Vancouver Opera Announces Nixon in China Community Engagement Series

Series explores historic 1972 meeting of Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong - and the opera it inspired ’Äì through music, history, politics and film

Vancouver, BC ~ In preparation for the Canadian premiere ’Äì and new VO production ’Äì of John Adams’Äôs modern masterpiece Nixon in China, Vancouver Opera presents a series of free and ticketed community engagement events.

Exploring the historic 1972 meeting between Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong, the opera it inspired, and the establishment of the Chinese community in Vancouver, this series will engage the mind and imagination through music, history, politics and film.

VO will collaborate with other arts, cultural, and social organizations to present this major series of events, running until March 2010. For up-to-the-minute details on these events, visit VO’Äôs Nixon in China Blog at www.nixoninchinaopera.blogspot.com

The Nixon in China Community Engagement Series

Oliver Stone’Äôs Nixon

Sunday, January 24th 

12:30pm

Vancity Theatre

1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver

Free Admission

http://www.vifc.org/films/comingsoon.htm#nixon

The Vancity Theatre and VO present a special free screening of Oliver Stone's 1995 film Nixon and introductory remarks and a Q & A Session with Professor Paul J. Quirk, Phil Lind Chair in US Politics and Representation at UBC.

Seating is limited. Free tickets will be available at the door ($2 required VIFF membership available at the door).

This special event kicks off a series of co-presentations between Vancouver Opera and the Vancity Theatre. Look for more Vancouver Opera film events at the Vancity Theatre in the spring.

Turning Point Ensemble ’Äì John Adams’Äôs ’ÄúSon of Chamber Symphony’Äù

Wednesday, February 24th

8:00pm

Vancouver Playhouse

Dunsmuir Street & Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Tickets from $20 through Ticketmaster: 604-280-4444 or www.ticketmaster.ca

http://www.turningpointensemble.ca/events.htm

The Canadian premiere of John Adams's newly completed chamber piece ("riveting and full of surprises" said the Los Angeles Times), plus Schoenberg's Chamber Symphony Op. 9 and the world premiere of a new chamber concerto by John Oliver.

This concert is co-presented with Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.

Inside the Music of John Adams

Tuesday, March 2nd 

7:00pm

Vancouver Academy of Music

1270 Chestnut Street, Vancouver

Free Admission

An exploration of the music and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Adams. Presenters include writer and educator Thomas May, editor of The John Adams Reader, and conductor John DeMain, who conducted the original 1987 production of Nixon in China. 

Opera Speaks @ VPL - Chinese Vancouver Then & Now: 1972-2010

Tuesday, March 9th 

7:00 ’Äì 9:00 pm

Vancouver Public Library ’Äì Central Branch

Alice MacKay Room

Free Admission ’Äì seating is limited

Explore the history of the Chinese in Vancouver, with emphasis on the Chinese communities' emergence and development since 1972, the year of Nixon's momentous trip to China. Discover how our city has been shaped and transformed by Chinese culture over the past 38 years. Moderated by esteemed China scholar Dr. Jan Walls. Speakers include eminent architect Bing Thom, UBC historian Henry Yu, and filmmaker Colleen Leung.

Presented in partnership with the Vancouver Public Library.

Opera Speaks @ VPL is sponsored by Omni BC Diversity Television.

In China: Comparing the Nixon, Trudeau and Harper Visits

Friday, March 12th

4:00pm ’Äì 5:30pm             

Choi Building Conference Room, 1855 West Mall, UBC

Free Admission

A panel discussion exploring the past and future of Canada-China Relations to close the two day colloquium hosted by the Institute of Asian Research. For more information see www.iar.ubc.ca

as of February 1st.  

Presented in partnership with the Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia.

Literary Lunch with Margaret MacMillan and Alexandre Trudeau

Tuesday, March 16th 

12:30pm ’Äì 2:30pm

Seasons at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver

Tickets: $50 through the VO Box Office: 604-683-0222.

An intimate encounter with acclaimed Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan and journalist and filmmaker Alexandre Trudeau (son of Pierre Ellliott Trudeau) as they take us behind the headlines of history. Hosted by Hal Wake, Artistic Director of Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival.

Presented in partnership with Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival.

Margaret MacMillan in conversation with Eleanor Wachtel

Wednesday, March 17th

7:30pm

Granville Island Stage

Tickets: $18 through VancouverTix: 604-629-8849. www.vancouvertix.com

Margaret MacMillan talks with celebrated interviewer Eleanor Wachtel, host of CBC Radio’Äôs ’ÄúWriters and Company’Äù  about her most recent book "The Uses and Abuses of History" and her earlier chronicle "Nixon in China: The Week that Changed the World".

