Vancouver Opera Festival Program

28 APRIL – 13 MAY THREE NEW OPERA PRODUCTIONS PLUS DOZENS OF EVENTS OVER 16 DAYS

OTELLO DEAD MAN WALKING THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO plus PAUL WONG, UTE LEMPER, TANYA TAGAQ and more

2016 – 2017 SEASON SPONSOR

A SPECIAL EDITION OF PLAYBOARD MAGAZINE

ON WES T VANCOUVER'S WATERFRONT, TWO OF CANADA'S FOREMOST MODERNISTS WILL BE CELEBRATED GORDON SMITH AND DOUGLAS COUPLAND HAVE CREATED S I G N I F I C A N T O R I G IN A L W O R K S F O R T H E R E S I D E N T I A L L O B B I E S AND PUBLIC SPACES AT GROSVENOR AMBLESIDE

Clockwise from top left: Public Art by Douglas Coupland; Residential Lobby Art by Gordon Smith; 98 Individually-Designed Residences by James KM Cheng and Mitchell Freedland

10 RESIDENCES REMAIN. ARRANGE YOUR P R I VAT E A P P O I N T M E N T T O D AY. 604.265.5509 | GrosvenorAmbleside.com

The developer reserves the right to make changes to the information contained herein without notice. Renderings may not be accurate. E.&O.E.

Kim Gaynor, General Director Jonathan Darlington, Music Director Under the Distinguished Patronage of Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, obc, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia

CONTENTS

VO Administration and Ticket Centre

8 9 12

Festival Site Map Calendar of Events Ticket Information

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VERDI | OTELLO

The Michael and Inna O’Brian Centre for Vancouver Opera 1945 McLean Drive Vancouver, BC, V5N 3J7 Administration: T: 604 682 2871 F: 604 682 3981 VO Ticket Centre: (sponsored by Mission Hill Family Estate)

T: 604 683 0222 tickets@vancouveropera.ca www.vancouveropera.ca

Vancouver Opera acknowledges that we work and perform on the unceded and traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Publication Manager Vincent Wong Design & Layout Annie Mack, Katie Ferris Witherspoon Copy Editor KO Communications Cover photo Caitlin Wood and Alex Lawrence in The Marriage of Figaro.

Photo By Emily Cooper.

Published by Archway Publishers as a special edition of Playboard Magazine, Volume 51, Number 11, April 2017.

Send all correspondence to: Suite 137 – 12100 Riverside Way, Richmond, B.C., V6W 1K5. Tel: 604 370 1191. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada.

Vancouver Opera is a professional company.

It operates under the jurisdiction of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, Vancouver Musicians’ Association, and IATSE, and is a member of OPERA America and Opera.ca.

16 The Cast 18 Synopsis 19 Notes from Conductor 20 Notes from Director 21 Production Insights 22 From Othello to Otello 24 Biographies 28 VO Orchestra, Chorus, Supernumeraries 29 Production Team

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MOZART | THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

52 The Cast 54 Synopsis 55 Notes from Conductor 56 Notes from Director 57 Production Insights 58 A Revolutionary Opera 60 Biographies 67 VO Orchestra and

Production Team 68 Sid Neigum Spotlight 69 Figaro Study Guide

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SPECIAL EVENTS

72

31 HEGGIE | DEAD MAN WALKING 32 The Cast 34 Synopsis 35 Notes from Conductor 36 Notes from Director 37 From Memoir

to Melody 38 Sister Helen Prejean

on Compassion 39 Production Insights 41 Biographies 48 VO Orchestra, Chorus, Supernumeraries 49 Production Team

Paul Wong’s Five Octave Range 73 Ute Lemper and

Tanya Tagaq 75 Festival Community Events

83

VO DEVELOPMENT

101 VO EDUCATION

106 2017–2018 Season 109 Patron Information 113 VO Board, Staff &

Foundation Board

IN TUNE WITH OUR COMMUNITY We do more than operate gold mines. Through contributions to the arts, healthcare, education and community development, our commitment is to contribute to long-term social and economic benefits in the communities where we live and work.

We’re proud of our record of safe, responsible operations everywhere we do business and of the legacy we’re building for generations to come.

NYSE: GG | TSX: G

goldcorp.com

WELCOME |

FROM GENERAL DIRECTOR KIM GAYNOR

Welcome to the inaugural Vancouver Opera Festival!

A festival is by definition a celebration. During the past 18 months, we have planned a celebration with something for everyone, from opera devotees to those who have never before attended opera.

The Festival’s format enables you to attend all three of this year’s mainstage operas during a three-day period, or on a relaxed schedule over the course of the Festival. This year’s offerings include a late Verdi masterpiece, a Mozart favourite, and a contemporary tour de force. You also can take part in a host of educational and community events — free with your Festival pass — or wander around the Queen Elizabeth Plaza, where you’ll see an extraordinary outdoor art installation commissioned by VO for the Festival. In fact, the entire Queen Elizabeth Theatre complex will come alive with activities throughout each day. Relax on our specially designed plaza furniture, enjoy some refreshments in our Opera Bar, and share your experience with others.

All of this activity is possible because of our wonderful private and public supporters, including our cherished donors and subscribers. I would like to especially thank our Honorary Festival Patron Martha Lou Henley, C.M., Vancouver Opera Foundation, and our government partners: the Canada Council for the Arts, the British Columbia Arts Council, and the City of Vancouver. Our gratitude goes also to VO’s season sponsor Goldcorp and the Festival’s many founders and production sponsors.

Finally, I can’t resist telling you that we have just announced details of our 2017–2018 season and festival. The new season includes an enticing mix of classics and discoveries, exciting new artists, productions never before seen in Vancouver, and a much-anticipated opera premiere. You can find more details about the productions, casts and schedule on vancouveropera.ca. I hope you’ll be as thrilled as I am about this new season.

I look forward to seeing you at the Festival, and at all of next season’s performances!

Kim Gaynor General Director, Vancouver Opera

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

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WELCOME |

FROM VO BOARD CHAIR PASCAL SPOTHELFER

Today, you join Vancouver Opera at the start of a thrilling new era. With the launch of our new Festival, our goal is to compel, entice and delight both seasoned opera-goers and those new to opera. The 16 days of our inaugural Festival are filled with many new and innovative activities that offer points of access to many audiences. From classics to bold new works, dovetailed with many other events, we hope that this year's Festival will provoke and inspire you.

The Vancouver Opera Festival is vitally important to Vancouver Opera's future as a company. It is part of our strategic effort to broaden and deepen our connections to the communities we serve. We are grateful for the continued generosity of our many individual donors, corporate supporters and government partners in what has been a pivotal year for our organization.

VO's goal, as our Mission Statement suggests, is to redefine"… Opera and revolutionize its accessibility and community value". All of us at Vancouver Opera — staff, artists and Board members alike — draw inspiration from this statement. We are proud to engage more and more people with great works of music theatre, both old and new, entertaining and poignant — and, above all, uniquely transformative, as only opera can be. Enjoy the Festival!

WELCOME |

FROM MINISTER OF CANADIAN HERITAGE MÉLANIE JOLY

Welcome to the inaugural Vancouver Opera Festival.

Since its first production in1960, Vancouver Opera has brought the magic of opera to western Canada and highlighted the talents of Canadian opera singers and other professionals. We are so proud of all our artists, producers, composers and technicians — they are among the most talented and innovative in the world.

This year, for the first time, Vancouver Opera is presenting its repertoire in a condensed festival format. Along with three new, major productions, it will offer cutting-edge programming and outreach activities appealing to a diverse audience.

As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I wish Vancouver Opera the greatest success with its Festival, and wish everyone involved an exciting and rewarding experience.

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VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

WELCOME |

FROM PREMIER CHRISTY CLARK

As Premier of the Province of British Columbia, I am pleased to welcome everyone attending the first ever Vancouver Opera Festival.

This festival will no doubt be a remarkable one. The lineup of performances is intriguing — from a celebrated classic to a little performed masterpiece and a modern triumph, and much more. With discussion panels, interactive conversations, choral evenings and master classes, this festival is an exciting opportunity for performers and audiences alike as talented newcomers work with established ones to hone their craft — while the audience gets the chance to see the stars of tomorrow shine.

Vancouver Opera is a landmark of culture in BC. With opportunities for secondary students to attend dress rehearsals and programming designed for young people, Vancouver Opera is instilling the importance of artistic expression and the performing arts at an early age. I would like to thank them for organizing this festival and for their work in providing educational, creative and collaborative resources for the community.

Please accept my best wishes for an engaging and entertaining Festival!

WELCOME |

FROM MAYOR GREGOR ROBERTSON

On behalf of my colleagues on Vancouver City Council, I want to extend my best wishes to everyone at the inaugural Vancouver Opera Festival.

Vancouver Opera was founded in 1958 by a group of visionary community leaders who believed in the value of the performing arts to the life of a great city, and who recognized the power of opera to connect people to the universal human drama. We are proud of our thriving arts community in Vancouver and our reputation as a major centre for the performing arts. Showcasing the talent and innovation in this sector of our city, Vancouver Opera strives to be the destination performing arts organization that entertains, stimulates and enriches its audience. Thank you to the organizers and artists who dedicate their time and effort to make Vancouver Opera a continued success.

Best wishes for a successful Festival!

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

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FESTIVAL MAP DUNSMUIR STREET

VP BOX OFFICE

VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE

THE PLAYHOUSE QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE

QE BOX OFFICE

TRANSIT SHELTER

FESTIVAL TENT

CAMBIE STREET

HAMILTON STREET

OPERA BAR

UNDERGROUND

VOF BOX OFFICE

FESTIVAL PATIO

PAUL WONG

UNDERGROUND

GEORGIA STREET

VANCOUVER OPERA BOX OFFICE: 604 683 0222 BOX OFFICE HOURS VO Ticket Centre (1945 McLean Drive)

VOF Box Office (Queen Elizabeth Plaza)

Queen Elizabeth or Vancouver Playhouse

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

Tuesday-Friday 1:00pm-6:00pm

1.5 hours before performances

Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

Saturday 1:00pm-6:00pm

Sunday 10:00am-2:00pm

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VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

CALENDAR OF EVENTS The Vancouver Opera Festival is a fantastic opportunity to be immersed in all of the high drama and design that makes opera such an engaging art form. With so many activities to choose from everyone can create a unique schedule of performances, social and educational experiences to suit their tastes, whether just for a day, a weekend or throughout the entire Festival.

Lovers of grand Italian opera can learn more about the music of Verdi and enjoy a glass of wine in the Opera Bar before attending a performance of Otello. Children who attend both Opera Tales and Mistatim will be introduced to the fun and magic of storytelling — a great way to introduce the next generation to the world of opera! Those seeking something more contemporary are advised to attend of all of the events around Dead Man Walking. If fashion is your thing, don't miss the Marriage of Figaro to see the custom-made costumes by Canadian designer Sid Neigum. Backstage tours, workshops, master classes and much more give you a behind-the-scenes look at the skill and dedication involved in producing opera. For a different take on binge culture — true opera aficionados can attend all three operas in one weekend!

Follow us on social media to find out about pop-up performances and to add your voice to the conversation.

Take in something new, visit something familiar and be prepared for surprises at the VOF. @vancouveropera

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

APRIL 28

APRIL 29

APRIL 30 2:00pm

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO OPENING Vancouver Playhouse

2:00pm

OTELLO Queen Elizabeth Theatre 4:30pm

In Conversation with Jake Heggie Festival Tent

7:30pm

OTELLO OPENING Queen Elizabeth Theatre

4:30pm

Ethical Justice in the 21st Century Festival Tent

7:30pm

DEAD MAN WALKING OPENING Queen Elizabeth Theatre

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

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EVENTS OCCURING ALL FESTIVAL LONG

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

MAY 1

MAY 2

MAY 3

12:00pm

Opera Tales & Opera Zoo

Queen Elizabeth Plaza

Vancouver Public Library

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Vancouver Playhouse

3:00pm

3:00pm

Young Singers Masterclasses

PAUL WONG EXHIBIT "FIVE OCTAVE RANGE" Starting at 8:00pm each night throughout the Festival

2:00pm

New Works Project Festival Tent

Festival Tent

4:30pm

4:30pm

OPERA BAR:

Music of Heggie, Verdi & Mozart

HAPPY HOUR

Tuesday — Saturday 4:00pm — 7:00pm

Festival Tent

DEAD MAN WALKING

Thursday — Saturday Until Close

Festival Tent 7:30pm

7:30pm

POST SHOW SOCIALS

Where is Opera Headed?

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

OTELLO Queen Elizabeth Theatre 8:00pm

CARMINA BURANA SING-ALONG

RED CARPET BENCHES

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

BY SCOTT COHEN

Relax and socialize on the Queen Elizabeth plaza any time of the day or evening. All are welcome!

MAY 8

MAY 9 3:00pm

Young Singers Masterclasses

MAY 10 3:00pm

New Works Project Festival Tent

Festival Tent

PRE SHOW TALKS

4:30pm

Figaro’s Design

1 hour before each opera

Festival Tent

OTELLO Led by Dr. Claudio Vellutini, Assistant Professor, Musicology at UBC School of Music

4:30pm

Civic Impact in Opera Festival Tent

DEAD MAN WALKING Led by composer/ conductor Cassie Luftspring MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Led by staff from VO’s Education department

7:30pm

DOXA FILM NIGHT: BECOMING TRAVIATA Vancouver Playhouse

All performance times are subject to change

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VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

7:30pm

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Vancouver Playhouse

7:30pm

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Vancouver Playhouse

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MAY 4

MAY 5

MAY 6

MAY 7

12:30pm

Opera Zoo

Vancouver Playhouse

3:00pm

3:00pm

Young Singers Masterclasses

New Works Project Festival Tent

Festival Tent 4:00pm

Backstage Tour of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Queen Elizabeth Theatre 4:30pm

In Conversation with Ute Lemper Festival Tent

OTELLO Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Backstage Tour of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Queen Elizabeth Theatre

2:00pm

DEAD MAN WALKING Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Backstage Tour of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Stage Fighting Workshop Festival Tent

7:30pm

DEAD MAN WALKING

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Vancouver Playhouse 7:30pm

UTE LEMPER

OTELLO

Orpheum Theatre

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

MAY 11 Young Singers Masterclasses

Vancouver Playhouse

4:30pm

8:00pm

3:00pm

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO 4:00pm

4:00pm

7:30pm

7:30pm

1:30pm

MAY 12 3:00pm

New Works Project Festival Tent

MAY 13

POST FESTIVAL

12:30pm

Opera Zoo

Vancouver Playhouse

Vancouver Playhouse

Festival Tent

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO May 16 - 7:30pm May 17 - 7:30pm May 18 - 7:30pm

1:00pm 4:30pm

Whose Story Is It? Traditional Opera through Modern Eyes

4:30pm

Sila Singers: Throat Singing Duo

Mistatim: A Family Performance Festival Tent

Festival Tent

Festival Tent

1:30pm

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO 6:00pm

Vancouver Playhouse

Opera Academy Performance

Purchase tickets by calling the VOF ticket centre at 604 683 0222

Festival Tent

7:30pm

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Vancouver Playhouse

7:30pm

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Vancouver Playhouse

8:00pm

TANYA TAGAQ Vogue Theatre

7:30pm

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Vancouver Playhouse

7:30pm

The Artistry of Youth: A Workshop Performance Festival Tent

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

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HOW CAN I GET TICKETS OR FESTIVAL PASSES?

BY TELEPHONE Purchase tickets by calling the VO ticket centre at 604 683 0222 (Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Saturdays from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, and Sunday from 10:00am to 2:00pm during the Festival). Payment will be taken via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express).

Your purchased tickets will be emailed, or held at Will Call.

IN PERSON AT THE O’BRIAN CENTRE FOR VANCOUVER OPERA Purchase your tickets or passes in person directly at the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre.

You can pay with cash, cheque, or major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express).

VO Ticket Centre: 1945 McLean Drive Vancouver, BC Canada V5N 3J7 Ticket Centre Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm (in person and phone sales) Saturday April 29th / May 6th / May 13th: 10:00am-4:00pm (phone only) Sunday April 30th / May 7th: 10:00am-2:00pm (phone only) ON SITE AT THE VOF BOX OFFICE Purchase your tickets or passes in person at the VOF Box Office on the Queen Elizabeth Plaza just beside the Festival Tent. You can pay with cash, cheque, or major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express).

VOF Box Office: Tuesday to Friday: 1:00pm-6:00pm (in person sales only) Saturday April 29th: 1:00pm-6:00pm (in person sales only)

ON SITE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE OR VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE BOX OFFICE Purchase your tickets or passes in person at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre or Vancouver Playhouse Box Office just before the show.

Box Office Hours: 1.5 hours prior to performances WILL CALL Will Call tickets can be picked up at the Queen Elizabeth and Vancouver Playhouse Box Offices Note: Please arrive at box office early if picking up tickets.

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VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

TICKET INFORMATION SINGLE TICKETS TO THE OPERA

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL PASSES

Choose single tickets for the opera or event you want to see, tickets start at only $45!

Visit: vancouveropera.ca Call: 604 683 0222 Or Stop By: VO Ticket Centre

Two and three show VIP passes are the best way to experience the Vancouver Opera Festival. In addition to great seats for our mainstage opera productions these include a lot of exclusive perks not available to regular ticket purchasers. Call our ticket centre at 604 683 0222 or visit the VOF Box Office to purchase.

FESTIVAL LOCATIONS

QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE 650 Hamilton Street

VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE 600 Hamilton Street

FESTIVAL TENT Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza

PARKING INFO Enter the parkade off Cambie Street. Since parking in the vicinity of Vancouver Civic Theatres is extremely limited, we do our best to restrict use of our parkade to theatre patrons on show nights.

There is, however, limited parking in the parkade and it fills up early. There is no guarantee of available parking even with a ticket to a QET event.

Patrons with valid Parking Permit for People with Disabilities may reserve parking, as available, by calling 604 665 2193 on weekdays at least 24 hours in advance of the performance. Please have your decal number and ticket information ready. An elevator operates from both floors of the parkade to the Plaza Level on Hamilton Street.

RATES IN THE QET PARKING GARAGE ARE AS FOLLOWS: $2.00 $9.00 $9.00 $11.00 $6.00 $12.50 $17.00

Each Half Hour or portion Matinee until 6:00pm All Day Max until 6:00pm-P2 Level All Day Max until 6:00pm-P1 Level Motorcycle Max 6:00am-6:00pm & 4:00pm-12:00am (in designated stalls only) Flat Rate Theatre Parking after 4:00pm Flat Rate Event Parking after 4:00pm

The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association provides links to parking information and downloadable maps of the downtown area.

Visit downtownvancouver.net PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Call Translink at 604 953 3333 for exact bus routes, or visit the Translink website at translink.bc.ca

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

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Š 2 0 1 7 M I S S I O N H I L L F A M I LY E S T A T E

Join our family with a Privilege Membership, your exclusive access to vintage releases and winery events.

Visit www.missionhillwinery.com for details

P R O U D S P O N S O R O F T H E VA N C O U V E R O P E R A

VERDI

OTELLO ITALIAN OPERA'S GREATEST TRAGEDY OTELLO TITLE IMAGERY

NEW PRODUCTION

APRIL 28• 30M M

MAY 4• 6

QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE

Matinee

TICKETS START AT $45 | CALL 604 683 0222 | vancouveropera.ca

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY OTELLO

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OTELLO

Lyric Drama in Four Acts | By Giuseppe Verdi | Libretto by Arrigo Boito | In Italian with English SURTITLES™

NEW VO PRODUCTION | QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE | APRIL 28 – MAY 6, 2017

Conductor Jonathan Darlington

THE CAST

Director Michael Cavanagh

(in order of vocal appearance)

Montano Angus Bell Cassio John Cudia

Desdemona Erin Wall

Iago Gregory Dahl

Roderigo Martin Sadd

Otello Antonello Palombi

Emilia Megan Latham A Herald Glenn de Verteuil Lodovico Thomas Goerz

with the Vancouver Opera Chorus and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra

First performed at La Scala, Milan February 5, 1887. First produced by Vancouver Opera 1981.

ACT I: 30 MINS

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OTELLO

ACT II: 34 MINS

INTERMISSION: 25 MINS

ACT III: 38 MINS

ACT IV: 30 MINS

Associate Conductor Gordon Gerrard

Principal Répétiteur / Assistant Chorus Director Tina Chang

Chorus and Children’s Chorus Director

Kinza Tyrrell

Fight Choreographer Nicholas Harrison

Set and Imagery Designer Erhard Rom

Musical Preparation Mary Castello*

Production Stage Manager Theresa Tsang

Lighting Designer Gerald King

Wig Designer Stacey Butterworth

Assistant Director Sarah Jane Pelzer*

Assistant Lighting Designer Andrew Pye

English SURTITLES™ Translations Anika Vervecken

Assistant Stage Managers Claire Friedrich Shannon Macelli

Apprentice Stage Manager Linzi Voth

* Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

Sets constructed by Pacific Opera Victoria Scene Shop and Great Northern Way Scene Shop Projection designs realized by Greg Emetaz and Corwin Ferguson Costumes created by Opéra de Montréal Properties created by Vancouver Opera Properties Department

Production Patron

Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

2016–2017 Season sponsored by

With the continuing support of

OTELLO

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SYNOPSIS |

OTELLO

ACT I

ACT III

A violent storm rages but Otello, the governor of Cyprus, arrives at his home port following a successful campaign against the Turks. His lieutenant, Iago, laments his safe return, furious that Otello has appointed Cassio to the position of Captain rather than him. In a bid to discredit Cassio, Iago convinces him to drink to celebrate Otello’s safe return. A drunken Cassio is soon goaded into a brawl, wounding another soldier. Otello arrives and, in a rage, strips Cassio of his rank and sends everyone away. His wife, Desdemona, who had been woken up by the commotion, calms him down and they exchange commitments of love and devotion.

Cassio is lured into a conversation with Iago as Otello listens, unobserved. Iago asks Cassio about his lover, Bianca, knowing Otello will believe they are speaking of Desdemona. When Cassio produces Desdemona’s handkerchief, left for him by a secret admirer, Otello’s worst suspicions are confirmed. The Venetian ambassador and his courtiers arrive to great fanfare, and Otello is told that he has been recalled to Venice, with Cassio promoted to governor of Cyprus. Otello cannot contain his jealous rage and lashes out at Desdemona in front of everyone, causing a humiliating scene. Iago presses Otello to take vengeance on both Cassio and Desdemona quickly, before he loses the opportunity.

ACT II

ACT IV

The clever Iago persuades Cassio to petition Desdemona for help with convincing Otello to reinstate him. Iago uses this opportunity to tell the general that Desdemona has been unfaithful, planting a first seed of suspicion in Otello’s mind. His distrust grows with Desdemona’s subsequent request to pardon Cassio. She offers to soothe the headache he claims to have by wrapping his head with her handkerchief. Consumed by jealous paranoia, he rejects her comfort by throwing the handkerchief to the ground. Iago stealthily obtains the handkerchief and makes plans to plant it in Cassio’s chambers as proof of their affair.

