Inside Vancouver Opera

Today we're joined by two extraordinary sopranos, Karen Chia-ling Ho . and Yasko Sato ⁠ . Karen and Yasko are double cast in the role of Cio-Cio San in our upcoming production of Madama Butterfly , running April 26th to May 4th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Learn More Credits : Karen Chia-ling Ho - Cio-Cio San April 27 & May 4 Yasko Sato - Cio-Cio San - Cio-Cio San April 26, May 1 & 3 As...

Today we’re stepping into the world of one of opera’s most passionate, enduring, and beloved composers. His name is synonymous with soaring arias, impossible love stories, and music that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go. This is the story of Giacomo Puccini. Inside Vancouver Opera presents: Un bel dì, A Life Begins: The World of Puccini written and performed by Jane Potter. So settle in,...

In this conversation, we explore how director Mo Zhou has re-imagined Madama Butterfly for today. In her Canadian directorial debut, Mo Zhou brings this fresh vision to Vancouver Opera from April 26 to May 4, a production that honours Puccini’s masterwork while offering audiences a chance to see Madama Butterfly in a new light. Learn more. Credits: Mo Zhou - Director of Madama Butterfly Ashley Dan...

Together with Amica Senior Lifestyles, Vancouver Opera shares the power of live music to inspire connection, joy, and reflection in senior living. Amica Senior Lifestyles is one of Vancouver Opera's wonderful sponsors, and today Tabitha Brasso-Ernst is joined by Ashley Sumler, the Director of Quality of Life at Amica Senior Lifestyles. Learn More CREDITS: Ashley Sumler - Director of Quality of Lif...

In this special International Women's Day episode, host Tabitha Brasso-Ernst is joined by two powerhouses in classical music – pianist Perri Lo, and mezzo-soprano Emma Parkinson. Read the full article . Credits: Perri Lo - Pianist Emma Parkinson - Mezzo-Soprano Tabitha Brasso-Ernst - Host Mack McGillivray - Producer Cover Illustration by @barryekko Music Credits: A Certain Peace from Tobin Sto...

Today we’re thrilled to spotlight Flight , once again, Jonathan Dove’s groundbreaking opera. Leading today’s conversation is Flight’s conductor, and Vancouver Opera’s Head of Music/Associate Conductor, Les Dala. Joining him is Flight’s acclaimed Director, Morris Panych, whose vision is bringing this unique production to life. Together they dive into the themes, artistry, and creative process behin...

Today’s special video-edition of Inside Vancouver Opera features two of Canada's most celebrated creative minds, Director Morris Panych and Set Designer Ken MacDonald. Partners in both life and art, their extraordinary collaboration has shaped some of the most memorable moments in Canadian theatre and opera. Leading today's conversation is Vancouver Opera's own General Director Tom Wri...

Today we'll explore how composer Jonathan Dove turned an airport terminal into a mythic space of drama, humor, and humanity - transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. As Vancouver Opera prepares to take Flight from February 8th to 16th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, today we're thrilled to talk with the composer himself. Read the full article . Credits: Jonathan Dove - Composer of Flight...

Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams) on discovering his parent's untold pain and the legacy of resilience it left behind. Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams) is a Vancouver Opera board member, elected Councillor and spokesperson for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (the Squamish Nation). Today we explore Wilson's journey, from his childhood influences and the legacy of his family, to his reflections on truth, reconciliation...

On today's episode, we're proud to welcome the Canadian mezzo-soprano, Mireille Lebel , who's known for her captivating performances across the globe in operas such as Carmen , The Marriage of Figaro , and The Barber of Seville . And currently, she's starring as Count Orlofsky in our production of Die Fledermaus on stage October 26 to November 3rd. I hope you enjoy the conversation. Full Article C...

We are celebrating Vancouver Opera’s 65th anniversary with a truly fabulous season. The season opens with Johann Strauss II’s beloved operetta Die Fledermaus . This charming comedy relies almost entirely on a series of pranks, trickery and disguise as plot devices to illuminate the themes of revenge, love, friendship, and forgiveness and reconciliation. Die Fledermaus runs from October 26th to Nov...

A candid conversation about identity, queerness, and joy with UBC voice professor and baritone J. Patrick Raftery and his former student and tenor Spencer Britten . Patrick is about to launch his all-queer reimagining of Maurice Ravel's L'heure espagnole as A Spanish Hour? with two performances on July 27th in the Telus Theatre at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts . Tickets will be a...