Presented in partnership with Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival.

About Nixon in China

In 1972, Richard Nixon and Chairman Mao Zedong shook hands and changed the course of human events. West and East looked into each other’Äôs eyes and discovered a vast mystery of differences and desires. Henry Kissinger, Chou En-lai, Pat Nixon and Madame Mao all play pivotal roles in this fascinating drama of psychology and global politics.

John Adams’Äôs richly textured and lyrical score pulses with rhythm and Alice Goodman’Äôs literate libretto resonates with poetry. Nixon in China is irresistible and gripping from beginning to end.

Nixon in China by John Adams

Presented with Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad

In English with SURTITLES^TM

Canadian Premiˆ®re!

March 13, 16, 18, 20, 2010.

All performances 7:30 pm at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

The Golden Anniversary Season is generously sponsored by Goldcorp, Inc.

Vancouver Opera Takes Major Step In Social Media Innovation and Information Technology

Vancouver, BC ~ Vancouver Opera has intensified its commitment to developing community engagement and infrastructure through cutting-edge technologies with  two important staff appointments in the areas of social media and information technology.

Ling Chan has been promoted to the newly-created position of Social Media Manager and Hali Autio has been promoted to Director of Information Technology.

Vancouver Opera is one of a very few arts organizations in North America with full-time staff dedicated to Social Media initiatives. VO is proud to be a leader in the use of Social Media in the Vancouver arts community and in the performing arts world and is pleased to show its commitment to growth and innovation in this area with Chan’Äôs promotion. 

Since joining VO in 2007 as an executive assistant, Ling Chan has been responsible for many groundbreaking social media marketing innovations. Chan’Äôs Blogger Night @ The Opera was the first of its kind and has subsequently been adopted by opera companies worldwide. Chan has also built a strong online fan base for VO through a very active Twitter presence (including live tweeting from backstage during performances), a Fashion at the Opera Flickr stream, the OperaBot animation contest, and the popular VO blog, which includes regular features such as ’ÄúOperamania 101’Äù.

Hali Autio joined VO in 2004 and since then, as Manager of Information Technology, has worked to advance and improve VO’Äôs technological infrastructure. In her new capacity as Director of Information Technology, Autio will continue to expand VO’Äôs use of emergent technologies.

’ÄúI am very pleased to announce these promotions,’Äù said Christopher Libby, Managing Director. ’ÄúLing Chan has been instrumental in establishing VO on the cutting-edge of the social media realm world-wide. Hali Autio’Äôs commitment to new technologies has built a solid infrastructure for VO and under her management I expect we will continue to see improvements.’Äù

VO poised to make history again with Golden Anniversary production of Norma

Vancouver Opera Poised to Make History Again with
Golden Anniversary Production of
NORMA
Stellar cast of Canadian and international voices under the baton of
Maestro Richard Bonynge will rival the legendary 1963 performance

Vancouver, BC ~ In 1963, Vancouver Opera brought Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne together under the baton of Maestro Richard Bonynge in a legendary performance of Norma. 46 years later, VO is poised to make history again as Maestro Bonynge prepares to return to the podium, this time with a stellar cast of beautifully complementary voices handpicked to create an equally stunning Norma.

Excitement is building among those who were at that historic performance and those who will be experiencing Norma for the first time. Maestro Bonynge has conducted over 100 performances of Bellini’Äôs bel canto masterpiece and is the world’Äôs leading musical authority on this haunting, tender opera. There is no one alive who knows this work as well as he.

’ÄúI don't think you'll find any better singers for Norma than we have here, ’Äú Maestro says of VO’Äôs 2009 cast. An audio clip of his thoughts on this production of Norma can be found at http://vancouveropera.blogspot.com.

Singing the title role is soprano Hasmik Papian, currently the world’Äôs most in-demand Norma. Joining her will be tenor Richard Margison, singing the role of Pollione. Born in Victoria, Mr. Margison was in New York just weeks ago, where he delivered striking performances of Radames in Aida at the Metropolitan Opera.

Bringing a fresh, accomplished voice to the role of Adalgisa will be mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich in her VO debut. Bass Alain Coulombe, last seen in VO’Äôs Carmen, sings Oroveso.

