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 historic Alumnae Theatre at 70 Berkeley St (corner of 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 2025, the season opens with Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea on Friday, July 25 (8pm) with further performances on Wednesday, July 30 (2pm), Thursday, July 31 (8pm) and Saturday, August 2 (8pm). Performances of Mozart’s Così fan tutte are on Saturday, July 26 (2 pm), Sunday, July 27 (2 pm), Tuesday, July 30 (8 pm) and Friday, August 1 (8 pm). La Vie parisienne, Offenbach’s cheeky look at the tourist trade in Paris, is on Saturday, July 26 (8 pm), Tuesday, July 29 (8 pm), Saturday, August 2 (2pm) and Sunday, August 3 (2pm). “This summer we concentrate on the style of opera from Baroque to the classic traditions of the 18th century to the wonderful world of music theater in the mid-1800s … 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. Continuing, he expressed enthusiasm for the three debuting music directors this summer including Sabina Rzazade for Coronation of Poppea, Minira Najafzade for Così fan tutte and Joel Goodfellow for La Vie parisienne.

The 38 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 Colin Ainsworth, Julie Nesrallah, Jennifer Tarver, Elizabeth Beeler, Kathy Domoney, Derek Bate and Henry Ingram.

All performances take place at the Alumnae Theatre at 70 Berkeley Street at Adelaide. Subscription packages for $60 are available by calling 416-366-7723. 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 single tickets call 416-366-7723 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca (Mondays to Fridays 1 to 6 pm and evenings/weekends on day of performances). SOLT is generously supported by individual SUMMER PATRONS and private donors. For more information visit www.solt.ca.