Annual Report
President’s Message From the world premiere of The Nightingale and Other Short Fables and two new productions of Otello and Idomeneo, to a COC premiere of Maria Stuarda and three productions of COC signature favourites, Madama Butterfly, The Flying Dutchman and Carmen, the COC’s 60th season was a wonder of contrasting styles and genres with a stellar array of artistic talent rivalling the best opera companies in the world. Additionally, our talented Ensemble Studio members shone in the lead roles in their own performance of the mainstage Idomeneo. This past season we also welcomed the arrival of our new Music Director, Johannes Debus, on a full-time basis and we are delighted to have his talent and energy in the company. In its fourth season, the 78 Free Concerts in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre continued to play to capacity audiences with an array of programming featuring young performers as well as established artists, and a remarkable 44 compositions written by living Canadian composers. The company’s many education and outreach programs reached 45,000 children, youth and adults, enlightening and enriching young and old alike. Finally, the company performed a special Diamond Anniversary Concert on November 7 with operatic superstars Ramón Vargas, Russell Braun and John Treleaven, and the COC Orchestra led by Johannes Debus. The concert was performed on stage with a new orchestra shell that not only afforded a musical evening no one would forget, but also transformed our opera house into what one critic described as “Toronto’s finest large concert hall.” A very satisfying season indeed! We are very proud that the company was able to post a surplus for the 2009/2010 season. While last year’s economic crisis still loomed over our fundraising efforts, the company worked hard to mitigate its overall effects by saving wherever possible and finding unexpected and advantageous partnerships. I am exceedingly proud to be associated with a company that shows such fiscal responsibility to its subscribers, donors, volunteers and staff. Core funding support in the form of annual grants and gifts from both our public and private partners is vital to our long-term stability, regardless of the company’s annual budgetary success. Ticket sales in 09/10 were exemplary, but because fundraising remains a challenge, we are making a significant effort in identifying and securing our own sources of core support. We are fortunate that with Alexander Neef’s leadership we have made great progress with our long-term planning – we are now in the midst of preparing our 2014/2015 season! This future planning is the single most important tool we have in establishing our financial stability. It is worth remembering, though, that ticket sales only account for 41% of our annual costs. The remaining amount must come from those who believe that the COC is worth supporting beyond simply purchasing a ticket or a subscription. Government investments in the COC continue to be at the core of our funding model, in times of both economic success and economic uncertainty. Fortunately, although the effects of the worldwide recession remain a significant challenge for each level of government, they have clearly demonstrated their support of a strong and vibrant cultural sector. Both the Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Culture showed tremendous leadership in difficult economic times by providing an increase in their annual allocation to the COC, and the company is extremely grateful for this increased investment as well as to the Canada Council for the Arts for its continued support. I am honoured to have served as President of the COC Board for the past two years, and I am proud of the successes we have achieved over that time. As I move over to the position of Chair of the COC, I wish to thank my predecessor, David Ferguson, who has been unflinchingly generous and supportive over many years, and I welcome my successor as President, Philip Deck, who has amply demonstrated his passion for the COC during his longstanding association with the company. I am extremely grateful to them, along with my fellow board members who give so much of their time and expertise, as well as the hundreds of other volunteers, artists and staff of the company who strive every day to produce great art.
Paul Spafford President, Canadian Opera Company
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Canadian Opera Company Diamond Anniversary Celebration The Canadian Opera Company celebrated its 60th Anniversary with a sparkling concert featuring the COC’s new Music Director, Johannes Debus leading the COC Orchestra, opera stars Ramón Vargas and John Treleaven making their much-anticipated debuts, and the return of COC favourite Russell Braun. In a program of French and Wagnerian repertoire, the COC Orchestra shone in its four selections: Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, the “Menuet des feux follets” and the Hungarian March from La damnation de Faust, and Wagner’s Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Mr. Vargas sang arias from Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette and La damnation de Faust. Mr. Braun also sang an aria from Roméo et Juliette and one from Wagner’s Tannhäuser. Mr. Treleaven sang from Die Meistersinger, as well as from Tannhäuser and a moving Siegfried’s Death from Götterdämmerung. Encores from Mr. Vargas and Mr. Braun were enthusiastically applauded and the orchestra finished the stellar evening with an encore of the Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin. The post-concert dinner for 120 was held in the Henry N. R. Jackman Lounge at the Four Seasons Centre, fêting the artists and the COC’s generous donors.
Left: (l – r) Colleen Sexsmith, Alexander Neef and Earlaine Collins. Photo: COC Right: Russell Braun and Ramón Vargas perform with music director Johannes Debus conducting at the COC’s Diamond Anniversary Concert, 2009. Photo: Michael Cooper Below: The Diamond Anniversary reception took place in the Henry N. R. Jackman Lounge. Photo: COC
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Revenue Box Office Revenue The Canadian Opera Company enjoyed another record-breaking season in 2009/2010, reaching a new single season ticket and fees revenue record of $13,422,000, a 6.2% increase over the previous season. Performance activity increased to 70 mainstage performances plus a special 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration concert. Mainstage activity included a Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts record of 15 performances of Madama Butterfly, the addition of an unscheduled performance of The Nightingale and Other Short Fables, and a special non-subscription performance of Idomeneo featuring the young artists of the COC Ensemble Studio program. Total attendance for all mainstage activity reached 144,303 including a record 51,043 non-subscription tickets sold. Overall, all regular mainstage opera performances played to 97.6% of capacity.