Opening night is Saturday, November 28, 2009, with subsequent performances Tuesday, December 1, Thursday, December 3 and Saturday, December 5. All performances take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Georgia and Hamilton Streets, Vancouver B.C. and begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets starting at $29 are available exclusively at the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre, online at www.vancouveropera.ca or by telephone (604-683-0222). See complete ticket information below.

Details on the Artists

Making her VO debut is Armenian soprano Hasmik Papian, who has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera and in leading houses around the world. Ms. Papian is featured on the definitive DVD version of Norma, on the Pro Arte label. She is sure to impress with raw emotion and vocal fireworks as she takes on one of the most difficult opera roles in the repertoire.

Canadian tenor (and Victoria native) Richard Margison sings Pollione, the Roman commander whom Norma cannot resist. Mr. Margison, who last appeared with VO in memorable performances as Florestan in 2008’Äôs Fidelio, has been described as ’Äúmagnificent’Äù, ’Äúsublime’Äù, and ’Äúradiating’Äù.

Also making her VO debut is mezzo Kate Aldrich as Adalgisa. Among many roles, Ms. Aldrich has been praised for her fiery Carmen at the Met and San Francisco Opera, and for her touching Adalgisa in Miami. ’ÄúIn many ways the American mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich stole the show... Aldrich is destined for operatic stardom!’Äù raved the Miami Coral Gables Gazette.

Bass Alain Coulombe, who charmed audiences as Zuniga in last season’Äôs record-breaking Carmen, returns to sing the archdruid Oroveso. Also appearing are John Arsenault as Flavio and Barbara Towell as Clotilda.

Conducting the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Vancouver Opera Chorus (Leslie Dala, Chorus Director) will be celebrated Maestro Richard Bonynge. Maestro Bonynge conducted his first opera, Faust, in Vancouver in 1963. That same year he conducted Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne in the now-legendary performance of Norma. During his tenure as VO’Äôs Artistic Director during the 1970s, he founded the VO Orchestra, which gave its first performances in 1977. VO is pleased to salute the company’Äôs venerable history by welcoming Maestro Bonynge to the podium to kick off the Golden Anniversary season.

The stage director is Emmy-nominated Tazewell Thompson, who helmed VO’Äôs memorable production of Dialogues of the Carmelites in 2005. Born in New York City, Mr. Thompson wrote and directed the acclaimed musical Constant Star. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Director for the televised performance of his production of Porgy and Bess.

The Story in Brief

Ancient religion and modern military force clash in this gripping and tragic tale. Passion leads to death when Norma, a powerful druid priestess, has a secret affair ’Äì and two children ’Äì with Pollione, the commander of the occupying Roman army. When she discovers that Pollione has seduced a young acolyte, Norma faces her own terrible guilt and pays for her betrayal of her people through a shocking act of self-sacrifice. Read a full synopsis at www.vancouveropera.ca

Background

Norma is one of the great bel canto masterpieces. Vincenzo Bellini’Äôs haunting melodies, dramatic scene-painting and tender and intense emotions have been praised by no less than Richard Wagner, who loved the opera’Äôs rich flow of melody and deep glow of truth.

The role of Norma is considered one of the most difficult in the soprano repertoire, not only for the vocal control required, but also for the tremendous range of emotion: romance, maternal love, friendship, jealousy, murderous intent and resignation. The aria ’ÄúCasta Diva’Äù was one of the most familiar of the nineteenth century and remains popular today. Norma has also been a signature role of Maria Callas, Beverly Sills and others.

Although Norma is considered one of the best examples of bel canto with its lyrical singing, it was also innovative for its long, sustained melodies, dignified fervour and feeling of earnest truth. Richard Wagner praised it: ’ÄúI admire its rich melodic vein together with its most intimate passion; a score which speaks to the heart and is the work of a genius.’Äù

Full Ticket Information

Single tickets starting at $29 (plus handling fee) are available from the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre, online at www.vancouveropera.ca, or by phone at 604-683-0222. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. Groups: For special pricing for groups of ten or more, call 604-683-0222.

VO Announces Golden Anniversary Concert Program

Celebration includes performances by Brett Polegato,Tracy Dahl and Sally Dibblee, as well as video presentations from Ben Heppner and Richard Margison

Vancouver, BC ~ Vancouver Opera announced today the program for the Scotiabank Group Golden Anniversary Concert, to take place at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday, November 6, 2009. Conducted and hosted by VO Music Director Jonathan Darlington, and directed by Michael Cavanagh, the Scotiabank Group Golden Anniversary Concert celebrates VO’Äôs milestone season with a sublime evening of magnificent performances.

