2024-2025 Season Brochure by Vancouver Opera

CELEBRATING 65 Y EARS!

1960–2025

Join us in the spirit of celebration, as we mark 65 years of Vancouver Opera excellence! Since VO’s inaugural 1960 staging of Carmen, our evolving city has been consistently treated to world-class talents and dazzling, grand-scale productions. Fast forward to 2024–2025, and the energy around the company is absolutely crackling. Through mainstage productions and grassroots outreach, we’re celebrating all-time operatic triumphs while connecting with vibrant new voices.

Strauss hit “peak operetta” with Die Fledermaus, and the hilarious classic’s huge chorus and boisterous party scene is the perfect way to pop the cork on our celebratory season! With Jonathan Dove’s empathic, humorous Flight, we ecstatically present a modern work that’s sure to be interpreted for generations. To close out this monumental season with an extended run of five blockbuster performances, we’ll take an inspired look at Puccini’s timeless Madama Butterfly

We’re thrilled to have Maestro Jacques Lacombe joining us for his first full season as Music Director. In addition to working behind the scenes to help shape seasons to come, Jacques will bring his powerful, nuanced conducting to Die Fledermaus and Madama Butterfly

Our season ticket holders have kept this company and this community thriving for 65 years, and with a 2024–2025 season ticket purchase, you’re striding alongside us towards great opera for decades to come. Not only do you get access to the best seats at the best prices, plus insider news on special events, you also support our creative work both onstage and in our many outreach initiatives in schools, libraries, and anywhere the love of opera can be fostered.

Here’s to bringing vibrancy to our city and magical evenings to our lives for the next 65 years, and beyond!

Tom Wright, General Director Vancouver Opera

PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: Henry Lewis and Marilyn Horne in Vancouver for Il Trovatore in 1966; Marilyn Horne, Audrey Glass and Ken Remo in VO’s 1968 production of The Barber of Seville; Joan Sutherland in VO’s 1963 production of Norma

JOHANN STRAUSS II

DIE FLEDERMAUS

OCT 26,

31, NOV

2, 3M, 2024 | QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE

With a title that translates to “The Bat” (sometimes even presented as “The Revenge of the Bat”), you’d be forgiven for expecting some ominous dark fluttering while gravel-strafed voices say intense things indecipherably. But with its huge chorus, boisterous party scene, and rousing songs like “King Champagne”, Strauss’ beloved operetta absolutely radiates charm, wit, and good-natured mischief!

An audience favourite since its 1874 premiere, Die Fledermaus remains the most-performed operetta in the world for good reason. This vaudeville and farce-inspired comedy masterwork revels in effervescent odes to drinking, dancing, dining, laughing, and, well, more drinking, while a madcap plot pinballs through masquerade and mistaken identities, romantic dalliances, pranks and payback.

Ashlie Corcoran returns to direct her second Vancouver Opera season opener in a row, having helmed the fantastical Magic Flute in 2023, while the high-spirited score is conducted by Vancouver Opera Music Director Jacques Lacombe. (Sharp-eyed audience members might recognize some special guests during the gala scene...but we’ll say no more for now!)

CONDUCTOR: JACQUES LACOMBE

DIRECTOR: ASHLIE CORCORAN

ROSALINDE: LUCIA CESARONI

ADELE: CLAIRE DE SÉVIGNÉ

EISENSTEIN: JOHN CHEST

PRINCE ORLOFSKY: MIREILLE LEBEL

ALFRED: OWEN MCCAUSLAND

WITH THE VANCOUVER OPERA ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS

SUNG IN GERMAN WITH ENGLISH DIALOGUE AND PROJECTED TITLES

Sparkling, champagne-fuelled fun!

BUY SEASON TICKETS AND ENJOY HUGE SAVINGS!

JONATHAN DOVE

FLIGHT

FEB 8, 13, 16M, 2025

From “the Mozart of the 21st century” comes a work of stunning emotional breadth. Though it draws inspiration from the heartwrenching true story of an Iranian refugee bureaucratically marooned in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years, Jonathan Dove’s Flight pulls off an improbable feat: it’s a wildlyengaging, melodically-accessible comedic romp, a triumph of pathos, and an absolute must-see!

