Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Summer Opera Lyric Theatre continues its tradition as the only performance haven for Toronto’s opera lovers in late summer. Since 1986, Guillermo Silva Marin has led aspiring young artists through an intensive 8-week course of study concentrating on character development in opera through text and music. These weeks culminate in a series of performances showcasing the young artists at the Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto. The only summer course of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area, alumni include Kristina Szabo, David Pomeroy, Nora Sourouzian, Joseph Kaiser, Jacqueline Short and Joshua Hopkins, all currently enjoying national and international careers.
In 2018, the season opens with MANON on Friday, July 27 (8 pm) with further performances of Massenet’s romantic tragedy on Sunday, July 29 (2 pm), Wednesday, August 1 (2 pm) and Saturday, August 4 (8 pm). Performances of Handel’s SEMELE are on Saturday, July 28 (8 pm), Wednesday, August 1 (8 pm), Friday, August 3 (8 pm) and Saturday, August 4, (2 pm). The third of Mozart’s trilogy with librettist da Ponte, COSI FAN TUTTE takes the stage on Saturday, July 28 (2 pm), Tuesday, July 31 (8 pm), Thursday, August 2 (8 pm) and Sunday, August 5 (2 pm). “This summer we concentrate on the comedy and tragedy found in these great operas and the lessons we can learn about ourselves and those we love,” Silva-Marin commented recently from the rehearsal hall at the Edward Jackman Centre. Continuing, he expressed enthusiasm for the three music directors this summer including the debuts of Valentina Sadovski (COSI FAN TUTTE) and Christopher Bagan (SEMELE), while Suzy Smith, returns for MANON.
The thirty-two SOLT participants for this summer have been chosen after extensive auditions and come from hometowns, conservatories and universities across Canada, including professionals already in the midst of burgeoning careers. Silva-Marin is stage director for all three works and guest lecturers have included Boris Brott, Theodore Baerg, Catherine Robbin, Diane Loeb, Kathy Domoney, Derek Bate, and Henry Ingram.
All performances take place at the Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto, 214 College St. (entrance on St. George). Subscription packages for $60 are available. Single tickets are $28, ($22 for students and seniors). The theatre is air-conditioned, completely wheelchair accessible and convenient to public parking and transit.
For subscription and single tickets call 416-366-7723 (Mondays to Fridays from 12 pm to 6 pm), at the door 2 hours prior to performances, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.
SOLT is generously supported by the Jackman Foundation and individual SUMMER PATRONS and private donors.
Photo: David Fox.
2018-07-09
Toronto: Summer Opera Lyric Theatre's mini-festival of opera runs July 27-August 5