Highlights of the evening’Äôs program include:

’Ä¢ Overture from Bernstein’Äôs Candide
’Ä¢ ’ÄúTu che di gel sei sinta’Äù, Liˆ¼’Äôs aria from Puccini’Äôs Turandot, sung by Sally Dibblee
’Ä¢ A special sneak preview of Lillian Alling, a new opera by John Estacio and John Murrell. Commissioned by VO, this brand-new Canadian opera will round out the Golden Anniversary celebrations when it premieres in October 2010.
’Ä¢ ’ÄúLˆÝ ci darem la mano’Äú and ’ÄùDalla sua pace’Äù from Mozart’Äôs Don Giovanni, sung by Brett Polegato and Kathleen Brett, and Benjamin Butterfield
’Ä¢ The touching duet ’ÄúMir ist die Ehre widerfahren’Ķ.’Äù from Richard Strauss’Äôs Der Rosenkavalier, sung by Kimberly Barber and Tracy Dahl
’Ä¢ ’ÄúIl lacerato spirito’Äù from Verdi’Äôs Simon Boccanegro, sung by bass Alain Coulombe with the Vancouver Opera Chorus
’Ä¢ ’ÄúPierrot's Tanzlied’Äù from Korngold's Die tote Stadt, sung by Brett Polegato
’Ä¢ ’ÄúTon coeur n'a pas compris le mien... ’Äú from Bizet’Äôs The Pearl Fishers, sung by Kathleen Brett and Benjamin Butterfield
’Ä¢ ’ÄúVa Tosca’Äù from Puccini’Äôs Tosca, sung by Yalun Zhang with the Vancouver Opera Chorus

The evening will also include a special ensemble performance of Act 2 of Johann Strauss’Äôs beloved and highly entertaining Die Fledermaus, with some celebrity guests making surprise appearances.

Tickets

The Scotiabank Group Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala celebration takes place on Friday, November 6, 2009.

The Concert begins at 7:00pm at the Orpheum Theatre; the Gala dinner follows, at the historic Commodore Ballroom.

Tickets to the Golden Anniversary Concert are $19 - $75 and are available at www.vancouveropera.ca or through the VO Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222.

Gala Package tickets include both the Concert and Gala portions of the evening as well as a private pre-Concert Reception and valet parking. The Gala Package is $650 (includes $300 tax receipt) and is available exclusively through the VO Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222.

Artists and program are subject to change.

Legendary Maestro returns to podium in VO's Norma

Legendary Maestro Richard Bonynge Returns To Podium For Vancouver Opera’Äôs ’Ä®NORMA
Production features powerful Armenian soprano Hasmik Papian, star Canadian tenor Richard Margison, and sensational mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich

Vancouver, BC ~ A living legend of the opera podium and three of the world’Äôs most thrilling singers come together for Vancouver Opera’Äôs season-opening production of Bellini’Äôs Norma, November 28 - December 5, 2009. Stunning, searing and filled with raw emotion, Norma will transport audiences with gorgeous singing and tragic drama about the harsh realities of love across enemy lines.

Legendary maestro Richard Bonynge returns to VO after beginning his 47-year career at the very same podium in 1963. On stage will be Armenian soprano Hasmik Papian, one of the world’Äôs most in-demand Normas; celebrated Canadian tenor Richard Margison, fresh from performances of Aida at The Metropolitan Opera; and fast-rising mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich, who has been getting rave reviews everywhere she sings.

Opening night is Saturday, November 28, 2009, with subsequent performances Tuesday, December 1, Thursday, December 3 and Saturday, December 5. All performances take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Georgia and Hamilton Streets, Vancouver B.C. and begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets starting at $29 are available exclusively at the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre, online at www.vancouveropera.ca or by telephone (604-683-0222). See complete ticket information below.

This haunting and dramatic opera of love across enemy lines has only been performed in Vancouver three times, the last time being almost 20 years ago. Norma was first staged by VO in 1963 under Founding Artistic Director Irving Guttman, with rising young stars Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne. For this Golden Anniversary production, original conductor Richard Bonynge is back 46 years later, ready to again lead this tender and intense opera.

The Story in Brief

Ancient religion and modern military force clash in this gripping and tragic tale. Passion leads to death when Norma, a powerful Druid priestess, has a secret affair ’Äì and two children ’Äì with Pollione, the commander of the occupying Roman army. When she discovers that Pollione has seduced a young acolyte, Norma faces her own terrible guilt and pays for her betrayal of her people through a shocking act of self-sacrifice. Read a full synopsis at www.vancouveropera.ca.