In her chambers, Desdemona prays to the Virgin Mary as she waits for Otello to come to her. He enters and asks whether she has said her prayers – he does not want her to go to her death unprepared. Despite her pleas, he strangles her. The servant Emilia returns with news that Cassio has killed Roderigo, who Iago had sent to murder him. Upon discovering what Otello has done, Emilia reveals that her husband Iago is to blame for planting the handkerchief. Soldiers enter with further proof from the dying Roderigo that Iago is behind the entire plot. The despondent Otello stabs himself and collapses beside the body of his beloved for a final kiss.

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OTELLO

NOTES FROM THE CONDUCTOR |

Otello, Verdi’s penultimate opera, was written over a period of several years – revisions of Simon Boccanegra and Don Carlos together with the small matter of his Requiem getting in the way. His collaboration with the Italian librettist, novelist and composer Arrigo Boito eventually gave birth to a work of great genius, many putting it on par with Shakespeare’s tragedy on which it was based. The opening night at La Scala on February 5th, 1887 was a predictable triumph.

“Otello marks a new evolution in Verdi’s style, a step to what is called music of the future.” So wrote Antonio Fogazzaro, a music critic and a contemporary of Verdi.

To what was he referring? The most obvious and daring innovation – at least for an Italian – was a commitment to an uninterrupted musical-dramatic thread, almost Wagnerian in its overall design. What we think of as the techniques of standard Italian arias, recitatives, and ensembles literally melt into each other. If one adds into the mix a rich orchestration, including bass clarinet, English horn, bass trombone, piccolo, etc., and a more advanced chromatic harmonic language, one understands entirely what Fogazzaro was talking about.

The three main characters demand distinct and challenging virtues. In Otello, Verdi invented a role for a very heavy ‘tenore spinto’. He has one of the greatest entrances in all opera as he exclaims imperiously, fullvoiced like a trumpet at the top of his range ‘Esultate…’

JONATHAN DARLINGTON

Almost immediately afterwards he has to be sweet and suave in his love duet, then tortured and crazy, capable of subtle asides and sudden excessive vocal paroxysms.

Desdemona, (from the Greek dysdaimon meaning 'ill-fated’), Verdi wrote ".. is not a woman but a type.

She is the type of goodness, resignation, self-sacrifice.

There are beings who are born for others, who are quite unaware of their own egos….". Accordingly, he writes exquisite lines for her filled with the purity of innocence.

Finally Iago, where Verdi breaks with his own tradition of the typical ‘Verdi Baritone’. He wrote in a letter to Boito: "A curious thing! The role of Iago apart from a few éclats could all be sung at half-voice." "Every word spoken by Iago is on the human level," as Boito writes. "a villainous humanity if you like, but still human……one of his talents is the faculty he possesses of changing his personality according to the person to whom he happens to be speaking, so as to deceive them or to bend them to his will."

Small wonder that for a long time Iago was the preferred title of the opera.

Maestro Darlington, BA (Hons) Durham University, LRAM, is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

He has been Music Director of Vancouver Opera since 2002.

OTELLO

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NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR |

What a wonderfully humbling experience it is to tackle Otello, the product of not just one of the greatest artists in history, but three. William Shakespeare brought this story and these characters to life with incredible depth of insight and breadth of meaning. The task of distilling the play into a libretto worthy of operatic treatment fell to Arrigo Boito, a master of the craft and an emerging giant in his own right as a composer. Finally, the great Giuseppe Verdi, at the height of his genius, wrote a score filled with breathtaking intensity and tenderness, beauty, and power. It truly does stand among the greatest works of sung storytelling of all time. These incredible artists present a turbulent, multi-layered world where our most powerful emotions are on vivid display.

The story begins and ends with a storm, the former a product of natural forces and the latter of human ones.

This simple yet devastating metaphor for the turbulence of our own lives informs everything about this most relevant of cautionary tales. The natural world often gathers its energies and releases them with such violent force that anything in their path may be destroyed.

Human nature can do the exact same thing if we allow it to, or if we let ourselves be manipulated by others for their own purposes. We don't need to look too far in our modern world to see countless examples of how a few

20

OTELLO

MICHAEL CAVANAGH

well-placed suggestions can lead to a destructive spiral, how our darkest fears, resentments, and suspicions can be used to trap us and trip us up, bringing about our downfall as human beings and as a society.

In nature, there are predators and there is prey. Not always is the former larger and more powerful than the latter. The smallest spider can defeat, and feast on, a victim many times its size. It spins a web, then baits its target, waiting patiently for it to be lured inevitably to its destruction. In human nature, the webs can be of our own devising or created by others, but if we don't learn to see them and take steps to avoid them, we are doomed. Brilliant artists like Shakespeare, Boito, and Verdi light the way, shining powerful beams of clarity into the darkest corners of our selves, where the cobwebs and pitfalls await.

Michael Cavanagh enjoys a busy directing schedule across North America and Europe. He will be directing new productions of all three Mozart-Da Ponte operas for San Francisco Opera, beginning in 2019.

PRODUCTION INSIGHTS |

DAN PATERSON

Verdi's Otello made its premiere at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, on February 5, 1887. The production that you are about to see marks the first time since the 19801981 season that Vancouver Opera has staged this grand masterpiece.

Tasked with the challenge of realizing this opera are the creative team of Director Michael Cavanagh, Set and Imagery Designer Erhard Rom, and Lighting Designer Gerald King. Vancouver Opera fans will remember our production of Nixon in China which was the last time the director/designer team of Cavanagh and Rom worked together at VO. Gerald King has designed the lighting for numerous VO productions, most recently Madama Butterfly and Evita during our 2015–2016 season. It’s truly an honour to have these masters of their craft as collaborators once again.

Set and Imagery Designer Erhard Rom was given a particularly interesting challenge: to design one shared set for two distinct operas. The set for this production of Otello will also serve as the set for Dead Man Walking.

While the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is one of Canada's largest proscenium theatres, it is not designed for – nor

ANTONELLO PALOMBI RECEIVING FINAL TOUCH UPS TO HIS HAIR BY VO’S HEAD OF WIGS AND HAIR ELKE ENGLICHT. PHOTO BY EMILY COOPER

equipped with – ample space in the wings to run two large-scale operas in repertory fashion as we are doing during this year's Festival. We asked Erhard to design a set with a single footprint to work, with adjustments, for two vastly different productions. I believe Erhard has delivered with aplomb, giving us sets that function in the available space, yet serve the purposes of both a classic 19th century European opera and a modern 21st century American opera. As with all of our productions at Vancouver Opera, the sets, costumes, lights, and projections are all here to serve the music. For this production, we are using the expanded orchestra pit, with more than 60 musicians under the direction of Maestro Jonathan Darlington. It’s sure to be a feast for the senses!

Dan Paterson has served as Technical Director for Vancouver Opera since 2012.

FROM OTHELLO TO OTELLO |

An older husband is jealous of his young beautiful wife.

Rumours fly, household items go missing, and everyone gathers in a bedroom to sort things out.

It sounds like the plot of a slapstick comedy, or perhaps a sex farce, but it is the storyline of what may be William Shakespeare’s most heartbreaking play, The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice.

Written shortly after Julius Caesar and Hamlet —tragedies about dynastic struggle, besieged rulers and accusatory ghosts — Othello could not be more different. It is about a newly married couple. Their deaths have no political impact. Their destruction is triggered by a piece of domestic ephemera: a handkerchief.

BY PAUL BUDRA

Shakespeare found the basic plot in an Italian story collection. The tale of a jealous African soldier married to a Venetian woman may have had topical appeal because in August of 1600, Muhammad al-Annuri, Legate of the King of Barbary, arrived on a diplomatic mission to the court of Elizabeth I, creating a sensation with his dark complexion, flowing robes, turban and scimitar. “Moors” were in the public eye, so it is perhaps no coincidence that Iago, Othello’s nemesis, calls him a “Barbary horse.”

The play was popular in its time. An audience member who saw it in 1610 said the actors “drew tears not only by their speech but also by their action. Indeed, Desdemona . . . moved us especially in her death when, as she lay on her bed, her face itself implored the pity

of the audience.” Richard Burbage, the actor who first played Othello, was remembered in verse for his “grieved Moor.”

But the play also had its detractors. Thomas Rymer, a literary critic, found the play full of “improbabilities” and reduced its moral to “a caution to all Maidens of Quality how, without their Parents consent, they run away with Blackamoors.”

This question of race is central to the play and its performance history.

Traditionally white actors (including Laurence Olivier and Orson Welles) have played the role in blackface. Reclaiming the role for black actors — most famously by Paul Robeson — became a statement of civil rights.

But the play is not all about Othello. Iago is one of the largest speaking parts in the Shakespeare repertoire, and one of the most opaque. Samuel Coleridge famously called him a “motiveless Malignity,” but actors, audiences and critics have speculated about his motivations for centuries. Caught between the malevolent Iago and the duped Othello is Desdemona, a young woman who has rejected her father for the man she loves and whose innocence precipitates her own death.

Shakespeare fan, out of a self-imposed retirement in the 1870s. Verdi took Shakespeare’s most concentrated tragedy and narrowed its focus further, moving the action entirely to Cyprus and reducing the cast size. It has been recognized as one of the most powerful of Shakespeare adaptations since its opening night in 1887: the premiere performance garnered 20 curtain calls.

Paul Budra is Professor and Chair of English at Simon Fraser University.

It was the suggestion of doing an opera based on Othello that drew Giuseppe Verdi, himself a

PHOTO (LEFT): HIROMI OMURA AS DESDEMONA, ARIS ARGIRIS AS IAGO, AND LAUREN SEGAL AS EMILIA. PHOTOS BY YVES RENAUD, COURTESY OF OPERA DE MONTREAL. PHOTO (RIGHT): GREGORY DAHL AS IAGO, ANTONELLO PALOMBI AS OTELLO, AND ERIN WALL AS DESDEMONA. PHOTO BY EMILY COOPER

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BIOGRAPHIES

JONATHAN DARLINGTON CONDUCTOR Lapworth, England

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Fidelio with the Orchestra of the 18th Century, Amsterdam; Die Fledermaus and Die Zauberflöte with Semperoper Dresden; Le nozze di Figaro with Royal Swedish Opera: Così fan tutte with Opera Australia; The Makropoulos Case with Frankfurt Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Madama Butterfly with Vienna Staatsoper

MICHAEL CAVANAGH STAGE DIRECTOR Winnipeg, MB

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Madama Butterfly, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Elektra with Edmonton Opera; Die Entführung aus dem Serail with Opera Columbus; Falstaff with Manitoba Opera; Nixon in China with Royal Swedish Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Carmen with Austin Lyric Opera Aida with Royal Swedish Opera

ANTONELLO PALOMBI OTELLO tenor Lavello, Italy

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT RECENT APPEARANCES:

Otello with Stadttheater Klagenfurt; Luigi in Il tabarro with Teatro San Carlo; Cavaradossi in Tosca with Teatro delle Muse; Radames in Aida with Teatro San Carlo

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Macerata Opera Festival; Andrea Chénier with Gran Teatre Liceu liricopera.com

ERIN WALL DESDEMONA

GREGORY DAHL IAGO

JOHN CUDIA CASSIO

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

soprano Vancouver, BC

Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, 2014 Anna Sorensen in Silent Night with Michigan Opera Theatre; Vanessa with Santa Fe Opera Hanna Glawari in The Merry Widow with Boston Lyric Opera Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with San Francisco Opera; Arabella with the Canadian Opera Company erinwall.com

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OTELLO

baritone Winnipeg, MB

Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, 2016 Emilio Picariello in Filumena with Calgary Opera; Ford in Falstaff with Manitoba Opera; Gianni Schicchi with Opéra de Québec; Amonasro in Aida with Opéra de Montréal Scarpia in Tosca with L’Opéra de Montréal; Rigoletto with L’Opéra de Québec gregorydahl.com

tenor Bloomfield, NJ

Juan Perón in Evita, 2016

Dr. Woodly in Happy Birthday Wanda June with Indianapolis Opera; Curly in Oklahoma! with Lyric Opera of Chicago; The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, Broadway, New York

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

The Duke in Rigoletto with Lyric Opera of the North johncudia.com

BIOGRAPHIES

THOMAS GOERZ LODOVICO

MEGAN LATHAM EMILIA

MARTIN SADD RODERIGO

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

bass-baritone Kitchener, ON

Prophet/Larry King in Dark Sisters, 2015 Owen Hart in Dead Man Walking with Opéra de Montréal; The Mikado with Calgary Opera; Zuniga in Carmen with Vancouver Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Titurel in Parsifal with Festival de Lanaudière; Dr. Knarre in Charlotte with Taipei Scenography Festival deanartists.com

mezzo-soprano Abbotsford, BC

Ruth in Dark Sisters, 2015

Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte with Pacific Opera Victoria; Rossweisse in Die Walküre with Canadian Opera Company; Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor with Edmonton Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Soloist, Handel’s Messiah with Bach on the Rock; John Allison in The Lake with Turning Point Ensemble/Astrolabe Musik Theatre; Second Armed Man in The Magic Flute with Vancouver Opera; Alberich in Das Rheingold with ViVace

Rodolfo in La bohème with Burnaby Lyric Opera; Nanki-Poo in The Mikado with Calgary Opera; Soloist, Handel’s Messiah with Victoria Symphony Orchestra; The Duke in Rigoletto and Pollione in Norma with Vancouver Island Opera

deanartists.com

GLENN DE VERTEUIL HERALD

Herald in Rigoletto, 2015

Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus, 2015

Eine Kartenaufschlägerin in Arabella with Canadian Opera Company; Giovanna in Rigoletto with Canadian Opera Company

ANGUS BELL MONTANO

bass-baritone Bankstown, Australia

tenor Victoria, BC

baritone Vancouver, BC

Chorus in Evita, 2016

Chorus in Rigoletto, Sweeney Todd, Die Fledermaus, and Carmen with Vancouver Opera

STACEY BUTTERWORTH WIG DESIGNER Vancouver, BC

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Rigoletto, Dark Sisters, and Madama Butterfly with Vancouver Opera; Wigmaker for Tom Hanks in the feature film Circle; Wigmaker for Jared Leto in the feature film The Outsider; Wigmaker for Gillian Anderson in The X-Files; Wigmaker for Jennifer Lawrence in the feature film Mother

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Wotan in Die Walküre with Heroic Opera Company

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BIOGRAPHIES

MARY CASTELLO PIANIST Kitchener, ON

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Hansel and Gretel, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Pianist, Opera Tales and Viardot’s Cendrillon with the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program; Répétiteur, L’elisir d’amore and Little Women with Opera McGill

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Répétiteur, Dead Man Walking and The Brothers Grimm with Opera on the Avalon

TINA CHANG PRINCIPAL RÉPÉTITEUR/ ASSISTANT CHORUS DIRECTOR Vancouver, BC

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Répétiteur, Herculanum and Il Campanello with Wexford Festival Opera; Assistant Conductor & Principal Répétiteur, Dark Sisters with Vancouver Opera; Pianist & Coach with UBC Summer Vocal Workshop

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

marycastellopianist.com

Répétiteur, Ariadne auf Naxos with UBC Opera; Coach, soundSCAPE Festival, Maccagno, Italy

GORDON GERRARD ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR

GERALD KING LIGHTING DESIGNER

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Rivers, MB

Répétiteur, Faust, 2006

Music Director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra; Tosca with Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg; Associate Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; Die Fledermaus with Calgary Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Eugene Onegin with Opera Nuova The Nutcracker with The National Ballet of Canada gordongerrard.com

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Vancouver, BC Evita, 2016

Crazy for You with Citadel Theatre; Da Kink in My Hair with National Arts Centre and Theatre Calgary; The Merry Wives of Windsor and Romeo and Juliet with Bard on the Beach; Faerie Queen with Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Les Misérables with Western Canada Theatre

CARMEN GARCIA MAKE-UP DESIGNER Valencia, Spain

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Macbeth, 2017

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Hansel and Gretel with Vancouver Opera; The Consul with UBC Opera; Eine Nacht in Venedig with UBC Opera; Head of Make-Up with Vancouver Opera, 1997-present

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Ariadne auf Naxos with UBC Opera; Turandot with Vancouver Opera

PARVIN MIRHADY COSTUME DESIGN CONSULTANT Tehran, Iran

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Hansel and Gretel, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Costume Designer, Nixon in China, Barber of Seville, and Dark Sisters with Vancouver Opera; Head of Costumes with Vancouver Opera, 2002-present

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: 2017-2018 Vancouver Opera Season and Festival

BIOGRAPHIES

SARAH JANE PELZER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

ERHARD ROM

Victoria, BC

set and imagery designer Seattle, WA

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Assistant Director, Hansel and Gretel, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Director, Cendrillon and Opera Tales with the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program; Assistant Director, The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Manitoba; Assistant Director, The Merry Widow with Edmonton Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Assistant Director, Dead Man Walking with Opera on the Avalon

La bohème, 2012

RECENT APPEARANCES:

THERESA TSANG PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Brandon, MB

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Evita, 2016

The Shining with Minnesota Opera; Set and Imagery Designer, Lucia di Lammermoor with San Francisco Opera; Set and Imagery Designer, Semele with Seattle Opera; Nixon in China with Royal Swedish Opera

RECENT APPEARANCES:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Moby-Dick with Utah Opera erhardrom.com

Stage Manager, Maria de Rudenz with Wexford Opera Festival; Stage Manager, Salmon Girl (World Premiere) with Raven Spirit Dance Faculty Stage Manager, Kopernikus with Banff Centre; Stage Manager, Medea with Wexford Festival Opera; Stage Manager, L’elisir d’amore and Eugene Onegin with Vancouver Opera

THE FOLLOWING PATRONS HAVE GENEROUSLY SPONSORED THESE ARTISTS’ APPEARANCE IN OTELLO.

ARTIST

PATRON

Jonathan Darlington

Ms. Regina Boxer

Michael Cavanagh

Yoshiko Karasawa

KINZA TYRRELL CHORUS AND CHILDREN’S CHORUS DIRECTOR

Kinza Tyrrell

Anonymous

Antonello Palombi

The Illahie Foundation

Victoria, BC

Erin Wall

Brigitte & Henning Freybe

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Gregory Dahl

Mrs. Irene McEwen

John Cudia

Mrs. Barbara Lowy

Megan Latham

Val & Dick Bradshaw

Thomas Goerz

Reet Kana

Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Assistant Conductor/Chorus Director/Principal Répétiteur, Madama Butterfly with Vancouver Opera; Conductor, Dark Sisters with Vancouver Opera; Music Director, Stickboy with Vancouver Opera In Schools

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Assistant Conductor/Principal Répétiteur, La Bohème with Opera Kelowna; Co-Director of Voice Ensemble at University of Victoria

OTELLO

27

OTELLO ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS

VANCOUVER OPERA ORCHESTRA Violin 1 Mark Ferris, Concertmaster Domagoj Ivanovic, Associate Concertmaster Evelyn Creaser Rumley Ken Lin Peter Krysa Toni Stanick Paula Wise Colleen Venables Sarah Westwick Cameron Wilson Violin 2 Andrea Siradze, Principal Heilwig von Koenigsloew, Assistant Principal Adrianne Stride Karina Slupski Christine Lin Sandra Fiddes Janna Sailor Tina Park Viola Tawnya Popoff, Principal Isabelle Roland, Assistant Principal Mila Tymoshenko Barbara Irschick Colin Miles Sarah Kwok Cello Rebecca Wenham, Principal Susan Round, Assistant Principal Harold Birston Peter Caton Ben Goheen Bass Michael Vaughan, Principal Chris Light, Assistant Principal Meaghan Williams Laurence Mollerup Wiktor Lebeda Flute Brenda Fedoruk, Principal Laura Vanek Anne-Elise Keefer Piccolo Anne-Elise Keefer Oboe David Owen, Principal Erin Marks Cor Anglais Erin Marks Clarinet Mary Backun, Principal Erin Fung

28

OTELLO

VANCOUVER OPERA CHORUS Bass Clarinet AK Coope Bassoon Ingrid Chiang, Principal Allan Thorpe Carrie To Isaac Bull Horn Laurel Spencer, Principal Steve Denroche Heather Walker Dawn Haylett Trumpet Tom Shorthouse, Principal Jim Littleford Henry Christian Robin Shier Trombone Jeremy Berkman, Principal Jim Tranquilla Bass Trombone Sharman King Cimbasso David Sabourin, Principal Timpani Phillip Crewe, Principal Percussion Graeme Tofflemire, Principal Lauri Lyster Leonard Pearson Robin Reid Harp Janelle Nadeau, Principal Albertina Chan Organ Tina Chang, Principal Orchestra Manager Jim Littleford Orchestra Librarian Tom Shorthouse Orchestra Stage Manager Jim Tranquilla

SUPERNUMERARIES Kenyon Alexander Henry Beasley Jason Bosher Tom Jensen Brett Macdonald Malcolm MacLachlan

Peter Alexander Grant Allert Kevin Armstrong Angus Bell Spencer Britten DJ Calhoun Tristan Chalcraft Henry Chen Sheila Christie Rebecca Collett Jason Cook Francesca Corrado Bette Cosar Melody Courage Glenn de Verteuil Doug DeVillier Jeanine Fynn Christian Garcia Cathleen Gingrich Brenda Glass Alexander Matthew Gaskin Martina Govednik William Grossman Allyson Hop Adam Kozak Melanie Krueger Aviva Lacterman Katherine Landry Yacht Harout Markarian Lisa-Dawn Markle Willy Miles-Grenzberg Heather Molloy Ed Moran Rose-Ellen Nichols Wade Nott Sungsan Oh Heather Pawsey Mark Pepe Frédérik Robert Julia Rooney Eric Schwarzhoff Dionne Sellinger Diane Speirs Barbara Towell Szu-Wen Wang Don Wright

VANCOUVER OPERA CHILDREN’S CHORUS Ember Dickson Rachel Dreger Mariechen Dresselhuis Zachary Mortimer Emily Paquette Jeremiah Vezina

OTELLO PRODUCTION TEAM

VANCOUVER OPERA PRODUCTION Technical Director Dan Paterson

COSTUMES, WIGS, HAIR, AND MAKE-UP

Assistant Technical Director Gregg Steffensen

Head of Costumes & Costume Design Consultant Parvin Mirhady

Production Stage Manager Theresa Tsang Assistant Stage Managers Claire Friedrich Shannon Macelli Apprentice Stage Manager Linzi Voth Festival Properties Manager Heidi Wilkinson Props Builders Sharon Zimmerman Frances Henry Jason Wingham

Cutter Paul Fan Sewers Liwayway Garcia Marion Schoeler Mo Lin Ng Foroozan Talei Ford Xiao Ping Liu Norma Bowen Maryam Zamani Djanila Hamain Wig Designer Stacey Butterworth

Scenic Carpenters George Scott Jeffery Hunter Monica Arthurs Brian Culp Carpenter Assistant David Radford Head Scenic Artist Jennifer Hedge Lead Scenic Artist Melanie Verreault Scenic Painters Maureen Mackintosh Kristen Sands Karina Kalvaitis Eric Bushell Additional Scenic Elements by

Head of Wigs and Hair Elke Englicht

GREAT NORTHERN WAY SCENE SHOP

Props Intern Winter Stacey

Head of Make-Up & Make-Up Designer Carmen Garcia

Production Shop Manager Angela Carlson

Production Carpenter Scott Ellis

Head Wardrobe Dresser Margaret Underhill

Production Electrician John Beatty

Stage Employees, Dressers & Hair, Wigs and Make-Up Crew Members of IATSE 118

Production Buyer Carol Mcdonald

Production Video Brad Dodds Master Carpenter Dave Winstanley

Head Scenic Artist Justus Hayes Scenic Painter Sandy Margaret

The sets for Otello were built in the Pacific Opera Victoria Scene Shop.

PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

Master Electrician Paul Neumeyer

Head Carpenter Keith Allan

Head of Sound Vaughn Pease

Lead Hand Carpenter Phil Shaver

English SURTITLESâ„¢ Operator Anika Vervecken

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29

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CANADA’S LARGEST COMMUNITY BUILDER

HEGGIE

DEAD MAN WALKING DMW TITLE IMAGERY A CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CLASSIC

NEW PRODUCTION | COMPANY PREMIERE

APRIL 29 M

MAY 2• 5• 7M

QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE

Matinee

TICKETS START AT $45 | CALL 604 683 0222 | vancouveropera.ca

DANIEL OKULITCH IN DEAD MAN WALKING PHOTO BY TRUDIE LEE, COURTESY OF CALGARY OPERA

DEAD MAN WALKING

31

DEAD MAN WALKING Opera in Two Acts | Music by Jake Heggie | Libretto by Terrence McNally, based on the novel by Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ. | In English with English SURTITLES™ VANCOUVER OPERA PREMIERE | QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE | APRIL 29 – MAY 7, 2017

Conductor Jonathan Darlington

THE CAST

Director Joel Ivany

(in order of vocal appearance)

Sister Helen Prejean J'Nai Bridges Sister Rose Karen Slack

Sister Catherine Heather Pawsey

Sister Lillianne Barbara Towell First Mother Dionne Sellinger

Kitty Hart Karen Ydenberg

Prison Guard 1 Willy Miles-Grenzberg

Howard Boucher Michael Barrett

Prison Guard 2 DJ Calhoun

Younger Brother Cameron Andres

Five Solo Inmates Frédérik Robert, Peter Alexander, Adam Kozak, Kevin Armstrong, Angus Bell

Older Brother Spencer Britten

Joseph De Rocher Daniel Okulitch

Jimmy Andreas Dala

Mrs. Patrick De Rocher Judith Forst

Mrs. Charlton Heather Molloy

Owen Hart Thomas Goerz

Motorcycle Cop Willy Miles-Grenzberg Father Grenville J. Patrick Raftery

George Benton Charles Robert Austin

Jade Boucher Emma Parkinson

A paralegal Julia Rooney Teenage Girl Bianca Salazar Teenage Boy Lucas Othmer Anthony De Rocher Zac Beardsley

with the Vancouver Opera Chorus and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra Commissioned by San Francisco Opera, first performed October 7, 2000. Vancouver Opera Premiere.

ACT I: 80 MINS

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DEAD MAN WALKING

INTERMISSION: 25 MINS

ACT II: 65 MINS

Assistant Conductor / Chorus and Children’s Chorus Director / Principal Répétiteur Kinza Tyrrell

Wig Designer Stacey Butterworth

Assistant Lighting Designer Andrew Pye

Assistant Chorus Director / Répétiteur Tina Chang

English SURTITLES™ Operator Anika Vervecken

Set and Imagery Designer Erhard Rom

Fight Choreographer Nicholas Harrison

Costume Designer Sheila White

Musical Preparation Mary Castello*

Assistant Stage Managers Marijka Asbeek Brusse Emma Hammond

Assistant Costume Designer Jodi Jacyk

Stage Manager Kate Porter

Lighting Designer Gerald King

Assistant Director Jessica Derventzis

Apprentice Stage Manager Tamara Vuckovic

* Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

By arrangement with: Bent Pen Music, Inc. Sole Agent: Bill Holab Music Sets constructed by Pacific Opera Victoria Scene Shop and Great Northern Way Scene Shop Projection designs realized by Greg Emetaz and Corwin Ferguson Costumes created by Vancouver Opera Wardrobe Department Properties created by Vancouver Opera Properties Department SURTITLES™ Courtesy of Calgary Opera

Production Patron

Mike & Kathy Gallagher

2016–2017 Season sponsored by

With the continuing support of

DEAD MAN WALKING

33

SYNOPSIS |

DEAD MAN WALKING

PROLOGUE A teenage couple enjoys time alone at night near a lake in the woods, where they are set upon by two men, assaulted, and murdered.

ACT I

ACT II

Sister Helen Prejean, a nun teaching at the Hope House mission, reveals to her sisters that she has agreed to be the spiritual advisor to a death row inmate, Joseph De Rocher, with whom she has been corresponding. Despite criticism from her colleagues and prison staff, she is determined to fulfill her duty to the man, and assist him in coming to terms with his fate. After meeting with De Rocher, she agrees to speak on his behalf at a hearing of the pardon board, where she is confronted by the victims’ families. The board refuses the pardon and Sister Helen encourages Joseph to confess to his crimes. He refuses, leaving an intercession from the governor as his only hope to avoid execution. Facing resistance from all sides, an overwhelmed Sister Helen hears the news that the governor has refused to intercede, and faints.

De Rocher’s execution date has been set for August 4th at midnight. Despite the mental and physical toll her work with the prisoner has taken, Sister Helen remains by his side and urges that he make peace with the Lord. The two begin talking in earnest, and find common ground through their mutual love of rock and roll music. De Rocher’s mother and two younger brothers arrive to visit, and Helen takes one last picture of the family. During the course of the subsequent legal hearings, members of the victims’ families begin to question whether the death penalty will really give them the justice they seek. With the execution fast approaching, Sister Helen gives De Rocher one final chance to tell his story before accompanying him to the execution chamber.

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DEAD MAN WALKING

NOTES FROM THE CONDUCTOR |

It’s been said many times but it really is truly amazing and almost unbelievable that Dead Man Walking is Jake Heggie’s first venture into the operatic field. The complexity of the piece is handled with incredible mastery and above all his love of the human voice comes shining through in his sensitive and idiosyncratic vocal writing.

This ability to write beautifully for the voice is a gift that many would-be opera composers do not possess, but owing to Heggie’s understanding and love of the ‘art song’ he has it in abundance. The speech inflections and rhythm of the English language form the bedrock on which everything in the opera is built. For example, the opening orchestral rhythmic and melodic pattern, from which many thematic elements in the opera are derived, takes its spring from the five syllables contained in the name of the condemned man Joseph De Rocher.

Throughout the work many musical influences can be detected which Heggie very skillfully fuses together.

Although to my mind an ‘American’ opera in feel because of the echoes of Stephen Sondheim and other Broadway musicals, Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Carlisle Floyd, pop and film music etc.– in its use of conventions such as arias, ensembles, chorus numbers and so on it is a major ‘Grand Opera’.

JONATHAN DARLINGTON

Astonishingly however, every passing nod to an illustrious forebear or musical idiom is assimilated into Heggie’s own very personal musical language and is there for a purpose, that of driving the narrative. Hence the spiritual tune of ‘He will gather us around..’ which acts as one of the work’s unifying elements or the recorded rock and roll number that precedes the violent acts with which the opera begins.

Jake Heggie’s aim is to speak directly to an audience’s heart and mind. Remarkably, in a story of such highly charged subject matter he manages to make us feel sympathy for all the characters involved. He forces us to make up our own mind without taking sides, which is a truly stunning achievement

Maestro Darlington, BA (Hons) Durham University, LRAM, is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

He has been Music Director of Vancouver Opera since 2002.

DEAD MAN WALKING

35

NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR |

In the early 1980’s, a former Hollywood star became President of the United States, Star Wars was at the top of the box office, and a million demonstrators rallied in Central Park in support of a “Nuclear Freeze” during heightened tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Against the backdrop of these oddly familiar events, Sister Helen Prejean began her journey to help convicted murderers on death row.

Her best-selling book, Dead Man Walking (1993), became a national bestseller, and was turned into an Academy Award-winning film of the same name in 1995. This success led to a commission to write the opera, Dead Man Walking, which premiered in San Francisco in 2000.

This opera has never felt more timely and relevant. It is still an important work, whose message needs to be heard today more than ever.

What draws me to this piece is Sister Helen’s fight against what she sees as the injustice of the system, the belief in something greater than ourselves, and the passion to follow that belief through to the end.

36

DEAD MAN WALKING

JOEL IVANY

This opera is not easy: the subject matter is graphic, disturbing, and difficult. However, the message of hope, forgiveness, and reconciliation is powerful, difficult, and necessary.

Despite being an American subject, the themes, message, and power of this work are universal. It makes a person take time for introspection and ask difficult questions – ones that perhaps we didn’t think opera could address. This opera, Jake Heggie’s first, is a masterpiece in operatic theatre.

It may sound altruistic, but I believe that opera and music can truly change a person. I have no idea what an audience member is feeling when they walk through the front door, but I hope that we all can be as open as possible to the story, music, and message that is being told – it can be transformative.

Joel Ivany is Founder and Artistic Director of Against the Grain Theatre and Program Director of Open Space: Opera in the 21st Century at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

FROM MEMOIR TO MELODY: DEAD MAN WALKING IN 2017 |

JAKE HEGGIE

It was June of 1997 when playwright and librettist Terrence McNally first suggested Dead Man Walking as the subject of our first opera. I can still sense the electric shiver of intense recognition that opera was exactly the right art form to bring this story to the stage. The emotional language is immense, so it makes sense for the characters to sing. It is American, yet universal. It is timely, yet timeless. It is an intimate story with the stakes high at every turn and, thanks to the great film by Tim Robbins (starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn), it has the feeling of being part of our American DNA. It also felt like exactly the right story for me as a composer.

With the blessing and enthusiastic support of the amazing Sister Helen Prejean, we set to work. She gave us permission to explore and tell her story as we saw fit, knowing it would need to be adapted for the stage.

Her single request was that it remain a story of redemption.

Dead Man Walking was a highly controversial project at a time when the premiere of a new American opera was rare. San Francisco Opera’s General Director, Lotfi Mansouri, made sure we had everything we needed to produce the work at the highest level

possible. The cast included Susan Graham as Sister Helen, John Packard as Joseph DeRocher, and Frederica von Stade as his mother.

The conductor was Patrick Summers, the director was Joe Mantello, with sets by Michael Yeargan. Opening night was October 7, 2000. The run sold out and two additional performances were added. Reviews were all over the place, but nobody was ambivalent; everyone had a strong opinion. The opera did what we had hoped: it moved and surprised people, and brought them into a dialogue about something they had perhaps only considered in the abstract.

Since that first production in San Francisco, the opera has traveled around the globe, with nearly 300 performances on five continents.

Recently, Dead Man Walking had its 50th international production at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The journey continues and the dialogue intensifies as the difficult central question of the story is posed again: are we for vengeance or forgiveness?

Jake Heggie is an American opera composer in San Francisco.

DANIEL OKULITCH IN DEAD MAN WALKING (2006).

PHOTO BY TRUDIE LEE, COURTESY OF CALGARY OPERA

DEAD MAN WALKING

37

COMPASSION IN DEAD MAN WALKING |

We need art to open up the heart and bring us to places we are never going to go. I stand as a witness to share the story. Come with me, let me tell you what I learned, what I saw, then take it into your own soul and work out what it is that you are being called to do.

- Sr. Helen Prejean The first thing that becomes clear when reading Sister Helen Prejean’s book, Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty, is the incredible amount of compassion that Sr. Helen feels for all members of our society – even those who have committed heinous crimes. The book, the 1995 film, and the opera of Dead Man Walking brought international attention to her work as an advocate against the death penalty. Sr. Helen’s message comes from a deep belief in human rights.

There are some human rights that are so deep that we can’t negotiate them away. People do heinous, terrible things. But there are basic human rights I believe that every human being has. The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights says it for me.

- Sr. Helen Prejean How is a story about the death penalty in the southern United States relevant to Canadian audiences? The story of Dead Man Walking centers on one man’s journey along death row, but on a deeper level Sr. Helen’s work explores the socio-economic realities behind the lives of many of the inmates who face the death penalty in the 38

DEAD MAN WALKING

COLLEEN MAYBIN & SISTER HELEN PREJEAN

United States. Although there is no doubt that the central character, De Rocher, committed a horrible crime, Sr. Helen shows us the connections between poverty and incarceration that coloured his entire experience with the judicial system.

Many groups within Canada face strikingly similar challenges. According to a recent article in Maclean’s magazine (February, 2016), Canada’s crime rate is sitting at a 45 year low.

However, the number of Indigenous people who are incarcerated has hit an all-time high. Indigenous peoples, who experience endemic poverty on reserves and the continued impact of residential schools, make up only 4% of the national population and yet they comprise over 30% of the prison population. Indigenous populations

find themselves affected by similar socio-economic conditions to those at work behind Dead Man Walking.

I saw the suffering and I let myself feel it… I saw the injustice and was compelled to do something about it. I changed from being a nun who only prayed for the suffering world to a woman with my sleeves rolled up, living my prayer.

- Sr. Helen Prejean Colleen Maybin is Director, Education & Community Engagement at Vancouver Opera.

Sister Helen Prejean is a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph, author of Dead Man Walking, and a leading American advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.

PRODUCTION INSIGHTS |

DAN PATERSON

The creative team for Dead Man Walking is well known to our audiences. Director Joel Ivany gave us his grand and passionate rendition of Carmen in our 2014–2015 season. Erhard Rom, who designed the magical and inventive set for our 2009–2010 season production of Nixon in China, brings this production’s set and imagery design. Sheila White débuts as our costume designer, while Lighting Designer Gerald King, a VO veteran, has collaborated on many of our productions, most recently Madama Butterfly and Evita.

It is the designers’ job to realize the director's vision, creating the physical world in which the opera takes place. This was no small challenge in this piece, which spans a lengthy period and takes place in several different locations. Many of us have seen the movie or read Sister Helen’s book and we have a good sense of both the location and the time period, and while we may not have been inside the Louisiana State Penitentiary, we can imagine the dark realities found inside. Our designers must imagine a world that meets our expectations while at the same time creating the locations required to convincingly tell the opera’s story.

J'NAI BRIDGES AND DANIEL OKULITCH ENJOY A BREAK AND A LAUGH DURING A RECENT PHOTO SHOOT. PHOTOS BY EMILY COOPER

Festival Properties Manager Heidi Wilkinson has worked tirelessly with her team to build and source props for the Festival’s three mainstage operas, each with its own set of unique creative requirements. Head of Wardrobe Parvin Mirhady has guided her team of cutters and sewers through the collection, rental, and construction of costumes. We also called on the services of the carpenters and painters of the Pacific Opera Victoria Scene Shop and the painters of the Great Northern Way Scene Shop here in Vancouver. Our thanks go to them for their collaboration.

Dan Paterson has served as Technical Director for Vancouver Opera since 2012.

BIOGRAPHIES

JONATHAN DARLINGTON CONDUCTOR

JOEL IVANY DIRECTOR

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Evita, 2016

Carmen, 2014

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Lapworth, England

Fidelio with the Orchestra of the 18th Century, Amsterdam; Die Fledermaus and Die Zauberflöte with Semperoper Dresden; Le nozze di Figaro with Royal Swedish Opera: Così fan tutte with Opera Australia; The Makropoulos Case with Frankfurt Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Toronto, ON

Mozart’s Requiem with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra; A Little Too Cozy with Against the Grain Theatre; Carmen with the Canadian Opera Company; Program Director of Open Space: Opera in the 21st Century at Banff Centre

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

J’NAI BRIDGES SISTER HELEN PREJEAN mezzo-soprano Lakewood, WA

Bersi in Andrea Chénier with San Francisco Opera and Bayerische Staatsoper; Nefertiti in Akhnaten with LA Opera; Carmen in Bel Canto with Lyric Opera of Chicago; Lucretia in The Rape of Lucretia at Wolf Trap Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Josefa Segovia in Girls of the Golden West at San Francisco Opera

Madama Butterfly with Vienna Staatsoper

Kopernikus with Banff Centre Orphée et Eurydice with Opera Columbus

jonathan-darlington.com

joelivany.com

DANIEL OKULITCH JOSEPH DE ROCHER

CHARLES ROBERT AUSTIN GEORGE BENTON

MICHAEL BARRETT HOWARD BOUCHER

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

bass-baritone Calgary, AB

Don Giovanni, 2014

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Don Giovanni with Santa Fe Opera and New Orleans Opera; Leporello in Don Giovanni with Opéra de Montréal; Lyndon B. Johnson in JFK with Fort Worth Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro with Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

bass-baritone Seward, NE

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Praise-God Tweke in Merry Mount (Hanson) at Carnegie Hall; Duke Bluebeard in Bluebeard’s Castle with Virginia Arts Festival; Dr. Grenvil in La traviata with Seattle Opera; Duke Bluebeard in Bluebeard’s Castle with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra aormanagement.com

jnaibridgesmezzo.com

tenor Corner Brook, NL

Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd, 2015

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus with Opera 5, Toronto; Osiris in Isis and Osiris for VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert, Toronto Soloist, Mozart Requiem with Newfoundland Symphony; Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte with Edmonton Opera deanartists.com

danielokulitch.com

DEAD MAN WALKING

41

BIOGRAPHIES

JUDITH FORST, O.C., O.B.C. MRS. PATRICK DE ROCHER

THOMAS GOERZ OWEN HART

EMMA PARKINSON JADE BOUCHER

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

mezzo-soprano New Westminster, BC

Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance, 2012 Anne’s Mum in Two Boys with The Metropolitan Opera; Old Woman in Candide with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; Madame de Croissy in Dialogues des Carmélites with Canadian Opera Company; Bianca in The Rape of Lucretia with Houston Grand Opera

bass-baritone Kitchener, ON

Prophet/Larry King in Dark Sisters, 2015 Owen Hart in Dead Man Walking with Opéra de Montréal; The Mikado with Calgary Opera; Zuniga in Carmen with Vancouver Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Titurel in Parsifal with Festival de Lanaudière; Dr. Knarre in Charlotte with Taipei Scenography Festival deanartists.com

mezzo-soprano Lethbridge, AB

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Carmen with Burnaby Lyric Opera Soloist, Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with Kingston Symphony Orchestra; Soloist, Vivaldi’s Gloria with Alberta Baroque Ensemble; Mezzo-Soprano in Storybook with Opera 5, Toronto

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Florrie in Rattenbury with Pacific Opera Victoria; Soloist, Messiah with Vancouver Bach Choir emmaparkinson.com

J. PATRICK RAFTERY FATHER GRENVILLE

KAREN SLACK SISTER ROSE

KAREN YDENBERG KITTY HART

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

tenor Washington, DC

Figaro in The Barber of Seville, 1991

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Governor in Candide with the Vancouver Symphony and Regina Symphony; Haushofmeister in Ariadne auf Naxos with Pacific Opera Victoria; Aegisth in Elektra with Opéra de Marseille deanartists.com

soprano Philadelphia, PA

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Serena in Porgy and Bess with Sydney Symphony; Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Nashville Opera; Alice Ford in Falstaff with Arizona Opera; Aida with Austin Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Anna in Le Villi with Scottish Opera; Sister Rose in Dead Man Walking with Kentucky Opera and Minnesota Opera sopranokarenslack.com

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DEAD MAN WALKING

soprano Langley, BC

Almera in Dark Sisters, 2015

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd with Vancouver Opera; Frasquita in Carmen with Vancouver Opera; Echo in Ariadne auf Naxos with Vancouver Opera; First Lady in The Magic Flute with Vancouver Opera

BIOGRAPHIES

DJ CALHOUN PRISON GUARD 2 baritone Calgary, AB

ANITA KRAUSE SISTER HELEN PREJEAN mezzo-soprano Vancouver, BC

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE :

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Chorus in Evita, 2016

Jeff/Chris/Dick in Stickboy with Vancouver Opera In Schools; Curtis/Ensemble in Stickboy with Vancouver Opera; Paris in Roméo et Juliette with Vancouver Opera djcalhoun.com

(COVER)

The Mayor’s Wife in Jenufa, 1996 Romeo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi for VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert, Toronto; Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music with Stratford Festival; Faculty Member, University of Western Ontario

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Symphony Nova Scotia; Music at Western Recital Series deanartists.com

PETER ALEXANDER SOLO INMATE 2

KEVIN ARMSTRONG SOLO INMATE 4

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

baritone Vancouver, BC

Chorus in Rigoletto, 2015

Chorus in Sweeney Todd with Vancouver Opera; Soloist, Carmina Burana with Regina Symphony Orchestra; Germont in La traviata with The Opera Project; Valentin in Faust with Vancouver Island Opera

tenor Nelson, BC

Chorus in Evita, 2016

Macheath in Threepenny Opera with Theatre in the Raw; Official Registrar in Madama Butterfly with Vancouver Opera; Turridu in Cavalleria Rusticana with Calgary Concert Opera; Cerberus in KHAOS (World Premiere) with Amy Ferguson Institute; Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar with Thunerseespiele, Switzerland reverbnation.com

WILLY MILES-GRENZBERG MOTORCYCLE COP/ PRISON GUARD 1 baritone St. Catharines, ON

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Chorus in Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Baritone Soloist in Carmina Burana with Vancouver Bach Choir; Singer/Songwriter/ Guitarist in Sounds Global Concert Series with Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra; Guest Soloist at Chinese New Year’s Gala at Surrey Bell Centre; Christmas Caroler in When Calls the Heart TV Series willymilesmusic.com

ANGUS BELL SOLO INMATE 5 bass-baritone Bankstown, Australia

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Montano in Otello, 2017

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Herald in RIgoletto with Vancouver Opera; John Allison in The Lake with Turning Point Ensemble/Astrolabe Musik Theatre; Second Armed Man in The Magic Flute with Vancouver Opera; Alberich in Das Rheingold with ViVace

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Wotan in Die Walküre with Heroic Opera Company

DEAD MAN WALKING

43

BIOGRAPHIES

SPENCER BRITTEN OLDER BROTHER

ADAM KOZAK SOLO INMATE 3

HEATHER MOLLOY MRS. CHARLTON

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

HEATHER PAWSEY SISTER CATHERINE

FRÉDÉRIK ROBERT SOLO INMATE 1

JULIA ROONEY PARALEGAL

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

tenor Port Moody, BC

Chorus in Evita, 2016

Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with UBC Opera and Bard on the Beach; Boy (Cover) in Stickboy with Vancouver Opera In Schools

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

tenor North Vancouver, BC Chorus in Evita, 2016

Yakuside in Madama Butterfly with Vancouver Opera; Chorus in Die Fledermaus and Carmen with Vancouver Opera; Plum Seller in La bohème with Vancouver Opera

mezzo-soprano Regina, SK Chorus in Evita, 2016

Student/Alyssa in Stickboy with Vancouver Opera and Vancouver Opera In Schools; Chorus, Sweeney Todd and Die Fledermaus with Vancouver Opera; Concepcion in L’heure espagnole with Calgary Opera

