World Première of a New Canadian Opera

Monday, November 28, 2011

Gerard Powers Joins Pacific Opera Victoria's La Bohème for opening night.

The greatest love story ever sung
February 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 28, 2011

Monday, November 29, 2010, 5 pm

Baroque opera at its loveliest: an epic story of political intrigue
November 11, 13, 16, 18, and 20, 2010

A classic Rossini comedy with a heart
September 30, October 2, 5, 7, and 9, 2010

10-year veteran of the company takes new position September 1

Shefsiek will relocate to Calgary this Fall to join Alberta Theatre Projects as Managing Director

November 8, 2011

POV Annual General Meeting

Monday, November 28, 2011, 5 pm
Chateau Victoria, Salon B, 740 Burdett Avenue, Victoria

Business will include presentation of reports and the audited financial statements, as well as nomination of new Directors. The meeting will be followed by a no-host-bar gathering at Clive's Classic Lounge. All members are invited to attend.

RSVP to 250-382-1641 or by November 25.

November 7, 2011

Mary's Wedding

World Première of a New Canadian Opera

Pacific Opera Victoria's first complete opera commission is all about us – our history, our landscape, our memories, and it makes its world première in time for Remembrance. Based on an award-winning Canadian play, Mary's Wedding has been POV's labour of love for the past three years. With a libretto by the playwright, Stephen Massicotte, a sweeping dramatic score by composer Andrew P. MacDonald, and a design that carries us effortlessly from prairie to trenches, Mary's Wedding is opera with an innocence and intimacy that moves us to tears.

The opera begins in 1920 on the eve of Mary's wedding as she dreams of her first love, a young farm boy named Charlie. Mary's reminiscences of their first meeting, their developing attraction, and of his departure for the war blend with Charlie's memories of Mary and loop the action back and forth through time and place, from the Canadian prairie to the battlefields of France. Mary recalls the horror of the trenches – experienced through Charlie's letters – as he remembers her, and home.

Timothy Vernon conducts this world premiere, which will be recorded by CBC Radio for future broadcast on Saturday Afternoon at the Opera. Maestro Vernon has shepherded the development of the opera with the composer, librettist, stage director Michael Shamata (POV's La Bohème), and Set and Costume Designer Ian Rye. They are joined by lighting designer Alan Brodie (POV's La Bohème).

The talented cast has been involved throughout the development of the shape and sound of the opera. Betty Waynne Allison creates the role of Mary. Allison (POV's La traviata) graduated from UVic and has since developed an international singing career. Thomas Macleay makes his POV debut as Charlie, the young farmboy-turned-soldier. Alain Coulombe (POV's Rigoletto) returns to POV as Sgt. Gordon Flowerdew, the only non-fictional character in the opera. Twenty POV choristers portray the family and friends that inhabit Mary's memories.

Pacific Opera Victoria returns to its original home, The McPherson Playhouse, for Mary's Wedding. The production opens on November 10 and continues on November 12, 14, 16 and 18, with matinée November 20. Evening performances begin at 8pm with pre-performance lectures at 7:00pm. The matinée performance on November 20 begins at 2:30pm, with pre-performance lecture at 1:30pm. The production is sung in English with surtitles.

Priced between $32.50 and $142.50, tickets are available from the Royal and McPherson Box Office at 250-386-6121, or on-line at www.rmts.bc.ca.

Student RUSH tickets for those presenting valid student identification MAY be available at the door of the theatre, 45 minutes prior to each performance, subject to availability. RUSH tickets are $15, inclusive of all box office charges.

Mary's Wedding is a collaborative opportunity for the artists involved, and also involves a number of community partnerships.

The Memory Project records stories of the impact of WW1 on individuals, their families and the community. Everyone is invited to post stories on POV's Memory Project web forum. Photos, letters and reminiscences are all welcome. Memory Project submissions will be offered to the Canadian War Museum.

