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. This summer, these weeks culminate in a series of performances showcasing the young artists at the historic Alumnae Theatre at 70 Berkeley and Adelaide. The only summer course of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area, alumni include Kristina Szabo, David Pomeroy, Nora Sourouzian, and Joshua Hopkins, all currently enjoying national and international careers.

In 2023, the season opens with Don Giovanni on Friday, July 28 (8pm) with further performances on Wednesday, August 2 (2pm), Thursday, August 3 (8pm) and Saturday, August 5 (8pm). Performances of Handel’s Julius Caesar are on Saturday, July 29 (2 pm), Sunday, July 30 (2 pm), Tuesday, August 2 (8 pm) and Friday, August 4 (8 pm). Dialogues of the Carmelites, Poulenc’s searing look at martyrdom during the French Revolution is on Saturday, July 29 (8 pm), Tuesday, August 1 (8 pm), Saturday, August 5 (2pm) and Sunday, August 6 (2pm). “This summer we concentrate on the style of opera from Baroque to the classic traditions of the 18th century to modern times…all in English. Projection of text and dramatic immediacy will be paramount,” commented Silva-Marin recently from the rehearsal hall at the Edward Jackman Centre. He expressed enthusiasm and admiration for the three music directors this summer including Jo Greenaway for Don Giovanni, Suzy Smith for Julius Caesar and debuting Helen Becqué for Dialogues of the Carmelites.

The Thirty 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 for the summer include Theodore Baerg, Diane Loeb, Julie Nesrallah, Colin Ainsworth, Kathy Domoney, Derek Bate, Larry Beckwith and Henry Ingram.

All performances take place at the Alumnae Theatre at 70 Berkeley Street and Adelaide. Subscription packages for $60 are available through TO Live Box Office. Single tickets are $28, $22 for students and seniors. The theatre is air-conditioned, completely wheelchair accessible and convenient for public parking and transit.

For tickets call 416-366-7723 or online at www.solt.ca.

(Mondays to Fridays 1 to 6 pm and evenings/weekends on day of performances) or SOLT Admin Office: 416-922-2912 (Weekdays 10 am to 5 pm). SOLT is generously supported by individual SUMMER PATRONS and private donors.