The Singers

Making her VO debut is Armenian soprano Hasmik Papian, who has appeared at The Metropolitan Opera and in leading houses around the world. Ms. Papian is featured on the definitive DVD version of Norma, on the Pro Arte label. She is sure to impress with raw emotion and vocal fireworks as she takes on one of the most difficult opera roles in the repertoire.

Canadian tenor (and Victoria native) Richard Margison, sings Pollione, the Roman commander whom Norma cannot resist. Mr. Margison, who last appeared with VO in memorable performances as Florestan in 2008’Äôs Fidelio, has been described as ’Äúmagnificent’Äù, ’Äúsublime’Äù, and ’Äúradiating’Äù.

Also making her VO debut is mezzo Kate Aldrich as Adalgisa. Among many roles, Ms. Aldrich has been praised for her fiery Carmen at the Met and San Francisco Opera, and for her touching Adalgisa in Miami. ’ÄúIn many ways the American mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich stole the show... Aldrich is destined for operatic stardom!’Äù raved the Miami Coral Gables Gazette.

Bass Alain Coulombe, who charmed audiences as Zuniga in last season’Äôs record-breaking Carmen returns to sing the archdruid Oroveso. Also appearing are John Arsenault as Flavio and Barbara Towell as Clotilda.

Conducting the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Vancouver Opera Chorus (Leslie Dala, Chorus Director) will be celebrated Maestro Richard Bonynge. Maestro Bonynge conducted his first opera, Faust in Vancouver in 1963. That same year he conducted Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne in the now-legendary performance of Norma. During his tenure as VO’Äôs Artistic Director during the 1970s, he founded the VO Orchestra, which gave its first performances in 1977. VO is pleased to salute the company’Äôs venerable history by welcoming Maestro Bonynge to the podium to kick off the Golden Anniversary season.

The stage director is Emmy-nominated Tazewell Thompson, who helmed VO’Äôs memorable production of Dialogues of the Carmelites in 2005. Born in New York City, Mr. Thompson wrote and directed the acclaimed musical Constant Star. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Director for the televised performance of his production of Porgy and Bess.

Background

Norma is one of the great bel canto masterpieces. Vincenzo Bellini’Äôs haunting melodies, dramatic scene-painting and tender and intense emotions have been praised by no less than Richard Wagner, who loved the opera’Äôs rich flow of melody and deep glow of truth.

The role of Norma is considered one of the most difficult in the soprano repertoire, not only for the vocal control required, but also for the tremendous range of emotion: romance, maternal love, friendship, jealousy, murderous intent and resignation. The aria ’ÄúCasta Diva’Äù was one of the most familiar of the nineteenth century and remains popular today. Norma has also been a signature role of Maria Callas, Beverly Sills and others.

Norma premiered at Teatro alla Scala in Milan on December 26, 1831. Unlike Bellini’Äôs other operas, the premiere was a fiasco, yet the second and all subsequent performances were received with extraordinary acclaim.

Although Norma is considered one of the best examples of bel canto with its lyrical singing, it was also innovative for its long, sustained melodies, dignified fervour and feeling of earnest truth. Richard Wagner praised it: ’ÄúI admire its rich melodic vein together with its most intimate passion; a score which speaks to the heart and is the work of a genius.’Äù

Full Ticket Information

Single tickets starting at $29 (plus handling fee) are available from the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre, online at www.vancouveropera.ca, or by phone at 604-683-0222. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted.
Groups: For special pricing for groups of ten or more, call 604-683-0222.

Learn More
Opera Speaks @ VPL ’Äì a free public forum:
Monday, November 9, 2009, 7-9 pm
Alice MacKay Room, Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
Admission is free.
’ÄúThe Golden Age of Vancouver Opera.’Äù
Join Richard Bonynge, Irving Guttman, and William Littler (former Music Critic at the Toronto Star) for an evening of nostalgia and celebration, as VO looks back at its first 50 years.

Vancouver Opera Receives Largest Special-Event Sponsorship in its History

Vancouver Opera Celebrates 50 Years of Spectacular Music with Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala



Vancouver, BC ~ On November 6, 2009, Vancouver Opera will salute 50 years of touching lives with music, drama and spectacle, at a very special celebration: The Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala.

Toasting VO’Äôs illustrious past and looking ahead to its shining future, the glamorous evening will celebrate this milestone anniversary with magnificent performances at the Golden Anniversary Concert at the Orpheum Theatre, followed by a Gala Dinner at the historic Commodore Ballroom.