The University of Victoria Libraries present The World of Mary's Wedding: Reminiscences of World War I from the University of Victoria Archives and Special Collections. These exhibits and displays may be viewed:

• At the Maltwood Gallery at the McPherson Library, University of Victoria, October 22 to November 17.
• In the Archives & Special Collections Reading Room at the McPherson Library, October 24 - December 16.
• At the McPherson Playhouse during Mary's Wedding, November 8 to 20.
• On a dedicated website at worldofmaryswedding.library.uvic.ca.

Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), the regiment that fought the battle of Moreuil Wood, a pivotal event in the opera and in World War I, will participate in the opening night première. To this day the regiment holds an annual commemoration of the Battle of Moreuil Wood, to remember their fallen comrades.

For more information, please contact Pacific Opera Victoria at 250-385-0222 or visit the Mary's Wedding web pages.

February 16, 2011

La Bohème: Alternate Announced

Gerard Powers Joins Pacific Opera Victoria's La Bohème for opening night.

Pacific Opera Victoria announced today that Gerard Powers will sing the role of Rodolfo in the Opening Night performance of La Bohème. Mr. Powers temporarily replaces Luc Robert who is unable to perform due to illness. Mr. Robert is expected to return for the remainder of the run.

Gerard Powers has performed in major opera houses throughout the United States and Europe, including San Francisco, New York City, The Met and Bolshoi Operas. He makes his Pacific Opera Victoria debut as Rodolfo, a role he sang previously with both the Gothenburg and Utah Opera companies.

Pacific Opera Victoria's third production of the 2010/2011 season has been called "the greatest love story ever sung". Puccini's La Bohème is full of youthful high spirits, intense passion, heartbreaking tenderness, and rapturous music. The production opens on February 17 and continues on February 22, 24, 26 and 28, 2011, with a matinée February 19, at the Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street in Victoria. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. Evening performances begin at 8pm with pre-performance lectures at 6:45pm. POV presents a matinée performance on February 19 beginning at 3pm, with pre-performance lecture at 2 pm.

Priced between $37 and $142, tickets are available from the Royal and McPherson Box Office at 250-386-6121, or online.

February 1, 2011

La Bohème

The greatest love story ever sung
February 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 28, 2011

What is the enduring appeal of Puccini's La Bohème? The opera is one of the world's most performed and best loved, and yet there are no intrigues, no meddling deities, no kings or courtesans. The story is simplicity itself. Boy meets girl. They fall in love. Girl dies. Puccini's operas reveal that people everywhere, in all walks of life, endure the same trials, the same love and loss and heartbreak. He felt that his success came from putting "great sorrows in little souls." That's especially true in La Bohème, the heartbreaking story of a group of impoverished artists in the Latin Quarter of Paris.

Puccini's gift for melody and his flair for creating sumptuous orchestral colours are unsurpassed. Whether evoking the ecstasy of first love or a humorous moment in the now desperate, now carefree world of his young artists, Puccini's music carries the listener away, into the intimate, sharply delineated world of La Bohème.

Pacific Opera Victoria's film-noir-styled production is set in 1933, when the Latin Quarter of Paris was flooded with artists seeking the Bohemian life that Puccini depicted in the opera. Stage Director Michael Shamata, Artistic Director of The Belfry Theatre, makes his POV debut and his debut as an opera director with this production. He and Designer John Ferguson (POV's The Magic Flute) have taken inspiration from the rain-filled, smoke-filled photographs of Brassaï, who captured the gritty, romantic essence of Paris in the early 1930s.

La Bohème provides a role and company debut for BC-raised Rhoslyn Jones, who performs Mimi. Ms. Jones was a semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has performed with the Vancouver, Pittsburgh and San Francisco Opera companies. The role of Musetta is sung by another newcomer to POV, Marianne Fiset, an award-winning performer from Montreal, who is embarking on an international career.