Tanzmeister/Brighella in Ariadne auf Naxos with UBC Opera; Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia with European Music Academy spencerbritten.com

soprano Regina, SK

Chorus in Evita, 2016

Jennifer in One Thousand White Paper Cranes for Japan with Prague Modern Orchestra, Czech Republic; Presendia in Dark Sisters with Vancouver Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Omnis Temporalis with Little Chamber Music Series That Could; Komachi in Kayoi Komachi (World Premiere) with Tomeo Arts heatherpawsey.com

44

DEAD MAN WALKING

tenor Falher, Alberta

Eva’s Brother/Chorus in Evita, 2016 Soloist, Rachmaninoff’s The Bells with the Vancouver Bach Choir; Sultan Soliman/ Pulcherio/Biondello in The Lost Operas of Mozart with City Opera Vancouver; Ed in Dragging Piaf: a cinematic live concert with Queer Arts Festival

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Soloist, Valentine’s Pop Shows with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra frederikrobert.com

soprano Calgary, AB

Cio-Cio-San’s Cousin in Madama Butterfly, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

2016 Laureate with Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques, Montréal; Summer Intensive, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York; Soloist in Operettennachmittag with the German-Canadian Benevolent Society of BC; Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief with Fear No Opera, Victoria juliarooneymusic.com

BIOGRAPHIES

DIONNE SELLINGER FIRST MOTHER

BARBARA TOWELL SISTER LILLIANNE

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

mezzo-soprano Swift Current, SK

Cio-Cio San’s Mother in Madama Butterfly, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Kate/Suzuki in Tom Pinkerton: The Ballad of Butterfly’s Son, a workshop in association with Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre and SFU; Zulma in L’italiania in Algeri with Calgary Opera Peep Bo in The Mikado with Edmonton Opera

mezzo-soprano Thunder Bay, ON Chorus in Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Miss Manners on Music, Recital with Pianist Tina Chang; Viva Italia with City Opera Vancouver; Marie in The Lake, Barbara Pentland Documentary; Cio Cio San’s Aunt in Madama Butterfly with Vancouver Opera; Opera for Everyone with Quintessence, BC Tour barbandtina.com

CAMERON ANDRES YOUNGER BROTHER Vancouver, BC

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Hansel and Gretel, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Gavroche in Les Misérables with Arts Club Theatre Company; Schwartz in A Christmas Story with Arts Club Theatre Company; Edgar in Ragtime: In Concert with Fighting Chance Productions

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library with Nickelodeon; Cyrus and the Wallet with BravoFACT @thecam_theman

ANDREAS DALA JIMMY Vancouver, BC

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Children’s Chorus in Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Moth in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with UBC Opera; Boy Soprano Soloist in Elijah with Vancouver Bach Choir; Pie Jesu (Webber) duet with Simone Osborne for Wall Centre Gala Fundraiser

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Children’s Chorus in Carmina Burana with Vancouver Bach Choir

ZAC BEARDSLEY ANTHONY DE ROCHER

LUCAS OTHMER TEENAGE BOY

Fallon, NV

Yellowknife, NT

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show with Geekenders Theatre; Boland in Dogfight with Semper Fi Collective and Pacific Theatre; Goran in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Align Entertainment

Parkour Stuntman, 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Commercials; Parkour Stuntman, 2017 IT Glue Commercial

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Geekenders Theatre; Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show with Geekenders Theatre

DEAD MAN WALKING

45

BIOGRAPHIES

BIANCA SALAZAR TEENAGE GIRL

STACEY BUTTERWORTH WIG DESIGNER

MARY CASTELLO PIANIST

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Maple Ridge, BC Dark Sisters, 2015

Snow White with Army of Sass; Rigoletto with Vancouver Opera; Sweeney Todd with Vancouver Opera; Don Carlo with Vancouver Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Divas with Army of Sass; Las Vegas Review with SPECC-tacular Productions

Vancouver, BC Evita, 2016

Rigoletto, Dark Sisters, and Madama Butterfly with Vancouver Opera; Wigmaker for Tom Hanks in the feature film Circle; Wigmaker for Jared Leto in the feature film The Outsider; Wigmaker for Gillian Anderson in The X-Files; Wigmaker for Jennifer Lawrence in the feature film Mother

estudiosalazar.ca

TINA CHANG

assistant chorus director and répétiteur Vancouver, BC LAST VO APPEARANCE: Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Répétiteur, Herculanum and Il Campanello with Wexford Festival Opera; Assistant Conductor & Principal Répétiteur, Dark Sisters with Vancouver Opera; Pianist & Coach with UBC Summer Vocal Workshop

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Répétiteur, Ariadne auf Naxos with UBC Opera; Coach, soundSCAPE Festival, Maccagno, Italy

46

DEAD MAN WALKING

Kitchener, ON

Hansel and Gretel, 2016

Pianist, Opera Tales and Viardot’s Cendrillon with the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program; Répétiteur, L’elisir d’amore and Little Women with Opera McGill

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Répétiteur, Dead Man Walking and The Brothers Grimm with Opera on the Avalon marycastellopianist.com

JESSICA DERVENTZIS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

CARMEN GARCIA MAKE-UP DESIGNER

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Toronto, ON

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Valencia, Spain Macbeth, 2017

Director, Dido and Aeneas with Opera McGill; Director, Cinderella with Calgary Opera School Tour; Director, Die Zauberflöte with Opera Kelowna; Assistant Director, La Cenerentola with Edmonton Opera

RECENT APPEARANCES:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Director, Fête Galante and Boatswain’s Mate with Opera 5; Director, La bohème with Opera Kelowna @jessderventzis

Hansel and Gretel with Vancouver Opera The Consul with UBC Opera; Eine Nacht in Venedig with UBC Opera; Head of Make-Up with Vancouver Opera, 1997-present Ariadne auf Naxos with UBC Opera; Turandot with Vancouver Opera

BIOGRAPHIES

GERALD KING LIGHTING DESIGNER

KATE PORTER STAGE MANAGER

ERHARD ROM SET AND IMAGERY DESIGNER

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Vancouver, BC Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Crazy for You with Citadel Theatre; Da Kink in My Hair with National Arts Centre and Theatre Calgary; The Merry Wives of Windsor and Romeo and Juliet with Bard on the Beach; Faerie Queen with Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Les Misérables with Western Canada Theatre

Halifax, NS

Rigoletto, 2015

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Götterdämmerung with the Canadian Opera Company; Carmen with Vancouver Opera; Into the Woods and The Pirates of Penzance with Thousand Islands Playhouse; Acis and Galatea, La clemenza di Tito, and L’incoronazione di Poppea with Opera Atelier

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: L’elisir d’amore with the Canadian Opera Company

Seattle, WA

La bohème, 2012

RECENT APPEARANCES:

The Shining with Minnesota Opera; Set and Imagery Designer, Lucia di Lammermoor with San Francisco Opera; Set and Imagery Designer, Semele with Seattle Opera; Nixon in China with Royal Swedish Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Moby-Dick with Utah Opera erhardrom.com

THE FOLLOWING PATRONS HAVE GENEROUSLY SPONSORED THESE ARTISTS’ APPEARANCE IN DEAD MAN WALKING.

KINZA TYRRELL ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR/ CHORUS AND CHILDREN’S CHORUS DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL RÉPÉTITEUR Victoria, BC

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Evita, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Assistant Conductor/Chorus Director/Principal Répétiteur, Madama Butterfly with Vancouver Opera; Conductor, Dark Sisters with Vancouver Opera; Music Director, Stickboy with Vancouver Opera in Schools

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Assistant Conductor/Principal Répétiteur, La Bohème with Opera Kelowna; Co-Director of Voice Ensemble at University of Victoria

ARTIST

PATRON

Jonathan Darlington

Pascal & Isabelle Spothelfer

Joel Ivany

Arlene Gladstone & Hamish Cameron

Kinza Tyrrell

Lori Hareid in memory of Bjorn Hareid

Sister Helen Prejean

Mr. Bruce Munro Wright

Jake Heggie

Michael and Inna O’Brian

Mary Poppins, White Christmas, Dream Girls, and Next to Normal for Arts Club Theatre Company; Ariadne auf Naxos for Pacific Opera Victoria; Imaginary Mary, Warriors, and The Trustee for Warner Bros/ Sony Entertainment for ABC Television; ThreeTime Jessie Richardson Award Winner for Outstanding Costume Design

Daniel Okulitch

Anonymous

J’nai Bridges

Mr. Bruce Munro Wright

Karen Slack

Dr. Heather Clarke

Judith Forst

Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

sheilala.ca

Robert Austin

Anonymous

Thomas Goerz

Reet Kana

Emma Parkinson

Wayne Wiens, in memory of Andrea Pinto Lebowitz

Karen Ydenberg

Mrs. Alix Brown

SHEILA WHITE COSTUME DESIGNER Vancouver, BC

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT RECENT APPEARANCES:

DEAD MAN WALKING

47

DEAD MAN WALKING ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS

VANCOUVER OPERA ORCHESTRA Violin 1 Mark Ferris, Concertmaster Angela Cavadas, Associate Concertmaster Lawrie Hill Yun Jung Carolyn Canfield Cole Heilwig von Koenigsloew Evelyn Creaser Rumley Richard Dorfer Domagoj Ivanovic Ellen Farrugia Violin 2 Patricia Armstrong, Principal Andrea Siradze, Assistant Principal Ken Lin Toni Stanick Peter Krysa Colleen Venables Paula Wise Adrianne Stride Viola Tawnya Popoff, Principal Marcus Takizawa, Assistant Principal Isabelle Roland Marie-Claude Brunet Mila Tymoshenko Reginald Quiring Cello Rebecca Wenham, Principal Heather Hay, Assistant Principal Peggy Lee Harold Birston Susan Round Bass Les Kasprzak, Principal Michael Vaughan, Assistant Principal Chris Light Meaghan Williams Laurence Mollerup Flute Brenda Fedoruk, Principal Anne-Elise Keefer Laura Vanek Piccolo/Alto Flute Laura Vanek Oboe David Owen, Principal Erin Marks Cor Anglais Emma Ringrose Clarinet Mary Backun, Principal Michelle Anderson

48

DEAD MAN WALKING

VANCOUVER OPERA CHORUS Bass Clarinet Erin Fung Bassoon Ingrid Chiang, Principal Isaac Bull Allan Thorpe Contrabassoon Allan Thorpe Horn Laurel Spencer, Principal Nick Anderson Heather Walker Steve Denroche Trumpet Tom Shorthouse, Principal Jim Littleford Henry Christian Trombone Jeremy Berkman, Principal Jim Tranquilla Bass Trombone Sharman King Harp Janelle Nadeau, Principal Timpani Phillip Crewe, Principal Percussion Graeme Tofflemire, Principal Lauri Lyster Pianoforte Tina Chang, Principal Orchestra Manager Jim Littleford Orchestra Librarian Tom Shorthouse Orchestra Stage Manager Jim Tranquilla

SUPERNUMERARIES Zac Beardsley Cecilly Day Frantz De Rycke Justin Lapeña Deborah Morris Aiko Nishira Masa Nishira Lucas Othmer Bianca Salazar Sarah Seekamp Guy Vallieres Tracy Wiens

Peter Alexander Grant Allert Kevin Armstrong Angus Bell Spencer Britten Henry Chen Sheila Christie Francesca Corrado Bette Cosar Glenn de Verteuil Doug DeVillier Jeanine Fynn Christian Garcia Brenda Glass Alexander Allyson Hop Paul Just Adam Kozak Melanie Krueger Aviva Lacterman Harout Markarian Lisa-Dawn Markle Heather Molloy Rose-Ellen Nichols Wade Nott Heather Pawsey Frédérik Robert Julia Rooney Dionne Sellinger Diane Speirs Barbara Towell Szu-Wen Wang Don Wright

VANCOUVER OPERA CHILDREN’S CHORUS Cameron Andres Andreas Dala Sydnee Faria Carolyn Forward Joyce Ho Thea Ledenko Alistair Leong Antony Leong Kayla McElheron Nadya Nuyen Taylor Dianne Robinson Keiyshia Ting

DEAD MAN WALKING PRODUCTION TEAM

VANCOUVER OPERA PRODUCTION Technical Director Dan Paterson

COSTUMES, WIGS, HAIR, AND MAKE-UP

Assistant Technical Director Gregg Steffensen

Head of Costumes Lydia Hiebert

Festival Production Stage Manager Theresa Tsang

Cutter Paul Fan

Stage Manager Kate Porter

Sewer Norma Bowen

Assistant Stage Managers Marijka Asbeek Brusse Emma Hammond

Wig Designer Stacey Butterworth

Apprentice Stage Manager Tamara Vuckovic

Head of Wigs and Hair Elke Englicht

Festival Properties Manager Heidi Wilkinson

Head of Make-Up & Make-Up Designer Carmen Garcia

Props Builders Sharon Zimmerman Frances Henry Jason Wingham Props Buyer Carol Macdonald Props Intern Winter Stacey Production Carpenter Scott Ellis Production Electrician John Beatty Production Video Brad Dodds Master Carpenter Dave Winstanley Master Electrician Paul Neumeyer Head of Sound Vaughn Pease English SURTITLESâ„¢ Operator Anika Vervecken

Additional Scenic Elements by

GREAT NORTHERN WAY SCENE SHOP Production Shop Manager Angela Carlson Lead Scenic Painter Justus Hayes Scenic Painter Sandy Margaret

Head Wardrobe Dresser Margaret Underhill Stage Employees, Dressers & Hair, Wigs and Make-Up Crew Members of IATSE 118 The sets for Dead Man Walking were built in the Pacific Opera Victoria Scene Shop.

PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA Head Carpenter Keith Allan Lead Hand Carpenter Phil Shaver Scenic Carpenters George Scott Monica Arthurs Jeffery Hunter Brian Culp Carp Assistant David Radford Head Scenic Artist Jennifer Hedge Lead Scenic Artist Melanie Verreault Scenic Painters Maureen Mackintosh Kristen Sands Karina Kalvaitis Eric Bushell

DEAD MAN WALKING

49

audition to premiere

From

Blakes appreciates the importance of supporting the arts, and we are proud to sponsor Vancouver Opera’s production of The Marriage of Figaro.

TORONTO

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GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY PHOTO: DESIGN FROM VO’S THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO COSTUME DESIGNER SID NEIGUM’S READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTION. PHOTO BY LUIS MARA, COURTESY OF SID NEIGUM

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

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THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Opera in Four Acts | By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte In Italian with English SURTITLES™ NEW VO PRODUCTION | VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE | APRIL 30 – MAY 18, 2017

Conductor Leslie Dala

THE CAST

Director Rachel Peake

(in order of vocal appearance)

Figaro Alex Lawrence + Iain MacNeil ‡

Susanna Caitlin Wood + Rachel Fenlon ‡ Bartolo Ricardo Lugo + Scott Brooks ‡

Marcellina Anita Krause + Leah Giselle Field ‡* Cherubino Mireille Lebel + Pascale Spinney ‡*

Count Almaviva Phillip Addis + Aaron Durand ‡

Barbarina Vanessa Oude-Reimerink* + Taylor Pardell ‡*

Basilio Christopher Mayell + Ryan Downey ‡*

Soprano Chorus, Bridesmaid Nicole Brooks

Countess Almaviva Leslie Ann Bradley + Lara Ciekiewicz ‡

Don Curzio Christopher Mayell + Ryan Downey ‡* Antonio Peter Monaghan*

Mezzo-Soprano Chorus, Bridesmaid Megan Morrison Tenor Chorus Tony Bittar-Sayegh Baritone Chorus Brandon Thornhill

All

with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra + ‡

April 30(m) May 3(m), 6, 9, 11,13(m), 16, 18, May 6(m), 10, 12, 13, 17

*

Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

First performed at Vienna Imperial Court Theatre on May 1, 1786. First produced by Vancouver Opera 1964.

ACT I: 44 MINS

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ACT II: 48 MINS

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

INTERMISSION: 25 MINS

ACT III: 38 MINS

ACT IV: 32 MINS

Scenic Designer Drew Facey

Stage Manager Beth Grieve

Costume Designer Sid Neigum

Assistant Director / Movement Coach Tracey Power

Assistant Lighting Designer Sara Smith

Lighting Designer John Webber Wig Designer Stacey Butterworth Musical Preparation Kimberley-Ann Bartczak

Assistant Stage Managers Collette Brown Michelle Harrison Apprentice Stage Manager Taryn Dougall

English SURTITLES™ Translations Anika Vervecken English SURTITLES™ Operation Steph Kirkland

The sets, props, and costumes for this original production were built and created by Vancouver Opera.

Production Patrons

Michael and Inna O’Brian

2016–2017 Season sponsored by

Performance sponsor

With the continuing support of THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

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SYNOPSIS |

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

ACT I

ACT III

Figaro, a servant to the Count, prepares for his wedding to Susanna, the Countess’ chambermaid. Susanna cautions him that she fears the Count will reinstate the feudal droit du seigneur, the right of a lord to take a husband’s place in his marriage bed. Dr. Bartolo arrives with his housekeeper, Marcellina, and they plan to force Figaro to instead marry Marcellina as payment for an old debt. The young page Cherubino enters the room to plead with Susanna for help. The Count enters Susanna’s chamber, and believing he is alone with Susanna, pursues her. Upon discovering Cherubino hiding under a sheet, the Count orders him off to serve military duty.

The Count declares that Figaro must marry Marcellina, but Figaro objects on the grounds that he cannot obtain permission from his long-lost parents. By virtue of a birthmark, it is discovered that Figaro is, in fact, Bartolo and Marcellina’s child, and plans are made for a double wedding. The Countess dictates a letter for Susanna to send to the Count, arranging a meeting in the garden that evening.

ACT II

ACT IV

The Countess hatches a plan with Susanna to expose the Count. They prepare to disguise Cherubino as a woman, but are foiled by the Count entering the room.

He demands to know who is hidden in his wife’s closet.

When he leaves to fetch a crowbar, Cherubino escapes out the window and Susanna takes his place. Upon discovering Susanna in the closet, an embarrassed Count pleads for forgiveness until the gardener Antonio arrives, complaining of about someone jumping out the window. Figaro quickly takes the blame, interrupted by Marcellina and Bartolo’s arrival with a legal challenge to the upcoming wedding.

Figaro comes upon Barbarina, and discovers that Susanna has sent a note to the Count. Susanna and the Countess arrive in the garden, dressed in each other’s clothing. The Count attempts to woo the disguised Countess, while Figaro mistakes Susanna for the Countess and pretends to seduce her to enrage the Count. The Count calls the household to arms, forcing the women’s true identities to be revealed, and everyone unites in celebration.

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THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

NOTES FROM THE CONDUCTOR |

Who could have predicted in 1786 that the first collaboration between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo Da Ponte would produce one of the most performed and beloved operas to this day? Johannes Brahms said of this opera: “In my opinion, each number in Figaro is a miracle; it is totally beyond me how anyone could create anything so perfect; nothing like it was ever done again, not even by Beethoven.”

From the energetic and bustling first few notes of the overture to the finale of the fourth act, Figaro sparkles with music of the greatest variety: expressing youthful longing, heartbreaking betrayal, mounting rage and fury, and bubbling laughter, sometimes even at the same time! The genre of 18th century opera buffa is raised to new heights with a libretto that captures the timelessness and complexity of human relations.

Mozart has crowned all of this with unforgettable arias, duets, and ensembles, in particular the masterful second Act Finale which unfolds over an unprecedented 20 minutes of continuous music (it is in fact, the longest

LESLIE DALA

single movement he ever composed). Beginning with a tense scene between the Count and Countess, additional characters appear as tensions increase, subside, and then double over again, with music that sweeps us along in the most inventive and delightful manner. This ultimately culminates in an ensemble which can only be described as a miracle of imagination and form.

We all take something different away from Figaro, whether we are active participants in the spectacle or observers. Although there are many musical “highlights”, the work is best appreciated as the sum of its parts.

As a conductor, it is an incredibly humbling but also rewarding and joyful experience to be able to immerse oneself in this bountiful score which delights the ear and the mind in a way that seems as fresh now as when it was composed over 230 years ago.

Maestro Dala is Associate Conductor of Vancouver Opera, and Music Director of the Vancouver Bach Choir.

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NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR |

Take a moment to imagine yourself at the opening night of Le nozze di Figaro: Vienna, 1786. You are aware that Beaumarchais’ play on which this opera is based was denounced by both an emperor and a king.

Scandal surrounds this work, but Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo Da Ponte have cleverly couched some of the more direct social commentary within the piece’s comedy, leaving it laced underneath for the audience to discover but slipping it past the censor’s gaze. Mozart himself is conducting tonight’s production, seated at the keyboard. You have never before seen an opera buffa portray such complex characters. From the opening of the first scene you, the wealthy upper-class opera audience of 1786, are for the first time being asked to view the world, the problems of the play, and the quest for life’s happiness through the perspective of the servant class.

In our production we seek to capture this feeling of social division in a world more closely aligned with our present-day. The era of this production is a time-

RACHEL PEAKE

out-of-time. A mashup of 1786 and 2026, we are in an imagined near-future where we see traces of the past mixed with our own contemporary class conflict and cultural references. Here Susanna and Figaro are a different kind of “other” – tattooed and pierced, they represent a counter-culture that might be at odds with how some opera-goers see themselves. Yet with the power of this story and Mozart’s music, we still go on their journey with them. We are carried away on the whimsy of a romantic comedy where mistaken identities and hearts worn on the sleeves can lead to all range of problems but where, ultimately, love will find a way.

I got married last summer in the midst of preparing for this project. While my wedding day was quite different from the one you’ll see tonight, I must confess that some of my own romance may have filtered through onto the stage….

Rachel Peake is a two-time Jessie Richardson award-winning director and dramaturge of theatre, musical theatre, and opera, and is a graduate of Studio 58 and the University of Alberta.

LEFT: CAITLIN WOOD HAVING HER MAKE-UP DONE. RIGHT: ALEX LAWRENCE GETS SOME HELP DRESSING FROM ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TRACEY POWER. PHOTOS BY EMILY COOPER

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THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

PRODUCTION INSIGHTS |

DAN PATERSON

When discussions first began around the programming of this opera, the production team was drawn to exploring the concept of fashion. Could we bring the world of prêt-à-porter to the opera, and create the design of the show around this concept?

Director Rachel Peake was intrigued by this idea: not only would she choose her creative partners for sets and lights, but she would also have to find a designer from the fashion world who could make the leap into designing for opera.

After an exhaustive search, fashion designer Sid Neigum agreed to design costumes for our production. Sid's fashions have been seen on the runway of London Fashion Week, and he has been labeled by Vogue as

"one to watch". Scenic Designer Drew Facey and Lighting Designer John Webber complete the creative team.

The costumes you will see tonight are a fusion of classic and modern styles. The setting and time period are purposely undefined, highlighting the concept of Susanna and Figaro as outsiders or "others".

One of the first elements of Drew Facey's set that you will likely notice is the floor’s mirrored surface. While this definitely creates a challenge for John Webber's lighting design, it serves to create and reinforce a sense of reflection and introspection for the characters.