Fundraising Revenues The Canadian Opera Company’s 2009/2010 Diamond Anniversary season represented six decades of artistic excellence and creative achievements, made possible in part through the continued generous support from over 6,000 loyal subscribers and donors, corporations and foundations. Individual giving saw a modest increase, accounting for approximately 73% of overall fundraising revenue for 09/10. The generosity of individual major gift commitments towards transition and endowment funding, production underwriting, artist and performance sponsorship, training, education and outreach programs, in addition to annual support through the Golden Circle, President’s Council and Friends of the COC patron programs – including a lead gift from an anonymous donor to the Year-End Matching Appeal – netted approximately $6 million. The 09/10 season not only marked the milestone of the COC’s Diamond Anniversary, but also the 30th anniversary of the President’s Council membership programs, boasting over 650 loyal patrons. The COC would like to recognize the President’s Council Committee members Mary-Catherine Acheson, Diane Adamson-Brdar, Thomas J. Burton, Vreni Ducommun, Gladys Fogler, Sue Mortimer, Katalin Schäfer, Colleen Sexsmith (Chair), Kristine Vikmanis and Karen Walsh, who act as ambassadors for the company by ensuring satisfaction within the membership, actively promoting the programs and encouraging new memberships. The COC continued to receive support from several loyal corporate sponsors: Sun Life Financial with the Sun Life Financial Accessibility Program; Jaguar Land Rover Canada as the Official Automotive Sponsor; Trius wine from Andrew Peller Limited as the Official Canadian Wine of the COC; Delvinia as the Digital Marketing Sponsor; CTVglobemedia as the Official Media Sponsor; the Hilton Toronto as the Preferred Hospitality Sponsor; and St. Joseph Print as the Official Print Sponsor. Production Sponsors for the season included CIBC and CIBC Mellon – Bizet’s Carmen; National Bank Financial Group – Verdi’s Otello; RBC – Puccini’s Madama Butterfly; Scotiabank – Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda; and Intact Insurance – Mozart’s Idomeneo. The COC is very grateful to the following volunteers of the Corporate Development Committee for their hard work and dedication: Nora Aufreiter, Stewart Burton, Stephen O. Marshall (Chair), Ian Pearce, John Rothschild and Paul B. Spafford. Foundation support for the COC’s annual operations was received from the Hope Charitable Foundation and the Nellie Hicks Fund at the Calgary Foundation, while the McLean Foundation maintained its annual funding for education and outreach programs. ARIAS: Canadian Opera Student Development Fund (formerly COVC), headed by Arija Stiver, the Audrey S. Hellyer Charitable Foundation and the Hal Jackman Fund at the Ontario Arts Foundation again donated in support of the Ensemble Studio program. 2009/2010 OPERATING revenues
12% OTHER
28% FUNDRAISING
2009/2010 fundraising revenues (NET)
7% special events
41% BOX OFFICE
20% corporations and foundations
19% GOVERNMENT SUPPORT 4
73% individuals
Clifton Forbis as Otello and Scott Hendricks as Iago in the COC production of Otello, 2010. Photo: Gary Beechey
RBC Foundation was again the Major Supporter of the Ensemble Studio program, as part of its commitment to training young artists. Xstrata Nickel continued as the Title Sponsor of the Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour, and additional support was received from KPMG LLP, William Morneau of Morneau Sobeco and Nancy McCain. COC education and outreach programs received renewed support from several corporate sponsors. TD Bank Financial Group was the Presenting Sponsor of the Opera for a New Age program; BMO Financial Group was the Title Sponsor of the Student Dress Rehearsals and the Pre-Performance Chats; Great-West Life – Canada Life – London Life was the major supporter of the Opera Storytime program; and the Imperial Oil Foundation and Kraft Canada supported the After School Opera program. The COC’s 09/10 fundraising events netted over $500,000 thanks to the generosity of loyal donors and supporters. Operanation VI, the COC’s fundraising bash for young urban professionals, co-chaired by Ingrid Chao, Fayaz Dossa and Rosemarie Umetsu, and presented by TD Bank Financial Group, was held at the Four Seasons Centre in February 2010. Eight hundred guests danced, dined and celebrated the essence of Bizet’s beloved opera, Carmen, and raised $80,000. The COC’s 60th Anniversary Concert took place on Saturday, November 7, 2009, raising more than $150,000. Supporting Sponsors of the COC’s Diamond Anniversary Concert were BMO Financial Group and Diamond + Schmitt Architects along with Performance Sponsors Blake, Cassels & Graydon and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, as well as Wine Sponsor Andrew Peller Limited. Adding extra sparkle to the evening was the raffle of a 1.26 carat Canadian diamond generously donated by DeBeers Canada. The COC is also grateful to Colleen Sexsmith for offering her generous financial support to help make the COC’s Diamond Anniversary concert possible, in part through underwriting Ramón Vargas’s and John Treleaven’s respective performances, and to Earlaine Collins for generously underwriting Russell Braun’s appearance. In April 2010, the 11th annual Fine Wine Auction returned to Crush Wine Bar and Restaurant, where wine enthusiasts and novices helped to raise a record of $119,000 by bidding on a collection of exquisite and hard-to-find wines from private cellars. The COC would like to recognize the continued enthusiasm and dedication of co-chairs Anthony Borg and Andrew Vernon, Auctioneer Stephen Ranger, and the Wine Committee: Fayaz Dossa, Roisin Hynes and John MacFarlane. On June 7, 2010, 120 golfers teed off at the 16th annual Opera Golf Classic, presented by BMO Capital Markets and BMO Nesbitt Burns, at the Scarboro Golf and Country Club and raised over $185,000. This day-long fundraising event would not have been possible without, for a second year, the leadership and energy of Adam Froman and the Golf Committee: Steve Allmen, Mike Bereskin, John Gagliano, Jeff Lloyd, Geoff Matus, Ryan Sharpe and Karen Walsh. The COC would also like to thank all those who volunteer throughout the year both on a daily basis and for special events with the company. 5
COC Supporters The Canadian Opera Company’s annual individual donor programs are comprised of dedicated opera enthusiasts who make a valuable and continuing commitment to the company’s growth as a centre of excellence for opera in Canada.
E. LOUISE MORGAN SOCIETY The E. Louise Morgan Society was created to reflect the vision and commitment of its founder and the members who have created a legacy of leadership, passion and philanthropy in support of the goals of the Canadian Opera Company. Each of these donors has contributed a cumulative total of more than one million dollars over the past 15 years. Their support is critical to the company’s success and we are forever indebted to their commitment and generosity. Dr. Larry M. Agranove The Gerard & Earlaine Collins Foundation Kolter Communities Roger D. Moore Joey & Toby Tanenbaum
ARIAS: Canadian Opera Student Development Fund (formerly COVC) The late John A. Cook The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation E. Louise Morgan Anonymous (1)
INDIVIDUAL ANNUAL SUPPORT For the period of July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010
