Calgary Opera
1315 7 Street SW T2R 1A5 Calgary, AB, Canada

What happens when you give a talented group of creators the time and space to explore making an opera in a whole new way? Beautiful things, as it turns out. The Making of #OperaLabs Episode 1 - 'The Seeds of Namwayut'... Watch the full film at calgaryopera.com/namwayut Film: Pluto Pictures Project Creators: Marion Newman, Ian Cusson, Parmela Attariwala, Yvette Nolan, Melody Courage, Michelle Lafferty, Asitha Tennekoon, Evan Mounce, Shelby-Jai Flick, and Marc Lavallee.

ICYMI: Marion Newman chatted with Doug Dirks from CBC Calgary's The Homestretch last Friday. Catch their conversation about the #OperaLabs project Namwayut, and the behind-the-scenes film that offers people a glimpse into the rarely seen process of making an opera here: https://cbc.ca//1-97-the-homes/clip/15834266-marion-newman

In life’s springtime days, happiness has escaped me. The truth, I dared speak it, and these chains are my reward. Act 2 Scene 1, "Fidelio" by Ludwig van Beethoven

We’re 1 week into our Digital School Touring performance of Hansel + Gretel and we already have over 85,000 students and families (not including pets) across Alberta joining us for the experience. And it’s not too late to take part! Sign up on our website before April 16. Photo: Reposted from @what_is_captain_nemo_reading on Instagram

In our first Opera Labs workshop, the talented group of individuals behind Namwayut set out to explore, "A new way of rethinking and reimagining how we can go about making things." These words are co-composer, Ian Cusson's but the sentiment is shared by all those gathered to create this new opera work. Learn more about the creators and their process at: https://calgaryopera.com/namwayut Clockwise from top left: Asitha Tennekoon - tenor; Yvette Nolan - librettist; Melody Courage - soprano; Shelby-Jai Flick - stage manager; Evan Mounce - repetiteur; Marc Lavallee - audio visual technician; Michelle Lafferty - mezzo-soprano; Parmela Attariwala - co-composer; Ian Cusson - co-composer; Marion Newman - mezzo-soprano & dramaturg.

We've been overwhelmed by the reactions across the country to the first film in our #OperaLabs series. It's wonderful to hear how this project is striking a chord for so many.

STREAMING NOW Snag a virtual front-row seat as we pull back the curtain on the mysterious process of creating an opera. Along with Calgary-based filmmakers Pluto Pictures, we're thrilled to present the first installation of a short film series that takes you behind-the-scenes of our inaugural #OperaLabs.... EPISODE 1: 'The Seeds of Namwayut' follows a circle of creators including Marion Newman, Yvette Nolan, Ian Cusson, Parmela Attariwala, Melody Courage, Michelle Lafferty, Asitha Tennekoon, Evan Mounce, Shelby-Jai Flick and Marc Lavallée as they explore a new way of creating together under Indigenous leadership to tell a story that celebrates the resilience of Indigenous peoples and their enduring connection to the land. Watch the full film now at calgaryopera.com/namwayut

#TBT 2009: "Ariadne Auf Naxos" by Richard Strauss. L to R: Christopher Mayell, Michel Corbeil, Alexander Dobson, Wendy Nielsen, Tracy Dahl, Taras Kulish. Photo by Trudie Lee Photography ... #Calgary #yyc #yycnow #explorealberta #wearecalgary #calgaryarts #yycliving #CalgaryOpera #yycarts #operaheals #Calgaryopera #CalgaryOperaAtHome #MyCalgaryOpera #WeAreOpera #OperaLover #OperaFan

Mark your calendars! Tickets for 'The Yuletide Sessions: a holiday concert at home' go on sale Wed. Nov 25! This new digital streaming production is available for unlimited viewing from Dec 18 - Jan 3 for just $10 per household. Learn more: calgaryopera.com/holiday

Exciting news! We're back and ready to celebrate the holiday season with an all-new digital production: The Yuletide Sessions: a holiday concert at home Whether you're near or far, join us from the comfort of home from Dec. 18 - Jan. 3 for only $10!... Learn more: calgaryopera.com/holiday

Gather up your ghouls... spooky season is upon us. As you carve your pumpkins and dim the lights, enjoy this atmospheric playlist of operatic songs to set the mood. Just don't get too scared... http://ow.ly/VzH450C3nnE How to access: Spotify playlists are accessible via the free app or web player. Accounts are free, with pre-playlist ads.