Luc Robert returns to POV to sing the role of Rodolfo. Mr. Robert performed in POV's productions of Thaïsand Rigoletto. Mr. Robert is joined by Doug MacNaughton (Così fan tutte and Capriccio) singing the roles of Benoît and Alcindoro and Alexander Dobson (La Bohème 2002, The Rape of Lucretia) as Marcello. Giles Tomkins and Alexandre Sylvestre, alumni of POV's Resident Artist Program, rejoin the company to sing the roles of Colline and Schaunard.

Pacific Opera Victoria's La Bohème is the fastest selling production in the company's history. Originally scheduled for five performances, POV has added a sixth to meet the audience demand. The production opens on February 17 and continues on February 22, 24, 26 and 28, 2011, with a matinée February 19, at the Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street in Victoria. La Bohème is sung in Italian with English surtitles. Evening performances begin at 8pm with pre-performance lectures at 6:45pm. The matinée performance on February 19 begins at 3pm, with pre-performance lecture at 2 pm.

La Bohème is directed by Michael Shamata with music direction by Timothy Vernon, Set and costume design by John Ferguson, with lighting design by Alan Brodie and choreography by Jacques Lemay.

Tickets are available from the Royal and McPherson Box Office at 250-386-6121, or online.

Student RUSH tickets for those presenting valid student identification MAY be available at the door of the theatre, 45 minutes prior to each performance, subject to availability. RUSH tickets are $15, inclusive of all box office charges.

For more information, please contact Pacific Opera Victoria at 250-385-0222 or visit POV's pages on La Bohème.

November 1, 2010

Rodelinda

Baroque opera at its loveliest: an epic story of political intrigue
November 11, 13, 16, 18, and 20, 2010

Pacific Opera Victoria flexes its Baroque muscle with an intense and emotionally charged tale of political intrigue, honour and devotion in medieval Lombardy. Handel's Rodelinda is Baroque opera at its finest – with ravishing music that illuminates the profound humanity of the characters.

The production opens on November 11 and runs November 13 (matinée), 16, 18 and 20, 2010, at the Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street in Victoria. Evening performances begin at 8pm with pre-performance lectures at 6:45pm. The matinée on November 13 begins at 3pm, with pre-performance lecture at 2pm.

Loosely based on the history of the Lombards, a migrant group that invaded and ruled in Northern Italy in the 6th and 7th Centuries, Rodelinda is a fascinating study of the nuances of villainy, yet it offers one of the most touching depictions of married love in opera. The king has been driven out by a usurper, Grimoaldo, who keeps Queen Rodelinda and her young son captive until she agrees to marry him. Devastated by her husband's apparent death and fearful for her son, Queen Rodelinda shows remarkable courage and guile as she challenges Grimoaldo.

First performed in 1725, Rodelinda is considered one of Handel's greatest operas. His astonishing skill at conveying the psychological complexities of his characters is matched by a graceful score that mirrors the emotions and the conflicts of each character, and includes no less than eight arias for Rodelinda.

With the epitome of soprano roles, Rodelinda offers a tour de force opportunity for singers. Since Baroque opera, and Handel in particular, was revitalized in the 1920's, the world's greatest opera stars have made the role their own, including Dame Joan Sutherland and more recently Renée Fleming. POV's production provides a role debut for Nathalie Paulin who is joined by Benjamin Butterfield as Grimoaldo. Both artists appeared in POV's production of Handel's Semele.

Countertenor Gerald Thompson makes his company debut as Bertarido – a role he sang in the Canadian Opera Company's first production of Rodelinda, five years ago. Mezzo- soprano Megan Latham also makes her company debut, as Eduige. Bruce Kelly (POV's La Traviata) returns as Grimoaldo's Machiavellian henchman, Garibaldo, and countertenor Matthew White (POV's Julius Caesar) sings the role of Unulfo.

