Vancouver Opera Unveils Bold, New Look and Feel

Vancouver Opera unveils its bold, new look and feel - the first major rebranding of the company since 1985. The fresh contemporary look is part of the company's new long-term strategy aimed at broadening and deepening its connection with the communities it serves, while building a new generation of operagoers.

The redesigned logomark reflects a new perspective on Vancouver Opera by literally flipping it on its side. In it, V and O - Vancouver and Opera - come together, representing the connection between city and art form. Where they overlap they are at their strongest and most intense.

The new look was created by VO's in-house graphic designer Annie Mack. VO also worked with consultants in design and branding:Odette Hidalgo, Art Director at Addon Creative Communications Design, provided art direction and an invaluable creative sounding board; and Joanne Turner, Principal, Joanne Turner Marketing Strategy, helped provide a strategic framework for the process.

VO's redesigned website will be launched in May 2014, at the conclusion of the current season.

"I'm very pleased with VO's new look," comments James W. Wright, General Director of Vancouver Opera."It's confident, approachable, and serves our aim of conveying the contemporary, innovative, adventurous, and professional nature of our company and our programming. I believe it will resonate equally with new audiences and the dedicated opera lovers who have faithfully supported us for more than 50 years."

VO'S MISSION

To be the destination performing arts organization that entertains, stimulates and enriches British Columbians, driven by programming that redefines "Opera" and revolutionizes its accessibility and community value.

VO's new direction includes new opera experiences in new venues, and new programming in communities south of the Fraser River. In future seasons, VO will enrich the educational value of its long-standing school touring program for children by concentrating the program largely in Metro Vancouver. In 2014-2015, the company will present the already-announced world premiere of its commissioned anti-bullying opera Stickboy, by composer Neil Weisensel and librettist Shane Koyczan, based on Koyczan's novel in verse. Twelve performances of Stickboy will be presented in the Vancouver Playhouse.

VO will continue to present works from the opera canon on a grand scale in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The 2014-15 season includes Bizet's beloved Carmen and Johann Strauss Jr.'s tuneful, joyous (and slightly sinister) Die Fledermaus. The season will also include, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, a production of Stephen Sondheim's masterful Sweeney Todd, the darkly beautiful study of obsession and revenge. See below for dates and casting details.

INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY

All VO productions include English translations projected above the stage.

Sunday Matinées are now part of VO's regular performance schedule. VO offers $35 tickets to patrons aged 35 and younger under its Get O.U.T. program (Get Opera Under 35), sponsored by TD Canada Trust. In 2014-2015, for the production of Stickboy, VO will offer some "U-19" seats, at $19, to youth under the age of 19.

THE 2014-2015 SEASON
Great Singers. Great Music. Great Adventure.

VO's 2014-2015 includes a world premiere in an intimate venue, the company premiere of a 20th century masterpiece, a hilarious Vancouver version of a sparkling favourite, and the thrill of a popular masterpiece. The season features performances by Greer Grimsley, internationally recognized as one of the most prominent Wagnerian interpreters of the day, Andriana Chuchman, fresh from a bravura debut performance at The Metropolitan Opera, where she stepped in for Anna Netrebko, and two fiery Carmens in Kate Aldrich and Ginger Costa-Jackson. VO's Music Director Jonathan Darlington will conduct Die Fledermaus and Sweeney Todd .

Deadly passion in Spain
CARMEN
by Georges Bizet
Production sponsored by Mission Hill Family Estate

In French with English translations projected above the stage
September 27, 28 (matinée), October 2, 3, 4, 5 (matinée), 2014
Evening performances 7:30pm • Matinée performances 2:00pm.
All performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Uninhibited dancing in a smoke-filled tavern. Songs pulsing with erotic power. Sinister felonies in a mountain pass. Murder outside a bull ring. Carmen is justly revered for its thrilling drama and its irresistible music, so rich in energy and passion that it lives with audiences forever.

Conducted by Jacques Lacombe • Directed by Joel Ivany

Sensational mezzo-sopranos Kate Aldrich and Ginger Costa-Jackson share the title role in Bizet's brilliant masterpiece. Ms. Aldrich stunned VO audiences in 2009's Norma. "Kate Aldrich makes her VO debut: we will want to hear more from her. Solid throughout her range, capable of beautifully synchronised blend, she brought both fiery intensity and considerable sweetness to her role," raved The Vancouver Sun for that performance. Ms. Costa-Jackson is creating a sensation everywhere she performs, for her compelling stage presence and her gorgeous singing. She has sung with Glimmerglass Opera, San Francisco Opera and at Carnegie Hall. This will be her VO debut.

Tenors Richard Troxell and Khachatur Badalyan will share the role of Don José. "His final murderous scene with Carmen outside the bullring built to a splendid intensity..." raved The Oregonian for Mr. Troxell's Don José. Mr Badalyan was first prize winner of the International Tenor Competition in memory of Luciano Pavarotti (St. Petersburg). Baritone Morgan Smith will sing Escamillo.

