Opera.ca announces recipient of the 2009/10 National Opera Directors Recognition Award

8 December, 2009

SPONSORED BY BMO FINANCIAL GROUP

MS ALBERTA CEFIS OF OPERA ATELIER

Toronto, ON – Opera.ca, the national association for opera in Canada, is proud to announce the recipient of the Opera.ca National Opera Directors Recognition Program, Ms Alberta Cefis, Chair of the Board of Directors, for Opera Atelier. In its second year, this distinction, sponsored by BMO Financial Group, honours one opera board director annually for exemplary leadership and support on behalf of their opera company and the community they serve.

In acknowledging the dedication of board members across the country, the National Opera Directors Recognition Award highlights the tenets of good governance, celebrates models of volunteer excellence and raises the bar for board director commitment.

“BMO is pleased honour Ms Cefis as this year’s honouree of the National Opera Directors Recognition Award.” said Nada Ristich, Senior Manager, Corporate Donations, at BMO Financial Group. “As a supporter of many opera companies in Canada, BMO understands the critical role volunteer directors play in developing their local opera companies as cultural pillars in their community.”

“We are very proud that Alberta Cefis has been recognized with this award. Her dedication is matched by a genuine and passionate interest in opera and ballet,” stated Marshall Pynkoski, Co-Artistic Director for Opera Atelier. “She has led the company through very difficult times to a period of artistic creativity and financial and administrative stability that other companies only dream of.”

Pynkoski added that under Ms. Cefis’ leadership, the company has moved to a two-production subscription season in Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre, selling up to 18,000 tickets a year, while continuing to tour every other year. The company’s budget is now approaching $2.5M and under Ms Cefis’ aegis, Opera Atelier has realized a 30% increase in subscriptions and a 27% increase in fundraising revenues in the last fiscal year.

“Opera.ca is delighted to be joining with BMO Financial Group in extending this honour to Ms Cefis who has played a vital role for Opera Atelier” stated Christina Loewen, Executive Director for Opera.ca.

“Opera.ca places a high priority on the development of leadership capacity within the opera sector and Ms Cefis represents the impact that this leadership can have within the governance of an opera company.”

An Adjudication Committee oversees the selection process, choosing one recipient annually. This year’s Adjudication Committee was chaired by Opera.ca Board member, Monica Sloan, also past Chair of Calgary Opera. She was joined by Nada Ristich, Senior Manager, Corporate Donations, BMO Financial Group, Monette Malewski, an active business and community leader and president of École Superieure de Ballet Contemporain de Montréal, Kevin Patterson, General Director, Austin Lyric Opera and Rob Collins, inaugural recipient and past board member of the Canadian Opera Company.

Opera.ca member companies are eligible to nominate one director each year for the honour.

Opera.ca’s commitment to recognizing excellence in governance stems from a belief shared with sister association OPERA America, that the strength of an opera company is directly linked to the quality of governance demonstrated by its board members. OPERA America demonstrates this belief through their Annual National Opera Trustee Recognition Award, in which a single honouree is chosen from each of the four OPERA America budget levels.

Joining Ms Cefis in receiving this honour in February 2010 in New York City are OPERA America’s National Opera Trustee Recognition honourees for 2009/10.

About Opera.ca

Opera.ca is the national association for opera companies and professionals in Canada. It seeks to create and sustain an environment that makes opera central to Canadian life. It works with members across the country to advance the interests of Canada’s opera community and create greater opportunity for opera audiences and professionals alike.

About Opera Atelier

Opera Atelier is Canada’s premier baroque theatre company, dedicated to producing opera, ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries. While drawing upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond “reconstruction” and infuses each production with an inventive theatricality that resonates with modern audiences. For more than two decades, under the direction of founders Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances at home as well as in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Opera Atelier closes 08-09 season with 31% surge in subscriptions

Fundraising at $1 million for second year in a row

Toronto, ON (December 3, 2009)…Alberta Cefis, chair of Opera Atelier’s board of directors, announced at the company’s Annual General Meeting on November 30, 2009 that the company ended its 2008-09 season with a loss of $68,072 on an annual operating budget of $2.3 million.

