Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, ON – Thriving new Toronto opera company Essential Opera wraps up its second season this May, with the elegant and evocative Alcina by Handel. Following two successful concert productions of operas accompanied by piano, the young company’s latest adventure features a chamber orchestra of authentic instruments, in a beloved venue for Baroque music. The Toronto performance will take place on one night only: May 25, 7:30 p.m. at Trinity St. Paul’s Centre. The production has also been invited to the New Hamburg Live! Festival of the Arts; that performance will take place on May 31 in New Hamburg. Toronto tickets will be available in advance at http://www.essentialopera.com and at the door; New Hamburg tickets and information is available at http://www.newhamburglive.ca.
Essential Opera began as an idea for a single performance, and has turned into an ever-evolving and growing venture, adding a sell-out performance of Massenet’s Chérubin to its well-received inaugural performance of Mozart’s Figaro. Alcina promises to continue this trend with a polished and entertaining presentation of Handel’s alluring score – a favourite recently absent from Canadian stages -- with a cast of dynamic performers.
Co-founded by sopranos Erin Bardua and Maureen Batt, Essential Opera has featured a different seasoned music director for each of its productions so far. Toronto favourite Vicki St. Pierre (a mezzo-soprano who moonlights as conductor at St. James Cathedral and Opera Atelier) will be at the helm for Alcina’s rehearsals, turning around to take the stage as contralto heroine Bradamante in performance. The cast also includes Bardua and Batt as the sorceresses Alcina and Morgana, with Vilma Vitols (Against the Grain Theatre, COC) as the lovestruck Ruggiero, Cory Knight (Tafelmusik, Opera Atelier) as blustering Oronte, James Levesque (Opera Hamilton, COC) as wise Melisso, and up-and-comer Julie Ludwig as virtuous Oberto.
Artistic directors Batt and Bardua also act as sole administrators, producers, and fundraisers for the company. In the midst of show preparations, Essential Opera heard auditions in April, opening up opportunities in its future seasons to a pool of nearly 100 emerging and established artists. Fundraising is an ongoing undertaking, with the company’s mission to keep ticket prices low, and cast high-quality professional artists, ensuring that opera can be accessible to a wide audience in more ways than one. Every production also includes an on-screen English translation, while a focus on storytelling and relationships brings the “concert” formula to life.
More information about Essential Opera, including full cast lists and reviews, can be found online at http://www.essentialopera.com. Contact the company at essentialopera@gmail.com.
About Essential Opera:
Essential Opera was founded in Toronto in fall 2010 by sopranos Erin Bardua and Maureen Batt. Their goal is to provide audiences and singers with the chance to experience opera at its most essential. Debuting in February 2011 with inarguably one of the most essential operas, Le nozze di Figaro, Essential Opera continues to bring together talented, passionate professional and emerging singers, expert music direction, and beautiful venues. It’s just the essentials: brilliant music, a libretto that’s dramatic – or touching – or funny – or all three, and a great group of performers. http://www.essentialopera.com.
2012-03-30
Toronto: Essential Opera completes its second season with Handel’s “Alcina”