MAJOR GIFTS & SPECIAL PROJECTS Every year, the Canadian Opera Company has unique projects operating beyond regular annual activities, each of which relies on private funding to ensure its success. These include: transition and endowment funding, production underwriting, artist and performance sponsorship, as well as training, education and outreach programs. We sincerely thank the following individuals for their generous support. $500,000 – $999,999 The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation $100,000 – $499,999 Anne & Tony Arrell Paul Bernards David G. Broadhurst Jean Davidson & Paul Spafford Philip Deck & Kimberley Bozak George S. Dembroski Dutch Community of Ontario Trina & Don McQueen Colleen Sexsmith The Slaight Family Anonymous (2) $25,000 – $99,999 Ethel Harris & the late Milton E. Harris Patrick & Barbara Keenan Ronald Kimel & Vanessa LaPerriere Estate of Aldo & Anita Maggiorotti Jill & Geoff Matus Roger D. Moore The Stratton Trust William & Phyllis Waters Anonymous
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Up to $24,999 Laurie & Fareed Ali Thomas J. Burton The Max Clarkson Family Foundation Ian & June Cockwell Earlaine Collins Michael & Lora Gibbens Margaret Gray in memory of the late Donald Gray The Hal Jackman Foundation Hon. Henry N. R. Jackman Jo Lander Marjorie & Roy Linden Melanie Whitehead Mersch Sue Mortimer in memory of Clive Bennett Mortimer Estate of Sara Ratney Kristine Vikmanis
INDIVIDUAL ANNUAL SUPPORT Golden Circle Gold, $50,000 + Anne & Tony Arrell*** David G. Broadhurst* In memory of Gerard H. Collins**** Jerry & Geraldine Heffernan**** The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation**** Roger D. Moore**** Arthur & Susan Scace**** Colleen Sexsmith** Sandra L. Simpson*
Silver, $25,000 – $49,999 Andrew Peller Limited Paul Bernards*** Cecily & Robert Bradshaw Philip Deck & Kimberley Bozak*** George S. Dembroski**** Mr. & Mrs. W. Humphries*** Ronald Kimel & Vanessa LaPerriere**** Susan Loube & William Acton* The Stratton Trust*
Bronze, $12,500 – $24,999 Dr. & Mrs. Hans G. Abromeit**** Mark & Gail Appel** Philip & Linda Armstrong* Ms Nora Aufreiter Melissa & Barry Avrich John & Claudine Bailey*** Barbara Black*
Mr. Philip J. Boswell†**** Walter M. & Lisa Balfour Bowen**** Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen*** Rob & Teresa Brouwer* Marcia Lewis Brown Stewart & Gina Burton* Dr. John Chiu in memory of Yvonne Chiu, C.M.**** The Max Clarkson Family Foundation**** J. Rob Collins**** Sydney & Florence Cooper* Jean Davidson & Paul Spafford**** David Denison & Maureen Flanagan* Dr. Fayaz & Mrs. Sandra Dossa David & Kristin Ferguson**** George Fierheller**** Margaret & Jim Fleck* Lloyd & Gladys Fogler*** David & Elizabeth Forster** Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts** Adam & Sharin Froman Roger & Kevin Garland** Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin** James & Joyce Gutmann**** Ethel Harris & the late Milton Harris**** Dr. W. P. Hayman & Dr. M. L. Myers*** Nona & William Heaslip Foundation**** Douglas E. Hodgson**** Michael & Linda Hutcheon**** William Ip & Kathleen Latimer* Dr. Amy Kaiser & Ken Rotman*
Grazyna & Jerry Krigstin* Jeff Lloyd & Barbara Henders Mr. & Mrs. J. S. A. MacDonald**** Judy & Wilmot Matthews Jill & Geoff Matus* John & Esther McNeil*** Trina & Don McQueen* Johanna Metcalf*** Delia M. Moog** Jonathan Morgan* Sue Mortimer in memory of Clive Bennett Mortimer**** Nicholas & Rosemary Mutton Mrs. & Mr. Christl & Karl Niemuller** Donald O’Born** Peter M. Partridge**** Ian & Michelle Pearce Tim & Frances Price**** David Roffey & Karen Walsh*** Barrie Rose & Family*** John A. Rothschild Philip & Maria Smith** Stephen & Jane Smith**** Marion & Gerald Soloway* David E. Spiro*** David Stanley-Porter**** Ms Kristine Vikmanis & Mr. Denton Creighton**** Jack Whiteside** Tom & Ruth Woods***
President’s Council President’s Council Committee Mary-Catherine Acheson Diane Adamson-Brdar Thomas J. Burton Vreni Ducommun Gladys Fogler Sue Mortimer Katalin Schäfer Colleen Sexsmith (Chair) Kristine Vikmanis Karen Walsh
Trustee $7,500 – $12,499 à la Carte Kitchen Inc. Laurie & Fareed Ali* Margaret Atwood & Graeme Gibson** Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Christ**** Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Dan** Andrew Fleming** The Hon. William C. Graham & Mrs. Catherine Graham**** Al & Malka Green* Rainer Hackert*** Maggie Hayes* Trinity Jackman Bernhard & Hannelore Kaeser**** J. Hans Kluge* Murray & Marvelle Koffler**** Anne & Wilf Lewitt* Jerry & Joan Lozinski**** Bobby & Gordon MacNeill* Hon. Margaret & Mr. Wallace McCain** John McVicker & B. W. Thomas****
Mrs. Louise O’Shea**** Françoise Sutton** Ms R. Raso*** Dr. David Shaw* Anonymous (1)
Patron $3,750 – $7,499 Mr. Peter Allen* Sue Armstrong** Ron Atkinson & Bruce Blandford*** Salah Bachir* Mrs. N. A. Balciunas**** Robert & Mona Bandeen** Schuyler Bankes & Family*** Karen & Bill Barnett L. H. Bartelink in memory of Oskar & Irmgard Gaube** Dr. Thomas H. Beechy**** Mr. & Mrs. Eric Belli-Bivar** Mr. & Mrs. Avie Bennett**** Mr. Roland Bertin**** Tom Bogart & Kathy Tamaki* Mrs. James G. Borack**** William & Anna Maria Braithwaite* Dr. David & Constance Briant**** Dr. Jane Brissenden & Dr. Janet Roscoe**** Mrs. Donna Brock** Margaret & Derek Brown**** Murray & Judy Bryant** Thomas J. Burton* Sharon & Howard Campbell* Cesaroni Management Limited** Mr. Douglas W. Chaddock
Paul G. Cherry & Dean C. Noack**** Peter & Frances Chiddy* Frank Ciccolini**** Marilyn Cook Mr. & Mrs. William J. Corcoran** Tim Costigan & Kathleen McLaughlin Lindy Cowan† & Chris Hatley** Mrs. Ninalee Craig** Norman Curtis**** C. M. Dare**** Elaine & Michael Davies**** Raul Werneck de Castro** Dr. Jeanne Deinum**** Carol Derk & David Giles* Mrs. A. Ephraim Diamond and Family**** Bernard & Francine Dorval** Peter & Anne Dotsikas* Vreni & Marc Ducommun** Bud & Leigh Eisenberg** Mr. & Mrs. John J. Elder**** Joseph Fantl & Moira Bartram* Graham Farquharson** Fleur-de-lis Interior Design Kimberley Fobert & Robert Lamb†*** The Fraser Elliott Foundation**** Dr. & Mrs. Wm. O. Geisler** The Hon. & Mrs. Alastair W. Gillespie**** Ben & Sarah Glatt**** Peter & Shelagh Godsoe* Rose & Roger Goldstein *** Michael & Anne Gough**** Dr. Noëlle Grace & The Shohet Family***
Ronald & Birgitte Granofsky*** Douglas & Ruth Grant John & Judith Grant* John Groves*** George & Irene Hamilton**** Hampton Securities Ltd. Scott & Ellen Hand** Hon. & Mrs. Paul Hellyer**** Ava Marion Hillier* Prof. Michiel Horn**** Scott Irvine† & Joan Watson†** Dr. Melvyn L. Iscove** The Jackman Foundation*** Victoria Jackman & Bruce Kuwabara** Dr. Peter Janetos* Mr. Robert C. Jefferies*** Dr. Joshua Josephson**** Lorraine Kaake**** May & Fred Karp** H. L. Katarynych** Patrick & Barbara Keenan**** Jim & Diane King* Joseph Kerzner & Lisa Koeper*** Jean V. Kramar* The Hon. Dennis Lane, Q.C. & Mrs. Sandra Lane**** Harold & Larraine Langer**** Mr. Philip Lanouette* John B. Lawson, Q.C.**** Paul Lee & Jill Maynard**** Daniel & Janet Li* Vincent & Helene Lobraico Angelo & Grace Locilento* Douglas L. Ludwig & Karen J. Rice** Ole P. Madsen* R. Manke**** 7