Rodelinda is directed by Oriol Tomas (POV's Thaïs). Set and costumes are designed by Nancy Bryant (POV'S The Rake's Progress). Lighting design is by Claude Accolas. The opera is sung in Italian with English surtitles. Timothy Vernon conducts the Victoria Symphony, featuring original instruments and historical performance practices.

Priced between $37 and $132, tickets are available from the Royal and McPherson Box Office at 250-386-6121, or online .

Student RUSH tickets for those presenting valid student identification are available at the door of the theatre, 45 minutes prior to each performance, subject to availability. RUSH tickets are $15, inclusive of all box office charges.

For more information, please contact Pacific Opera Victoria at 250-385-0222 or visit POV's pages on Rodelinda.

September 21, 2010

Cinderella

A classic Rossini comedy with a heart
September 30, October 2, 5, 7, and 9, 2010

Pacific Opera Victoria presents a sparkling classic opera that will delight audiences of all ages. Rossini's Cinderella (La Cenerentola) opens September 30 and runs October 2 (matinée), 5, 7 and 9, 2010, at the Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street in Victoria. Evening performances begin at 8pm with pre-performance lectures at 6:45pm. The matinée on October 2 begins at 3 pm, with pre-performance lecture at 2 pm.

Cinderella brims with Rossini's most brilliant coloratura writing and exuberant ensemble pieces. With its effervescent music and irresistible tunes, this zany romp is as much fun as opera can possibly be.

Based on the familiar fairy tale by French author Charles Perrault, Rossini's Cinderella dispenses with the mice and replaces the wicked stepmother and glass slippers with a bumbling stepfather and a pair of bracelets. Instead of a fairy godmother, it is a philosopher named Alidoro who helps Cinderella go to the ball. The result is a delightfully whimsical morality tale about inner beauty, true love, and forgiveness.

Award-winning designer Judith Bowden makes her POV debut with this original production that has the enchanting look of an 18th century book of fairy tales brought to life on stage.

With one of opera's most glorious mezzo soprano roles, Cinderella provides a star vehicle for Julie Boulianne. Ms. Boulianne makes her POV debut in the title role, which she recently performed to critical acclaim at Florida Grand Opera. Possessing a voice The New York Times calls "subtle and pure," Ms. Boulianne has been acclaimed for the agility and expressive power of her dark-hued mezzo-soprano. She will make her Metropolitan Opera debut in February with conductor Placido Domingo

Brian Stucki makes his POV debut as Prince Ramiro – a role he has sung with Michigan Opera Theatre and the Opera Company of North Carolina. Other company debuts include BC-raised baritone Tyler Duncan as Dandini and Marianne Lambert as Clorinda. Terry Hodges (POV's Don Giovanni) returns as Cinderella's ambitious stepfather. Chad Louwerse (POV's The Rake's Progress) sings the role of Alidoro and Marion Newman (POV's The Tempest) is the youngest stepsister, Tisbe.

Cinderella is directed by Tom Diamond (POV's Manon Lescaut), one of Canada's most celebrated opera directors. Giuseppe Pietraroia (POV's Madama Butterfly) conducts the Victoria Symphony. Lighting design is by Bonnie Beecher. The opera is sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Priced between $25 and $115, tickets are available from the Royal and McPherson Box Office at 250-386-6121, or online at www.rmts.bc.ca.

Although it is not specifically a children's opera, Rossini's Cinderella, with its madcap humour, its familiar story, and its glorious music, is a perfect first opera for any age. This production offers special family pricing, with 50% off the regular price for youth aged 18 and under. To receive the Youth Price, call Pacific Opera (250-385-0222) or RMTS (250-386-6121). Toll free 1-888-717-6121. The Youth Price is not available online.

Student RUSH tickets for those presenting valid student identification are available at the door of the theatre, 45 minutes prior to each performance, subject to availability. RUSH tickets are $15, inclusive of all box office charges.

