Alexander Neef News

The Canadian Opera Companyhas selected seven finalists from across the country to showcase in this year's exhilarating vocal competition at its annual gala fundraiser,Centre Stage, on November 3, 2016. Selected from a pool of 119 aspiring Canadian opera singers, the final seven will take to the stage of Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to perform selected arias in the hopes of securing a cash prize, ranging in value from $1,500 - $5,000, and a highly coveted invitation to join Canada's premier training program for young opera professionals, the COC Ensemble Studio. 

The Canadian Opera Company's 2015/2016 season was one of continued artistic excellence paired with financial stability, as reported today at the COC's Annual General Meeting by COC Board Chair Colleen Sexsmith and COC General Director Alexander Neef. The COC's operating expenses for the 15/16 season were $40,278,000 with revenues of $40,310,000, allowing the opera company to report a modest surplus of $32,000. These expenses and revenues are a consolidated presentation of the financial results of the COC and its controlled affiliate, the Canadian Opera House Corporation, a charitable organization that owns and operates the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

The Canadian Opera Company has selected seven finalists from across the country to showcase in this year's exhilarating vocal competition at its annual gala fundraiser, Centre Stage, on November 3, 2016. Selected from a pool of 119 aspiring Canadian opera singers, the final seven will take to the stage of Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to perform selected arias in the hopes of securing a cash prize, ranging in value from $1,500 – $5,000, and a highly coveted invitation to join Canada's premier training program for young opera professionals, the COC Ensemble Studio. 

Searing drama and epic lyricism open the Canadian Opera Company's 2016/2017 season with a new production of Bellini's Norma. 

The Canadian Opera Company's acclaimed Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre returns this fall for its 11th season, once again offering a dynamic showcase of Toronto's cultural and artistic diversity.

The Canadian Opera Company's acclaimed Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre returns this fall for its 11th season, once again offering a dynamic showcase of Toronto's cultural and artistic diversity.

The work of George Frideric Handel, a supreme artist of the Baroque era, returns to the Canadian Opera Company stage this fall in the long awaited company premiere of Ariodante.

Searing drama and epic lyricism open the Canadian Opera Company's 2016/2017 season with a new production of Bellini's Norma. 

When this year's aspiring opera stars take to the stage of Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to compete in the Ensemble Studio Competition at the Canadian Opera Company's annual Centre Stage gala, they'll do so with legendary Canadian tenor and CBC Radio personality Ben Heppner in attendance.

Single tickets to the Canadian Opera Company are easier to purchase than ever before as the opera company introduces afree new app in time for its spring 2016 productions of Carmen and Maometto II. TheCanadian Opera Company app is now available in Apple's App Store and Google's Google Play.

Toronto – The future of Canadian opera will be on full display on February 22, 2016 when the rising young stars of the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio sing the lead roles in Mozart's comedic tour-de-force, The Marriage of Figaro. This special, one-night-only performance of the COC's new production takes place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, with all tickets accessibly priced at $25 and $55. The Marriage of Figaro is sung in Italian with English SURTITLES.

Toronto –   The Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, Canada's premier training program for young opera professionals, welcomes seven outstanding new artists for the 2016/2017 season: sopranos Danika Lorènand Samantha Pickett, mezzo-sopranos Emily D'Angelo, Lauren Eberwein and Megan Quick, baritone Bruno Roy, and pianist Stéphane Mayer. The seven artists join the Ensemble Studio in August 2016 and become part of an illustrious program that, since its inception in 1980, has launched the careers of over 215 Canadian singers, opera coaches, mainstage directors and conductors.

 The Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, Canada's premier training program for young opera professionals, welcomes seven outstanding new artists for the 2016/2017 season: sopranos Danika Lorèn and Samantha Pickett, mezzo-sopranos Emily D'Angelo, Lauren Eberwein and Megan Quick, baritone Bruno Roy, and pianist Stéphane Mayer. The seven artists join the Ensemble Studio in August 2016 and become part of an illustrious program that, since its inception in 1980, has launched the careers of over 215 Canadian singers, opera coaches, mainstage directors and conductors.

Canadian Opera Company audiences can look forward to five more years with Johannes Debus as the company's Music Director. The news of Debus' contract renewal through to the company's 2020/2021 season was announced today by COC General Director Alexander Neef at the public launch of the COC's 2016/2017 season at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Canada's greatest achievement in music, LOUIS RIEL, is returning to the Canadian Opera Company stage in a new production to help mark the 150th anniversary of the country's confederation. LOUIS RIEL is one of six landmark operas unveiled today at the public launch of the COC's 2016/2017 season at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Toronto – Emily D'Angelo of Toronto took home First Prize (the Chair's Prize) at the Canadian Opera Company's annual Ensemble Studio Competition on November 3, 2015 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The competition is the feature event of the COC fundraiser Centre Stage, a highly anticipated annual celebration of the next generation of opera stars. D'Angelo was selected from eight finalists to receive the $5,000 award, supported annually by the Chair of the COC's Board of Directors. Lauren Eberwein of Qualicum Beach, BC won the Second Prize of $3,000, and Bruno Roy of Montreal was awarded the Third Prize of $1,500. Emily D'Angelo was also selected by the audience as the winner of the Audience Choice Award, worth $1,500.

Out of a pool of 120 aspiring opera singers from across the country, the Canadian Opera Company has selected eight to compete at Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition tonight, November 3, 2015 at Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Toronto – Today at the Canadian Opera Company's Annual General Meeting, COC Board Chair Tony Arrell and COC General Director Alexander Neef reported on the financial and artistic successes of the 2014/2015 season. With an acclaimed season of operas, the COC maintained its impressive attendance numbers, recording an average attendance of 92%, as well as retained last year's historic-level of fundraising with contributed revenue totaling $12.6 million and posted a balanced budget, to show a modest surplus of $13,000.

Toronto – From November 9 to December 6, 2015, the Canadian Opera Company's annual Glencore Ensemble Studio School Tourgives 16,000 elementary students across Ontario the chance to experience live opera performed by professional opera singers. This year's tour features two engaging productions, Operation Superpower and The Bremen Town Musicians, which will capture the imaginations of young audience members with their superhero and fairy tale themes.

Canadian Opera Company presents the world premiere of Pyramus and Thisbe by Canadian composer Barbara Monk Feldman. Based on the story from Ovid's Metamorphoses, the opera Pyramus and Thisbe was written by Monk Feldman in 2010 is being presented as part of COC's 2015/2016 season.