Christa & Robert McDermott* The Hon. Barbara McDougall*** Paul & Jean McGrath**** June McLean**** Mr. Michael J. McMurray* Melanie Whitehead Mersch** Mr. Albert Merz* Dr. Judith A. Miller*** Beatrice & Arthur Minden Foundation**** Mary Mogford & Tom Campbell Professor David J. Murray** Eileen Patricia Newell** Mrs. Sally-Ann Noznesky**** Keith & Brenda Ottaway** Dr. & Mrs. William M. Park**** Mr. Douglas L. Parker**** John & Gwen Pattison* Polk Family Charitable Fund** Julian Porter, Q.C.* Samuel A. Rea & Wendy J. Thompson**** Rob & Penny Richards** Margaret A. Riggin Joseph L. Rosenmiller* Maxwell L. Rotstein & Nancy-Gay Rotstein**** Mr. & Mrs. R. T. Ruggles**** Annie & Ian D. Sale Judy & Hy Sarick**** Sam & Esther Sarick*** Helen & John Scott* Katherine & Gary Shaw* Dr. Ralph Shaw & June Shaw**** Allan & Helaine Shiff**** Dr. John Stanley & Dr. Helmut Reichenbächer** Drs. Wayne Stanley & Marina Pretorius Doreen L. Stanton**** Dr. Richard & Jane Stoneman* Carol Swallow** Mr. & Mrs. Michael Tatham* Kathryn J. Thornton*** Anthea Thorp*** Vincent Tovell, O.C.*** Rosalind & Dory Vanderhoof Stefan Varga & Dr. Marcia Varga Donald & Margaret Walter**** Hugh & Colleen Washington* William R. Waters*** Peter Webb & Joan York**** Ruth Watts-Gransden**** L. R. Wilson* Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Wise**** Mr. & Mrs. Yung C. Wu* Morden Yolles**** Linda Young The Youssef-Warren Foundation*** Helen Ziegler** Sharon Zuckerman**** Helen & Walter Zwig**** Anonymous (6)
Member $2,250 – $3,749 The Acheson Family Foundation** D. C. Adamson-Brdar**** Dr. & Mrs. Larry M. Agranove**** Donna & Lorne Albaum* Mr. & Mrs. Roberto & Nancy Albis** Clive & Barbara Allen** Mr. Thomas Allen* Erich Almasy & Cynthia J. Blanton* Mr. & Mrs. Howard Alpert** Dr. D. Amato & Ms J. Hodges****
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Rod Anderson & Merike Lugus**** Andrée Appleton & Alexander Leman* Anne-Marie H. Applin** Valerie Armstrong*** Philip & Susan Arthur Virginia Atkin** John Bailey* Marilyn & Charles Baillie**** James C. Baillie* Andrew & Cornelia Baines**** Janice A. Baker**** Richard J. Balfour*** Lloyd G. Barbara Lindy Barrow Ms Roxanne Bartel Clarissa Barton & Eric Hood**** Dr. Frank Bartoszek & Mr. Daniel O’Brien**** Florence Sharpe Barwell**** Julia Bass & David Hamilton** Alice & Tom Bastedo** Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Sondra Beck Ms Marie Bérard†** Dan Bereskin, Q.C. & Rhoda Gryfe* Dr. Catherine Bergeron** Nani & Austin Beutel**** John N. & Miranda A. H. Birch J. Bismillah* Anneliese and Walter Blackwell**** Susanne Blake*** Ms Lynn Blaser & Mr. John van Ogtrop**** Ian & Janet Blue** John & Ila Bossons* Mr. W. Bowen & Ms S. Gavinchuk†*** David Boyd-Thomas*** Mrs. Carolyn Bradley-Hall & Mr. William Bradley** Mrs. Richard Bradshaw** Sylvia Brander**** Bric Engineered Systems Peter Brieger & Beverley Hamblin Brian Bucknall & Mary Jane Mossman**** Alice Burton** Barrie & Betty Cade** Maureen Callahan & Douglas Gray* Margaret Harriett Cameron**** Della H. Campbell**** Ken & Denise Cargill** Brian & Ellen Carr**** Clarice Carson Gail Carson**** Wendy M. Cecil**** Challenging Leaders Limited W. D. Chambers*** Dr. & Mrs. Albert Cheskes** Birte von Chlumecky-Bauer** Dr. Howard M. Clarke** The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson Edward Cole & Adrienne Hood** Murray & Katherine Corlett*** Harold & Anita Corrigan*** Dr. Lesley S. Corrin**** Gay & Derek Cowbourne* Eloïse Crabtree & Don Carmichael* Ms Wanda Crickmay Susan Crocker* Mary Beth Currie & Jeff Rintoul Carrol Anne Curry** Ms Lindsay Dale-Harris & Mr. Rupert Field-Marsham**** Doris J. Daughney
M. P. Davies* Stan & Jean Davies**** Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP** Dr. & Mrs. Michael & Ute Davis* Brian J. Dawson** Juleth Dawson Jill Denham & Stephen Marshall* Michael & Honor de Pencier*** Mrs. Rosario de Wit-Farro** Mrs. Leonard G. (Anne) Delicaet & Mrs. Kendra Anne Delicaet-Almasi*** Perry & Rae Dellio** Angelo & Carol DelZotto** Mr. & Mrs. Elvio DelZotto* Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Diamond Steven & Linda Diener** J. DiGiovanni Olwen & Frank Dixon* James Doak & Patricia Best** Sandra Z. Doblinger* Ms Petrina Dolby** Dr. James & Mrs. Ellen Downey* John Duffy & Jill Presser Marko Duic**** H. I. Dunlop*** Ms Judy Dunn Ron Dyck & Walter Stewart** William & Gwenda Echard**** Jean Edwards* Wendy & Elliot Eisen*** Robert Elliott & Paul Wilson* Genia & Stan Elkind**** Dr. & Mrs. John Evans** Virginia Evans* Fabris Inc. George A. Farkass* Gail & Bob Farquharson Catherine Fauquier*** Bill Fearn & Claudia Rogers*** Lee K. Ferrier*** William & Rosemary Fillmore** Mr. & Mrs. Cosimo & Christina Fiorenza** Dr. Sidney M. Fireman* Robert & Julia Foster* Margaret & David Fountain**** Mr. Michael A. French* Judith Ann Fullerton* Rev. Ivars Gaide & Rev. Dr. Anita Gaide** Tom & Helen Galt**** Ann Gawman** Dr. Barry A. Gayle**** Martin & Mindy Gerskup* The Honourable Irving Gerstein & Mrs. Gail Gerstein* Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Giancamilli * Michael & Lora Gibbens Ann J. Gibson**** William & Marika Glied** Mary & Lionel Goffart Dr. Eudice Goldberg Dr. Fay Goldstep & Dr. George Freedman* Deanna A. Gontard**** Tina & Michael Gooding** Wayne A. Gooding**** Goodman Family David & Janice Gordon** Jane Greene* Suzy Greenspan** Mr. Finn Greflund & Mrs. M. Ortner* Ellen & Simon Gulden**** Anna L. Guthrie**** Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hackenspiel**** Gudrun Hackert Dan Hagler & Family** Ms Francess G. Halpenny****
John & Ruth Hannigan Beverly Hargraft* Paul & Natalie Hartman Paul & Margaret Harricks Michael Harris & Carol Rak* Valerie & Brian Harris*** Mr. & Mrs. William B. Harris** Mr. D. Harrison & Dr. E. Fischer* Lloyd Heaslip**** Jenny Heathcote**** Mr. Thomas G. Heintzman & Ms Mary Jane Heintzman** Caroline Helbronner & Douglas Klaassen** Jacques & Elizabeth Helbronner** Ann & Lyman Henderson**** Thea Herman & Gregory King** The Donald Heskins Philanthropic Fund of The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies* William E. Hewitt*** Sam & Libby Ho** Chris Hoffmann & Joan Eakin* Roy D. Hogg, FCA**** Sally Holton & Stephen Ireland*** Emmy & Walter Homburger** Mr. Roland Hoy** Drs. Walter & Virginia Hryshko Ken Hugessen & Jennifer Connolly* Anthony C. J. Humphreys**** Gillian Humphreys Peter & Hélène Hunt**** Mrs. Wilma Hysen*** Infonex Inc.* Prof. Christopher Innes & Brigitte Bogar William Innes Diana & Philip Jackson in memory of Ethel B. Jackson*** Elliott Jacobson & Judy Malkin* Lynne Jeffrey*** Laurence Jewell* The Norman & Margaret Jewison Charitable Foundation**** Donald K. Johnson & Anna McCowan Johnson* Ms Elizabeth Johnson* Dr. Albert & Bette Johnston* Joyce Johnston** Joseph & Maureen Katchen Dr. Joel Keenleyside**** David W. & Sheryl L. Kerr Inta Kierans**** Peter Kingsmill Ellen & Hermann Kircher**** Dr. Elizabeth Kocmur**** Michael & Sonja Koerner** Robin Korthals & Janet Charlton* Dr. Robert Kosnik**** Richard J. Kostoff** Valarie Koziol E. Kraker William & Eva Krangle*** Elizabeth & Goulding Lambert*** Leslie & Jo Lander**** Richard T. La Prairie Dr. Connie Lee** Dr. Richard Lee & Mr. Gary Van Haren* Linda Lee & Michael Pharoah**** Neal Lee & Dominique Lee* Alexander & Anna Leggatt** Joy Levine** Mr. Jonathan C. Levitt & Ms Ethel Mah Mr. Peter Levitt & Ms Mai Why** Cheryl Lewis & Mihkel Voore**