“While Abduction from the Seraglio played to 94% houses, our spring production of The Coronation of Poppea suffered the full brunt of the recession, with ticket sales below projections,” said Ms Cefis. “The 31% increase in Opera Atelier’s subscription base was the saving grace for ticket sales.”

For the second year in a row the company achieved $1 million in fundraising revenue. Individuals and corporations increased their investments in Opera Atelier by 15% and 21% respectively. This growth helped to offset a decline in foundation revenue: more than $100,000 in non-renewable foundation grants came to an end in this fiscal year. Going forward, the company will continue to ensure prudent fiscal management of expenses, and all senior managers have taken a 3% minimum salary cut across the board. Artist salaries have been protected.

The 2009-10 season continues with a new production of Mozart’s popular The Marriage of Figaro (April 24 - May 1, 2010) at the Elgin Theatre. Not only is this OA’s first new Figaro in 20 years, it marks the third new Mozart production of Opera Atelier’s ambitious “Mozart Six” plan which to date includes Idomeneo (2007) and The Abduction from the Seraglio (2008).

Single tickets for The Marriage of Figaro are on sale now through Ticketmaster at 416-872-5555, on-line at www.ticketmaster.ca or at the Elgin Theatre box office. For more information visit www.operaatelier.com .

Opera Atelier is grateful for operational funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council. Opera Atelier is a member of The Creative Trust.

2008-09 Season Sponsor: Sun Life Financial
2008-09 Production Sponsors: BMO Financial Group and Scotiabank
Operatix Sponsor: TD Canada Trust Music

Gluck’s revolutionary opera Iphigénie en Tauride returns to Toronto!

Toronto, ON Opera Atelier begins its 2009/10 season with a revival of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s great reform opera, Iphigénie en Tauride. The opera attacked the very core of French operatic tradition and caused a sensation when it premiered at the Paris Opera in 1779, and again when Opera Atelier first staged it in 2003.

Iphigénie en Tauride tells the story of the Greek princess Iphigénie, daughter of Agamemnon, who is abandoned on the island of Tauride for the duration of the Trojan War. Miraculously reunited with her brother Oreste following the murder of their mother (Clytemnestra), Iphigénie’s courage and self-sacrifice ensure their safe return to Greece.

Hailed as a work of genius by ecstatic critics, Iphigénie en Tauride is considered the greatest triumph of Gluck’s career. “It is melodrama in the best sense of the word,” says OA’s co-artistic director Marshall Pynkoski. “Huge human emotions are being explored with a psychological depth that is unique for the 18th century. Gluck points the way to the intense interest in human psychology that is usually associated with the 19th century. There is nothing superfluous.”

Iphigénie en Tauride runs October 31, November 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, 2009 and is sung in French with English SURTITLESTM. Performances are at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge Street) and begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the November 1st matinee at
3 p.m.

American soprano Peggy Kriha Dye, a favourite with OA audiences, returns as Iphigénie, the incredibly courageous young heroine. Croatian tenor Kresimir Spicer, who sang the title role in OA’s Idomeneo, makes his role debut as her brother Oreste. Both Ms. Kriha Dye and Mr. Spicer received Dora nominations for their performances in Opera Atelier’s 2008 production of Idomeneo. Canadian tenor Thomas Macleay makes his company debut as Pylade, beloved companion of Oreste. Thoas, King of Tauride, is sung by bass-baritone Olivier Laquerre, and bass-baritone Curtis Sullivan sings the role of Le Ministre. Esteemed British conductor Andrew Parrott will lead the Tafelmusik Orchestra and Chamber Choir and the full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet. This production is directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg with set designs by Gerard Gauci, costumes by Dora Rust D’Eye, lighting by Kevin Fraser and fight direction by Jenny Parr.