All around The Refugee, the airport swirls with colourful characters: Bill and Tina, who hope to stoke the embers of a dull marriage; The Steward and The Stewardess, whose embers require no additional stoking; a diplomat and his very pregnant wife; a woman awaiting a lover 30 years her junior; the Immigration Officer – all while

The Controller oversees operations high above the concourse, hitting decidedly high notes (like the rare airspace occupied by an incredible F-sharp above high C!).

Called the greatest new work of the past 30 years, this compassionate contemporary classic is led by the beloved Vancouver creative team of director Morris Panych and set designer Ken MacDonald, while Dove’s propulsive music is steered by the baton of Leslie Dala, Vancouver Opera’s Head of Music and Associate Conductor, whose recent VO projects include 2022–2023’s The Flying Dutchman and the blockbuster 2023–2024 presentation of Carmen

A risqué, laugh-out-loud layover!

CONDUCTOR: LESLIE DALA

DIRECTOR: MORRIS PANYCH

CONTROLLER: CAITLIN WOOD

TINA: ANDRIANA CHUCHMAN

MINSKWOMAN: ALLYSON MCHARDY

BILL: ASITHA TENNEKOON

STEWARD: CLARENCE FRAZER

WITH THE VANCOUVER OPERA ORCHESTRA

SUNG IN ENGLISH WITH PROJECTED ENGLISH TITLES

COMPANY PREMIERE

BUY SEASON TICKETS FOR UNLIMITED FREE TICKET EXCHANGES!

| QUEEN

ELIZABETH THEATRE

GIACOMO PUCCINI

MADAMA BUTTERFLY

APR 26, 27M, MAY 1, 3, 4M, 2025

| QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE

Puccini’s sublime masterpiece closes out our celebratory 2024–2025 season in grand style, with five performances conducted by VO’s Music Director, Maestro Jacques Lacombe. This extended run boasts a double cast bursting with world-class talents, including Tokyo-born soprano Yasko Sato. Praised for her “disarming, honest, refined and authentic” approach, she makes her VO/Canadian debut as Cio-Cio San, having previously explored the role’s complexities in performances throughout Italy, the US, Belgium, Slovenia, Greece, Spain, and Japan.

The story of Pinkerton, an American Lieutenant stationed in Nagasaki, who marries a young Japanese girl, Cio-Cio-San. For him, it’s a

marriage of convenience, a touristic fantasy abroad before he finds himself a “real” (American) bride. For Cio-Cio-San, it begins her story of tragically unrequited love.

One of the greatest works in operatic history, Puccini’s poignant, deeply emotional music steers Madama Butterfly through love, heartbreak, hope, and tragedy.

Heartbreaking love, soaring metamorphosis.

CONDUCTOR: JACQUES LACOMBE

DIRECTOR: MO ZHOU

CIO-CIO-SAN: YASKO SATO | KAREN CHIA-LING HO

PINKERTON: ROBERT WATSON | ADAM LUTHER

SHARPLESS: BRETT POLEGATO

WITH THE VANCOUVER OPERA ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS

SUNG IN ITALIAN WITH PROJECTED ENGLISH TITLES

BUY SEASON TICKETS FOR THE BEST SEATS!

THERE’S MORE!

FREE EVENTS, EDUCATION AND GROUPS

OPERA IN THE PARK

FREE EVENT!

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2024 | DEER LAKE PARK Activities for the whole family begin at 3PM Concert starts at 7:30PM

Music Director Jacques Lacombe leads the Vancouver Opera Orchestra in an evening of duets, arias and more, featuring music from VO’s 2024–2025 Season.

OPERA UNDER 40

Our community of 40-and-under opera-goers. You’ll get season tickets for Thursday evening performances at a price not available to anyone else, and curated digital content before each show will help you get the most out of your opera experience. Bring a date, bring a friend, or bring yourself—we’ve designed the whole experience to welcome you into a vibrant community of like-minded music fans. Check out our website to learn more.

VOICES CONCERT SERIES

An array of amazing and FREE concerts across a broad range of disciplines. Get up close and personal with opera, theatre, dance, film and more in our Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall and the Vancouver Public Library. Over a dozen free events per year.

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS

An amazing podcast, an online magazine, opera comics, study guides and so much more.

OPERA FOR STUDENTS

Discover Opera Experience, a program for 10 lucky high school students to see opera created as it happens. Project Opera, an in-class opera creation project, and Vancouver Opera In Schools, the legendary touring opera project.

GET INVOLVED!