Marjorie & Roy Linden**** Dr. & Mrs. W. G. Lindley**** Janet & Sid Lindsay** Anthony Lisanti** Michel Lislois** Dr. Vance Logan*** A. Benson Lorriman**** Ms Jane Loughborough* Dr. Robert G. Luton**** Jonathan & Dorothea Lovat Dickson* Mary Lu & Bruce MacDonald**** James & Connie MacDougall**** John Macfarlane Mr. Jed MacKay**** Dr. & Mrs. Richard Mackenzie**** Mrs. R. MacMillan**** Macro Properties Ltd.* Mrs. Janet Maggiacomo* Dr. Colin McGregor Mailer**** Robert Mansell & Elizabeth Mitchell* Dr. & Mrs. M. A. Manuel Mr. & Mrs. R. Gordon Marantz**** Gerald & Helen Marr**** Kenneth & Kathleen Mathieson Pauline and Dipak Mazumdar at the Toronto Community Foundation*** Dr. & Mrs. John A. McCallum**** Wendy & Chris McDowall* Anne McFadyen Dr. & Mrs. Donald C. McGillivray****
Darcy & Joyce McKeough* Guy & Joanne McLean*** M. E. McLeod**** Jean M. McNab**** Margaret C. McNee Mark & Andrea McQueen*** Shawn McReynolds & Elaine Kierans Dr. Don Melady & Mr. Rowley Mossop** Mr. Ulrich Menzefricke**** MI9 Business Intelligence Systems Ingrid & Daniel Mida Dr. Thomas & Catherine Millar Marvene (Cox) & Gordon Miller* Lee Milliken† & Doug MacNaughton* Dr. William & Mrs. Sharon Millman* Patricia & Frank Mills** Ms Kamini Milnes* Audrey & David Mirvish** Bruce & Vladka Mitchell Dr. David N. Mitchell & Dr. Susan M. Till** Robert & Janet Mitchell Dr. Eva Mocarski Dr. & Mrs. S. Mocarski Donald Moggridge & Susan Howson** Anne Moore*** Mr. Robert Morassutti**** Ruth Morawetz & Ken Judd** Alice Janet Morgan** Ada & Hugh G. Morris
Edith Patterson Morrow*** Ms Rosalind Morrow* Drs. Christopher & Pippa Moss** Mr. Noel Mowat* Walter & Susan Mozek Mr. Joseph Mulder* Taketo & Vija Murata* Ethel Myers**** David & Mary Neelands** Dr. Shirley C. Neuman* Dr. John & Pamela Newall**** Dr. Steven Nitzkin*** Mr. Jean-Claude Noel* Dr. James & Mrs. Valda Oestreicher** E. Oliana & A. Iu** Janice Oliver†** Martin & Myrna Ossip* Joyce & Benson Orenstein** Dr. & Mrs. N. Pairaudeau*** Isabel Pargana & Raimondo Maltese Maureen & Roger Parkinson Mrs. Margaret Ann Pattison**** John & Penelope Pepperell* Dr. R. G. Perrin* Stephanie Perry & Ronan McGrath Mr. William Perry* John & Carol Peterson** M. J. Phillips**** June C. Pinkney**** Johann C. Pinto Robin B. Pitcher*** Wanda Plachta***
Mary Jean & Frank Potter*** Georgia Prassas**** Margrit & Tony Rahilly**** Stephen Ralls & Bruce Ubukata** The Carol & Morton Rapp Foundation**** Grant L. Reuber** K. F. Read & G. Longchamps** Mrs. Gabrielle Richards* Carolyn Ricketts*** Ms Nada Ristich Emily & Fred Rizner* Clara Robert Sidney Robinson & Linda Currie**** Gordon Robison & David Grant* Dr. Michael & Mary Romeo**** John & Hannah Rosen Diane & Joseph Rosenthal** Ken & Helen Rotenberg* Rainer & Sharyn Rothfuss*** Drs. Orest & Maureen Rudzik**** David A. Ruston** Ms Sharon Cookie Sandler*** Mallory Morris Sartz & John Sartz**** William & Meredith Saunderson*** Stewart & Dianne Saxe*** Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Schaef**** Beverly & Fred Schaeffer Katalin Schäfer** Mrs. Ortaud Scherer* Fred & Mary Schulz* Dr. Marianne Seger****
(l – r) Evgeny Nikitin as the Dutchman and Julie Makerov as Senta with the COC Chorus in the COC production of The Flying Dutchman, 2010. Photo: Michael Cooper
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Carol Seifert & Bruno Tesan** Mr. & Mrs. Norman Shamie*** Jean Nathanson Shawn**** Victor & Rhoda Shields*** Milton & Joyce Shier**** Dr. Kevin Shiffman* David & Hilary Short*** Dr. Birgitta Sigfridsson William Siegel & Margaret Swaine* In memory of Dr. Bernard Slatt Dr. & Mrs. Jeremy Sloan* Jay Smith & Laura Rapp Judy & Hume Smith*** Kenneth & Catherine Smith** Ms Muriel Smith & Mr. Eric Ojala*** Dr. Harley Smyth & Carolyn McIntire Smyth* Dr. Joseph So** John & Ellen Spears*** Martha E. Spears**
Alex & Kim Squires**** The Steve & Sally Stavro Family Foundation* Celia & Lee Steels** Oksana R. Stein** Mr. & Mrs. Gary & Sula Stern Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Stern** John D. Stevenson*** James H. Stonehouse* Janet Stubbs Dr. Peter Stroz & Dr. Sophia Pantazi*** Anna Talenti*** Eric Tang & Dr. James Miller* Mr. Arthur Paul Tarasuk* Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Taylor*** John Todd & Jenny Ginder**** John & Liz Tory**** Diana Tremain**** Ian Turner** Riki Turofsky & Charles Petersen*
Cindy & Gary Ullman** Sandra & Guy Upjohn** Tony & Mary van Straubenzee*** Dr. R. B. Van Winckle Dita Vadron & James Catty* Edmond & Sylvia Vanhaverbeke*** Mr. & Mrs. Henry & Ann Louise Vehovec*** Dr. Yvonne Verbeeten** Dr. Helen Vosu & Donald Milner*** Richard & Nathalie Wachsberg Samara Walbohm & Joe Schlesinger Diane Walker** Elizabeth & Michael Walker** Philip & Diana Weinstein Dr. Bogomila Welsh* Dr. Virginia Wesson** Ms Eleanor Westney*
Ms Anne-Marie Widner & Mr. Paul Szymanski** Mr. Brian Wilks Elizabeth Wilson & Ian Montagnes**** Jeffrey Stewart Wilson* Sheila Wise** Anna & Andrew Wojcicki Rose Wolfe* Ms Ling Wong* Mr. & Mrs. Richard Wookey*** Nina & Norman Wright** Dr. Laval Yau*** Erik Yeo Marion York† & Robert Speer†* Marina Yoshida*** Dr. Howard & Sybil Young**** Tricia Younger* George Zeman Susan Zorzi** Anonymous (25)
Paul Groves as Idomeneo with the COC Chorus in the COC production of Idomeneo, 2010. Photo: Michael Cooper
10
ENCORE LEGACY Encore Legacy is the planned giving program of the Canadian Opera Company. Planned giving is making the decision today to provide a gift for the Canadian Opera Company that may not be realized until after your lifetime. Planned giving also allows many people to make a significant gift without altering their current lifestyle. Gifts planned today, that will ultimately affect your estate, allow you to make a statement of support that will become a lasting legacy to the COC. In addition, gift planning may provide significant tax benefits for your estate. The Canadian Opera Company gratefully acknowledges and thanks the following individuals who have included the COC in their estate planning: Dr. Larry M. Agranove Isobel Allen Renata Arens & Elizabeth Frey Mrs. Rosalen Armstrong Ron Atkinson & Bruce Blandford J. Linden Best & James G. Kerr David Bowen Marnie M. Bracht Walter Carsen Earl Clark Brian Collins & Amanda Demers Earlaine Collins David H. Cormack Horst Dantz & Don Quick Ann De Brouwer Helen Drake Rowland D. Galbraith Douglas G. Gardner Michael & Anne Gough L. A. Grover George & Irene Hamilton Joan L. Harris James Hewson John R. Higgins
Mr. Kim Yim Ho & Walter Frederic Thommen Douglas E. Hodgson Matt Hughes Lynne Jeffrey Ann Kadrnka Kathryn Kossow Mr. Gurney Kranz Jo Lander Marjorie & Roy Linden J. Bruce MacDonald Ms Lenore MacDonald Dr. Colin M. Mailer R. Manke Margaret McKee Sylvia M. McPhee Dr. Alan C. Middleton Eleanor Miller Donald Morse Sue Mortimer Mr. & Mrs. James D. Patterson Mervyn Pickering Gunther & Dorothy Piepke Ms Georgia Prassas
K. F. Read & G. Longchamps Dr. John Reeve-Newson Mrs. Margaret Russell Cookie & Stephen Sandler J. M. Doc Savage David Serber Claire Shaw R. Bonnie Shettler David E. Spiro Dr. D. P. Stanley-Porter Doreen L. Stanton Lilly Offenbach Strauss Drs. W. & K. Stavraky Janet Stubbs Ann Sutton Ronald Taber Vivian Treacy Mrs. L. Treutler N. Suzanne Vanstone† Marie-Laure Wagner Hugh & Colleen Washington Marion C. Wilson Marion York† Anonymous (40)
CORPORATE MATCHING PARTNERS The Canadian Opera Company gratefully acknowledges the following organizations that have matched gifts by their employees: Canadian Tire Corporation Limited Ivanhoe Cambridge, Inc. Goodman & Company Investment Counsel Ltd.