In a brilliant touch of design, it also establishes a subconscious connection for the audience to the fashion runways of Paris and Milan.

The music of Figaro is beloved the world over, consistently ranking among the top 10 most performed works of opera. The inventive costumes, the original sets, and the beautiful lighting of our new production have all been designed to support Mozart's classic score.

Dan Paterson has served as Technical Director for Vancouver Opera since 2012.

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THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO: A REVOLUTIONARY OPERA |

At age 30, after years of being celebrated throughout Europe first as a child prodigy, and then as a piano soloist and a prolific composer, Mozart settled in Vienna with his wife, Constanze. Buoyed by the success of his most recent opera, The Abduction from the Seraglio, Wolfgang was hoping to obtain a plush job at the court of Joseph II, the music-loving emperor. He rented a large apartment, bought a beautiful fortepiano and an expensive billiard table, and could have enjoyed a lovely life, quietly composing and performing concertos and string quartets. He chose, however, to write a new opera, a truly revolutionary one: The Marriage of Figaro. The work created quite a stir at the Imperial Court. Two hundred and thirty years after the premiere, Mozart’s urgent music, inspired by Da Ponte’s iconoclastic libretto based on Beaumarchais’s irreverent play, La Folle Journée (The Mad Day) ou le Mariage de Figaro, has never left the stage.

The opprobrium started with Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, who was quite a controversial figure: poet, musician, businessman, spy at the service of the king, arms dealer, and playwright. In his Figaro trilogy, Beaumarchais’ plays reflected the social changes that were emerging with the French Revolution. His first play, Le Barbier de Séville, ou la Précaution inutile (1775) was an undisputed success and inspired operas by

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THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

SYLVIA L'ÉCUYER

Paisiello and Rossini. Le Mariage de Figaro (1778) was a sequel to Barbier. It had a few private readings before Beaumarchais received permission from the authorities to stage a public performance in Paris in 1784. The madcap, action-packed comedy, which ridiculed the aristocracy, denounced social inequalities and gave centre stage to a valet and a chamber maid, was declared ‘’despicable’’ by Louis XVI and lauded as ‘’the Revolution already in action’’ by Napoléon Bonaparte.

Joseph II’s young sister, Marie-Antoinette, the wife of Louis XVI, enjoyed the play, which quickly reached Vienna in its original version before being translated to German in 1785. A copy of the original German translation was found in Mozart’s library.

The Emperor did not, however, allow the National theater to stage The Marriage of Figaro. Enter another fascinating character: Lorenzo Da Ponte, Italian poet, Catholic priest exiled from Venice for his dissolute life, and now poet for the Imperial Court and librettist for the Italian Theatre in Vienna. In his 1830 autobiography, Memoirs, Da Ponte credits himself with obtaining permission for Mozart to write an opera on the libretto he would provide, arguing that music would soften its political message. Actually, Mozart did not lessen the social criticism, quite the contrary! He pushed the revolutionary message even further. For example, in the

opening scene, when Figaro realizes that the Count is pursuing his bride-to-be, his fury explodes in a feverish and brilliant aria. The Countess appears only at the beginning of the second act, expressing the humiliation of her husband’s infidelities in a heartbreaking lament. In the final act, the Count is humbled and begs for forgiveness on his knees.

In true revolutionary spirit, the moral compass of the opera is in the hands of the servants.

The opera achieved moderate success with nine performances at the Burgtheater in May 1786; the real triumph took place in Prague at the end of that year, further from the Emperor’s court.

Le Nozze was the first of three masterpieces (the others were Don Giovanni and Cosi fan tutte) that resulted from Mozart and Da Ponte’s remarkable collaboration.

Sylvia L'Écuyer is the producer and host of Radio-Canada’s popular Place à l'opéra on ICI MUSIQUE as well as an internationally-renowned musicologist and Associate Professor at Université de Montréal.

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BIOGRAPHIES

LESLIE DALA CONDUCTOR

RACHEL PEAKE DIRECTOR

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Toronto, ON

Madama Butterfly, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

La Cecchina with Glenn Gould School; St. Matthew Passion with Vancouver Bach Choir; The Magic Flute with Bard on the Beach; A Midsummer Night’s Dream with UBC Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Vancouver, BC Stickboy, 2014

RECENT APPEARANCES:

L’Élection with Théâtre la Seizième; Angels in America: Part One with Studio 58; Green Lake with Solo Collective Theatre; Firebird with Gros Morne Summer Music, Newfoundland

Don Giovanni with Centre for Opera Studies in Italy; The Overcoat: an Opera with Vancouver Opera, Tapestry Opera, and Canadian Stage

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

lesliedala.com

rachelpeake.com

Hyperlink with The Elbow Theatre; A Christmas Carol with Gateway Theatre

PHILLIP ADDIS COUNT ALMAVIVA baritone Port Colborne, ON

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Harlequin in Ariadne auf Naxos, 2007

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Papageno in Die Zauberflöte with Canadian Opera Company; Pelléas in Pelléas et Mélisande with Hamburgische Staatsoper; Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro with Semperoper Dresden

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Eugene Onegin with Calgary Opera; Pelléas et Mélisande with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra phillipaddis.com

LESLIE ANN BRADLEY COUNTESS ALMAVIVA

SCOTT BROOKS BARTOLO

LARA CIEKIEWICZ COUNTESS ALMAVIVA

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

soprano Port Perry, ON

Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, 2014

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Mimi in La bohème with Norwalk Symphony; Soloist, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Victoria Symphony; Desdemona in Otello with Pacific Opera Victoria

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Soloist, Water Music with Toronto Symphony Orchestra; Soloist, Haydn’s The Creation with Richard Eaton Singers leslieannbradley.com

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THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

bass-baritone Kamloops, BC

Zuniga in Carmen with Burnaby Lyric Opera; Mephistopheles in Faust with Highlands Opera Studio

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Masetto/Commendatore in Don Giovanni with Jeunesses Musicales du Canada; Ensemble Member, Atelier Lyrique de L’Opéra de Montréal

soprano Winnipeg, MB

Amelia in Simon Boccanegra with Pacific Opera Victoria; May in John Estacio’s Ours with Opera on the Avalon; Liù in Turandot with Manitoba Opera; Maria in The Sound of Music with Opera on the Avalon

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Jenufa with Pacific Opera Victoria; Tatiana in Eugene Onegin with Calgary Opera deanartists.com

BIOGRAPHIES

RYAN DOWNEY DON BASILIO/DON CURZIO

AARON DURAND COUNT ALMAVIVA

RACHEL FENLON SUSANNA

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

tenor St. John’s, NL

Witch in Hansel and Gretel, 2016 John in Ours with Opera on the Avalon; Corcoran in HMS Pinafore with Toronto Operetta Theatre

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

baritone 100 Mile House, BC

Le Dancaïre in Carmen, 2014

Don Giovanni Reimagined with Amici Chamber Ensemble; Papageno in The Magic Flute with Opera Kelowna; Baritone in Rocking Horse Winner with Tapestry Opera

soprano Victoria, BC

Zerlina in Don Giovanni, 2014

Recitals in Scotland, Vienna, Berlin, and Toronto; Guinevere in Camelot with Pacific Opera Victoria; Nannetta in Falstaff with Pacific Opera Victoria; Pamina in The Magic Flute with Vancouver Opera

Howard Boucher in Dead Man Walking with Opera on the Avalon; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Le nozze di Figaro with Windsor Symphony

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Owen Hart in Dead Man Walking with Opera on the Avalon; Schaunard in La bohème with Opera Kelowna

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

ryanpauldowney.com

@gingervanni

rachelfenlonsoprano.com

LEAH GISELLE FIELD MARCELLINA

ANITA KRAUSE MARCELLINA

ALEX LAWRENCE FIGARO

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE :

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Romeo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi for VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert, Toronto; Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music with Stratford Festival; Faculty Member, University of Western Ontario

The man with the helmet/the seller of memories/the beggar in Julietta with Opernhaus Zürich; Belfiore in Un Giorno di Regno with the Glimmerglass Festival; Opera Gala with Opera Nacional de Mexico; Silvio in I Pagliacci with Opernhaus Zürich

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

zemskygreenartists.com

mezzo-soprano Calgary, AB

Gertrude in Hansel and Gretel, 2016 Armélinde in Cendrillon with the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program; La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica with South Ottawa Performing Arts Collective; Amneris in Aida with Opera di Concertisti, Vancouver Emillia (Understudy) in Otello with Vancouver Opera

mezzo-soprano Vancouver, BC The Mayor’s Wife in Jenufa, 1996

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Symphony Nova Scotia; Music at Western Recital Series

Recital, Pianosalon Cristofori Berlin; Recitals in Milan (Ricasoli Recitals) and London

baritone Boston, MA

RECENT APPEARANCES:

deanartists.com

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BIOGRAPHIES

MIREILLE LEBEL CHERUBINO

RICARDO LUGO BARTOLO

IAIN MACNEIL FIGARO

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

mezzo-soprano Vancouver, BC

Charlotte in Werther with Opéra de Reims; Soloist, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with I Musici de Montréal; Carmen with Prague State Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

The Archangel in Le paradis perdu with La Grande Écurie et la Chambre du Roy; Penelope in Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria with Opera Atelier mireillelebel.com

bass Ponce, PR

Timur in Turandot with Virginia Opera Wachtmeister/Der Holsteiner in Friedenstag with America Symphony Orchestra; French General in Silent Night with Michigan Opera Theater; Bonzo in Madama Butterfly with The Metropolitan Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Le Bailli in Werther with CulturArte of Puerto Rico; Sacristan in Tosca with Arizona Opera ada-artists.com

CHRISTOPHER MAYELL DON BASILIO/DON CURZIO tenor Kingston, ON

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT RECENT APPEARANCES:

Dr. Caius in Falstaff with Manitoba Opera Pong in Turandot with Edmonton Opera and Manitoba Opera; Charles Drayton in Pauline with City Opera Vancouver; Albert Herring with the Aldeburgh Music Festival

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Soloist, Carmina Burana with VOCA Chorus of Toronto christophermayell.com

baritone Brockville, ON

Semi-Finalist, 2017 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions; Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia with Banff Centre; Le Dancaïre in Carmen with the Canadian Opera Company; Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro with the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Don Giovanni with Saskatoon Opera; Oper Frankfurt Opera Studio iainmacneil.com

PETER MONAGHAN ANTONIO, FIGARO (UNDERSTUDY)

VANESSA OUDE-REIMERINK BARBARINA, SUSANNA (UNDERSTUDY)

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

bass-baritone Lethbridge, AB

Peter in Hansel and Gretel, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Beast in Beauty and the Beast with Theatre Under the Stars; Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola with Cowtown Opera; Don Pedro in Béatrice et Bénédict with Fraser Lyric Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Colline in La bohème with Opera Kelowna

soprano Mississauga, ON

Sandman/Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia with Banff Centre; Sarah Thorpe in No One’s Safe with Banff Centre; Frasquita in Carmen with Edmonton Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Josephine in HMS Pinafore with Edmonton Opera; Nellie Forbush in South Pacific with Calgary Opera vanessaoudereimerink.com

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THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

BIOGRAPHIES

TAYLOR PARDELL BARBARINA, SUSANNA (UNDERSTUDY) soprano Grande Prairie, AB

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Semi-Finalist, Lotte Lenya Competition, New York City; First Place Winner, American Protégé International Music Competition, Carnegie Hall; Gretel in Hansel and Gretel with Burnaby Lyric Opera; Gilda in Rigoletto with Vancouver Island Opera taylorpardell.com

TONY BITTAR-SAYEGH TENOR CHORUS

PASCALE SPINNEY CHERUBINO

CAITLIN WOOD SUSANNA

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

mezzo-soprano Montreal, QC

Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, 2016 Semi-Finalist, 2017 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions; Stéphano and Gertrude in Roméo et Juliette with Jeunesses Musicales Tour; Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Opéra de Montréal; Soloist, Duruflé’s Requiem with Montreal Symphony House

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Apprenticeship with Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Singer Program

soprano St. Albert, AB

Johanna in Sweeney Todd, 2015 Clorinda in La Cenerentola with Edmonton Opera; Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi with Opera in Concert; Despina in A Little Too Cozy with Against the Grain Theatre

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Soloist, Symphony Under the Sky with Edmonton Symphony; Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro with Windsor Symphony domoneyartists.com

NICOLE BROOKS SOPRANO CHORUS, BRIDESMAID

MEGAN MORRISON MEZZO-SOPRANO CHORUS, BRIDESMAID

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

tenor Caracas, Venezuela

Turmoil in The Lake of Tears (World Premiere) with Opera Kelowna; Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte with Opera Kelowna; Don Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro with Opera Kelowna; Vasek in The Bartered Bride with UBC Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Baroque Camerata of Caracas

soprano Wetaskiwin, AB

Tatyana in Eugene Onegin with UBC Opera; Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with Bard on the Beach and UBC Opera; Soloist, Mozart’s Requiem with Vancouver Summer Chor

mezzo-soprano Vancouver, BC

Madama Butterfly, 2016

RECENT APPEARANCES:

The Mezzo in Love in Public with SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts; Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte with Burnaby Lyric Opera; Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls with Chemainus Theatre; Trommler in Der Kaiser von Atlantis with City Opera Vancouver

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63

BIOGRAPHIES

BRANDON THORNHILL BARITONE CHORUS bass-baritone Jacksonville, FL

KIMBERLEY-ANN BARTCZAK MUSICAL PREPARATION

STACEY BUTTERWORTH WIG DESIGNER

Candiac, QC

Vancouver, BC

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Evita, 2016

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Turandot with Calgary Opera; Assistant Conductor, The Sound of Music with Opera on the Avalon; Ours with Opera on the Avalon

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime: In Concert with Fighting Chance Productions; Schaunard in La bohème with Burnaby Lyric Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

Baritone Soloist, Fauré’s Requiem with Symphony of the Kootenays

Assistant Conductor, Dead Man Walking with Opera on the Avalon

DREW FACEY SCENIC DESIGNER

BETH GRIEVE STAGE MANAGER

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Vancouver, BC Evita, 2015

Regina, SK

Evita, 2016

Rigoletto, Dark Sisters, and Madama Butterfly with Vancouver Opera; Wigmaker for Tom Hanks in the feature film Circle; Wigmaker for Jared Leto in the feature film The Outsider; Wigmaker for Gillian Anderson in The X-Files; Wigmaker for Jennifer Lawrence in the feature film Mother

PARVIN MIRHADY COSTUME DESIGN CONSULTANT Tehran, Iran

Assistant Stage Manager, Hansel and Gretel, 2016

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

Stickboy with Vancouver Opera; Onegin with the Arts Club Theatre Company; Das Ding with Can Stage/Theatre Smash; Merry Wives of Windsor with Bard on the Beach

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Me & My Girl with The Shaw Festival; The Merchant of Venice with Bard on the Beach drewfacey.com

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THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

Stage Manager, Million Dollar Quartet at the Globe Theatre, Regina; Assistant Stage Manager with Vancouver Opera, 2007-present Stage Manager, Working It Out and That’s Danger with Alberta Workers’ Health Centre; Assistant Stage Manager, L’elisir d’amore with Vancouver Opera

Hansel and Gretel, 2016

Costume Designer, Nixon in China, Barber of Seville, and Dark Sisters with Vancouver Opera; Head of Costumes with Vancouver Opera, 2002- present

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: 2017-2018 Vancouver Opera Season and Festival

BIOGRAPHIES

SID NEIGUM COSTUME DESIGNER Drayton Valley, AB

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT RECENT APPEARANCES:

Winner, DHL Exported at London Fashion Week 2016; Presentation at Alex Eagle Studio, Soho, London; Features in Vogue, Runway, and Elle magazines; SID NEIGUM for Plan de Ville, Des Kohan, The Room, Maison Simons, and Boutique 1

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

London Fashion Week – September 2017 sidneigum.com

TRACEY POWER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/ MOVEMENT COACH Comox, BC

JOHN WEBBER LIGHTING DESIGNER Vancouver, BC

LAST VO APPEARANCE:

VANCOUVER OPERA DÉBUT

Rigoletto, 2015

RECENT APPEARANCES:

RECENT APPEARANCES:

Director, Chelsea Hotel - The Songs of Leonard Cohen with Firehall Arts Centre/National Tour; Choreographer, Onegin with Arts Club Theatre Company; Director/Choreographer, Singin’ in the Rain with Chemainus Theatre

Angels in America with Arts Club Theatre Company; Onegin and St. Joan with Arts Club Theatre Company; Pericles and Otello with Bard on the Beach; Pauline with Vancouver City Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS:

johnwebber.ca

Playwright/Choreographer, GLORY with Western Canada Theatre/Alberta Theatre Projects; Actor, UBUNTU, The Cape Town Project with Citadel Theatre traceypower.ca

THE FOLLOWING PATRONS HAVE GENEROUSLY SPONSORED THESE ARTISTS’ APPEARANCE IN THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO.

ARTIST

PATRON

ARTIST

PATRON

Alex Lawrence

Mary Tait & Bill Sirett

Pascale Spinney

The Bruendl Foundation

Iain MacNeil

Anonymous

Phillip Addis

Julia and Demas Kim

Caitlin Wood

Yuri Fulmer

Aaron Durand

Peggy & John McLernon

Rachel Fenlon

Dr. Earl & Mrs. Anne Shepherd

Leslie Ann Bradley

Ms. Bev Park & Mr. Jim Logan

Ricardo Lugo

David Watmough in loving memory of Floyd St. Clair

Lara Ciekiewicz

Ms. Lynn Kagan

Scott Brooks

David Watmough in loving memory of Floyd St. Clair

Christopher Mayell

Ms. Shirley Barnett

Ryan Downey

Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. B. McGavin

Anita Krause

Dr. Beverley Tamboline

Peter Monaghan

Andrew Mahon Foundation

Leah Giselle Field

Anne Miloni & Darlene Miloni Graham

Vanessa Oude-Reimerink

Abe & Leyla Sacks

Mireille Lebel

Mrs. Marietta Hurst

Taylor Pardell

Anonymous

Leslie Dala

Bruno Wall & Jane MacDonald

Rachel Peake

Jill Bodkin

Sid Neigum

Mike & Kathy Gallagher

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

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June 1 to September 23

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Amber Lewis and Kevin MacDonald

Season Sponsor

Images: David & Emily Cooper

Charlie Gallant and Nadeem Phillip

Opera & Arias 2016 Photo: David Blue Howard Family Stage

OPERA & ARIAS: The Barber of Seville Rossini’s masterpiece of the comic opera stage!

The music you know and love, in a costumed concert staging featuring the UBC Opera Ensemble and accompanied by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.

Hosted by Christopher Gaze.

Mondays, August 28 and September 4 | 2pm and 7:30pm (both dates) BMO Mainstage | Global BC Youth Price available

Media Sponsors

All Seats Reserved • Tickets: 604-739-0559 or bardonthebeach.org

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

67

SID NEIGUM SPOTLIGHT I Once I engaged Rachel Peake to direct The Marriage of Figaro and we began discussions on the “type” of production she wanted to create, I quickly realized that we had an opportunity to look outside the sandbox in which we normally work. Rachel’s concept of setting this production in the near future of 2026 influenced us to look at engaging a fashion designer to create the costumes. Rachel and I did our research on all the possible designers in Canada, both established and up-and-coming, that we would then reach out to for interviews. In the end, it was Sid’s geometric and math-based calculations in designing his clothes that intrigued us the most. He is a young designer who is quickly gaining attention in all the major fashion cities of the world.

The VO Wardrobe department has enjoyed working with Sid and the challenge of bringing contemporary fashion design to the VO stage. We hope you enjoy seeing these beautiful and unique designs live onstage.

Tom Wright, Director of Artistic Planning

PHOTO BY EMILY COOPER SKETCHES BY SID NEIGUM

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THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

TOM WRIGHT

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO STUDY GUIDE CONTEMPORARY CONNECTIONS The Marriage of Figaro was written more than 230 years ago, but there are many aspects of the opera that still ring true today.

IT’S A SEQUEL! The story of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is actually a sequel to the tale told in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, even though it premiered 30 years earlier, in 1786. The Barber of Seville, written in 1816, was also based on a Beaumarchais play and recounts how three of the characters featured in both operas — Rosina, Figaro and Count Almaviva — originally met.

In some ways, it’s similar to the Star Wars franchise. George Lucas’ first movie in the series, Star Wars, which premiered in 1977, was actually called the fourth episode in what would become a six-part series. In 1999, he released The Phantom Menace, which was subtitled as Episode One and set 25 years earlier.

POLITICAL STATEMENTS IN ART The Marriage of Figaro is based on a play by French playwright Beaumarchais. In adapting the play to the opera, both Da Ponte and Mozart maintained Beaumarchais’ underlying critique of the upper classes. Their criticism of the social order was so blatant that it ran afoul of the official state censors, who sought to ban parts of the opera. Using art to express a political point of view continues today. The blockbuster musical, Hamilton not only tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the United States’ founding fathers, but is also a strong statement against racism and anti-immigration.

CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS The partnership between Mozart (composer) and Da Ponte (librettist) was a highly creative one that produced three of the most popular operas performed today: The Marriage of Figaro (1786), Don Giovanni (1787) and Cosi fan tutte (1790).

Their collaboration resulted in operatic works full of vibrant music and intriguing storytelling. Creative partnerships continue to shape the world of music today. For example, music producer and songwriter Diplo, who has worked with such artists as Justin Bieber, Madonna and Beyoncé, is famous for his groundbreaking collaborations and impact on contemporary music.

MIX AND MATCH The Marriage of Figaro’s plot is far from straightforward! Read the synopsis and then see if you know who’s who by matching the following translated quotes with the characters who say them.

QUOTES:

3 “The Count fancies my beloved, and

1 “Oh, I haven’t lost courage, my

hopes secretly to get back his feudal rights.”

dear doctor, to upset marriages more advanced than his...”

2 “He was with me when you came

CHARACTERS:

A Figaro

4 “If the darling Countess, my beautiful

B Susanna

godmother, doesn’t intercede for me, I’ll be sent away!”

C Cherubino

in here, asking me to plead with the Countess to intercede on his behalf. Your 5 “I pardon you. In fact, I’ll do even arrival threw him into a panic and he more; there’s a spare place for an hid himself there.“ officer in my regiment; I give it to you; leave immediately: goodbye.”

D Count Almaviva E Marcellina See answers on Page 111 THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

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YVR.ca

SPECIAL EVENTS UTE LEMPER, TANYA TAGAQ, PAUL WONG and many more

SPECIAL EVENTS

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FIVE OCTAVE RANGE: UP CLOSE & ABSTRACT

(2017)

|

PAUL WONG

FRIDAY, APRIL 28 — SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2017 | QUEEN ELIZABETH PLAZA ADMISSION FREE WITH FESTIVAL TICKET

Opera is the art of emotion.

Five Octave Range is a multi-screen video installation that has been created for the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza on the occasion of the inaugural Vancouver Opera Festival.

