Opera in Concert continues in its quest to present rare operas seldom if ever heard in Canada. Opening the 2025/2026 Season, Richard Cœur-de-Lion is a classic example of the company’s commitment to this vision and to supporting emerging Canadian artists. Composed by the Belgian composer, André Grétry, the work premiered at the Comédie-Italienne in Paris on 21 October 1784 and later at the Opéra-Comique on 29 December 1785 in a revised version, which is being used by VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert. 

Presented in the opera-comique format, the dialogue will be performed in English and sung in French. The single performance will be at the Jeanne Lamon Hall - Trinity St. Paul Centre on Saturday, November 15, at 3 PM. Grétry’s remarkably forward-looking work, described as a comédie mise en musique, will be led by Music Director and Pianist Suzy Smith and features an outstanding cast of Canadian artists, featuring Colin Ainsworth in the title role. Soprano Nicole Keterberg takes the role of Richard’s queen, Marguerite, with tenor Yanik Gosselin as his faithful Squire, Blondel and debuting soprano Alice Macgregor as Laurette. The cast is completed by Madeline Cooper, Taylor Gibbs and Joseph Ernst. The distinguished VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert Chorus will be led by Robert Cooper, C. M.

Born in Liege, Grétry (1741-1813) was a prolific and highly influential composer whose works led the evolution of French opera-comique from light popular plays with music into semi-serious musical dramas, paving the way for French romanticism. It was one of the first ‘rescue’ operas popular around the turn of the century – Beethoven’s Fidelio was also one - in which the hero, after lying for one and a half acts in imminent danger of death, is finally saved in Richard’s case, through the devoted heroism of a friend and his beloved Countess. Grétry’s music is noted for its finesse and melodic grace, and he excelled in the development of dramatic scenes through melody and the careful setting of text.

The season continues with Bellini’s La Sonnambula on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 3 PM with Narmina Afandiyeva as Music Director and Pianist, followed by Weill’s Lost in the Stars on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 3 PM with debuting Joel Goodfellow as Music Director and OIC’s first Orchestra performance sponsored by the Azrieli Foundation. All performances at the Jeanne Lamon Hall/Trinity St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. West. Fully accessible, the hall is convenient to public transit and parking.

VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert is supported by the Jackman Foundation, RBC Foundation, McCarthy Tétrault Foundation, Classical 96.3 FM Radio, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council. Tickets are available through RCM Tickets by calling 416-408-0208 or visiting in person at 273 Bloor Street West.

For more details, please visit operainconcert.com.