Tickets for Iphigénie en Tauride are $30 to $135 and are available by calling TicketMaster at 416-872-5555, on-line at www.ticketmaster.ca or at the Elgin Theatre box office. Operatix are $20 and may be purchased by people under the age of 30 with valid I.D. in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office (subject to availability). Group discounts (15 people +) are available by calling 416-703-3767 ext. 22. For podcasts and more information visit www.operaatelier.com or check out our Vox Populi blog at www.operaatelier.com/blog/

Opera Atelier also gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, and the Creative Trust.

2009/10 Season Sponsor: Sun Life Financial
Iphigénie Production Sponsor: BMO Financial Group
2009/10 Major Sponsors: Scotiabank, TD Canada Trust Music, The Dominion of Canada General Assurance Company

Opera Atelier is Canada’s premier baroque theatre company, dedicated to producing opera, ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries. While drawing upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond “reconstruction” and infuses each production with an inventive theatricality that resonates with modern audiences. For more than two decades, under the direction of founders Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances at home as well as in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Rampant greed and ambition fuel Monteverdi's Coronation of Poppea

Rampant greed, lust and ambition fuel Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea

Opera Atelier presents The Coronation of Poppea, Claudio Monteverdi’s final masterpiece, at the Elgin Theatre April 25, 26, 28, 29, May 1 and 2, 2009. Set in the decadent court of the Roman Emperor Nero in 64 AD, the opera is based on the true story of the courtesan Poppea, Nero’s fiercely ambitious mistress, who aspires to be Empress of the Roman Empire. Poppea will resort to any means – treachery, seduction, and murder – in order to realize her goal.

When The Coronation of Poppea premiered at the Venice Carnival in 1642, it was the first opera to be based on real historical figures rather than gods and goddesses of mythology and as such secured its place as a milestone in operatic history. Opera Atelier’s production - a lavish spectacle of love, power and greed – first debuted at the prestigious Houston Grand Opera, and then played to sold-out houses in Toronto in 2002.

This production was originally conceived as a vehicle for the astonishing male soprano Michael Maniaci who returns to Toronto to reprise his role of Nero. Canadian mezzo-soprano Kimberly Barber makes her Opera Atelier debut in the role of Ottavia, and soprano Peggy Kriha Dye sings the role of Poppea. They are joined by Olivier Laquerre (Ottone), Laura Pudwell (Arnalta/Virtue), João Fernandes (Seneca) in his OA debut, Carla Huhtanen (Drusilla), Tracy Smith Bessette (Fortune/Venus), Vicki St. Pierre (Nurse), Curtis Sullivan (Liberto), Artists of Atelier Ballet, and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir under the baton of conductor David Fallis.

The Coronation of Poppea is directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Lajeunesse-Zingg, Opera Atelier's co-artistic directors, with set designs by Gerard Gauci, costumes by Dora Rust-D’Eye, and lighting by Kevin Fraser.

Performances are at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge Street) and begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the April 26^th matinee at 3 p.m., and will be sung in Italian with English SURTITLES^TM .

Tickets for The Coronation of Poppea are $30 to $135 and are available by calling TicketMaster at 416-872-5555, on-line at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/ or at the Elgin Theatre box office. For more information visit http://www.operaatelier.com/ . Operatix are $20 and may be purchased by people under the age of 30 with valid I.D. in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office (subject to availability). Group discounts (15 people +) are available by calling 416.703.3767 ext. 22.

Opera Atelier gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, the George Cedric Metcalf Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Creative Trust, and Anna Guthrie.

2008/09 Season Sponsor: Sun Life Financial

Production Sponsor: BMO Financial Group

2008/09 Major Sponsors: Scotiabank, TD Canada Trust Music, The Dominion of Canada General Assurance Company

Michael Maniaci’s appearance as Nero is generously underwritten by Jerry and Joan Lozinski.

Opera Atelier announces 2009-2010 Season

Opera Atelier’s 2009/10 Season delivers a one-two knock-out punch!

Toronto, ON (February 9, 2009)… Today, Opera Atelier announced the details of its 2009/10 season featuring the two most revolutionary operas of the 18^th century.