Designed to challenge convention, the work carefully deconstructs the aural and visual components of opera as an art form. Starting from the authentic, for-the-camera performances of Marion Newman (mezzo-soprano), Frédérik Robert (tenor), Joel Klein (baritone), and Teiya Kasahara (coloratura soprano), a non-linear pastiche of aural and visual video loops has been created, that changes the traditional perception of the voice through “mashing” and merging the diverse performances of these artists.

Five Octave Range also is composed of short film and video clips, still photography and graphic elements, processed and edited using a palette of textural, cinematic and digital techniques and video-art tropes, such as pixel abstraction, sound manipulation, GIF animation, looping, and various framing speeds which will, at times, restore, amplify and enhance a performance; at other times, intentionally distort real-time image or sound.

The overall goal is to create for the viewer an experimental, immersive and interactive experience. Opera as we think we know it will be deconstructed in a way that permits an uncanny relationship to coalesce between sound and picture, linking past with present, analog with digital, harmony with dissonance and purity with abstraction. Viewers will create personal narratives based on their level of engagement with, and understanding of the installation, and informed by their own relationship with opera as a multi-disciplinary art form.

Five Octave Range has been underwritten by a generous grant from THE MCGRANE-PEARSON ENDOWMENT FUND, with additional in-kind assistance from the VIVO MEDIA ARTS CENTRE. Paul Wong is an award-winning visual, media and interdisciplinary artist who has been at the forefront of contemporary public art for more than 40 years. Based in Vancouver, Wong is known for his frank and unapologetic engagement with social issues. For more information, visit paulwongprojects.com

DIRECTOR: Paul Wong PRODUCER: Thomas Anselmi VIDEO PRODUCTION: Kevin Doherty SOUND RECORDING DESIGN: Paddy Ryan CASTING: Rachel Iwaasa PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS:

Jeff Berg and Sebnem Ozpeta

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SPECIAL EVENTS

UTE LEMPER: LAST TANGO IN BERLIN THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017 | 8:00 PM | ORPHEUM THEATRE $50•$65•$99 FROM FESTIVAL/VANCOUVEROPERA.CA/UTE-LEMPER

Join one of the world’s great song stylists on a vocal journey to the smoky cabarets of Berlin, charming cafés of Paris, and steamy dance halls of Buenos Aires.

Backed by a superb trio (piano, bandoneon and bass), Ute Lemper makes a rare Vancouver appearance, exploring the backstreets of these great cities with songs

by Weill, Brecht, Brel, Piaf, and Piazzola, and stories of love, passion and survival.

Ute Lemper is a guest of the Goethe-Institut

This concert is part of Germany @ Canada 2017, an exciting cultural program presented by the Goethe-Institut and the German Embassy highlighting the German-Canadian friendship in honour of Canada's sesquicentennial year. Running from coast to coast and throughout the year, the program brings a dynamic sampling of German contemporary culture to Canada. Under the motto “Germany @ Canada 2017 – Partners from Immigration to Innovation / L’Allemagne @ Canada 2017 – Partenaires: de l’immigration à l’innovation”, this celebration includes over 40 events - concerts, exhibitions, conferences, performances and film screenings. Updated program details can be found here: SoGerman. ca / SiAllemand.ca and goethe.de/canada

TANYA TAGAQ FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2017 | 8:00 PM | VOGUE THEATRE | GENERAL ADMISSION $50 (PLUS SERVICE CHARGES) FROM VOGUETHEATRE.COM/EVENTS/TANYA-TAGAQ

Polaris Prize Winner, master throat singer, fearless innovator.

Known for her riveting and powerful performances, Canadian cultural icon Tanya Tagaq fuses an ancient Inuit artistic tradition with contemporary electronica, industrial and metal influences and her inimitable musical aesthetic. Says Rolling Stone, “One of today’s most electric, transfixing performers in any genre.”

FEATURING:

Tanya Tagaq Jesse Zubot (viola & violin) Jean Martin (drums) Christine Duncan and The Element Choir Co-presented with Music on Main

SPECIAL EVENTS

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THE VANCOUVER BACH CHOIR CARMINA BURANA SING-ALONG WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017 | 8:00 PM | QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE | $25•$35•$45 PARTICIPANTS: $19 (PRE-REGISTRATION, REHEARSAL ATTENDANCE REQUIRED) ADMISSION FREE TO FESTIVAL PASS HOLDERS WITH RSVP

A sing-along version of Carl Orff's mid-century masterpiece will challenge and delight both seasoned singers and choral enthusiasts. Members of the community can register to rehearse and perform with the Vancouver Bach Choir and sing on-stage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The audience will be taught the first and final movements of the work during the event itself by Music Director Leslie Dala.

FILM NIGHT AT THE OPERA: BECOMING TRAVIATA MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017 | 7:30 PM | VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE | IN FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES GENERAL ADMISSION | $12 | ADMISSION FREE TO FESTIVAL PASS HOLDERS WITH RSVP

Becoming Traviata is an exhilarating documentary about the creative process as well as a rousing rendition of Verdi’s glorious opera. Known for his innovative documentaries about classical music, director Philippe Béziat trains his cameras on a 2011 production of La Traviata helmed by celebrated stage director Jean-François Sivadier. The film provides a behind-the-scenes look at set design and musical direction, but the heart of the film is the intense collaboration between Sivadier and charismatic soprano Natalie Dessay as she prepares for the leading role of Violetta.

DIRECTOR: Philippe Béziat CAST: Natalie Dessay, Jean-François Sivadier

Co-presented with DOXA Documentary Film Festival

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SPECIAL EVENTS

VO FESTIVAL COMMUNITY EVENTS Unless otherwise indicated, admission for all ticketed Community Events can be purchased through the VO Ticket Centre at 604 683 0222 or online at vancouveroperafestival.ca | Festival Passholders receive free access to these ticketed events with RSVP to the VO Ticket Centre. Details subject to change. Contact VO Ticket Centre for Up to Date information and ticketing *Free Community Events taking place in the Queen Elizabeth Plaza Festival Tent and Vancouver Public Library are limited capacity and require a ticket obtained from the VO Ticket Centre. Festival Passholders receive priority access with RSVP for community events.

FAMILY EVENTS | Performances and activities for all ages

Opera Tales Tuesday, May 2, 2017 | 12:00 – 1:00PM | Vancouver Public Library | Free* Members of the VO’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program bring to life fairy tales through well-known opera arias.

A clever mash-up of story and opera for kids of all ages.

Opera Zoo Tuesday, May 2, 2017 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Alice Mackay Room, Vancouver Public Library | Free* Saturday, May 6, 2017 | 12:30 – 1:30 PM and Saturday, May 13, 2017 | 12:30 – 1:30 PM Vancouver Playhouse | Free with same-day performance ticket to The Marriage of Figaro The Festival’s pre-show interactive opera stations offer opportunities for young operagoers to engage with opera professionals through drawing, theatre games, dressing up, and, of course, singing! We thank the extraordinary participation of YVR which helps make this activity possible.

Opera Academy Thursday, May 11, 2017 | 6:00 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza Priority seating for Festival ticketholders*. Free to all audiences.

Students from the Delta School Board’s Opera Academy perform an original work they have co-created with VO Teaching Artists.

Mistatim: A Theatrical Experience for Children & Families Saturday, May 13, 2017 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | $19•$25 Ticket purchase required, not included in Festival Pass A tale about the truest of friendships, Mistatim is an intercultural story of reconciliation that combines dance, theatre, mask, and music into one unforgettable experience. A production of Red Sky Performance.

SPECIAL EVENTS

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OPERA SPEAKS | One-hour panel discussions and open dialogues exploring issues in opera

In Conversation with Jake Heggie Friday, April 28, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* A conversation with Dead Man Walking composer Jake Heggie and Vancouver Sun music critic David Gordon Duke about the future of opera.

Ethical Justice in the 21st Century Saturday, April 29, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* A panel discussion with Dead Man Walking author Sister Helen Prejean: Shelley Joseph of Truth and Reconciliation Canada: and Dr. Brenda Morrison, Director of the Centre of Restorative Justice at SFU about justice in contemporary society.

Music of Heggie, Verdi & Mozart Tuesday, May 2, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* Composer, conductor and educator Nicolas Krusek provides a closer look at the composers of this year’s Festival operas.

Where is Opera Headed?

Wednesday, May 3, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* Opera is an art form that is continually being reinvented. Hear from TomoeArts (Kayoi Komachi), black bachx opera lab (Wild Dogs) and Pacific Opera Victoria in partnership with City Opera Vancouver (Missing) about their upcoming productions and the rewards of producing new work.

A Conversation with Ute Lemper Thursday, May 4, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* A conversation with celebrated cabaret and Broadway singer Ute Lemper.

Figaro’s Design Tuesday, May 9, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* How is an opera designed? The artistic designers of VO’s The Marriage of Figaro share insights about the creative process.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

Civic Impact in Opera Wednesday, May 10, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* This two-part event focuses on VO's partnership with The Kettle Society and our forthcoming co-production of Onalea Gilbertson and Marcel Bergmann's Requiem for a Lost Girl, including performances by Kettle residents and a panel discussion with Kettle and VO staff.

Whose Story Is It? Traditional Opera through Modern Eyes Thursday, May 11, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* Traditional works of opera present challenges to modern companies and audiences when addressing issues of race, colonization and stereotypes. The second instalment in the Whose Story Is It? series, this event features a diverse panel of artists who will engage with these questions in dialogue with the audience.

Sila Singers: Throat Singing Duo Friday, May 12, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* Learn more about the diversity and beauty of the Inuit culture with Jenna Broomfield and Malaya Bishop. This engaging workshop will educate audiences about Inuit principles like community building, inclusivity, and sharing of knowledge. The performance will include both original and newly composed songs. The audience will also have an opportunity to participate by learning a throat singing song.

BACKSTAGE SERIES | Experience opera behind the scenes

Backstage Tour of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Thursday, May 4, 2017 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM Friday, May 5, 2017 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM Saturday, May 6, 2017 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM Queen Elizabeth Theatre | Free with RSVP to Festival Passholders only. Not open to general public.

From the wings and rehearsal halls to the make-up rooms, see where the magic happens in this one-hour backstage tour of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre led by VO experts.

Stage Fighting Workshop Friday, May 5, 2017 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* But it looks so real! Learn the basics of stage fighting in an interactive workshop with VO’s own fight director.

SPECIAL EVENTS

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MASTERCLASSES | See the creative process in action

Young Singers Masterclasses Tuesdays: May 2, 9, 2017 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM Thursdays: May 4, 11, 2017 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* UBC Opera students are put through the paces in masterclasses led by Vancouver theatre veterans and principal cast members from this year’s mainstage productions.

New Works Project Wednesdays: May 3, 10, 2017 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM Fridays: May 5, 12, 2017 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* UBC student composers and writers collaborate with two singers and a pianist to create new chamber opera works.

The Artistry of Youth: A Workshop Performance Saturday, May 13, 2017 | 7:30 – 8:30 PM Festival Tent, Queen Elizabeth Plaza | Free* Participants from the Young Singers Masterclasses and New Works Project reveal their work created over the course of the Festival in an evening of opera arias and scenes.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL + ARRIVAL AGENCY PRESENT:

HAPPY HOUR Tuesday – Saturday 4:00pm – 7:00pm

APRIL 28TH ——— MAY13TH A Pop-Up Nightclub at the Queen Elizabeth Plaza Featuring Drinks, DJs, Performance, and More!

POST SHOW SOCIALS Thursday – Saturday Until Close

THE MCGRANE - PEARSON ENDOWMENT FUND has a l o n g histor y of supporting innovative projects that pair artistic excellence w i t h s o c i a l i m p a c t . T h e F u n d ' s T r u s t e e s w e r e c o m p e l l e d b y Paul Wong's Five-Octave Range owing to its potential to encourage viewers to conceptualize opera, as an art form, in a new and d i f f e r e n t w a y s .

By toying with convention and challenging preconceived notions about opera - and the performing arts at large - this installation makes the case for the value, accessibility and relevance of the original multi-disciplinar y art form in today's information-saturated age.

Stop, take a breath, turn off your smartphone, and enjoy this work of art!

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Celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2017. #straight50

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FESTIVAL PASS TWO- & THREE-SHOW VIP FESTIVAL PASS INCLUDES PRIORITY ACCESS TO: • • • • • • •

Two operas of your choice at the VOF Ethical Justice in the 21st Century In Conversation with Jake Heggie Where is Opera Headed?

A Conversation with Ute Lemper Civic Impact in Opera Whose Story is it?

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The Music of Heggie/Verdi/Mozart Free access to Carmina Burana Sing-Along (RSVP required) Priority Access to Book a FREE Backstage Tour of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Priority Access to Vancouver Opera’s Stage Combat Workshop Free Tickets to Film Night at the Opera (RSVP required)

6:27 PM

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RSVP at time of purchase is required for all non-opera performances RSVP at time of purchase is required for all non-opera performances

“Deception, obsession, betrayal, and murder— Bouchard’s story has all of the trappings La Scena Musicale - of a great opera.”

Michel Marc Bouchard / Kevin March

LES FELUETTES [LILIES] April 20, 22, 28 / 2017 at 8 pm April 30 at 2:30 pm Royal Theatre, 805 Blanshard Street, Victoria

Les Feluettes, a Pacific Opera Victoria / Opéra de Montréal co-production, comes to Victoria following its sensational world première last May. Based on the electrifying romantic drama by Quebec playwright Michel Marc Bouchard, Les Feluettes unravels the truth behind a fatal love triangle among three teenage boys. Composer Kevin March matches the splendour of Bouchard’s language with music of fire and delicacy.

OLD SIMON DOUCET – GINO QUILICO YOUNG SIMON DOUCET – ÉTIENNE DUPUIS COUNT VALLIER

Tickets are selling fast.

4 performances only!

2017.18 Season

250.385.0222 www.pov.bc.ca

de

TILLY – JEAN-MICHEL RICHER

MONSEIGNEUR JEAN BILODEAU – GORDON GIETZ DIRECTOR – SERGE DEN0NCOURT CONDUCTOR - TIMOTHY VERNON

With the original cast from the Montreal world première

Janáček: Jenůfa – October, 2017 Directed by Atom Egoyan Puccini: La Bohème – February, 2018 Handel: Rinaldo – April, 2018 Plus! 2 new Canadian productions in November, 2017

Rattenbury – A co-production with The Other Guys Theatre Company Missing – A co-commission and co-production with City Opera Vancouver SEASON SPONSOR:

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ANNUAL OPERATING GRANTS PROVIDED BY:

VO DEVELOPMENT:

WITH YOUR SUPPORT Did you know that, on any given day of this Festival, your ticket price covers less than one third of what you're enjoying onstage?

Like the majority of professional performing arts organizations throughout North America, Vancouver Opera depends on contributed revenues from all sectors to cover costs beyond those supported by the box office.

In any given year, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, special event revenues and government grants bring VO's artistic programming to life on our mainstages and throughout the community.

Each season, VO’s family of donors generously extends its support in many ways. Donors, such as you, ensure that the power and beauty of this art form remains engaging and accessible for audiences both today and tomorrow. We at VO are deeply grateful for this exceptional support and are inspired by the ways in which your generosity continues to enrich our work.

There are countless ways in which you can play a role in contributing to Vancouver Opera's ever-evolving story.

No gift is too small! For more information, please contact Vancouver Opera's Development Office.

Brian Nickel Director of Development

A PRICELESS SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS: BRUCE MUNRO WRIGHT Bruce Munro Wright is the Vancouver Managing Partner of MLT Aikins LLP, Western Canada's Law Firm. An avid opera aficionado, Bruce served as Vancouver Opera Board Chair from 2006 to 2008, and as Vancouver Opera Foundation Board Chair from 2012 to 2016. Since 2008, he has served as a member of the Trustee's Forum at Opera America / opera.ca. During this time Bruce also served as Chair of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Currently he chairs Health Arts Society in BC and Ontario, and Toronto-based Frontier College, a national literacy organization. He is a current member of the Ballet BC Board, the local Nature Conservancy Board, and is actively involved with Arts Umbrella and Early Music Vancouver. Past board service includes the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Contemporary Art Gallery.

We salute and thank Bruce for his tireless dedication to us, and for his incredible support of the arts in Vancouver. Priceless!

VO DEVELOPMENT

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VANCOUVER OPERA FOUNDATION

(LIS WELCH, CHAIR)

The Vancouver Opera Foundation is committed to financially supporting the operations and special projects of Vancouver Opera through its attainment, establishment and management of permanently endowed funds. The funds invested in the Vancouver Opera Foundation are presently valued at more than $14 million.

GIFTS OF $1,000,000 OR MORE Moh and Yulanda Faris

Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

GIFTS OF $100,000 OR MORE B.C. Arts Renaissance Fund Jake Boxer and Family Canada Cultural Investment Fund Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Christopher The David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund Estate of Steve Floris

Mr. Ken & Mrs. Ellen Mahon McGrane-Pearson Endowment Fund Bill & Irene McEwen Fund Rix Family Foundation David E. Scott & Katerina Tieman Estate of Jean M. Southam, C.M.

Vancouver Foundation Estate of Alan Wolrige

Jamie & Cindy Bruce Cartier Investments

Estate of Katherine J. Heller Lagniappe Foundation

Dr. Earl & Mrs. Anne Shepherd

Leslie Cliff Barrie and Ann Gillmore Dr. David & Mrs. Margaret Hardwick Mr. & Mrs. Bjorn Hareid Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A.B. McGavin

Dr. Ian & Mrs. Jane Strang Rix Clinical Labs Estate of Anne Ethel Stevens Bruno Wall & Jane MacDonald Estate of Maureen Woodman

Hugh & Judy Lindsay Michael & Micki Partridge Dr. Beverley Tamboline

Vancouver Opera Orchestra

Diane Kennedy Victor & Anna Kern Foundation Killy Foundation Diana Lam Dawne Lacterman in memory of Sophie Turko Richard Loney Manulife Financial Joseph E. & Arlene McHugh Bertha M. Mathisen Peggy Mathisen Katherine Mirhady Sharon Morrow Allyn & Kathleen Murison in memory of Patrick & Aileen Murison Estate of Ronald David Pearson Estate of Marilyn Reid Mr. Peter & Mrs. Barbara Richards Mr. David E. Ritchie & Ms. Gloria Beauchamp

RTDS Technologies Estate of Freda Rush Mr. Leo & Mrs. Maureen Sauve J E Smith Andrew Steele in memory of Richard Lester Marlene Trussell Vancouver Opera Guild Mr. & Mrs. Max Wieczorek June Wilson Carla Weiner Mary White The Wolridge Foundation

GIFTS OF $50,000 OR MORE

GIFTS OF $20,000 OR MORE Andrew Mahon Foundation Russell & Lee Anthony Estate of Dorothy Boyce Mr. & Mrs. Gerhard & Ariane Bruendl The Toni Cavelti Fund

GIFTS OF $10,000 OR MORE Mr. George and Mrs. Anne Cross The Illahie Foundation Arlene Gladstone

GIFTS OF $1,000 OR MORE Anonymous (1) Christine Anton Estate of Marjory Bankes Ms. Lois M. Bewley Marnie Carter Dr. Heather Clarke Ms. Rosemary Cunningham James Dehoney Lisa Ethans Tom Ferries & Lisa Pankratz Deux Mille Foundation Mr. Allen & Mrs. Ruth Fowlis Estate of Meri Ingebord Cecilia Gill Dr. Irving Guttman C.M., O.B.C. Mr. Paul Heller Diana and Tom Herbst John & Marietta Hurst S.A. Jarislowsky Investments Mary Jordan

IRVING GUTTMAN LEGACY FUND Honouring the achievements of Vancouver Opera’s founding Artistic Director, with funds used to encourage the most promising young Canadian singers at Vancouver Opera.

Anonymous (6) Laura Arpiainen Ms. Elizabeth Atmore Mr. Walter Ball Mr. & Mrs. Harry Bell-Irving Mrs. Phyllis W. Berry Ms. Lois M. Bewley Mr. David Boothroyd Donna Brendon Mr. & Mrs. Gerhard & Ariane Bruendl Mrs. Joan Buckham Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Burr Marnie Carter

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VO DEVELOPMENT

Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Christopher Dr. Philip Clement David & Donna Cook Bette Cosar E. Patricia Crehan Mr. & Mrs. Peter Culos Ms. Rosemary Cunningham Mr. C.A. De Roode Ms. Judith Deavy Sheila DeJong Ms. Marisa Demare Richard DeVillier Mrs. Katherine Dickinson

Valerie Dunsterville & Richard Dunsterville Mr. Harry Edinger Moh & Yulanda Faris Tom Ferries & Lisa Pankratz Leslie Finlay Nancy Flexman Judith Forst Ms. Mary Fraser Mrs. John Friesen

IRVING GUTTMAN LEGACY FUND (CONT.) Suzanne Gaston-Voute Genus Capital Management Inc. Arlene Gladstone & Hamish Cameron Mrs. Elaine Godwin Harry & Effie Gordon Dr. Sherrill Grace Kenneth Owen Gracie Mrs. Vera G. Grant Christopher Grauer Mrs. Shirley Gray Charlotte Guttman Frank Guttman Mr. & Mrs. John Hagen Mr. James Harris Kenneth Hegler Mr. Paul Heller Martha Lou Henley, C.M. Diana and Tom Herbst Ms. Annie Hess Lore Hoffmann Mr. Ralph Hoffman Mr. John F. Howes Hughes Condon Marler Architects Mr. John & Mrs. Marietta Hurst Noriko & Naotaka Ike Mr. Robert Kemeny & Dr. Susan Jung-Kemeny Dr. Linda Kaser & Dr. Judy Halbert

Susan Kessler Dr. & Mrs. Robert Krell Ms. Dorothy Kuva Mr. Bruce Lang Dr. Donald and Ms. Carol Lyster Mr. Alex & Mrs. Barbara Mahood Anne Mathisen T. Mawson Alex McLeod Ms. Sharon & Dr. John McNeill Dr. Katherine Mirhady Ms. Maureen Molaro Ms. Sharon Morrow Kathleen Murison Sharon Newman Micki & Michael Partridge Ms. Sheila Pratt Mrs. Jane Regier Mr. Peter & Mrs. Barbara Richards Mrs. Leila Robertson Mr. William Robertson Kelly Robinson Mr. Leo & Mrs. Maureen Sauve Schloss Enterprises Ltd. Mr. W. K. Schmidt David Shefsiek & Blaine Hendsbee Ms. Agnes Shin Arianna Sovernigo

Ms. Jane Srivastava Mr. A.R. Steele Dr. Ian & Mrs. Jane Strang Ronald Sutherland Dr. Carol Tsuyuki & Mr. Craig Tomlinson Ms. Sheila Vaney Ms. Joan Voisine Dr. Robert Wakefield Carla Weiner Mrs. Gwyneth Westwick Mrs. Mary White Mr. Christopher Whitney Mr. Ian Whitaker John Wiebe Mr. & Mrs. Roy E. Williams Miss Eva Williamson Bruce Munro Wright Mr. Harold and Mrs. Erna Zinn

JAMES W. WRIGHT CREATIVITY FUND Vancouver Opera is deeply grateful to all those who made special gifts to the James W. Wright Creativity Fund in honour of his many years of service and on the occasion of his retirement in June 2016.