The Golden Anniversary Concert

The Golden Anniversary Concert will feature performances from international and Canadian opera stars, including Tracy Dahl, Brett Polegato, Yalun Zhang, Kimberly Barber, Kathleen Brett, Benjamin Butterfield, Alain Coulombe and Sally Dibblee, with the VO Orchestra and Chorus, all under the baton of VO’Äôs music director, Maestro Jonathan Darlington.

The program will include favourites from Puccini, Mozart, Verdi, Bizet, Richard Strauss and Korngold, as well as two very special treats: a sneak-peek at Lillian Alling, a brand-new opera by John Estacio and John Murrell commissioned by VO that will round out the Golden Anniversary celebrations with its world premiere in October 2010; and the ensemble performance of a selection from Johann Strauss’Äôs beloved and highly entertaining Die Fledermaus. The scene is a party at the home of Prince Orlofsky, where the only rule is that each does according to his or her own taste: ’Äúchacun ˆÝ son goˆªt!’Äù. With surprise guests and, of course, virtuosic singing, this delightful performance will reflect the merriment of the Golden Anniversary celebrations.

Attendees will also view a display of masterful, highly decorative cakes - celebrating VO’Äôs Golden Anniversary - from some of the city’Äôs most talented cake artists, including Queen of Tarts, sweet e’Äôs, and Cake Tease. Gala Package ticket holders will be treated to an exclusive pre-Concert Cocktail Reception.

The Golden Anniversary Gala

Following the Concert, Gala package ticket holders will continue the celebration at the historic Commodore Ballroom with a sumptuous dinner catered by the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver.

Stars from the opera world will dine alongside attendees, and Associate Conductor and VO Chorus Director Leslie Dala will lead soprano Heather Pawsey and mezzo-soprano Barbara Towell in cabaret-style musical entertainment. Some of the biggest stars in the opera world will make presentations in person and by video link. The evening’Äôs entertainment will include a cross-cultural collaboration of the Japanese and First Nations performance groups Sawagi and Tiqilap.


Tickets

The Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala celebration takes place on Friday, November 6, 2009.

The Concert begins at 7:00pm at the Orpheum Theatre; the Gala begins at 8:30pm at the historic Commodore Ballroom.

Tickets to the Golden Anniversary Concert are $19 - $75 and are available at www.vancouveropera.ca or through the VO Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222.

Gala Package tickets include both the Concert and Gala portions of the evening as well as a private pre-Concert Reception and valet parking. The Gala Package is $650 (includes $300 tax receipt) and is available exclusively through the VO Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222.


Artists and program are subject to change


-30-

Hello,

Vancouver Opera is pleased to recognize the support of Scotiabank Group for the Scotiabank Group Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala. PDF of the news release is attached and text is below. Please let me know if you need any more information.

Many thanks!
Selina
Selina Rajani’Ä®Communications Manager | Vancouver Opera’Ä®’Ä®T. 604-331-4824’Ä®835 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2P4’Ä®www.vancouveropera.ca’Ä®’Ä®’Ä®Celebrating Vancouver Opera’Äôs Golden Anniversary Season 2009 ’Äì 2010’Ä®GALA CONCERT & DINNER | NORMA | NIXON IN CHINA | THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO | MADAMA BUTTERFLY’Ä®’Ä®VOIS ON TOUR: JACK PINE
VO Receives Largest Special-Event Sponsorship in its History for Scotiabank Group Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala
VANCOUVER OPERA
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver, BC ~ Vancouver Opera is proud to recognize the support of Scotiabank Group for the Scotiabank Group Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala on November 6, 2009, celebrating 50 years of touching lives with music, drama and spectacle.

Scotiabank Group is the title sponsor for this very special celebration with a generous Diamond Level contribution of $100,000. This is the largest special-event sponsorship in the history of Vancouver Opera.

’ÄúWe are extremely grateful to Scotiabank Group for its generosity on this very special occasion,’Äù said VO’Äôs General Director James W. Wright. ’ÄúWe are thrilled to have them on board as we toast VO’Äôs illustrious past and shining future. Through its support of this special fundraising celebration, Scotiabank Group shows that it recognizes the value of all that Vancouver Opera has brought to the community over five decades: exciting mainstage productions, popular education and touring programs that have reached more than 1.6 million children, and innovative community-engagement events that directly connect this marvelous art form to people’Äôs lives. This sponsorship also showcases Scotiabank Group’Äôs commitment to our community and province, for which we are all very grateful.’Äù

Scotiabank Group Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala information

Vancouver Opera invites all to celebrate this milestone season with a sublime evening of sumptuous dining, gracious company and magnificent performances.