A moving new opera
STICKBOY
Composed by Neil Weisensel • Libretto by Shane Koyczan

In English with lyrics projected above the stage
October 23, 24, 25, 28, 29 (student matinée), 30, November 1 (matinée), 1 (evening), 4, 5 (matinée), 6, 7, 2014
Evening performances 7:30pm • November 1 matinée 1:30pm, November 5 matinée 2:00pm.
All performances at the Vancouver Playhouse

The inner life of a young boy is at the heart of this moving and meaningful new opera by world-renowned spoken-word artist Shane Koyczan and composer Neil Weisensel.

Bravely autobiographical, beautifully poetic, visually innovative and musically memorable, Stickboy confronts the uncomfortable reality of a society struggling with its own fear and insecurity, a society that seeks conformity and uniformity at the expense of those who are different. This visually stunning world premiere will feature set design by Drew Facey and animation by Giant Ant, the producers of Mr. Koyczan's monumentally popular video To This Day.

Conducted by Leslie Dala • Directed by Rachel Peake

Neil Weisensel is one of the most frequently-performed and prolific opera composers in Canada. His six operas have together seen 115 performances across Canada. He has also composed and arranged music for feature films, stage works, documentaries, and animation.Shane Koyczan was catapulted into the international spotlight when he performed his poem We Are More at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies. In 2013, Mr. Koyczan collaborated with animators and illustrators to create To This Day, an animated short about bullying that was released at the TED Conference. The video left attendees in tears and has since gone viral with more than 12 million views.

Laughter, love and sweet revenge... while waltzing!
DIE FLEDERMAUS
by Johann Strauss, Jr.
Production sponsored by Blakes

In English with lyrics projected above the stage
February 28, March 5, 7, 8 (matinée), 2015
Evening performances 7:30pm • Matinée performance 2:00pm.
All performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

New adaptation, in English, by Bill Richardson

In high society Vancouver - call it "Viennacouver" - every night is party night! Lighthearted, romantic, and wickedly funny, Die Fledermaus has the power to lift our spirits. Strauss's melody-filled music, especially his famous waltzes, is effervescent and intoxicating. Be prepared to laugh!

Featuring soprano Joyce el-Khoury as Rosalinde, tenor Roger Honeywell as Gabriel von Eisenstein, and Christopher Gaze as the tipsy jailer, Frosch.

Conducted by Jonathan Darlington • Directed by Nancy Hermiston, O.C.

Canadian soprano Joyce el-Khoury's "sound is enormously satisfying - a full lirico-spinto soprano with a genuine radiance about it" (OPERA NEWS). She has sung with Santa Fe Opera, the BBC Orchestra, with the New York Choral Society at Carnegie Hall, and is a graduate of The Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. Roger Honeywell, a favourite of Vancouver audiences, was last seen on the VO stage in 2013's Canadian debut of Tea: A Mirror of Soul. Mezzo-soprano Julie Boulianne and baritone Hugh Russell return to the VO stage, having last charmed audiences in 2011's Roméo et Juliette and 2008's The Italian Girl in Algiers, respectively. Christopher Gaze returns to VO, having delighted audiences as the Major-General in 2012's The Pirates of Penzance.

Lethal obsession on the streets of 19th century London
SWEENEY TODD
by Stephen Sondheim
Production sponsored by BMO

In English with lyrics projected above the stage
April 25, 26 (matinée), 30, May 1, 2, 3 (matinée), 2015
Evening performances 7:30pm • Matinée performances 2:00pm.
All performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Winner of countless awards, Sweeney Todd is darkly comical and endlessly entertaining. The production will be directed by Kim Collier,one of Canada's hottest stage directors (Hamlet, Bard on the Beach, 2013). The indelible cast of characters and the evocatively grimy London setting combine with Sondheim's unmatchable lyrics and complex orchestral score for a rich theatrical and musical experience.

Starring real-life husband and wife Greer Grimsley, one of the great bass-baritones of his generation, as Sweeney Todd, and acclaimed mezzo-soprano Luretta Bybee as Mrs. Lovett. Canadian soprano Andriana Chuchman, fresh from a bravura debut performance at The Metropolitan Opera (where she stepped in for Anna Netrebko for two performances of L'Elisir d'Amore) will sing Johanna.

Conducted by Jonathan Darlington • Directed by Kim Collier

Greer Grimsley awed VO audiences with his powerful bass-baritone as John the Baptist in 2009's Salome. Mr. Grimsley is internationally recognized as one of the most prominent Wagnerian singers of the day. He is the leading interpreter of Wotan in Wagner's Ring Cycle, which he recently sang at The Metropolitan Opera. Luretta Bybee's most recent engagements include the role of Dame Marthe in Faustwith Arizona Opera, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the Seattle Symphony and San Antonio Symphony, Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music with the Pine Mountain Music Festival, and Wagner's Ring Cycle with Seattle Opera.

Andriana Chuchman has sung with The Metropolitan Opera, the Canadian Opera Company, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and others. "Her voice took on a melting fullness, shifting with exuberant vigor from long, lyrical phrases to glittering little tumbles of notes," raved the New York Times for her Met debut.

FULL TICKET INFORMATION

Subscriptions for the 2014-2015 season are available exclusively to current VO season subscribers. They will be available to the general public in April, 2014. Single tickets for the current 2013-2014 season are available from the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre, online atwww.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.