Today is #worldoperaday and there's no doubt that this year it feels like a very different kind of celebration. But despite the challenges 2020 has presented, we've also appreciated the opportunity that it's given us to pare down, reconnect with our team, our purpose, and our community. It may look like a totally different season than we've ever put on before, but for us that's part of what makes it special. While we're unable to perform at the Jube as we normally would, we'r...e continuing to bring the joy of singing to students in southern Alberta schools through our Let’s Create An Opera and School Tour programs. We're also launching a new initiative, the Community Ambassadors program, a community outreach program that provides access to musical training, and takes the skills used in singing and performing and applies them to the challenges of fostering emotional intelligence, resiliency, a sense of belonging and connection, and developing other life skills that help members of our community lead successful and fulfilling lives. We're also hard at work planning some special digital performances that will launch in time for the upcoming holidays and continue into the new year. Thank you for sticking with us! Photos: (clockwise from top left) 2020 Let's Create An Opera participants Karisma and Della perform in their schools' digital year-end productions. Accompanist Evan Mounce gets set up at Hawkwood Elementary for the February 2020 School Tour. Soprano Laura Brandt and accompanist Mel Kirby perform a distanced and masked demo of opera singing for students. Performers take questions from students at Hawkwood Elementary during the Q&A segment of the February 2020 School Tour.

Today Calgary Opera welcomes the members of our 2020-2021 Emerging Artist Ensemble back to the (virtual) studio! We are thrilled to have this talented group of professional artists with us for the next season and look forward to seeing and hearing them in upcoming performances. Calgary Opera's Emerging Artist Development program provides young singers with the opportunity to study and perform under a professional staff of teachers and performers. The program serves as a bridg...e between academic programs and the professional world of opera, offering the experience and practical skills necessary to succeed as a self-employed artist in a highly competitive international environment. https://calgaryopera.com/emerging-artists Clockwise from top, left: Eden Tremayne, Alanna Fraize, Jeffrey Strand, Kallie Clayton, Scott Rumble, Dominic Veilleux, Lillian Brooks, Jeremy Dubé.

Happy Diwali! For your listening pleasure... "Pressed for Time", A Concerto for Sitar & Orchestra By Mohamed Assani and John Oliver Performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra... Conducted by Bramwell Tovey http://ow.ly/dMDr50C9QGx

We were deeply saddened to learn yesterday of the passing of the luminous Canadian-American soprano Erin Wall. Born in Calgary, Erin's incredible career saw her grace some of the most important opera stages in the world - including The Met, La Scala, Wiener Staatsoper, and Opéra de Paris. We were incredibly fortunate to have Erin appear on our own stage in 2011 for the world premiere of Bramwell Tovey's 'The Inventor', and were dazzled by her warmth, wit, and immense talent. ...Calgary Opera sends our deepest condolences to her whole family, her friends, and all those who are grieving her loss this weekend. Photo: Erin Wall as Cecilia in 'The Inventor' (Calgary Opera, 2011). Photo by Harder Lee Photography.