The Scotiabank Group Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala celebration takes place on Friday, November 6, 2009.

The Concert begins at 7:00pm at the Orpheum Theatre; the Gala begins at 8:30pm at the historic Commodore Ballroom.

Tickets to the Scotiabank Group Golden Anniversary Concert are $19 - $75 and are available at www.vancouveropera.ca or through the VO Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222.

Gala Package tickets include both the Concert and Gala portions of the evening as well as a private pre-Concert Reception. The Gala Package is $650 (includes $300 tax receipt) and is available exclusively through the VO Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222.

Artists and program are subject to change

Vancouver Opera Announces Honorary Chairs for Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala

Grade 5 student joins legendary mezzo-soprano and founding father of opera in Western Canada to celebrate 50 years of Vancouver Opera

Vancouver, BC ~ Vancouver Opera announced today the appointment of three Honorary Chairs for an important event in its Golden Anniversary Season. Joining Founding Artistic Director Dr. Irving Guttman, CM and Canadian opera legend Judith Forst, OBC will be 10-year-old Justin Woolfrey, a Grade 5 student at Glenview Elementary School in Prince George.

Reflecting the past, present and future of VO, these Honorary Chairs will oversee the milestone Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala, a celebration of 50 years of opera in Vancouver, featuring international soloists and the VO Orchestra and Chorus in concert at the Orpheum Theatre, under the baton of Jonathan Darlington.

International stage director Dr. Irving Guttman, CM was the artistic founder of Vancouver Opera and indeed of professional opera in British Columbia and western Canada. Dr. Guttman mounted productions for VO that featured some of the greatest singers of our time, such as Plˆ°cido Domingo, Dame Joan Sutherland, James Morris and Marilyn Horne. His production of Norma, in 1963, starring Ms. Sutherland and Ms. Horne in their role dˆ©buts, is the stuff of legend. The conductor of that production, Richard Bonynge, returns to VO in November to conduct this season’Äôs mainstage opening production of Norma, starring Hasmik Papian.

Having directed the very first VO performance in 1960, Dr. Guttman will be on hand to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of the company he helped create.

Internationally acclaimed singer and Port Moody resident Judith Forst, OBC, graduated from Vancouver Opera’Äôs Young Singer training program and went on to become one of the world’Äôs greatest coloratura mezzo-sopranos. Ms. Forst most recently appeared on the VO stage as Herodias in Salome. In 2010, she will create the role of Irene in the world premiere of VO’Äôs commissioned opera Lillian Alling, by John Estacio and John Murrell.

Ten year old Justin Woolfrey is in Grade Five at Glenview Elementary School in Prince George. Having attended a recent Vancouver Opera In Schools performance of Jack Pine, a new opera by Veda Hille on an environmental theme, he appreciates the importance of arts education and is excited and proud to be an Honorary Chair for the Golden Anniversary Season.

’ÄúChildren need a chance to learn about all kinds of things, especially the things they have not heard of ’Äì and to enjoy the good things that learning can bring,’Äù comments Justin. ’ÄúYou never know what is inside a person until they have an opportunity and this is an opportunity for me to share who I am with others and encourage other kids to always give it your best shot, no matter what.’Äù

The Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala takes place on Friday, November 6, 2009 at 7:00pm. beginning with a concert at the Orpheum Theatre. Concert tickets are available online at www.vancouveropera.ca or from the VO Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222. Gala Packages, which include the Concert as well as an exclusive Reception and Gala Dinner at the historic Commodore Ballroom, are available through the VO Ticket Centre.

Full details of the Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala will follow shortly.

VO Launches 10,000-hour Community Connections volunteer service program

Vancouver Opera Launches ’ÄúCommunity Connections’Äù

Volunteer Service Program

Sponsored by Goldcorp Inc., VO commits 10,000 volunteer service hours to B.C. communities in celebration of VO’Äôs Golden Anniversary

Vancouver, BC ~ Starting this month, Vancouver Opera embarks on Community Connections, a ground-breaking program to give back to the communities that have supported it for the past fifty years.

From July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, VO artists, staff, volunteers, supporters and board members will provide a prodigious 10,000 hours of volunteer service to a variety of charities, in celebration of VO’Äôs Golden Anniversary. Also participating in the Community Connections program are the staff of Vancouver-based resource leader Goldcorp Inc. Goldcorp has made a major gift to Vancouver Opera through a three-year sponsorship, beginning with the 2009-2010 Golden Anniversary season. This first-ever multi-season sponsorship makes VO’Äôs Community Connections program possible.

