City Opera Vancouver

Song from the Uproar: the Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt
by Missy Mazzoli, libretto by Royce Vavrek and Missy Mazzoli

When & Where February 29 & March 2 at 7:30pm, March 3 at 2pm | York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Conductor Gordon Gerrard Director Ann Hodges Set and Projections Wlad Woyno & Katayoon Yousefbigloo Lighting Design Alexandra Caprara Costume Design Alaia Hamer Choreography Livona Ellis Stage Manager Collette Berg

CAST Isabelle Marion Newman Chorus Christina Demeo, Katie Fraser, Emma Jang, Kiho Sohn, Jason Somerville.
ORCHESTRA Flute/piccolo Paolo Bortolussi Clarinets AK Coope Electric Guitar Michael Kolk Double Bass Mark Haney Piano Frances Armstrong

Sung in English with English SURTITLESTM

Reviewer Elizabeth Paterson

The first sound to be heard of Missy Mazzoli’s impressive score is crackling static, perhaps the sound of an old movie reel whirring, perhaps radio static, perhaps something else entirely. This unstable introduction perfectly reflects the elusive, questioning world of Isabelle Eberhardt. When she was 20, Isabelle abandoned her native, rather stuffy Switzerland for Algeria. Like Hester Stanhope earlier and other independent women before and after, she adopted and adapted an Arab way of life, wearing men’s clothes, converting to Islam, marrying an Algerian and possibly spying. Like Gertrude Bell, a near contemporary, she allied herself with Arab nationalism and advocated for Algeria’s independence. Full review


Vancouver Opera

Gaetano Donizetti‘s Don Pasquale

When & Where February 10 at 7:30pm, February 15 at 7:30pm & February 18 at 2pm | Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Conductor Jaques Lacombe Directors André Barbe & Renaud Doucet Chorus Director Leslie Dala Lighting Design Guy Simard Set & Costume Design André Barbe & Renaud Doucet Design Stage Manager Theresa Tsang

CAST Don Pasquale Gregory Dahl, baritone Ernesto Josh Lovell, tenor Malatesta Phillip Addis, baritone Norina Elizabeth Polese, soprano

Sung in Italian with English SURTITLESTM

Reviewer John Jane

Whle the music and (Italian) libretto is a couple of centuries old, André Barbe and Renaud Doucet’s contemporary vision takes this delightful comic opera to Rome in the mid nineteen-sixties. Full review

 

 



The Magic Flute by W.A. Mozart, libretto by Emanuel Schickaneder

When & Where October 21 at 7:30pm, October 26 at 7:30pm, October 28 at 7:30pm | October 29 at 2pm | Queen Elizabeth Theatre

ConductorTania Miller Revival Director Ashlie Corcoran Original Director Diane Paulus Chorus Director Tina Chang Set and Costume Design Myung Hee Cho Lighting Design Stage Manager Marijka Asbeek Brusse

In German with English surtitles

There was a whiff of The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker in Vancouver Opera''s production of The Magic Flute in an introduced scenario which plays out during the Overture. Servants bustle, guests arrive at a great house laden with gifts, there is a charming young woman whose birthday it is and a watchful father. Also a singularly unpleasant suitor, a beautiful young man and some very odd gatecrashers. The guests arrange themselves on either side of a tiny theatre, the curtain is winched up by a stage hand and the fairy tale begins. Full review


Vancouver Opera 2024- 25 Season

Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus

When & Where October 26 - November 3, 2024; evenings at 7.30pm + 2pm matinees on Sunday | Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Sung in German with English SURTITLES™

Strauss’ classic operetta Die Fledermaus is a perfect way to open any opera season. The title translates to “The Bat,” so you might be expecting some ominous dark fluttering. However, with its huge chorus, boisterous party scene, and rousing arias, Strauss’ beloved operetta absolutely radiates charm, wit, and good-natured mischief. Ashlie Corcoran returns to direct her second Vancouver Opera season opener in a row, having helmed the Magic Flute last year.


Jonathan Dove's Flight

When & Where February 8 - February 16, 2025; evenings at 7.30pm + 2pm matinees on Sunday | Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Sung in English with English SURTITLES™

Though it draws inspiration from the heart-wrenching true story of an Iranian refugee bureaucratically marooned in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport for 16 years, Jonathan Dove’s empathic Flight pulls off an improbable feat: it’s a wildly engaging, melodically-accessible comedic romp. The production is led by Vancouver creative team of director Morris Panych and set designer Ken MacDonald, while Dove’s propulsive music is steered by the baton of Leslie Dala.

Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly

When & Where April 26 - May 3, 2025; evenings at 7.30pm + 2pm matinees on Sunday | Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™

One of the greatest works in operatic history, Puccini’s poignant, deeply emotional music steers Madama Butterfly through love, heartbreak, hope, and tragedy. The story is told through seductive arias and richly coloured melodies. Vancouver Opera Music Director Jacques Lacombe conducts the Vancouver Opera Chorus and Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Tokyo-born soprano Yasko Sato makes her VO/Canadian debut as Cio-Cio-San.