Today Calgary Opera regrets to announce that Bramwell Tovey , O.C. has made the difficult decision to resign his position as Artistic Director with the company. He has held the position since January 2019. His decision to leave came as a result of the need for more personal time to address the reoccurrence of an ongoing health issue that requires immediate attention. This health issue is not related to COVID-19, however public health restrictions as a result of COVID-19 that ...limit his ability to travel expedited his decision. Managing Director and CEO Heather Kitchen will continue to lead the company’s administrative operations. The company will immediately begin the search for interim artistic leadership to help guide the organization until a permanent replacement can be found. The board and staff thank Maestro Tovey for his leadership during these unusual and difficult times and wish him and his family the best as he focuses on his health. Calgary Opera looks forward to welcoming him back as the conductor of FIDELIO in October 2021. Read the statement on our website: http://ow.ly/qdXy50BMzOI

With nights getting chillier, there's no better time to take a socially-distant stroll with a lover in your finest frock. Take this song with you: Moscow Nights > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3-z_KKsYhA

Looking forward to the return of our Emerging Artists this October. Photo: 2019/2020 EA's Scott Rumble Kallie Clayton perform at the season media launch, Fall 2019. #Calgary #yyc #yycnow #explorealberta #wearecalgary #calgaryarts #yycliving #CalgaryOpera #yycarts #operaheals #Calgaryopera #CalgaryOperaAtHome #MyCalgaryOpera #WeAreOpera #OperaLover #OperaFan

Tonight, take a walk with "Song to the Moon", from Act I of Anton Dvorak’s "Rusalka, in your ears, and look for the Harvest Moon. "Moon, stand still a while and tell me where is my dear. Tell him, silvery moon,... that I am embracing him. For at least momentarily let him recall of dreaming of me." --Anton Dvorak, "Rusalka", translated to English from Czech #Calgary #yyc #yycnow #explorealberta #wearecalgary #calgaryarts #yycliving #CalgaryOpera #yycarts #operaheals #Calgaryopera #CalgaryOperaAtHome #MyCalgaryOpera #WeAreOpera #OperaLover #OperaFan

Wishing you the best of this colourful, crunchy, cozy season with this autumnal Spotify playlist - featuring Bizet, Puccini, and more, and starring performers like Pavarotti and Yo-Yo Ma. We encourage you to play it as you take a stroll in the leaves, or bake a pumpkin pie, for best results. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1KisyOqiJQZEYvV7QKQ7Rt How to access: Spotify playlists are accessible via the free app or web player. Accounts are free, with pre-playlist ads.

Autumn on the prairies is beautiful and brief, enchanting and escaping. Don't miss the chance to enjoy it this week. "On the paths, in the woods, on the banks, by the walls, in the long, lush grass,... or the winter leaves, fallen leaves, I wait," -Benjamin Britten, 'Turn of the Screw'

Please join Calgary Opera in welcoming our first Community Ambassadors, Dallas Hayes-Sparks and Stephania Romaniuk! The new Calgary Opera Community Ambassadors Program will be revealed in greater detail in the coming weeks. The program is designed, from the ground up, to provide broader access to musical education and vocal training. Rather than inviting Calgarians to come to Calgary Opera, we’re sending two singers to work directly with community partners, bringing people to...gether through music and voice. Please join us in welcoming these two outstanding singers to our team! https://calgaryopera.com//meet-our-new-community-ambassado This program is generously supported by Calgary Foundation. Dallas photo credit: 2019 Nathalie Terekhova Stephania photo credit: 2020 B. J. Maciura

If there’s one thread that connects every kind of live event, it’s the people. And whether they work in operas or orchestras, stadiums or sporting events it’s clear that COVID-19 has impacted and will continue to impact the lives of people who make their careers in this industry in a deeper and more prolonged way than most. So today we join our colleagues and friends in solidarity with the #lightuplive movement to help make visible the people whose work often remains invisibl...e - the directors, designers, performers, technicians, makers, builders, managers and administrators - and express our gratitude for their work and acknowledge their struggles during this unparalleled crisis. We know that we will come through this together and we can’t wait to get back to showcasing your many talents when this pandemic finally ends. Photos from: @chasewrtower, @calgarypageants and @craigspallin

Tonight is your last chance to see Brotherhood @globecinema on the big screen. Hear artistic director @BramwellTovey’s #CdnScreenAwards nominated original song and William Rowson’s rousing score in this true story by director Richard Bell Tix: https://bit.ly/32Ar5Bu @brotherhood1926 @TheCdnAcademy