Presented by
CELEBRATING AT THE VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL
The Vancouver Opera is the second largest opera company in Canada and is regarded worldwide for its mainstage productions, country-leading education programs and innovative community partnerships. The growing success of the Vancouver Opera Festival presented by BMO, now in its third year, strives to redefine “opera” welcoming audiences of all ages, near and far.
This year’s Festival is from April 27 to May 5 and features two spectacular mainstage productions and a series of engaging special events and family programming, all celebrating fairytales and fables from around the world.
The nine-day Festival is anchored by two mainstage opera productions, Faust and La Cenerentola. Charles Gounod’s Faust is full of rich characterization, dramatically exciting, and it’s exuberantly evocative. Not to be overshadowed is Gioachino Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella), an enduring rags-to-riches story that never goes out of style.
April 26
Reception @ 5:30 p.m.
Competition @ 6:30 p.m.
Gala @ 8:00 p.m.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
JOIN US FOR VOX
AN ELEGANT EVENING IN SUPPORT OF YOUNG ARTISTS
The pre-Festival kicks-off with the Vancouver Opera’s newest fundraising event: VOX. Guests will have an opportunity to discover the next generation of Canadian opera talent in an exhilarating vocal competition followed by an elegant gala dinner on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage, surrounded by the set of Faust. Guests can purchase general tickets to the competition only or enjoy the full Gala experience.
For more information and to purchase tickets contact Olivia Selig, Development Coordinator at
oselig@vancouveropera.ca or 604 331 4336 More information and for competition tickets: www.voxvo.ca
May 5 @ 2:00 p.m.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Sung in French with English SURTITLESTM
Charles Gounod’s FAUST
Gounod’s Faust is the pinnacle of 19th century French opera. Faust, an aged and bitter man, sells his soul to Méphistophélès in return for youth and the love of Marguerite. Gounod’s sensuous and sublimely melodic masterpiece will be presented in a production not seen before in Vancouver.
This production is generously sponsored by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes). Our thanks to Production Patrons: Martha Lou Henley, C.M., and Michael & Inna O’Brian
April 27 & May 12 @ 2:00 p.m.
May 2 @ 12:30 p.m.
May 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11 @ 7:30 p.m.
Vancouver Playhouse
Sung in Italian with English SURTITLESTM
Gioachino Rossini’s LA CENERENTOLA
In Rossini’s masterpiece, La Cenerentola (Cinderella), the evil stepmother trades places with a malevolent stepfather, the fairy godmother is a philosopher, and the legendary glass slipper is replaced with a bracelet. Nonetheless, the essence of the fairy tale remains: a magical journey from rags to riches. This popular opera hasn’t been seen at Vancouver Opera since 1981.
Our thanks to Festival Patron Martha Lou Henley, C.M.
WORLD PREMIERE
May 3 @ 8:00 p.m.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Brian Current’s THE RIVER OF LIGHT
The River of Light is an exciting world premiere of a large scale work for chorus, soloists and orchestra conceived and composed by Brian Current, one of Canada’s outstanding composers. It is a multi-movement work based on transcendence as
described by writers from various traditions (Hindu, Christian, Hebrew, Indigenous Canadian, Islamic, Secular and Chinese Philosophy).
Presented in co-production with
the Vancouver Bach Choir
April 28 & May 1 – 4
CBC Studio 700
CBC CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES
Six short performances of chamber music inspired by fairytales and fables. Featuring musicians from the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and invited guests including the Kettle Choir and Writer’s Guild, singers from Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program, Mireille Lebel and Rachel Fenlon, the music of Brain Current with Robyn Driedger Klassen, pianist Tina Chang,
and the Standing Wave Ensemble, the Bermann
Piano Duo, and more.
For tickets and more information about additional ticketed and free events at VOF, visit us online at vancouveropera.ca or by calling 604 683 0222.
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