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 and Joshua Hopkins, all currently enjoying national and international careers.

In 2019, the season opens with Verdi’s La Traviata on Friday, July 26 (8 pm) with further performances on Sunday, July 28 (2 pm), Wednesday, July 31 (2 pm) and Saturday, August 3 (8 pm).

Performances of Canadian Team Davies and Benson’s Earnest, the Importance of Being, based on Oscar Wilde’s incomparable comedy, are on Saturday, July 27 (2 pm), Tuesday, July 30 (8 pm), Thursday, August 1 (8 pm) and Sunday, August 4 (2 pm).  

The contrasting double bill of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi & Vaughan Williams’Riders to the Sea takes the stage on Saturday, July 27 (8 pm), Wednesday, July 31 (8 pm), Friday, August 2 (8 pm) and Saturday, August 3 (2 pm). “This summer we concentrate on diversity and inclusion, comedy and tragedy, found in these great works for the lyric stage 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. 

The 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. Jo Greenaway, Suzy Smith, Michael Rose and Silva-Marín comprise theCreative Team for the summer and guest lecturers include Boris Brott, Theodore Baerg, Robert Cooper, Victor Davies & Eugene Benson, Kathy Domoney, Diane Loeb, Catherine Robbin and Derek Bate.

All performances take place at the Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto, 214 College St. (entrance on St. George).  Subscription packages are available. Single tickets are also available and there are discounts for students and seniors.  The theatre is air-conditioned, completely wheelchair accessible and convenient to public parking and transit. For single tickets and subscription, call 416-366-7723 or online at www.stlc.com  (Mondays to Fridays from 12 pm to 6 pm and evenings/weekends on day of performances). For further detail, contact SOLT Admin Office: 416-922-2912 (Weekdays 10 am to 5 pm).