For more information, please contact Pacific Opera Victoria at 250-385-0222 or visit POV's pages on Cinderella

August 5, 2010

Pacific Opera appoints Patrick Corrigan as Executive Director

Patrick Corrigan has been appointed the new executive director of Pacific Opera Victoria, effective September 1, 2010. Patrick replaces David Shefsiek, who has accepted a new position in Calgary.

Mr. Corrigan has been with Pacific Opera Victoria for ten years, serving as Director of Marketing and Development. He has an MBA in Executive Management from Royal Roads University, achieved with support from Pacific Opera Victoria, and he completed his undergraduate studies in music at McGill University. During his decade with POV, the company has more than doubled its annual operating resources while continuing to build its endowment. The financial growth facilitated artistic growth, and allowed the company to expand the number of season productions from three to four, while continuously raising the bar on musical and production values.

"Patrick is one of POV's most valuable assets," says Board President Michael Morres. "He is a dedicated and talented individual with a wealth of experience in strategic planning, change management, communications strategy and relationship building, and with a passion for opera."

"I'm so thrilled to take this exciting step in my career at Pacific Opera Victoria, which has been a home to me," Corrigan says, adding that he plans to continue the financial and artistic growth that has marked POV's 31-year history, fostering the leadership that runs throughout the organization to make it vibrant and strong. "We serve one of the most vital opera audiences on the continent. It is a privilege to be Executive Director of this extraordinary company, to work alongside our distinguished Artistic Director, and to work with our incredible team of staff, production artists, board members, donors and volunteers to ensure that POV remains a dynamic institution of lasting importance."

Timothy Vernon, founding Artistic Director of POV, describes Corrigan's appointment as "brilliant". "Patrick's accession to this important position says much about his personal strengths; it says a lot too about POV's capacity to foster great administrative as well as artistic talents," he says. "I have known Patrick since his undergraduate days at McGill. His smarts, warmth and humour will inform the next stage of this company's remarkable journey."

June 28, 2010

Pacific Opera Victoria announces the resignation of Executive Director David Shefsiek

Pacific Opera Victoria announces the resignation of Executive Director, David Shefsiek, effective September 15, 2010. Shefsiek will relocate to Calgary this Fall to join Alberta Theatre Projects as Managing Director.

The Board of Directors' search committee is already in place, and will make an announcement regarding the search shortly.

In the meantime, Shefsiek's departure is bittersweet. "Pacific Opera Victoria has been a welcoming, exciting, and rewarding professional home for me," notes Shefsiek. "The decision to accept this new position in southern Alberta was not easy, but will ultimately provide a better balance between the personal and professional aspects of my life". Shefsiek's partner of 25 years, Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, is a tenured professor of Music at the University of Lethbridge.

"We accept David's resignation with regret, but certainly understand his desire to pursue his personal interests," says POV Board President Michael Morres. "The past years have been exciting ones for POV, and we continue to build the company's momentum as we have for the past decade."

The Pacific Opera management team of Shefsiek, founding Artistic Director Timothy Vernon, Director of Development and Marketing Patrick Corrigan, and Director of Production Ian Rye, with the active involvement of the Board of Directors and professional staff, have more than doubled the company's annual operating resources while continuing to build its endowment. This financial growth has led to artistic growth, and allowed the company to expand the number of productions from three to four, while continuously raising the bar on the musical and production values each season.

"I want to thank everyone here for making the past years a golden time in my life," declares Shefsiek. "The arts community is collaborative, the audiences here are devoted beyond measure, and there is a bold and continuing belief that anything is possible here on Vancouver Island."

"I will miss the board and management of Pacific Opera Victoria, " he continues, "who together with Maestro Vernon have made the company one of Canada's finest. I look forward to witnessing the continued development of this remarkable company under the direction of this inspiring group of people, whose thoughtful dedication comes together to create performance memories that last a life time."

POV Media Contact

For photos, additional information, and to arrange interviews, please contact Heather Jeliazkov at 250.888.3938 or

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