Ms. Shirley Barnett Roberta Lando Beiser Mr. Jeremy Berkman Dan and Ursula Bowditch Carol Brauner Kenneth Broadway Jamie & Cindy Bruce The Bruendl Foundation Neil Carnell Patricia Charles Dr. Heather Clarke Cindy Cooper Mr. & Mrs. Cruickshank Robert Dales in memory of Dr. Irving Guttman, C.M., O.B.C. Ms. Elisabeth Dawson David De Corlieu Ms. Audrey Dewan Roslyn Eisenberg Mohammed A. Faris & Family Tom Ferries & Lisa Pankratz Shirley Fitterman Divyesh and Charu Gadhia Ken Spencer & Judy Gale Mike & Kathy Gallagher Arlene Gladstone & Hamish Cameron Mrs. Elaine Godwin Mr. Earl Drake & Ms. Monica Gruder Drake Martha Lou Henley, C.M. Jens & Linda Lee Henriksen Diana and Tom Herbst

Mrs. Marian M Hingston Lore Hoffmann Mr. Howard R. Jang Linda M Johnston Ms. Lynn Kagan In memory of Tom Blom Sherry Killam Julia and Demas Kim Susan Knott Paul Larocque Bill & Risa Levine Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Lindsay Mr. & Mrs. Harold & Jenny Locke Mrs. Barbara Lowy Jana and Bill Maclagan Mr. Charles & Mrs. Phyllis Maclean Genny MacLean Paul McEwen and Gwynneth Jones John & Peggy McLernon Mr. & Mrs. D. Murray Michael and Inna O’Brian Valerie and Brian Owen Mr. David Parkes Micki & Michael Partridge Mr. Hein Poulus & Ms. Mollie Massie-Poulus Alan & Gwendoline Pyatt Blaize & Allan Reich Mr. John Robinson Diane Roscoe Dr. Cecil Sigal

Gillian and Russell Smith Ms. Karen Smith Lynn Smith & Jon Sigurdson Pascal & Isabelle Spothelfer Ms. Jane Srivastava Michael Stevenson and Jan Whitford Robert Swansborough Mary Tait & Bill Sirett Dr. Beverley Tamboline Dr. Barry & Mrs. Ronnie Tessler Gina Thorstenson & Bob Bartholomew Dr. Carol Tsuyuki & Mr. Craig Tomlinson Eugene Vigil Ms. Alexandra Volkoff Lis & Bruce Welch Dr. Roy and Mrs. Gwyneth Westwick Dr. Maurice & Mrs. Jane Wong Mr. Bruce Munro Wright Ms. Nancy Wu Anonymous donors (2)

VOCE Established in memory of Chorus past, in support of Chorus present, in preparation for Chorus future.

Brenda Alexander Christine Anton Claudio Arato Dawne Dye

Irving Guttman Richard Loney Neil MacKenzie Kathleen Murison

Lorna Olson Micki Partridge RTDS Technologies (Winnipeg)

Marlene Trussell Karen Wilson

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VANCOUVER OPERA ROUND TABLE The outstanding generosity and commitment of this special group of community leaders enable the company to maintain the highest level of artistic excellence. Vancouver Opera is proud to salute their continued loyalty and dedication.

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE | $50,000+ Yoshiko Karasawa Mike & Kathy Gallagher

Martha Lou Henley, C.M.* Michael and Inna O’Brian

IMPRESARIO CIRCLE | $35,000 - $49,999 The Illahie Foundation

MAESTRO’S CIRCLE | $20,000 - $34,999 Mr. & Mrs. Gerhard & Ariane Bruendl Brigitte & Henning Freybe Alan & Gwendoline Pyatt

Mary Tait & Bill Sirett David Watmough in loving memory of Floyd St. Clair

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE | $10,000 - $19,999 Donors who wish to remain anonymous ( 1 ) Val & Dick Bradshaw Patricia Charles The Mary & Gordon Christopher Foundation Dr. Heather Clarke

Mohammed A. Faris & Family Mr. & Mrs. Allen Fowlis Arlene Gladstone & Hamish Cameron Mrs. Barbara Lowy Andrew Mahon Foundation Mrs. Irene McEwen

Paul McEwen and Gwynneth Jones Dr. Earl & Mrs. Anne Shepherd* Pascal & Isabelle Spothelfer Dr. Beverley Tamboline Bruno Wall & Jane MacDonald Mr. Bruce Munro Wright

Mrs. Marietta Hurst Ms. Lynn Kagan Reet Kana Julia and Demas Kim Mr. & Mrs. David McDonald Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. B. McGavin John & Peggy McLernon Andrew Mahon Foundation Anne Miloni & Darlene Miloni Graham Mirhady Family Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation

Ms. Bev Park & Mr. Jim Logan Abe & Leyla Sacks Lynn Smith & Jon Sigurdson Dr. Hilda Stanger Dr. Ian & Mrs. Jane Strang Wayne Wiens, in memory of Andrea Pinto Lebowitz

INNER CIRCLE | $5,000 - $9,999 Donors who wish to remain anonymous ( 1 ) Ms. Shirley Barnett Jill Bodkin Mrs. Alix Brown Divyesh and Charu Gadhia Dr. David Hardwick* Lori Hareid in memory of Bjorn Hareid Mrs. Judith Helliwell Diana and Tom Herbst

PATRON | $2,500 - $4,999 Jens & Linda Lee Henriksen Donors who wish to remain Mrs. Aurora R. Hernandez anonymous ( 2 ) Mrs. Marian M Hingston Mr. Hans Alwart Mr. Bob Houston Joanie Anderson Mr. Hua Jiang Mr. Russ & Mrs. Lee Anthony* Ms. Mary Jordan Jim & Sarah Armstrong Mrs. Evelyn Kahn Roberta Lando Beiser In Memory of Tom Blom Mr. Michael & Mrs. Eunice Chan Dr. Linda Kaser & Dr. Judy Halbert Mr. Edward & Mrs. Dorothy Chiasson Mr. Hank & Mrs. Janice Ketcham Nika Collison and Daniel Robertson Dr. Marla Kiess Mr. George & Mrs. Ann Cross* Sherry Killam In memory of Barbara Roy Dr. Andrei Krassioukov Lisa Ethans & Paul Del Rossi Robert Laing & Edward Wilson Tom Ferries & Lisa Pankratz Mr. & Mrs. R. Michael LePage Senator Jack Austin Bill & Risa Levine & Ms. Natalie V. Freeman Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Lindsay* Mr. Sven & Mrs. Juliette Freybe Patrick & Ju Lo Ms. Judy Garner Dr. Andrew Louie Ms. Kim Gaynor Dr. George Luciuk Mrs. Elaine Godwin Doris Luking in memory of Hans Luking Mr. Paul & Mrs. Claudia Goldman Jerry and Lilli Luking Laura Groos & Gerry Prins George & Jessica Macintosh Robert Dales in memory of Dr. Irving Guttman C.M., O.B.C. Jana and Bill Maclagan Mr. Charles & Mrs. Phyllis Maclean Mr. Ronald Hagler

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Miriam Maisonville and David Sauder Marilyn & Hart Mauritz Mathisen Family Foundation Mr. Ian Michaud Simon & Carmen Murphy in memory of Brian Joe Dr. & Mrs. David R. Neima Micki & Michael Partridge* Dr. Peter Payne & Mrs. Lisa Payne David & Janice Podmore Louise Pronovost Mr. Anthony Roper Celeste W. Shannte Mr. Ross & Ms. Ursula Southam John & Judy Taylor Dr. Carol Tsuyuki & Mr. Craig Tomlinson Dr. Sandra Vestvik Mervyn Lindsay Weir Mr. & Mrs. Bruce & Lis Welch Dr. Maurice & Mrs. Jane Wong Fei Wong James W. Wright

BENEFACTOR | $1,500 - $2,499 Donors who wish to remain anonymous ( 3 ) Amrita Ahuja Mamie Angus Gordon & Minke Armstrong William & Barbara Armstrong Ms. Wendy G. Baker Mr. & Mrs. Luis and Carole Bernhardt Ms. Lois M. Bewley Dan and Ursula Bowditch Ms. Regina Boxer John & Veronica Braico John & Ruth Brock Jamie & Cindy Bruce Vivienne and James Brosnan Jamie & Cindy Bruce Stephanie A. Carlson Miss Irene Caudwell Joe and Gertie Chan Mr. Michael J. Chutter Dr. Peter & Jean Cooperberg Robin & Parviz Cordwell William and Emmanuelle Davis Ms. Elisabeth Dawson Mo Dhaliwal Mr. Earl Drake & Ms. Monica Gruder Drake Valerie Dunsterville & Richard Dunsterville Drs. Allen and Connie Eaves Mr. Harry Edinger Ms. Vivian Eliopoulos Mr. Mark William Emanuel Dr. Virginia Evans Shirley Fitterman Frank and Joan Lew Charitable Trust Mrs. Pamela Friedrich Dr. K. Alison Fulmer

Barrie & Ann Gillmore* Mrs. San Given Mr. Roland Haebler & Mrs. Catherine Haebler Judith and Poul Hansen Ms. Nancy Hermiston John Horning and Lorraine Larkin Dr. Martin Hosking Mr. Paul Janke Signe Jurcic Horatio & Jackie Kemeny Mr. Sharman King Susan Knott Dr. Sharon Grimes Knox Jon & Eva LaFollette Tom and Karen Lane Pierre & Betty Lebel Chuck Lew In memory of Mary Helen Lew Mr. & Mrs. Harold & Jenny Locke Dr. John S. & Mrs. Alfredette MacDonald Mrs. Nancy Macdonald Marlene Mackenzie Genny MacLean Ms. Jane McLennan Mr. & Mrs. John and Sidney Madden Ms. Elaine Mah Mrs. Rosemary Mallory Dr. Paul Mitchell-Banks Dr. Peter & Mrs. Eve Munns Mr. & Mrs. D. Murray Brian Nickel and Paolo Pecchioli Valerie and Brian Owen Joyce Pearkes Ms. Lorraine Portier Mr. Hein Poulus & Ms. Mollie Massie-Poulus David & Rona Radler Blaize & Allan Reich Mr. Klaus & Mrs. Margot Richter

Don & Dorothy Ritchie Kitten Roberts Mr. Ian Robertson & Mrs. Sian Pitman Mr. John Robinson Ms. Carol U. Ross Ruth E. and Dr. William Hy Ross Foundation David & Cathy Scott Mr. Robert Sewell in memory of Marilyn Sewell Dr. Cecil Sigal Curtis Smecher Gillian and Russell Smith Bruce Sprague Elaine and Fred Stearman Michael Stevenson and Jan Whitford Dr. and Mrs. Peter Stevenson-Moore Dr. Barry & Mrs. Ronnie Tessler Mrs. Neri Tischler and Dr. Aron Tischler Mrs. Anne Tweedy Ms. Susan Van der Flier Ms. Alexandra Volkoff Dr. & Mrs. T. Warner Judy & Neil Watson James & Veronica Weinkam Dr. Roy and Mrs. Gwyneth Westwick Mr. Paul Westwick Ms. Terry Wilkinson Eric and Shirley Wilson Ms. Kathleen Winton John and Mia Wong Ms. Nancy Wu Mr. Joe D. Wurz & Mrs. Kathleen M. Wurz Dr. Edwin & Mrs. Patricia Yen Susan Warren & George Youssef Mr. Harold and Mrs. Erna Zinn

The contributions listed reflect gifts made to Vancouver Opera prior to April 7, 2017.

Every effort is made to ensure our lists are accurate at the time of printing. We sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions. *Lifetime Opera Round Table: donors have made generous gifts to the Vancouver Opera Foundation to endow their annual Opera Round Table contributions.

JOIN THE OPERA ROUND TABLE Members of the Opera Round Table enjoy many exclusive benefits, including guided backstage tours, invitations to Prelude Dinners, reserved theatre parking and access to the members’ lounge at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, plus personalized subscription and ticket service.

Priority in requests for tickets, subscription changes and seat improvements increase according to overall giving at all levels of the Opera Round Table.

For more information, please contact Carmen Murphy Director, Major Gifts & Planned Giving 604 331 4832

Jake Ryan Lindsey Major Gifts Officer 604 331 4963

vancouveropera.ca/support

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FRIENDS

Vancouver Opera is extremely grateful to have so many Friends in its donor family, whose ongoing annual support greatly contributes to the company’s well-being and development. Individual gifts play a major role in our ability to maintain the highest artistic standards on the mainstage, and to help finance the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program and educational outreach activities.

We would like to acknowledge our many generous donors at our Contributor and Friend levels: We are extremely grateful for all your support!

ADVOCATE | $1,000 - $1,499 Mr. Glenn Bullard Ms. Gillian E. Chetty Susan Drury & Dennis Perry Nicole Garson & Michael MacLeod Dr. Peter Harnetty Martin Hosking Dr. Judith Kalla Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkwood

Peter Ko Dr. Jack Kooy Dr. Jan Lyons Dr. Alan & Mrs. Helen Maberley Dr. J W MacDonald Vladimir Marquez Linda & Larry Marshik Jim & Maria McDougall

James & Mona Radelet Vi and Maurice Roden Mr. Arthur Ross Dr. Wes Schreiber Miss Dorothy Shields Dr. Larry Stonesifer and Mr. Ronald Angress Mrs. Mary Frances Tuck

Mr. J. Lorne Ginther Mr. & Mrs. Leon Glassman Georgeann Glover Mr. John Grant Mr. Vitalius Gudaitis Ian Guthrie Mrs. Shirley Hammond Dr. Evelyn J. Harden in memory of Marcia Jasiulko & Dr. Edgar F.Harden James & Jennifer Hatton In Memory of Ronald Hawkes Penelope B.M. Hedges Mrs. Maureen Hollins Mrs. Lois Hosein Ms. Marla Ignaszewski Richard and Ruth Jackson Mr. Hua Jiang Valerie Jones Emilie Joos Mr. Robert Kendrick Cameron and Wendy Killick Rita King Teresa Kirschner Mike & Jean Kovich John & Ann Kowalchuk Esther Krohn Ron Kruschen and Louise Akuzawa Ms. Virginia Kwong Mr. Donald Kydd Dennis Laing Diana Lam Ms. Irene Larochelle Ms. M Lau and Ms. Jo Lau Mr. & Mrs. Trevor Lautens Ms. Shannon Lavender Mr. Fred Leonard Mr. W Bill Leung Michael Levy Lana Liu Mrs. Doris A. Lunn Dr. Ian L. Macdonald In memory of Dr. Helen Macdonald Dr. & Mrs. John K MacFarlane Dr. Alistair MacKay E.J. Makortoff

Mr. John Mancini JoAn Maurer Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Mary McIlwaine Mr. David W. McMurty In Memory of Frank McNamara Ms. Louise Merler Mrs. Doreen M’Lot Ms. Rowena Moffett Ms. Leila Montgomery June Nicolay Dr. & Mrs. Joel Oger Mr. Bernard Olfman Mr. & Mrs. Jack Olsen Mr. Kevin O’Reilly Mrs. Mary Orr Mr. Fred Palidor Mr. Egidio Pasin Mr. Glen Patterson Danae and Laurier Peaker Dawn Peck Mrs. Janet and Mr. Clifton Prowse Denise Pugash Dr. Kimit Rai and Mrs. Linda Rai Ram Randhawa Drs. P. Ratner & J. Johnson Gordon Reddy Ms. Eleanor Reemeyer Marit M. Rahavi In honour of Sharman King Ms. Olga Rumen Maureen Ryan Ms. Brenda Sawyer Ms. Sondra Schloss Ms. Patricia Schulte Al & Leona Manrico and Liz Scremin Emmanuel Seropian Ms. Claudia Sjoberg Dr. Kathryn Skau Mr. Allan Skidmore Mr. Stanis Smith Dr. Yan P. So Dr. Kevin Solomans Ms. Margaret Stearn

SUSTAINER | $300 - $999 Anonymous (10) Kathleen Adams Sara Ahmadian Mr. W. Graham Allen Ted and Jean Andrew Glen Arthur Ms. Mary Lou Astoria Mr. & Mrs. Bryan Atkins Mrs. Kathleen Jane Baker Ms. Valencia Bankes Ms. V. Barrett Ms. Elizabeth Bell Mr. Grant Bell Dr. & Mrs. Andre Berner Kartik Bharadwa Ms. Karly Black Mr. Joost Blom Nic Boyde Mrs. Marianne Brockmann Mr. Malcolm & Mrs. Nancy Brodie Victor Bud Mr. J.J. Camp Mr. Robert Cannon Dean & Laura Cardno Ms. Johanne Vincent & Dr. David Chercover Mr. Charles Clapham Ms. Hilde & Mr. Peter Colenbrander Mr. Marc Crimeni Leslie Dala Mrs. Carolynn Dallaire Mr. & Mrs. Julian Davies Nancy Deshaw Ms. Audrey Dewan Mrs. Elizabeth Dropko In memory of Barb Brown Mr. Mark Dumont Ms. Barbara Duncan Dr. Frank L. Ervin Express Remote Sensing Inc. Mrs. Susan Fiddick Kathy Findlay Mrs. Fay Forrester Brian & Mary Forster Nancy Garrett Ms. Maegen Giltrow

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SUSTAINER (CONT.) | $300 - $999 Ms. Doreen Stephens Dr. Grant J. Stewart Dr. Peter Suedfeld & Dr. Phyllis J. Johnson Mr. Richard & Mrs. Margaret Swadden Angelina Szeto Tom and Margaret Taylor Magdalena Julya Theron Gina Thorstenson & Bob Bartholomew Robert Thurlow

Ms. Annabel M Valentine Nada Vuksic Mrs. Betty J Walker David Walman Mrs. Carolyn Webster John Fredrick Welter Mr. Werner Wieland Edward Wiens Galt Wilson

Miss June Witty Drs. Leo and Flora Wong Mr. Y.W. Wong Lois and Peter Woolley Mr. Daniel R. Worsley Mrs. Riitta Wrede Mr. Gary Young Mr. Gordon Yusko

The contributions listed reflect gifts made to Vancouver Opera prior to February 14, 2017.

Every effort is made to ensure our lists are accurate at the time of printing. We sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions.

BECOME A FRIEND OF VANCOUVER OPERA

Your gift plays an important role in Vancouver Opera’s ability to maintain the highest artistic standards on the mainstage and to expand our many ground-breaking education and community activities.

At VO we love to thank our Friends! From taking a look behind the scenes at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to attending exclusive events, Friends of Vancouver Opera enjoy unique opportunities to get closer to the company and to the art form.

vancouveropera.ca/support For more information, please contact Lyndsay MacAulay Development Manager, Annual Campaigns & Lotteries 604 331 4836

Your future generosity, our longevity "Eighty percent of Canadians give during their lifetimes, but only eight percent include a legacy gift in their will.

Why? Perhaps it's because no one had this conversation with them."

- Canadian Association of Gift Planners, March 2012

At some point all of us think about our personal legacy and hope to make a meaningful contribution to future generations. If you would like your children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy performances of Vancouver Opera for many years to come, perhaps you would consider making a planned gift? A planned gift ensures that future generations can share your passion for opera and music education, and you can enjoy the benefits that making such a gesture can have for your estate.

We want to have a meaningful conversation about this giving option with our audiences and supporters, but some conversations have to start with you - especially when you're considering your personal legacy.

Let's have that conversation whenever you're ready.

VANCOUVER OPERA GENERAL DIRECTOR KIM GAYNOR. PHOTO BY SARAH DERIAZ

For information or to notify us of a planned gift please contact Carmen Murphy, Director, Major Gifts & Planned Giving, 604 331 4832

2017–2018 SEASON & FES TIVAL TURANDOT - L'ELISIR D'AMORE EUGENE ONEGIN - THE OVERCOAT

SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW 604 683 0222 | vancouveropera.ca

vancouveropera.ca

ORGANIZATIONAL DONORS, PARTNERS AND SPONSORS Vancouver Opera gratefully acknowledges and thanks the following organizational supporters.

2016–2017 SEASON SPONSOR:

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS:

Production Sponsor & Official Winery

Youth and Family Engagement Partner

Primary Print Sponsor

Official Florist

Making the Arts More Accessible®

Overture Sponsor

Student Dress Rehearsal Sponsor

Production Sponsor

Social Media Sponsor

SURTITLES™ Sponsor

Emerging Artists Sponsor

Hospitality Partner

Ute Lemper Sponsor

Production Sponsor

GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT:

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO: Vancouver Opera Foundation

The David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund

LOTTERIES:

VANCOUVER OPERA IS A PROUD MEMBER OF:

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ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT Vancouver Opera also wishes to acknowledge and thank the following organizations for their generosity and support. The list acknowledges organizations that have made gifts to various Vancouver Opera initiatives from July 1, 2015 to November 1, 2016.

The Beech Foundation Deloitte & Touche The Diamond Foundation Fairchild Television The Gearge W. Norgan Fund Hannah Woodnut-Smith Memorial Fund iTalkBB Kinder Morgan Foundation McGrane-Pearson Endowment Fund Nordstrom

Odlum Brown Limited Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management Ltd. Private Giving Foundation Skyrocket Digital Inc. The Edith Lando Charitable Foundation The Hamber Foundation Vancouver Foundation Victoria Foundation

We give where we live

®

At TELUS, we love helping local communities flourish.

We’re delighted to have given over $440 million and volunteered more than 6.8 million hours to local causes across Canada since 2000.

Together, we give where we live.

Learn more about our commitment to local communities at telus.com/community

© 2017 TELUS. 17_00503

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FESTIVAL FOUNDERS

Vancouver Opera's inaugural Festival is made possible by the generous support of many donors. We thank everyone who has made a gift, and invite you to make a gift so we may continue to bring opera into the community and into your life.

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL PATRON | $1,000,000+ Martha Lou Henley, C.M. FESTIVAL CHAMPION | $100,000+ Alan & Gwendoline Pyatt FESTIVAL FOUNDER | $50,000+ Jill Bodkin Anthem Properties Divyesh and Charu Gadhia Julia and Demas Kim Bill & Risa Levine George & Jessica Macintosh

Jana and Bill Maclagan Mary and Rod McNeil John and Dana Montalbano Ms. Bev Park & Mr. Jim Logan SpencerCreo Foundation Pascal & Isabelle Spothelfer

FESTIVAL VISIONARY | $25,000+ Roberta Lando Beiser Moh Faris & family

Ms. Mary Jordan Paul McEwen and Gwynneth Jones

FESTIVAL LEADER | $10,000+ Dr. Heather Clarke Arlene Gladstone & Hamish Cameron Sherry Killam

Michael Stevenson and Jan Whitford Mr. & Mrs. Bruce & Lis Welch James W. Wright

FESTIVAL BACKER | $5,000+ Deborah E. Graystone Dr. Linda Kaser & Dr. Judy Halbert

Nika Collison and Daniel Robertson

ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL SUPPORT | $1,000+ Maestro Jonathan Darlington Mo Dhaliwal Mrs. Aurora R. Hernandez

Blaize & Allan Reich Dr. Maurice and Mrs. Jane Wong

SUPPORT VANCOUVER OPERA

For more information, please contact us

To make a gift to Vancouver Opera, or to learn how you can support us, please contact us.