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, we are in conversation with curator, writer, public art consultant and the newly appointed executive director of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Henry Heng Lu. Henry shares insight on art, heritage, and the power of cultural collaboration to confront racism. Read the full article . Credits: Henry Heng Lu - Guest Ashley Daniel Foot - Host Mack McGill...

We always say that Vancouver Opera is a family, but today's guests actually are family. Eve-Lyn de la Haye and Clara Griesdale are real life mother and daughter, and they're both in our upcoming production of Carmen . For tickets and more information visit VancouverOpera.ca . Read the full article here . Credits: Clara Griesdale - Guest Eve-Lyn de la Haye - Guest Ashley Daniel Foot - Host...

In anticipation of our upcoming production of Carmen we are rebroadcasting our 7-part series on the composer’s life as one episode. Originally aired in October of 2022 ahead of our production of The Pearl Fishers . Vancouver Opera presents Carmen at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from April 27th to May 5th. For tickets and more information visit VancouverOpera.ca . CREDITS Written and edited by Kris...

Canadian opera icon Judith Forst and Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Simran Claire share the experiences of being a mezzo-soprano and wearing the pants onstage. Read the full article here . Credits : Simran Claire - Guest Judith Forst - Guest Ashley Daniel Foot - Host Tabitha Brasso-Ernst - Associate Producer Mack McGillivray - Producer

In a rollicking and candid conversation, Jim Wright reflects on his storied career and his 17 years leading Vancouver Opera and spills the beans on long-held desire to be a senator from Indiana. Read the full story here . Credits Ashley Daniel Foot - Host Jim Wright - Guest Mack McGillivray - Producer

Vancouver Opera honours Black History Month with a special audio documentary about BC Choral legend and music educator Jim Johnson and his wife, choral conductor and teacher Sheila Johnson. Recorded, edited and produced by Ashley Daniel Foot Music performed by The Concenti Singers and the Cowichan Valley Youth Choir

A profile on of one of the kings of the bel canto age, Gaetano Donizetti, the composer of Don Pasquale , on stage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre February 10th to 18th. Get your tickets and more information at VancouverOpera.ca . Full Article Credits: Jane Potter - Writer and Narrator Ashley Daniel Foot - Voice of Gaetano Donizetti Richard Wolfe - Voice of Felix Mendelssohn Tom Wright - Voice of Gi...

Today, we're talking with baritone extraordinaire, Gregory Dahl . Audiences from Vancouver will remember him last season as the lead role in The Flying Dutchman. And he's back in Vancouver for as the titular role in Don Pasquale , from February 10th to 18th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets are available at VancouverOpera.ca Full Story Gregory Dahl - Guest, Baritone Ashley Daniel Foo...

Operatic creative partners André Barbe and Renaud Doucet discuss the timeless appeal of Don Pasquale with guest host Luka Kawabata . Don Pasquale runs from February 10th to 18th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets available at VancouverOpera.ca . Full Story Credits André Barbe - Guest, Costume & Set Designer Renaud Doucet - Guest, Stage Director and Choreographer Luka Kawabata - Host Mack...

Today, we are looking ahead to OperaSparks Artist Development Workshop. This is a new initiative from Vancouver Opera that really allows young and pre-professional artists to dig into their practice. In our latest podcast, Ashley spoke with Robyn Driedger-Klassen and Tina Chang about this exciting new opportunity. If you are interested, application information is available here . Full Transcript C...

A few weeks after starting at my job at Vancouver Opera, I had the honour of meeting the amazing Carole Côté over the phone - singing her heart out. Carole graciously agreed to visit us at the VO and shared songs and stories. I think you’ll agree that she is truly one-of-a-kind. Carole Côté will be performing on December 7th at The Kettle Choir ’s Holiday Concert, with guests Highs & Lows Choi...

Vancouver Opera's Database and Ticket Centre Manager Tracey Flattes shares her unique brand of hard-earned wisdom, humour, and stories from the trenches of the ticketing world. We're celebrating Black Friday with our best ticket offer of the season : Save 50% Off Duet Subscriptions! You'll enjoy the rest of our blockbuster 2023-2024 season: our wild, pop-art, technicolour production of...

Composer Tawnie Olson and conductor Arianne Abela discuss S anctuary & Storm and the state of women in opera. Transcript Sanctuary & Storm , our new collaboration with re:Naissance Opera , runs from November 17th to 19th at the H.R MacMillan Space Centre. Head to VancouverOpera.ca to grab your tickets. Credits Ashley Daniel Foot - Host Tawnie Olson - Composer, Sanctuary & Storm Arianne...