Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Beginning with the first season in 1974, VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert has been a champion of rarely heard operatic repertoire performed by the finest Canadian vocalists. The 2018-2019 season begins on Sunday, October 21, 2018 with COMEDY UNBOUND, a tribute to Founder Stuart Hamilton. Hamilton was a champion of emerging Canadian talent and in that spirit, VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert presents Holly Chaplin, Jocelyn Fralick, and Evan Korbut with Michael Rose as music director and pianist. Guillermo Silva-Marin, who appeared in OIC’s first season, will host this tribute to the wit of Hamilton and his legacy as a musician, keyboardist and raconteur. Funds generated by the concert will go to support the Stuart Hamilton Memorial Fund for Emerging Artists.
Hailed worldwide as a vocal dramatist of the highest order, Isabel Bayrakdarian stars as Charlotte in Massenet’s WERTHER on November 25, 2018. She is joined by emerging tenor Matthew Chittick in the title role and renowned baritone Brett Polegato as Charlotte’s husband, Albert. Narmina Afandiyeva as music director and pianist leads the impressive cast and chorus assisted by Chorus Director Robert Cooper.
Franz Schubert’s FIERABRAS follows on February 3, 2019 and features debuting sopranos Amy Moodie and Jocelyn Fralick with Lawrence Wiliford, Justin Welsh and Evan Korbut. Kevin Mallon will lead the Aradia Ensemble, chorus and cast in this single performance. By Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, the scathing satire, RISE AND FALL OF THE CITY OF MAHAGONNY, is scheduled for two performances on March 30 and 31, 2019. Heading the cast are Elizabeth DeGrazia, Marion Newman, David Curry and Theodore Baerg, conducted by Robert Cooper.
Extra this year – Little Mahagonny on September 25, 2018 and Viva Verdi on April 3, 2019 at Gallery 345. Music and reception in a relaxed gallery setting in the West End. 345 Sorauren Avenue.
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. Media Sponsor is Classical 96.3 FM. Single tickets are available from the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts 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.
Subscription packages at 35% savings over single ticket prices and there are early bird discounts for single ticket purchase before September 24th.
Photo: Isabel Bayrakdarian.
2018-09-20
Toronto: Isabel Bayrakdarian sings in "Werther" for Voicebox: Opera in Concert November 25