The above gifts were made as of June 30, 2010. * 5 to 9 years of support ** 10 to 14 years of support *** 15 to 19 years of support **** 20 or more years of support † COC administration, chorus or orchestra member
Despite the staff’s extensive efforts to avoid errors and omissions, mistakes can occur. If your name was omitted, listed incorrectly or misspelled, we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We would appreciate being notified of any errors at 416-847-4949. 11
Major Corporate Sponsors Sun Life Financial Accessibility Program Encompassing SURTITLES™, Wheelchair Seating, Hearing-Assistive and Vision-Impaired devices
Official Automotive Sponsor of the COC at the FSCPA
Major Supporter, Ensemble Studio Production Sponsor, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly
Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour
Presenting Sponsor Opera for a New Age and Operanation VI
BMO Financial Group Pre-performance Opera Chats and BMO Financial Group Student Dress Rehearsals, Diamond Anniversary Concert Supporting Sponsor BMO Capital Markets & BMO Nesbitt Burns: Presenting Sponsor of the 2009 Opera Golf Classic
Official Print Sponsor
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Official Canadian Wine of the COC at the FSCPA
Production Co-sponsors, Bizet’s Carmen
Production Sponsor, Verdi’s Otello
Production Sponsor, Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda
Production Sponsor, Mozart’s Idomeneo
Official Media Sponsors
Digital Marketing Sponsor
Preferred Hospitality Sponsor
Jewellery Partner
2009/2010 sponsors Rentals Supplier
Floral Supplier Mario Séguin Other suppliers B+W Wines THE BUTLER DID IT Nestlé Waters Torrié Coffee Diamond Performance Sponsors
Imperial Oil Foundation, After School Opera Program Supporter
2009/2010 Media Sponsors & In-Kind Supporters
KPMG LLP, Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour Performance Sponsor
CBC Radio Two
Kraft Canada Inc., After School Opera Program Supporter William Morneau and Nancy McCain, Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Performance Sponsor Corporate and Foundation Donors – Major gifts $10,000+
Audrey S. Hellyer Charitable Foundation The Hope Charitable Foundation The Hal Jackman Fund at the Ontario Arts Foundation
Performance Sponsors ARIAS: Canadian Opera Student Development Fund (formerly known as COVC) Barrick Gold CTVglobemedia Delvinia EdgeStone Capital Partners Fionn MacCool’s Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts McCarthy Tétrault Ogilvy Renault PricewaterhouseCoopers Torys LLP Women’s Executive Network
The McLean Foundation $5,000 to $9,999
225490 Investments Limited IATSE Local 58 Charitable Stage Technicians Toronto
NOW Magazine Annual Fine Wine Auction 2009 Host Sponsor
Crush Restaurant-Wine Bar Event Sponsors
Ritchies Auctioneers Wines from Austria The Cheese Boutique Opera Golf Classic 2009 Presenting Sponsors
BMO Capital Markets BMO Nesbitt Burns Supporting Sponsor
Unit Park Holdings Inc.
Music Sponsor
William and Nona Heaslip Foundation
Ludwig Family
Women’s Executive Network
Operanation VI
Anonymous (1)
Presenting Sponsor
$3,000 to $4,999
TD Canada Trust
The Calgary Foundation – Nellie Hicks Memorial Fund
VIP Dinner Sponsor
The Keg Spirit Foundation
Fionn MacCool’s
MAC Cosmetics
The Globe and Mail, Subscriber Ticket Back Sponsor
Wholenote
KPMG LLP
$2,000 to $2,999
Great West Life, London Life and Canada Life, Opera Storytime Program Supporter
Classical 96.3 FM
SNC Lavalin
Opening Night Sponsor
Program Sponsors
Remenyi House of Music Ltd.
WeirFoulds LLP Diamond Anniversary Concert
Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
Supporting Sponsors
Shinex Window Cleaning
Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc.
$1,000 to $1,999
BMO Financial Group
Jarvis & Associates
Wine Sponsor
Milgram Group of Companies Ltd.
Peller Estates
Park Property Management
Raffle Sponsor
Powis Family Foundation
De Beers Canada
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The Season in Review MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS The Canadian Opera Company’s fourth season in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts was another critical and artistic triumph, with 70 performances that played to almost 98% capacity, and garnered 14 Dora Mavor Moore nominations. The 2009/2010 season opened with a revival of the COC’s delicate and sensitive production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Two casts, many of whom were former Ensemble Studio members, sang the 15 performances. Romanian soprano Adina Nitescu and American Bryan Hymel made their COC debuts as Butterfly and Pinkerton. Former Ensemble Studio members Yannick-Muriel Noah and David Pomeroy shared the lead roles with Nitescu and Hymel. Baritones James Westman and Brett Polegato sang Sharpless, and Allyson McHardy and Anita Krause alternated the role of Suzuki. Tenors Steven Cole and COC favourite John Kriter shared the role of Goro. Robert Pomakov was the Bonze, Peter Barrett was Prince Yamadori, Laura Albino was Pinkerton’s young wife, Kate, Justin Welsh was Yakuside, and Neil Craighead was the Official Registrar. Alexandra Lennox-Pomeroy, Lilian Kilianski and Jennifer Robinson were Cio-Cio San’s Cousin, Mother and Aunt respectively. Aaron Philcox, Cameron Sierra Douglas and Alyssa Bradley alternated in the role of Cio-Cio San’s child, Sorrow. Italian maestro Carlo Montanaro (making his COC debut) and COC resident conductor Derek Bate alternated at the podium. Madama Butterfly was directed by Canadian legend Brian Macdonald. This production was originally made possible through a generous gift from John A. Cook. The COC is grateful to Production Sponsor RBC. Additional performances were supported by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund. Madama Butterfly was generously underwritten in part by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation. Ms Noah’s performance was generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
(l – r) Justin Welsh as Yakuside, Lilian Kilianski as Cio-Cio-San’s Mother, Yannick-Muriel Noah as Cio-Cio-San, Michael Uloth as the Imperial Commissioner, Neil Craighead as the Official Registrar and John Kriter as Goro in the COC production of Madama Butterfly, 2009. Photo: Michael Cooper
The fall season continued with the world premiere of a new opera creation by Canadian Robert Lepage, The Nightingale and Other Short Fables. Using music by Stravinsky and borrowing from ancient puppetry traditions, Lepage and his creative team (led by puppet designer Michael Curry, set designer Carl Fillion, lighting designer Etienne Boucher and costume designer Mara Gottler) fashioned a production that was a compendium of puppetry techniques, an imaginative and playful account of Stravinsky’s works, and one which radically changed the traditional operatic landscape. Technically, Nightingale was the most challenging production ever attempted by the COC and involved creating a 67,000 litre pool of water in the orchestra pit, and moving the entire orchestra onstage. Conductor Jonathon Darlington (with Jayce Ogren conducting two performances) led the members of the cast, the orchestra and chorus through eight vocal and orchestral pieces, and two short operas – The Fox and The Nightingale. The first half of the program, illustrated by hand shadows and shadow puppets, featured the COC Orchestra in Ragtime, the Women’s Chorus in Four Russian Peasant Songs, and clarinetist Ross Edwards in Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet. Simone Osborne and Teiya Kasahara sang Pribaoutki and Two Poems of Konstantin Balmont respectively, and Maria Radner, in her COC debut, sang Berceuses du chat. Tenor Lothar Odinius also made his COC debut singing in The Fox, joined by Robert Pomakov, Peter Barrett and Adam Luther.
