Stage Door News
Stage Door News
TORONTO, ON – Independent opera company, Opera 5 will be mounting a double bill of operatic works featuring the World Premier of Montreal-based composer Darren Russo’s Storybook and Emanuel Wolf-Ferrari’s Il segreto di Susanna. This performance will mark the second new opera commission by the company and their second performance collaboration with Toronto Pop Up Orchestra, which will accompany the show. It will take place at the Arts and Letters Club from January 23rd through 25th. Custom cocktails will be available for purchase before the show and during the intermission.
The evening will feature performances by Atelier Lyrique of the Montreal Opera alumna Emma Parkinson, Jeunes Ambassadeurs Laureate Leigh-Ann Allen, Calgary Opera Emerging Artist alumnus Christopher Mayell, Bicycle Opera’s Geoffrey Sirett, American bass-baritone Geoffrey Penar, and Opera 5 General Director Rachel Krehm. Newly appointed Musical Director of the Kingston Symphony, Evan Mitchell will conduct the show as well as provide musical direction. Production Design will be created by London, Ontario native Matthew Vaile (Tedx Toronto), and lighting design by Oz Weaver. Opera 5 Artistic Director Aria Umezawa will direct the Russo, and Theater Double Take co-Founder Grace Smith will direct the Wolf-Ferrari.
“I put the first notes of this opera down in June of 2004,” remarks Storybook composer Darren Russo. “This production is now ten years in the making and I’m thrilled to finally see it on stage – with full orchestration no less!”
“Both these operas concern family dynamics.” Says Opera 5 Artistic Director, Aria Umezawa. “Whether navigating a new marriage, growing up, wrestling with ones sexuality, or remembering a dream there is a sense of shared experience that makes these two shows a perfect fit for each other.”
Opera 5 is an exciting, new, independent opera company in Toronto. It is currently run by three operatic GTA musicians: Rachel Krehm, General Director; Aria Umezawa, Artistic Director; and Maika’i Nash, Music Director, with a goal to seek out the next generation of opera audiences through original, and dynamic programming, and mixed media productions. The company is known for its popular web series titled Opera Cheats, which deconstructs opera plots and opera-going rules with a humorous twist. You can check them out at http://www.youtube.com/user/OperaFive.
Modern (Family) Opera runs January 23rd-25th/7:30PM/Arts and Letters Club/14 Elm Street. Tickets are available online: $25.00 Early Bird, $30.00 Students, $35.00 Adults; Tickets at Door $30.00 Students/$35.00 General Admission (Cash and Credit Card)
2014-12-08
Toronto: Opera 5 presents "Modern (Family) Opera" January 23-25