The season begins in October with a revival of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s great reform opera, Iphigénie en Tauride, which tells the story of Iphigénie, the Greek princess who is abandoned on the island of Tauride for the duration of the Trojan War. Miraculously reunited with her brother Oreste following the murder of their mother (Clytemnestra), Iphigénie’s courage and self-sacrifice ensures their safe return to Greece.

The opera attacked the very core of French operatic tradition and caused a sensation when it premiered at the Paris Opera in 1779, and again when Opera Atelier first staged it in 2003. Hailed as a work of genius by ecstatic critics, Iphigénie en Tauride is considered the greatest triumph of Gluck’s career.

American soprano Peggy Kriha Dye, a favourite with OA audiences, returns next season as Iphigénie. Croatian tenor Kresimir Spicer, who sang the title role in last season’s Idomeneo, returns as her brother Oreste. Swedish tenor Rickard Söderberg makes his Canadian operatic debut as Pylade, lifelong friend of Oreste. Thoas, King of Tauride, is sung by bass-baritone Olivier Laquerre, and bass-baritone Curtis Sullivan returns in the role of Le Ministre. Esteemed British conductor Andrew Parrott returns to lead the Tafelmusik Orchestra and Chamber Choir and the full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet. This production is directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Lajeunesse-Zingg with set designs by Gerard Gauci, costumes by Dora Rust D’Eye, and lighting by Kevin Fraser. Iphigénie en Tauride runs October 31, November 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, 2009 and is sung in French with English SURTITLES^TM.

The season continues in the spring with a new production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s popular The Marriage of Figaro. Based on the shocking Beaumarchais play, Mozart’s racy tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness is a hilarious and subversive social commentary about a world on the brink of revolution.

This marks the third new Mozart production of Opera Atelier’s ambitious “Mozart Six” plan which to date includes Idomeneo (2007) and The Abduction from the Seraglio (2008). Costume designer Martha Mann, winner of six Gemini awards, makes her company debut. Ms. Mann’s credits include Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea, Glory Enough for All, Aida (Boston Lyric Opera), Intermezzo (New York City Opera), and The Mikado (Glimmerglass Opera).

The creative team also includes director Marshall Pynkoski, choreographer Jeannette Lajeunesse-Zingg, set designer Gerard Gauci, and lighting designer Bonnie Beecher. David Fallis conducts the Tafelmusik Orchestra.

Bass-baritone Olivier Laquerre brings his comedic talents to his debut performance as Figaro, wily manservant to Count Almaviva. Soprano Carla Huhtanen is his fiancée Susanna. Acclaimed Canadian baritone Philip Addis makes his OA debut as Count Almaviva, and soprano Peggy Kriha Dye appears as Countess Almaviva. Bass-baritone Curtis Sullivan sings the role of Dr. Bartolo and mezzo-soprano Laura Pudwell is his housekeeper, Marcellina. Mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta makes her main stage debut with Opera Atelier as the young love-struck page Cherubino. The Marriage of Figaro will be sung in English with English SURTITLES^TM and runs April 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, and May 1, 2010.

Performances for Opera Atelier’s 2009/10 season will take place at the Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge Street) in Toronto. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinee performances begin at 3:00 p.m.

Subscriptions for Opera Atelier’s 2009/10 season are on sale now and may be purchased by calling 416-703-3767 ext. 22. Single tickets for Iphigénie en Tauride go on sale August 17, 2009. For more information visit www.operaatelier.com .

Opera Atelier also gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, the Metcalf Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Creative Trust.

2009/10 Season Sponsor: Sun Life Financial

2009/10 Major Sponsors: BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank, TD Canada Trust Music, The Dominion of Canada General Assurance Company

Opera Atelier is Canada’s premier baroque theatre company, producing opera, ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries. While drawing upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond “reconstruction” and infuses each production with an inventive theatricality that resonates with modern audiences. Over the past two decades, lead by founding director Marshall Pynkoski and founding choreographer Jeannette Lajeunesse-Zingg, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances at home as well as in the United States, Europe and Asia.