’ÄúThe Community Connections program allows us to celebrate our Golden Anniversary in a unique way,’Äù says James W. Wright, General Director of Vancouver Opera. ’ÄúWe're thrilled to be working with Goldcorp, whose generous gift, secured through the hard work of VO’Äôs Board of Directors, will help VO to continue to maintain the highest artistic standards in all that we present. It’Äôs an extraordinary sponsorship, and fitting for our milestone Golden Anniversary.’Äù

’ÄúGoldcorp is proud to sponsor Vancouver Opera’Äôs Golden Anniversary and the innovative Community Connections program. For fifty years Vancouver Opera has presented world-class creative productions to diverse audiences, providing inspiration and enriching the lives of so many people,’Äù said Chuck Jeannes, President & Chief Executive Officer of Goldcorp. ’ÄúWe are excited to be a part of the Community Connections program as we recognize the importance of giving back to our local communities. Together, through volunteer service, Goldcorp employees will endeavour to positively affect the lives of others within our community. Jointly with Vancouver Opera, we look forward to reaching the goal of 10,000 hours of community service over the coming year.’Äù

Organizations that will benefit from this landmark commitment include the Powell Street Festival, Habitat for Humanity, Run 4 the Cure, Vancouver Food Bank and Power To Be Adventure Therapy. A full list of participating organizations is available at www.vancouveropera.ca. In addition, any other volunteer service performed by VO supporters for organizations beyond this list will be recognized under the Community Connections program.

’ÄúDuring the company's fifty years, audiences of all ages have embraced the work that we have presented,’Äù says Doug Tuck, VO's Director of Marketing and Community Programs. ’ÄúOur mainstage productions, education programs, touring performances and community engagement events reach widely and deeply into communities throughout B.C. It is only fitting that we honour the support of those communities by connecting with them in new ways through our volunteer work.’Äù

Community Connections will touch communities in B.C. where VO and Goldcorp are active, recognizing and reinforcing the strong connections VO and Goldcorp enjoy with the communities they serve.

VO began as a small group of determined people seeking to build an opera company for their community. Fifty years later, VO has become an internationally respected producer of opera and a vital artistic and educational force in B.C. VO’Äôs extraordinary record of community engagement includes touring education programs and outreach to diverse communities through concerts and forums.

VO’Äôs Golden Anniversary season includes a long-awaited production of Bellini’Äôs Norma (November 28 ’Äì December 5, 2009), John Adams’Äôs stunning 1987 opera Nixon in China (March 13 ’Äì 20, 2010); Mozart’Äôs beloved The Marriage of Figaro (April 24 ’Äì May 4, 2010); and Puccini’Äôs Madama Butterfly (May 29 ’Äì June 10, 2010). A Golden Anniversary Gala Concert will be held on November 6, 2009.

Throughout the Golden Anniversary season, Vancouver Opera In Schools (VOIS) will continue to present Jack Pine, VO’Äôs new commissioned opera for young audiences by Vancouver composer Veda Hille, in schools and community venues across the province. The Golden Anniversary celebrations will culminate in the November 2010 world premiˆ®re of Lillian Alling, by acclaimed composer John Estacio with libretto by award-winning playwright John Murrell.

Goldcorp, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. In 2008, the company achieved very strong operating results, growing revenues by 10% and gold reserves by 7%. Goldcorp was able to share its success by investing over $90 million in community development initiatives throughout the Americas. For Goldcorp, the true measure of a company is not only in achieving success but also in sustaining it and the company cannot achieve long-term sustainable growth without the support of the communities in which it works.

VO and Goldcorp invite all supporters of Vancouver Opera to participate in Community Connections. For more information, and to sign up, visit www.vancouveropera.ca.

About Vancouver Opera and Goldcorp

Vancouver Opera is the second largest opera company in Canada. It is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions; for its country-leading education programs, which have reached more than 1.6 million children and their families in 35 years; for its innovative and award-winning community programs; and for forging groundbreaking cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to new generations of Canadians. Visit www.vancouveropera.ca for more information.

Goldcorp is North America’Äôs lowest-cost and fastest growing senior gold producer with operations in safe jurisdictions throughout the Americas. Goldcorp’Äôs aim is to deliver value to shareholders by providing them the best possible return on their investment. This is accomplished through our many valued partnerships with employees, shareholders, vendors and local communities. Visit www.goldcorp.com for more information.