Call us 604 682 2871, extension 4832

Visit our website vancouveropera.ca/ support

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VANCOUVER OPERA 2016–2017 YULANDA M. FARIS YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM

Meet the Young Artists of our 2016–2017 Season: (L-R):Vanessa Oude-Reimerink, Mary Castello, Peter Monaghan, Taylor Pardell, Ryan Downey, Sarah Jane Pelzer, Leah Giselle Field, Pascale Spinney Thanks to the family of Yulanda M. Faris, Vancouver Opera’s Young Artists Program is now in its fifth year. The dream of creating a program in western Canada that helps young artists bridge the gap between formal education and their professional career has been realized.

For more information and to learn how you can support programs such as this, please call us at 604 682 2871.

PHOTO BY CAREN TERESCHAK

vancouveropera.ca

YULANDA M. FARIS YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM There are many millions of reasons why this program is now in its 5th year at Vancouver Opera.

Thanks to Mohammed A. Faris and his family for making a tremendous foundational gift to launch this program and thanks again for their additional gift last year, made in memory of Yulanda M. Faris. We also thank all of you who have made gifts over the years since the inception of this program. Your support is appreciated!

For more information on how you can support Vancouver Opera, please contact us at 604 682 2871, or visit us at vancouveropera.ca/support

PROUD TO SUPPORT VANCOUVER OPERA

ARTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. vancouversun.com

Program 3 May 11 12 13, 2017 choreography Emanuel Gat Emily Molnar Ohad Naharin

Queen Elizabeth Theatre | balletbc.com | ticketmaster.ca gold season sponsor

performance sponsors friday, may 12

Community BalCony sponsor

Hotel SponSor

Media partner

Support for Ballet BC haS Been generouSly provided By

dancer rachel Meyer. photo Michael slobodian.

The Vancouver Opera Guild is proud to support Vancouver Opera in its inaugural Festival Season.

Our mission is to promote appreciation, availability and quality of opera in BC through education, support and advancement of operatic excellence, and these productions do this in many ways!

THE VANCOUVER OPERA GUILD OPERA TOURS The Vancouver Opera Guild is offering two exciting opera tours in 2017 & 2018.

Los Angeles & San Diego October 13 – 18, 2017 Enjoy a wonderful week of art and opera in sunny California.

Italy – August 2018

• • •

Plans are underway for an exciting tour to some of Italy’s most famous summer festivals.

Nabucco (Verdi) with Placido Domingo The Pearl Fishers (Bizet) conducted by Placido Domingo The Pirates of Penzance (Gilbert & Sullivan) with Greer Grimsley

The tour will start at the Puccini Festival, in Torre del Lago, 20 kms from Lucca and Pisa.

Performances are held in a magnificent open-air theatre, overlooking Lake Massaciuccoli.

New York Metropolitan Opera April 24 – 30, 2018 Spend a week in New York City and see four sensational operas as well as the Met’s National Council Grand Finals Concert, an event that has launched the careers of many opera luminaries.

• • • • •

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) with Pretty Yende and Michael Fabiano Tosca (Puccini) with Anna Netrebko and Marcelo Alvarez Romeo et Juliette (Gounod) with Ailyn Perez and Bryan Hymel Cendrillon (Massenet) with Joyce DiDonato and Alice Coote 2018 National Council Grand Finals Concert

Tour information is available at the Guild’s table in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre lobby or contact:

Lis Dawson 604 922 8008

Next, we will visit the Rossini (or Pesaro) Opera Festival, which takes place in the ancient Roman town of Pesaro, on the Adriatic coast.

The productions staged in the Arena di Verona, which include operas, concerts and ballets, are truly spectacular and come alive in the biggest open-air theatre in the world. Details for this tour will be available in the late fall of 2017.

Genny MacLean, Great Expeditions 604 738 5535

THE VANCOUVER OPERA GUILD The Vancouver Opera Guild provides volunteer and financial support to Vancouver Opera.

For membership information, please contact Vancouver Opera at 604 682 2871 or visit vancouveroperaguild.com

President-Elect Acting/Past President Vice President Vice President Secretary Treasurer

TBC Gwyneth Westwick Mimi Nilsson Elaine Peterson Edward Mornin Susan Mair

DAYMÉ AROCENA

THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA

20TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

2017 18 CHAN CENTRE PRESENTS SERIES The Blind Boys of Alabama with Ben Heppner I SEP 23 The Gloaming I OCT 15 Zakir Hussain and Dave Holland: Crosscurrents I OCT 28 Ruthie Foster, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Carrie Rodriguez I NOV 8 The Jazz Epistles: Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela I FEB 18 Lila Downs I MAR 10 Daymé Arocena and Roberto Fonseca I APR 15 Circa: Opus I APR 28

HUGH MASEKELA

TANYA TAGAQ

BEYOND WORDS SERIES Kate Evans: Threads I SEP 29 Tanya Tagaq and Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory I MAR 16+17 SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE MAY 2

chancentre.com

VANCOUVER OPERA LOTTERIES

WIN YOUR CHOICE OF 2017 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider S or Heritage Softail Classic

OR $20,000 CASH!

PLUS 50/50 BONUS DRAW! 6 WAYS TO BUY

VISIT US: In the Lobby and the Festival Plaza MAIL: VO Lotteries, 1945 McLean Drive

Vancouver, BC V5N 3J7

EMAIL: lotteries@vancouveropera.ca CALL: 604-682-2871 FAX: 604-682-3981

Order Online: vancouveropera.ca

Harley Lottery: Chances are 1 in 4,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize! BC Gaming Event Licence #: 91914 50/50 Lottery: Chances are 1 in 7,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize! BC Gaming Event Licence #: 91915

OVERTURE The success of BMO I Overture was made possible thanks to the collective dedication, hard work and vision of Vancouver Opera artists, music staff, production staff, generous donors, advocates and volunteers. We are proud to acknowledge this year’s supporters with sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude.

Presenting Sponsor

Event Sponsors

Limelight Sponsors

CORPORATE TABLES

INDIVIDUAL TABLES

AUCTION & EVENT DONORS

Concert Properies Goldcorp Korn Ferry Transcontinental Investment Corporation Vancouver Opera Guild

Julia Kim Roberta Beiser & Bill Levine Jessica Macintosh John Montalbano Michael & Inna O’Brian Pascal & Isabelle Spothelfer Mary Jordan & Susan Van der Flier

Air Canada AMA Waterways Bill Reid Gallery Blake, Cassels & Graydon, LLP Calowa Investments, LLC Fairmont Hotel Vancouver GWC Haida Heritage Centre Harbour Jewellers & Designers Highwater House

La Colline Minuteman Press Mission Hill Family Estate Nicola Wealth Leah & John O’Neill Paul Balfour Personal Travel Management Sager Charters The Room The Verbier Festival Versace Home

YOUR GIFTS HELP US BRING TO LIFE GREAT OPERAS LIKE THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Whether your gift is directed to our mainstage productions, our Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program or our provincewide educational initiatives, your financial support has an immense impact on our work. Please help us to ensure that Vancouver Opera is here for future audiences.

For more details and to give, visit our website or contact the VO Development Department.

Give to Vancouver Opera today 604 331 4836 lmacaulay@vancouveropera.ca vancouveropera.ca/support

CAITLIN WOOD AS SUSANNA, ALEX LAWRENCE AS FIGARO. PHOTO BY EMILY COOPER

vancouveropera.ca

VO EDUCATION:

INSPIRING YOUNG MINDS Vancouver Opera is proud of its long history of providing engaging opportunities for students and teachers to learn through opera. The objective of our education program is twofold: to offer students a handson opera experience and to expose them to career opportunities in the performing arts.

Our programs also introduce secondary students to the wide variety of employment options that are available in the performing arts. Students have the opportunity to meet artistic and administrative professionals who are at the peak of their careers and learn how they achieved success in such a challenging industry.

As an artform, opera includes multiple artistic disciplines, and we believe there is something for everyone.

Through our workshops and opera camps, students are encouraged to express themselves through writing, music, theatre, and the visual arts in the creation of new work. This highly collaborative environment teaches risktaking, listening and creative thinking.

Ultimately, our goal is to share the amazing experience of opera with students of all ages by meeting them where they are and showing them what is possible.

Work Experience

Opera Summer Camp

TD Student Dress Rehearsal

Colleen Maybin Director, Education & Community Engagement

Vancouver Opera Education Programs Nurturing hearts, opening minds and broadening creativity through opera.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT COLLEEN MAYBIN, DIRECTOR, EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

cmaybin@vancouveropera.ca

Opera Experience

Vancouver Opera In Schools

Project Opera

Delta Opera and Performance Academy

supported by

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SUBSCRIBE NOW! 2017/18 SEASON CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL, INTERNATIONAL DANCE

SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW ON SALE DANCEHOUSE.CA

MICHAEL SLOBODIAN, PHOTO

DanceHouse ad / Opera 7.125 x 4.9375” / CMYK / 8 February 2017 Keith > rare design inc: tel 604 505 4100

VANCOUVER OPERA’S HEART PARTNER

THE KETTLE SOCIETY

Vancouver Opera is thrilled to working alongside our neighbourhood partner, The Kettle Society, in supporting our community’s most vulnerable population. Vancouver Opera currently provides support to The Kettle through dress rehearsal tickets and by sponsoring writing and choral workshops for participants at three different locations across Vancouver.

As part of its 2017–2018 season, Vancouver Opera is proud to announce the education and community engagement headline production of Requiem for a Lost Girl.

REQUIEM FOR A LOST GIRL Music by Marcel Bergmann Evening performances 7:30pm Matinée performances 2:00pm May 2018

Written and directed by Onalea Gilbertson, Requiem for a Lost Girl explores themes of poverty, mental illness and addiction. This strikingly original chamber opera unfolds as a memorial service for a young woman. Requiem was created and is performed in partnership with a chorus of men, women and children who know the experience of homelessness – a raw, gorgeous and heart-altering blend of true stories and the theatrical that gives voice to the streets of North America.

ABOUT THE KETTLE | Supporting people living with mental illness to lead healthier lives by: Providing over 3,600 individuals with 26 services, a mental health drop-in, a transition house for women and over 200 units of supported housing Providing Housing, employment, advocacy and support services · Raising awareness of mental health issues and breaking down barriers Promoting the inclusion of people living with mental illness in all aspects of society The Kettle is committed to practical and non-judgemental harm reduction strategies in all its work, as it has been for over 35 years.

The Kettle has a holistic approach that views physical, mental and spiritual aspects of life as interconnected and equally important.

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North Shore Light Opera Society Since 1948

May 18-20, 25-27 @ 8pm May 21 & 28 @ 3pm Presentation House Theatre 333 Chesterfield Ave North Vancouver Tickets Box Office: 604.990.3474 Adults $30 Senior $25 Student $20

British Columbia’s oldest continually producing amateur musical theatre organization We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the City and District of North Vancouver through the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission, the District of West Vancouver through their Community Grants program and the Province of British Columbia through the B.C.Lottery Corporation.

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OPERA CAMP

Write, stage and perform an original opera!

OPERA CAMP 2016. PHOTO BY CAREN TERESCHAK

Opera Camp is a fun-filled musical and theatrical experience. Led by VO Teaching Artists, this full-day program offers participants a hands-on opportunity to create something never seen before. The Teen Intensive includes master classes as well as the chance to design and build the set.

Teen Intensive (12 – 16 years old) July 4th to July 14th Tuition: $500

Junior Summer Camp (8 – 12 years old) July 17th to July 21st Tuition: $250

Registration Open now. No experience necessary.

Bursaries are available to qualified students. More information at vancouveropera.ca/learn Register through the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre: 604 683 0222 (Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm)

EDUCATION

For more information contact Colleen Maybin, Director, Education & Community Engagement at 604 331 4960

VancouverÔs story begins here.

JOIN US!

Become a part of the team that supports Vancouver Opera and promotes the art of opera in our city.

Volunteering with us offers opportunity for community Canada’s premier civic history museum is a must-visit destination for people who love Vancouver—located at Vanier Park: 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver.

engagement, team collaboration, creative support for programs, and leadership development.

We offer new experiences, personal and professional goal achievement, recognition and a lot of fun!

BECOME A VOLUNTEER BY REGISTERING AT vancouveropera.ca/support/ volunteer

For more info, contact us at volunteer@vancouveropera.ca or 604 682 2871

vancouveropera.ca

PATRON INFORMATION PREVIEW TALKS

RECORDINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

Learn more about the Vancouver Opera production you’re about to see at our complimentary Preview Talks. A great added value to your VO ticket, and an opportunity to gain insight into the performance. Preview Talks are offered an hour before every performance. Led by an expert, topics range from the composer’s life and repertoire, to historical context about the work, to more details about the artists involved with the production. Each talk lasts approximately 25 minutes.

Any recording (video, audio) or photographs of VO performances are strictly prohibited without the permission of Vancouver Opera.

ACCESSIBILITY Elevators in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre parkade provide patron access to the street level and the main entrances of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the Vancouver Playhouse. There also is a driveway for taxis and pick-up/drop-off for patrons with physical needs.

Seating for patrons using wheelchairs is available on the orchestra and mezzanine levels of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and on the orchestra level of the Vancouver Playhouse. Elevator access is available from each of the theatre’s main lobby to the upper levels.

For more information, please call the VO Ticket Centre.

Patrons who are hard-of-hearing may borrow Sennheiser Infrared Hearing System headsets for any performance, free of charge. Headsets are available at the theatre coat check. This system was made possible through the generous donation of Wolverton Securities Limited and the Vancouver Foundation.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES Please turn off all mobile phones, pagers, beepers, and alarm watches before entering the theatre, so as not to disrupt the performance. Pagers may be left at the coat check; patrons will be alerted of any calls at the first convenient break.

LATECOMERS To avoid disrupting the performance, latecomers may not be seated once the show has started. If possible, they will be ushered to their seats at the first appropriate break.

PARKING Parking is available at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre parkade, located off Cambie Street between West Georgia and Dunsmuir Streets. Accessible parking is available with an accessible parking decal. Parking is limited, so plan to arrive early.

TICKET SERVICES Purchases A variety of subscription packages as well as single tickets can be purchased online through the VO’s website or by calling the VO Ticket Centre.

Visit, write or call: VO Ticket Centre, 1945 McLean Drive, Vancouver T: 604 683 0222 | E: tickets@vancouveropera.ca vancouveropera.ca/tickets Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm Exchanges and Lost Tickets Please contact the Ticket Centre directly with any questions about exchanging and/or replacing tickets.

Print your tickets at home!

Vancouver Opera now offers an easy, convenient way to get your tickets immediately after purchasing a VO ticket or subscription package.

With a valid email address, you can receive your e-tickets directly to your inbox, whether you purchase tickets online or through the VO Ticket Centre. You can get your tickets sooner and avoid waiting in line at the theatre before the performance.

PRIVACY Vancouver Opera is committed to protecting your privacy. For information on VO’s patron privacy policy, please visit our website: vancouveropera.ca.

PERFORMANCE ETIQUETTE In consideration of other patrons and the performers, please refrain from rustling programs, unwrapping candy or whispering during the performance. Given some people’s allergies, we also ask patrons to avoid wearing perfume or other scented products.

Patrons are requested to speak to a Vancouver Opera or Civic Theatres representative at intermission in the case of any disturbance or discomfort during a performance.

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

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VANCOUVER OPERA LOTTERIES

WIN YOUR CHOICE OF 2017 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider S or Heritage Softail Classic

OR $20,000 CASH!

PLUS 50/50 BONUS DRAW! 6 WAYS TO BUY

VISIT US: In the Lobby and the Festival Plaza MAIL: VO Lotteries, 1945 McLean Drive

Vancouver, BC V5N 3J7

EMAIL: lotteries@vancouveropera.ca CALL: 604-682-2871 FAX: 604-682-3981

RED CARPET BENCHES I Order Online: vancouveropera.ca

SCOTT COHEN

Harley Lottery: Chances are 1and in 4,000 (total tickets sale) to wintransformed a grand prize! the BC Gaming Licence #: 91914 Vancouver architect designer Scott for Cohen has QueenEvent Elizabeth

Plaza with specially designed objects to create an enticing environment for relaxing and socializing any time of the day or night. All are welcome!

50/50 Lottery: Chances are 1 in 7,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize! BC Gaming Event Licence #: 91915

VANCOUVER OPERA LOTTERIES

WIN YOUR CHOICE OF 2017 Jaguar XE 2.0L AWD Prestige or 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport HSE

OR $50,000 CASH!

PLUS 50/50 BONUS DRAW! 6 WAYS TO BUY

VISIT US: In the Lobby and the Festival Plaza MAIL: VO Lotteries, 1945 McLean Drive

Vancouver, BC V5N 3J7

EMAIL: lotteries@vancouveropera.ca CALL: 604-682-2871 FAX: 604-682-3981

Order Online: vancouveropera.ca

Jaguar/Land Rover Lottery: Chances are 1 in 5,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize! BC Gaming Event Licence #: 92763 50/50 Lottery: Chances are 1 in 7,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize! BC Gaming Event Licence #: 91915

TICKETS AT A GLANCE SINGLE TICKETS TO THE OPERA Choose single tickets for the opera or event you want to see; tickets start at only $45!

Visit: vancouveropera.ca Call: 604 683 0222 Or Stop By: VOF Box Office, the Queen Elizabeth or the Vancouver Playhouse Box Offices before the show.

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL PASSES Two- and three-show VIP passes are the best way to experience the Vancouver Opera Festival. In addition to great seats for our maintsage opera productions these include a lot of exclusive perks not available to regular ticket purchasers. Call the VO Ticket Centre at 604 683 0222 or visit the VOF Box Office to purchase. Passes ensure entry to all these events and are available in limited quantities.

FESTIVAL PASSES INCLUDE Exclusive Access to Private VIP Opening of Paul Wong’s Five Octave Range April 27 at 7:30pm in the Festival Tent.

(Limited capacity - first come first served. Includes complimentary glass of champagne.)

TWO-SHOW VIP FESTIVAL PASS INCLUDES PRIORITY ACCESS TO:

THREE-SHOW VIP FESTIVAL PASS INCLUDES PRIORITY ACCESS TO:

Two operas of your choice at the VOF Ethical Justice in the 21st Century In Conversation with Jake Heggie Where is Opera Headed?

A Conversation with Ute Lemper Civic Impact in Opera Whose Story is it?

The Music of Heggie/Verdi/Mozart

Three Operas of Your Choice at the VOF Ethical Justice in the 21st Century In Conversation with Jake Heggie Where is Opera Headed?

A Conversation with Ute Lemper Civic Impact in Opera Whose Story is it?

The Music of Heggie/Verdi/Mozart

TWO- & THREE-SHOW VIP FESTIVAL PASSES INCLUDE Free access to Carmina Burana Sing-Along (RSVP required) Priority Access to Book a FREE Backstage Tour of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Priority Access to Vancouver Opera’s Stage Combat Workshop Free Tickets to Film Night at the Opera (RSVP required) RSVP at time of purchase is required for all non-opera performances

ANSWERS FROM THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO STUDY GUIDE (PAGE 69) 1: e

2: b

3: a

4: c

5: d

VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

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ADMINISTRATION

DISTINGUISHED HONORARY PATRON Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

VANCOUVER OPERA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016 – 2017 SEASON Chair: Pascal Spothelfer

Vice-Chair: Jill Bodkin

Treasurer: Mary Jordan

Secretary: Susan Van der Flier

Amrita Ahuja Roberta Lando Beiser Nika Collison Mo Dhaliwal Reema Faris Divyesh Gadhia

Deborah Graystone Judy Halbert Sherry Killam Julia Kim Bill Levine Jessica Yan Macintosh

Bill Maclagan Marilyn Loewen Mauritz Paul McEwen Mary McNeil Lisa Payne Janice Podmore

Michael Stevenson Gwyneth Westwick Jeffrey Wilhoit

VANCOUVER OPERA STAFF Kim Gaynor, General Director Director of Artistic Planning Tom Wright

Director of Development Brian Nickel

Jonathan Darlington, Music Director

Director, Education & Community Engagement Colleen Maybin

ARTISTIC PLANNING Associate Director, Artistic Planning: Adrianne Wurz Artistic Planning Assistant: Adam Da Ros Festival Scheduler: Marcie Januska Production Stage Manager: Theresa Tsang Music Associate Conductor / Chorus Director: Leslie Dala Principal Répétiteur / Assistant Conductor / Assistant

Chorus Director: Kinza Tyrrell Répétiteur: Tina Chang Orchestra Manager: Jim Littleford Music Librarian: Tom Shorthouse Orchestra Stage Manager: Jim Tranquilla Production Technical Director: Dan Paterson Assistant Technical Director / Facility

Manager: Gregg Steffensen Festival Properties Manager: Heidi Wilkinson EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Education & Community Projects Coordinator: Eleanor Siden Volunteer & Board Coordinator: Rachelle Smalldon

Director of Marketing Lynsey Skramstad

Chief Financial Officer Catriona Cheng

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Director of Information Technology: Hali Autio Office Manager and Junior Accountant: William Murgatroyd Accountant and Payroll Administrator: Firan Tse DEVELOPMENT Director, Major Gifts & Planned Giving: Carmen Murphy Major Gifts Officer: Jake Ryan Lindsey Development Manager, Grants & Proposals: Joseph Bardsley Development Manager, Annual Campaigns and

Lotteries: Lyndsay MacAulay Special Events Coordinator: Theresa Mura MARKETING Marketing and Sales Manager: Vincent Wong Ticket Centre Manager and Data Analyst: Tracey Flattes Graphic Designers: Annie Mack, Katie Ferris Witherspoon Digital Communications Manager: Michael Mann Ticket Centre Associates: Gavriel Beigel, Tamerin Elliott

Charlene Hibbard Publicist: Jodi Smith, JLS Entertainment Patron Services Team Lead: Gloria Bernal

YULANDA M. FARIS YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM

Program Head: Leslie Dala

Head Coach: Kinza Tyrrell

Mary Castello Ryan Downey

Vanessa Oude-Reimerink Taylor Pardell

Sarah Jane Pelzer Pascale Spinney

Leah Giselle Field Peter Monaghan

VANCOUVER OPERA FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2016 – 2017 SEASON Chair: Lis Welch Jake Boxer Jill Bodkin Neil Carnell

Treasurer and Secretary: Paul McEwen Heather Clarke Michael Gallagher Poul Hansen

Julia Kim Terry Pask Lynn Smith

Russell Smith Pascal Spothelfer VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

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Two small words:

WE’D LIKE TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE TO THE MANY AMAZING VOLUNTEERS who made this festival possible. Thanks to your dedication and the generous contribution of your time and talents, we’re able to present 16 days of professional opera, music, and educational experiences to the Vancouver community.

We hope you feel you gained as much as you gave to this festival. Thank you for your contribution!

vancouveropera.ca

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