part of an evening of music and culture honouring Armenian heritage. Peter Oundjian conducts a program that also includes Khachaturian’s “Waltz from Masquerade,” “Three Armenian Songs” and “Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia.” Roy Thomson Hall, 8 p.m., $44 to $165; call 416-593-4828 to purchase.
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