Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, 13 August 2012 . . . Since 1974, Opera in Concert has showcased the human voice, spotlighting its raw emotional power. From its simple beginnings, the company has evolved and now presents a variety of works with orchestra, chorus, piano, a dramatic thrust to text and interpretation, surtitles and atmospheric lighting effects. The evolution continues with the launch of ‘VOICEBOX,’ a refinement for a new era and the audience of the future. “I’m very excited about our new look,” says General Director Guillermo Silva-Marin. “VOICEBOX gets right to the core of our mandate focusing on opera as a vocal art form independent of sets, costumes or other outside elements that can distract from the elemental power of the voice.”
The season opens on Sunday, November 25, 2012 with the Canadian premiere of Rossini’s ARMIDA, a virtuosic showcase for soprano Raphaelle Paquette, supported by some of Canada’s finest young tenors, including Edgar Ernesto Ramirez, Christopher Mayell and Michael Ciufo. Set during the First Crusade, the sorceress Armida bewitches the commanders of the invading army leading ultimately to a fiery denouement. Pianist Michael Rose is music director and Robert Cooper helms the renowned Opera in Concert Chorus.
ORLANDO is one of Handel’s most innovative operas and stars the new Canadian countertenor sensation David Trudgen in the title role. He is joined for this single performance on Sunday, February 3, 2013 by soprano Virginia Hatfield as Angelica and Kevin Mallon who conducts the award-winning Aradia Ensemble.
Opera in Concert has long been a champion of French Romantic opera and THAÏS is one of the greatest of these. The incandescent Laura Whalen takes on the role of the doomed courtesan and baritone James Westman is Athanael, the ascetic monk who succumbs to her beauty. Music Director Raisa Nakhmanovich leads this high-powered duo through Massenet’s erotically probing opera, supported by the Opera in Concert Chorus under Robert Cooper. Sunday, March 24, 2013.
A highlight of our Thirty-Ninth Season is the ALUMNI BASH on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at the Champagne Ballroom at Novotel on The Esplanade. International stars including Isabel Bayrakdarian, Jean Stilwell, Ben Heppner and Richard Margison will be on hand to pay tribute to Opera in Concert’s founder Stuart Hamilton. Mingle with these and other esteemed OIC Alumni in recognition of the heritage and future of Toronto’s unique opera company.
45 minutes before each show, be sure not to miss the pre-concert chat – THE BACKGROUNDER – with host Iain Scott: a chance to learn about the opera, the composer and the musical culture of the times.
Opera in Concert is supported by the Jackman Foundation, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council. Single tickets are available from the St. Lawrence Centre’s Jane Mallett Theatre Box Office, 27 Front St. East, by phone – 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754 – or online at www.stlc.com. The theatre is wheelchair accessible and close to public transit and municipal parking. All performances are 2:30pm Sunday afternoons at the St. Lawrence Centre.
Photo: Guillermo Silva-Marin.
2012-08-13
Toronto: Voicebox: Launching a new era for Opera in Concert 2012/13