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Bryan Hymel as Don José and Rinat Shaham as Carmen in the COC production of Carmen, 2010. Photo: Michael Cooper
Stravinsky’s The Nightingale, based on Hans Christian Anderson’s story, comprised the second half of the program, and was performed by the singers and puppeteers in the orchestra pit’s pool of water. The Nightingale was sung by Olga Peretyatko, making her debut with the company, and the Emperor was sung by Ilya Bannik. Mr. Odinius was the Fisherman, and Ms Radner was Death. Laura Albino and Michael Uloth joined Robert Pomakov as the Cook, the Bonze and the Chamberlain, and Adam Luther, Neil Craighead and Alexander Hajek were Japanese Envoys 1, 2 and 3. Simone Osborne, Erin Fisher and Stephen McClare rounded out the cast as chorus soloists. Joining the cast onstage were five acrobats and puppeteers – David Bonneville, Andrea Ciacci, Noam Markus, Caroline Tanguay and Martin Vaillancourt. The production garnered such rave reviews and an unprecedented demand for tickets that the COC was able to add an extra performance (bringing the total to nine). The COC also received an invitation to perform at the prestigious Brooklyn Academy of Music in the spring of 2011. Co-producers of this remarkable production are Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Opéra national de Lyon and De Nederlandse Opera, in collaboration with Ex Machina, Québec. In Toronto, the production won the Dora Mavor Moore award for Best Opera Production. The COC is grateful to the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund as the Production Supporter, and The Nightingale and Other Short Fables was generously underwritten in part by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation. The COC’s winter run began with 12 performances of a revival of its very successful 2005 production of Carmen. The opera’s original Carmen unfortunately withdrew for health reasons shortly before opening, and the COC engaged two replacements both making their COC debuts: Israeli-born Rinat Shaham, renowned for the role, and Georgian Anita Rachvelishvili, who had made her role debut only weeks earlier at La Scala and was making her North American debut with COC. The production also featured the return of Bryan Hymel as Don José, and French baritone Paul Gay making his COC debut as the bullfighter Escamillo. Former Ensemble members Jessica Muirhead, Alain Coulombe and Lauren Segal returned as Micaëla, Zuniga and Mercédès respectively. Ensemble members Teiya Kasahara and Simone Osborne shared the role of Frasquita, Alexander Hajek was Moralès, Justin Welsh sang Le Dancaïre and Adam Luther was Le Remendado. Carmen was conducted by Rory Macdonald and restaged by director Justin Way, both making their debuts with the company. The COC is grateful to Production Co-sponsors CIBC and CIBC Mellon. The winter run continued with a new COC production of Verdi’s masterpiece Otello, starring Clifton Forbis (Die Walküre) in one of opera’s most demanding tenor roles. Iago was sung by Scott Hendricks in his first performance with the COC since Don Carlos in 2007. Italian soprano Tiziana Caruso made her debut singing Desdemona. Italian tenor Emanuele D’Aguanno was Otello’s confidant Cassio, and American Jamie Barton sang Iago’s wife Emilia, both making their debuts with the COC. Adam Luther was Roderigo, Yuri Vorobiev, in his COC debut, was Lodovico, Alain Coulombe was Montano, and Justin Welsh as a Herald rounded out the cast. Paolo Olmi (Don Carlos) returned to the podium to conduct. Paul Curran (Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Tosca) took a break from his duties as artistic director of Norwegian Opera to direct. Otello was co-produced with Welsh National Opera. The COC is grateful to Production Sponsor National Bank Financial Group. 15
The spring run began with a revival of the COC’s landmark production of Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman starring the renowned Russian bass-baritone Evgeny Nikitin in a searing performance as the wandering Dutchman. Julie Makerov (Rusalka, Don Giovanni) was Senta, and Mats Almgren (Fidelio, Götterdämmerung) was Daland. Robert Künzli (Mime in the Ring Cycle) was Erik, and Barbara Dever (Pelléas et Mélisande, Eugene Onegin) was the nurse Mary. Adam Luther joined the cast as the Steersman. The Flying Dutchman was the first opera conducted by Johannes Debus in his new role as COC Music Director, with Derek Bate conducting one performance. Renowned director Christopher Alden returned to the COC to restage his production. The Flying Dutchman received two Dora awards: Johannes Debus for Outstanding Musical Direction and Julie Makerov for Outstanding Performance. The COC is grateful to the Dutch Community of Ontario for generously sponsoring this production in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Holland. Gaetano Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, a bel canto classic, made its Canadian premiere in the spring season. Based on Schiller’s play about an imagined confrontation between 16th-century rivals for the English throne, Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart, Donizetti’s opera was a thrilling display of vocal fireworks, starring Serena Farnocchia (Luisa Miller, Turandot) as Maria, and Alexandrina Pendatchanska making her debut as Elisabetta. American tenor Eric Cutler made his debut as Maria’s love interest Roberto, and Patrick Carfizzi returned (The Barber of Seville, The Journey to Rheims) as Giorgio Talbot. Ensemble sopranos Ileana Montalbetti and Simone Osborne shared the role of Anna
Alexandrina Pendatchanska as Elisabetta, Queen of England and Serena Farnocchia as Maria Stuarda in the COC production of Maria Stuarda, 2010. Photo: Michael Cooper
Kennedy, and American baritone Weston Hurt made his debut as Lord Guglielmo Cecil. Music Director of the Pittsburgh Opera Anthony Walker made his COC debut conducting this premiere and Stephen Lawless (Il Trovatore, Le nozze di Figaro) returned to direct. Thanks to the remarkable vocal talents on display, Maria Stuarda was nominated for three Dora awards, including Best Opera Production. The company is grateful to Production Sponsor Scotiabank Group. The 09/10 season closed with a new production of Mozart’s early masterpiece, Idomeneo. Conductor Harry Bicket and director François de Carpentries led the very Canadian cast. Three former Ensemble members, Isabel Bayrakdarian, Krisztina Szabó and Michael Colvin, all made triumphant returns to the Four Seasons Centre mainstage to sing the lead roles – Ilia, Idamante and Arbace respectively. Internationally renowned tenor Paul Groves made his company debut singing the title role. Tamara Wilson (Simon Boccanegra) returned to sing Elettra. Ensemble members sang the remaining roles: Adam Luther as the High Priest of Neptune; Laura Albino and Ileana Montalbetti as Two Cretan Women; and, Michael Barrett and Neil Craighead as Two Trojan Men. Mr. Craighead also sang the role of the Oracle. The COC is grateful to Production Sponsor Intact Insurance. 16
Erin Fisher as Idamante and Laura Albino as Ilia in the COC Ensemble Studio performance of Idomeneo, 2010. Photo: Michael Cooper
ENSEMBLE STUDIO In celebration of the 30th year of the creation of the COC’s Ensemble Studio, a special performance of Idomeneo was added to the run. This performance was cast, with the exception of one role, entirely with current Ensemble members: Simone Osborne and Laura Albino as Ilia each sang one half of the performance; Erin Fisher was Idamante; Ileana Montalbetti was Elettra; Adam Luther was Arbace; Michael Barrett was the High Priest of Neptune; Teiya Kasahara and Wallis Giunta were Two Cretan Women; Michael Barrett and Neil Craighead reprised their roles as the Two Trojan Men; and, Michael Uloth was the Oracle. Michael Colvin, a former Ensemble member himself, sang the title role. This was the first time that Ensemble Studio members had been featured in their own COC mainstage performance, and they benefited greatly from the experience as well as the coaching and direction from Harry Bicket and François de Carpentries. The company thanks Patrick and Barbara Keenan who sponsored the artists of the Ensemble Studio for this performance. The COC is also grateful to Ensemble Performance Sponsor ARIAS: Canadian Student Opera Development Fund (formerly the COVC). For this performance, all tickets were accessibly priced at either $20 or $50.