Find out more about our programs ►

PHOTOS (FACING PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT)

Renata Tebaldi and friend (1960s); Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge at an autograph signing event (1970s); Nan Merriman, VO’s first Carmen, with long-time VO supporter Edwina Heller (1960s); VO’s Board of Directors with Irving Guttman (1960s), an early VO Guild meeting (1960s); Jan Cherniavsky holds court (1960s).

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTERS

OPERA ROUND TABLE

Want to make your evenings at the opera even more elevated? Interested in connecting with your fellow opera-lovers? Opera Round Table (ORT) is a welcoming network of patrons who are passionate about opera— and who love an elegant evening out. Through an annual ORT-level contribution to VO, supporters enjoy exclusive benefits, including a private lounge, restrooms, and coat check; an invitation to pre-show dinners and brunches; reserved VIP parking; and members-only behind-the-scenes tours, events, and performances.

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

Our audiences are amazing, and our sponsors know it! We love to tell the stories of our incredible corporate supporters, whether they’re on board for the full season, an individual production, or a special event. Think your business is a great fit? Help us grow our amazing community and education programs, nurture the next generation of artists, and keep incredible opera experiences in Vancouver. To learn more, or to explore opportunities to host your most important clients at the opera, reach out to our team.

Learn about the ways Vancouver Opera connects with our community and how you can support our programs at vancouveropera.ca/learn/

For more information on all the ways to support Vancouver Opera, email development@vancouveropera.ca, or call 604 682 2871

MORE WAYS TO GIVE

We value and celebrate every person who contributes to Vancouver Opera. Giving what you can means the world to us—and there are so many ways to give. Some of our donors give a single donation on our website or by mail, while others choose to set up a recurring monthly gift. Some prefer to support directly, while others donate securities or generously include us in their estate planning. To all of our supporters — thank you!

►

GIVE NOW

S EASON TICKETS

PURCHASE YOUR BALCONY MEZZANINE DRESS CIRCLE ORCHESTRA STAGE STAGE EARLY BIRD BY MAY 31 A+ $630 A $550 B $435 C $315 D $255 E $145 REGULAR PRICE AFTER MAY 31 $695 $605 $480 $345 $280 $149 FULL SEASON TICKET PACKAGES STARTING AT $145 EARLY BIRD BY MAY 31 A+ $440 A $390 B $300 C $230 D $175 E $ 98 REGULAR PRICE AFTER MAY 31 $520 $450 $360 $250 $190 $ 98 2-SHOW DUET PACKAGES STARTING AT $98 STEP 1: Pick two or three shows STEP 2: Choose your seating section STEP 3: Order your package online at vancouveropera.ca or call the VO Ticket Centre at 604 683 0222 STEP 4: Enjoy a season of great opera!

PHOTO: Irving Guttman in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on the set of La Boheme (1960)

B UY TODAY!

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE 65 YEARS OF SPECTACULAR OPERA IN VANCOUVER AND ENJOY THESE SEASON TICKET BENEFITS:

Massive savings compared to single tickets, and no processing fees. • First access to tickets, so you get the best seats in the house, and keep them each year you renew. • Free and unlimited ticket exchanges, in case you can’t make the performance you originally booked.

• Personalized service with a subscriber representative. • Tax receipt for returned tickets, if you can’t attend. • Discounts on additional seats. Bring a friend and save 20% on their ticket!

• The option to pay in two instalments. • Opportunities to win access to special events. • Special offers from our partners and friends in the arts, culture, and food scenes.

PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS BY MAY 31, 2024 TO GET OUR SPECIAL EARLY BIRD PRICES.

HOW TO PURCHASE

online: vancouveropera.ca

call: 604 683 0222 Mon—Fri, 9AM to 5PM

mail: VO Ticket Centre 1945 McLean Drive Vancouver, BC V5N 3J7

CASTNG AND PERFORMANCES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

THE CELEBRATION

JOIN

WATCH THE SEASON VIDEO ►

PHOTOS, LEFT TO RIGHT: James McCracken and Victoria Vergara in Carmen (1983); Greg Dahl in The Flying Dutchman (2023); Ben Heppner in Peter Grimes (1995); Colette Boky and Gerard Boyd in The Bartered Bride (1980); Robert Orth in Nixon in China (2010); Joan Sutherland in The Merry Widow (1976); David Ward and Richard Cross in The Flying Dutchman (1969); Judith Forst in Elektra (2003); Richard Bonynge on the set of Semiramide (1975); Hwang Sin in The Magic Flute (2007).