Opera

Canada > Archive by tag 'Opera'

Hot Entertainment: Roméo et Juliette Opera

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

Hot Entertainment: Play It Cool, Boy

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

Hot Entertainment: La Traviata

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

Hot Date: Cinderella with a Twist

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.

Hot Date: Brueggergosman’s Operatic Vengeance

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.

Hot Dates: The Bird Catcher

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.

Hot Entertainment: La Clemenza di Tito

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

Hot Date: Bayrakdarian’s Back

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.

May Hot Date: Madama Butterfly

Puccini's Madama Butterfly comes to Vancouver May 29. Photo by Takashi Hatakeyama

Even those who aren’t theatre aficionados have heard of Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece, which Opera America ranked number one on the list of North America’s most-performed operas. See for yourself why this story has survived for more than a century when Vancouver Opera presents the timeless, tragic tale of Cio-Cio San and her beloved American soldier, B. F. Pinkerton. At the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (May 29 to Jun. 10).—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Cultural Olympiad 2010

The Talking Stick Festival celebrates aboriginal performance and art

While some of the world’s best athletes compete for top spot on the podium, some of the world’s best artists are flexing their creative muscles at the Cultural Olympiad 2010 (to Mar. 21). This festival features both home-grown and international talent that ranges from traditional theatre and dance to cutting-edge digital media experiences. An opera about Richard Nixon, the Talking Stick Festival (pictured), pop-star concerts and a searchlight show above English Bay are just a few of the diverse performances taking place at various venues from Vancouver to Whistler.—Leszek Apouchtine

December Editor’s Picks: Entertainment

Yamato Drummers of Japan

DECEMBER 2 Music, dance and propulsive percussion fill the city this month in a dramatic display of rhythmic prowess by the Yamato Drummers of Japan. A modern generation of energetic men and women revives an ancient Japanese art form in this unforgettable ensemble presentation featuring traditional taiko drums and thunderous odaiko barrels that are six feet in diameter. Both ingeniously innovative and intensely physical, the Yamato Drummers’ performances are influenced by the idea that the drumbeat, like the heartbeat, is the very pulse of life. Massey Hall,
8 p.m., $49.50 to $69.50; for tickets call 416-872-4255.

DECEMBER 6 A classic fable of kindness and redemption is told through music when the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Canadian Children’s Opera team up to present Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Roy Thomson Hall, 3 p.m. $15 to $59; call 416-593-4828 for tickets.

The Princess and the Handmaiden (photo by iden ford)

DECEMBER 18 TO 27 In Disney on Ice Presents Princess Classics, pint-size viewers marvel as Cinderella, Snow White and other beloved screen characters skate through an undersea kingdom, an enchanted castle and beyond. Rogers Centre, $15 to $90; call 416-870-8000 to buy.

TO DECEMBER 30 Canadian composer and librettist Leslie Arden explores friendship and loyalty in her world-premiere musical, The Princess and the Handmaiden, a modern retelling of a fairytale about a pampered royal and her hard-working companion. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, $10 to $20; call 416-862-2222 for times and tickets.

A 2008 performance of Bravissimo

DECEMBER 31 Stand up and cheer for some of the most passionate operatic music ever written, as Bravissimo! Opera’s Greatest Hits returns to Toronto for a spectacular New Year’s Eve concert. Led by Austrian-Italian conductor Roberto Paternostro, an all-star cast of internationally renowned singers and musicians, perform an array of beloved arias, duets, overtures and more. Newcomers and seasoned aficionados alike are sure to be moved by the legendary melodies from Carmen, Madama Butterfly, La bohème and other classics from opera’s golden age. Roy Thomson Hall, 7 p.m., $75 to $155; call 416-872-4255 to purchase tickets.