Richard Bradshaw News

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.

JANUARY 2016 OPERA Siegfried By Richard Wagner *COC PRODUCTION* Wagner's epic drama Siegfried returns to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts this winter in an acclaimed COC production from Canadian director François Girard. In the third instalment of the Ring Cycle, Siegfried's heroic journey reveals the minds of gods and mortals in a story of greed, fear and self-discovery. Superstar soprano Christine Goerke makes a highly anticipated return as the mighty Valkyrie Brünnhilde and acclaimed German tenor Stefan Vinke makes his COC debut in the title role. COC Music Director Johannes Debus leads the orchestra through Wagner's masterful score.  Seven performances: January 23, 27, 30 (4:30 p.m.), February 2, 5, 11 and 14 (2 p.m.), 2016.  All performances begin at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.  *Please note early start time*

The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre is a unique opportunity to experience diverse artistic programming in what has become one of Toronto's most exciting cultural hubs. Six inspiring series offer concerts, dance performances and engaging presentations that feature both up-and-coming young artists and established international stars. All performances are FREE to the public, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early as late seating is not available.

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.

The Canadian Opera Company opens its 2015/2016 season with Verdi's enduring masterpiece, La Traviata. This sumptuous new COC production is set in the demi-mondeof glittering 1850s Paris, evoking the social realities, rhythms and debauchery of a rapidly changing society. 

Toronto – 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 on November 3, 2015 at Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Centre Stage is the COC's annual celebration of the next generation of opera stars. The Ensemble Studio Competition is the evening's feature event: an exhilarating vocal showcase with the singers, selected from nationwide auditions for the COC Ensemble Studio – Canada's premier training program for young opera professionals – vying for cash prizes ranging in value from $1,500 to $5,000.

The Canadian Opera Company opens its 2015/2016 season with Verdi's enduring masterpiece, La Traviata. This sumptuous new COC production is set in the demi-monde of glittering 1850s Paris, evoking the social realities, rhythms and debauchery of a rapidly changing society.

The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre is a unique opportunity to experience diverse artistic programming in what has become one of Toronto's most exciting cultural hubs. Six inspiring series offer concerts, dance performances and engaging presentations that feature both up-and-coming young artists and established international stars. All performances are FREE to the public, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early as late seating is not available.  

Toronto – When the Canadian Opera Company's Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre returns for its 2015/2016 season this fall, over 400 artists from diverse artistic backgrounds will share their talents in one of Toronto's most vibrant and intimate cultural hubs. The season begins on Tuesday, September 22 with a highly anticipated performance by the rising stars of the COC Ensemble Studio singing their favourite arias and art songs.

The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre is a unique opportunity to experience diverse artistic programming in what has become one of Toronto's most exciting cultural hubs. Six inspiring series offer concerts, dance performances and engaging presentations that feature both up-and-coming young artists and established international stars. All performances are FREE to the public, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early as late seating is not available.  

Revenge will be delicious in the final production of Vancouver Opera's 2014-2015 season: Stephen Sondheim's brilliantly thrilling Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, onstage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for 6 performances tonight, April 25 - May 3, 2015.

A massive 12,000-pound moving steel platform – and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra – will dominate the Queen Elizabeth theatre stage for VO's innovative new production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, opening April 25, 2015 for only 6 performances through May 3.

Revenge will be delicious in the final production of Vancouver Opera's 2014-2015 season: Stephen Sondheim's brilliantly thrilling Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, onstage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for 6 performances April 25 - May 3, 2015.

The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini 13 performances: April 17, 19 (2 p.m.), 21, 26 (2 p.m.), 29, May 2 (4:30 p.m.), 7, 9, 13, 15 (Ensemble Studio Performance), 19, 21, 22, 2015 Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts 145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue) Start time: 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted above

Vancouver, BC ~ Following the success of last year's 'Opera's Greatest Hits - and More!' concert at the Surrey Arts Centre, Vancouver Opera again brings the best of opera hits and Broadway tunes to Surrey. The affordable, family-friendly concert will be performed by this year's participants in VO's acclaimed Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists program, a springboard for artists on the verge of launching international careers.

Below is information for Canadian Opera Company events in February 2015. This information includes details on the COC's winter productions of Don Giovanni and Die Walküre, as well as highlights of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre and tours of the Four Seasons Centre.

Toronto – The Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, Canada's premier training program for young opera professionals, welcomes three talented new Canadian artists for the 2015/2016 season. Tenors Charles Syand Aaron Sheppard were among the seven finalists featured in the fourth annual Ensemble Studio Competition in November 2014. Sy and Sheppard were top prize winners at the competitive vocal showcase which was the feature event of the COC's Ensemble Studio Competition Gala, Centre Stage, an evening dedicated to the discovery and celebration of the next generation of opera stars. In addition to the two opera singers, the 15/16 Ensemble Studio also welcomes pianist Hyejin Kwon.