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NewsMarch 12, 2008Calgary Opera Announces its 2008-2009 SeasonCalgary, AB – Calgary Opera is proud to announce its 37th season - a season with something for everyone: a classic drama with a newly-designed set developed here in Calgary; a comedy featuring a world-renowned Tenor and a star-studded cast; and a popular hit, whose music is recognizable to audiences world-wide.
“As always, our aim is to ignite a passion for opera in the hearts of our new opera-goers, and to keep the fire burning in the hearts of our returning audience members,” says Calgary Opera General Director & CEO, W.R. (Bob) McPhee. “We’re confident the 2008-2009 season will do just that.”
We open our season with a brand new production of a dramatic masterpiece by Charles Gounod, hailed as one of the best French operas of all time – Faust. First presented in Paris in 1859, Gounod’s classic tells the legendary story of the aged and bitter Dr. Faust, and the pact he makes with the devil in exchange for youth and earthly pleasure. Conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni (Frobisher 2007) with stage direction by award-winning Eda Holmes, who is making her opera debut with the production, Calgary Opera welcomes back Tenor Marc Hervieux (Frobisher 2007) as the tormented Faust, Soprano Laura Whalen (Frobisher 2007) as the much-desired Marguerite, Bass Baritone David Bedard (Magic Flute 2006) as Mephistopheles, and Baritone Joshua Hopkins (Magic Flute 2006) as Valentin. Faust is a new production designed by Scott Reid and Harry Frehner.
As the centerpiece of our 2008-2009 season, Calgary Opera is thrilled to present the world-renowned Tenor Richard Margison in the role of Bacchus, in the company’s first-ever presentation of Richard Strauss’s comedy Ariadne auf Naxos. First premiered in Stuttgart in 1912, this larger-than-life opera brings together characters from Greek mythology and the Italian Commedia dell’Arte to tell the story of Ariadne, the Greek mythological figure who has been abandoned by her lover on the island of Naxos. Joining Richard Margison, the star-studded cast includes the return of internationally acclaimed Sopranos Wendy Nielsen (Marriage of Figaro 2001) as Ariadne and Tracy Dahl (The Ballad of Baby Doe 2008) as the clever Zerbinetta, under the stage direction of Kelly Robinson (The Ballad of Baby Doe 2008). David Agler conducts (Dead Man Walking 2006).
Calgary Opera closes its season with Rossini’s popular hit The Barber of Seville, conducted by Robert Tweten under the stage direction of Rob Herriot (The Brothers Grimm 2007). Returning to Calgary Opera is Baritone Aaron St. Clair Nicholson (Romeo and Juliet 2003) as Figaro, Tenor John Tessier (Lakmé 2004) in the role of Almaviva, Mezzo-Soprano Krisztina Szabó (La Traviata 2003) as the beautiful Rosina, Bass Baritone Peter Strummer (Cinderella 1995) as Dr. Bartolo, and Bass Baritone Philip Cokorinos (Don Giovanni 1999) as Don Basilio.
Besides the regularly scheduled season, Calgary Opera runs the Emerging Artist Development Program, which provides a critical training ground for graduates of opera programs around the country, as they transition into their professional singing career. The 2008-2009 season welcomes the third group of students to this program, which involves intensive training, community productions, and opportunities for emerging artists to perform in a mainstage opera.
Subscription renewals for next season are now being processed. New subscribers can place orders in April, with seats being assigned in late June. Single performance tickets will go on sale in the fall of 2008. 2008-2009 Season at a Glance A new production by Calgary Opera Hailed as one of the best French operas of all time, Gounod’s classic tells the legendary story of the aged and bitter Dr. Faust, and the pact he makes with the devil in exchange for youth and earthly pleasure. Conductor: Jean-Marie Zeitouni Faust: Marc Hervieux A star-studded cast in Calgary’s first-ever presentation of: Featuring world renowned Tenor Richard Margison, and internationally acclaimed Sopranos Wendy Nielsen and Tracy Dahl, this one-act comedy brings together Greek mythological deities and Italian Commedia dell’Arte characters in a high-energy performance. Conductor: David Agler Ariadne: Wendy Nielsen
One of the top ten operas of all time Rossini’s popular hit about Almaviva’s attempt – with the help of the ever-resourceful Figaro – to win the heart of the beautiful Rosina, under the watchful eye of Dr. Bartolo. Stage director: Robert Herriot Figaro: Aaron St Clair Nicholson Emerging Artist Development Program Over the past two seasons Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Development Program has provided eight young singers a year with the opportunity to study and perform under a highly prestigious professional staff of teachers and performers. Calgary Opera is pleased to announce the 2008-2009 participants: Hayley Crittenden, Danielle Dudycha, Lauren Phillips, Alexis Stanhope, Robert Clark, and Stephen Baradell. 2007-2008 Emerging Artists Christopher Mayell and Benjamin Covey return for a second year of training.
Calgary Opera is grateful for support from the following funders and sponsors: Operating and Project Grants from: The Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development, the Calgary Foundation, the S.A. Opera Development Foundation, and Canadian Heritage; Community Outreach sponsor - EnCana; Emerging Artist Development Program sponsor - Enbridge; Season sponsor - Calgary Herald; Production sponsors - Nexen, Talisman Energy, and Crape Geomatics Corporation; Calgary Opera Chorus sponsor - Petro-Canada; Education supporters - Industrial Alliance Pacific, TELUS Calgary Community Board, RBC Financial Group, through RBC Foundation, Imperial Oil Foundation; Event sponsors - The Kahanoff Foundation, arriVa, Hotel Arts, and Scotiabank; Impresario Circle sponsors - Infuse Catering, The Wine Cellar South, Alberta Views, Blue Hydrangea floral boutique, and Coppeneur Chocolates; and Media sponsors - Swerve Magazine, Global Calgary, Pattison, Avenue Magazine, and the Calgary Radio Group. – 30 – For further information, please contact: Brian O’Neill, Publicist, Calgary Opera, at (403) 802-3409
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