The 2009/2010 Ensemble Studio: (l – r) Anne Larlee, Alistair Newton, Erin Fisher, Michael Uloth, Wallis Giunta, Elizabeth Upchurch, Michael Barrett, Teiya Kasahara, Neil Craighead, Simone Osborne, Adrian Kramer, Ileana Montalbetti, Adam Luther and Laura Albino. Photo: Chris Hutcheson 17
Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre completed its fourth season in June 2010, once again staking its claim as one of the most popular initiatives in the city (“…the best free cultural program since Ontario Place razed the Forum!” – Live with Culture). The diverse programming offered 78 events ranging from vocal recitals to cutting-edge contemporary dance performances, and continued to draw capacity crowds. Over 16,000 audience members, both Torontonians and visitors, were treated to high-calibre programming in the performance space overlooking Queen Street West and University Avenue. Over 600 artists took the stage, both established musicians known on the world scene and emerging artists at the beginning of their performance careers. This season was comprised of 72 noon-hour concerts and six evening concerts. Over 80 works performed were from the second half of the 20th century and the 21st century, continuing the celebration of both traditional and new repertoire. Of these works, 35 were written by Canadian composers and 44 by living composers. The series resumed on September 24, 2009, with the complete roster of artists from the Canadian Opera Company’s 2009/2010
Creole Drummatix performs in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Photo: Chris Hutcheson
Ensemble Studio. An audience favourite and annual highlight, the Meet the Young Artists concert has become a not-to-be-missed opportunity as they literally introduce themselves by singing their favourite arias. The season ended with a bang on June 3, 2010, as Toronto’s acclaimed Nagata Shachu Ensemble breathed new life into the ancient art of taiko drumming in a mesmerizing, heart-pounding performance featuring an arsenal of taiko, percussion, bamboo flutes and three-stringed shamisen – a fitting close to a musical journey transcending all borders. The following series ran throughout the season:
Vocal Series The largest of the series, with 21 concerts, the vocal series featured dazzling singers presenting popular favourites and rarities from the choral, opera and art song repertoire. Among the performers were celebrated Canadian and international artists, distinguished alumni of the COC Ensemble Studio, students from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music and Opera Division and the young artists of the Canadian Children’s Opera Company. Highlights included recitals by Serena Farnocchia, Adrianne Pieczonka, Yannick-Muriel Noah, Allyson McHardy, James Westman, David Pomeroy and the Ensemble Studio performance of Pergolesi’s chamber opera La serva padrona.
Piano Virtuoso Series Fifteen concerts in the piano virtuoso series highlighted the talents of an astonishing array of artists from across Canada and around the globe, including award-winning students and distinguished alumni of the prestigious Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music. The programs focused on two anniversaries: 200 years since the birth of Frédéric Chopin (1810 – 1849), and the double anniversary in 2009 and 2010 of Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz (1860 – 1909), featuring all four books of the fabled Iberia suite as well as a lively selection of music by composers from Spain and Latin America. 18
The Hilario Durán Trio performs in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Photo: Chris Hutcheson
Jazz Series Featuring some of Toronto’s jazz legends as well as the stars of tomorrow, the nine scintillating concerts in this series ranged from jazz classics to contemporary originals. From solo pianists and intimate duos to dynamic big bands, with spicy flavours ranging from African to Latin American, this series offered something for every jazz fan, old and new, including performances by jazz greats Hilario Durán, Luis Mario Ochoa and Mark Eisenman, plus an exciting new collaboration between Canada’s “emerging Latin music queen”, Eliana Cuevas, and members of the COC Orchestra.
Dance Series In collaboration with the Dance Umbrella of Ontario and DanceWorks, this vibrant series of seven programs featured some of the most exciting members of Toronto’s dance community performing a wide range of classical and contemporary works and drawing inspiration from the dance traditions of Latin America, Japan and India.
World Music Series The eight stirring performances in this series featured engaging rhythms and exotic harmonies from around the globe. From colourful and dramatic large ensembles to intimate and evocative solos, these local and international artists drew inspiration from the ancient rituals and musical traditions of Africa, Asia, Indonesia and the Middle East. A fascinating Swedish folk tradition was featured by Queen of Puddings Music Theatre in this series as two singers and a percussionist demonstrated kulning, a vocal technique used for herding cattle and communicating over long distances.
Chamber Music Series This series of 17 concerts boasted a wide variety of chamber ensembles, both established and emerging, performing an extensive repertoire of music ranging from early Baroque to world premieres of newly commissioned Canadian works. In this more intimate setting, members of the COC Orchestra, The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra were featured in smaller ensembles in a series of new and invigorating collaborations. Of particular note was the “farewell” concert for Stanley McCartney, the COC Orchestra’s principal clarinetist of 25 years, upon the occasion of his retirement.
coc broadcasts The COC proudly produced, with the help of its broadcast partner CBC Radio, broadcasts of all of the COC’s 2009/2010 mainstage productions on CBC Radio 2 and Espace Musique for the first time in almost 20 years. Each production was or will be aired twice on both the English and French national stations over the course of 18 months. The COC augmented these broadcasts by doing live digital events on coc.ca inviting the public and artists to participate in online discussions while listening to the broadcasts. 19
Opera for a New Age For the 15th year, the COC was pleased to offer young people between the ages of 16 and 29 heavily discounted tickets to all mainstage performances. At every performance approximately 150 tickets were available for student groups and young people at the heavily discounted price of $20 per ticket. Overall, 9,178 young people took advantage of this offer.
EDUCATION AND OUTREAch The COC continues to offer a diverse and innovative range of programs for people of all ages and levels of opera experience. In the 2009/2010 season, new initiatives and popular well-established programs engaged almost 45,000 children, youth and adults, and brought opera to an ever-expanding array of communities, schools and organizations. Some highlights from the 09/10 season included: • For the first time ever, the popular Opera 101 series came to the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre of the Four Seasons Centre, in celebration of the COC’s widely acclaimed production of The Nightingale and Other Short Fables. On October 2, 2009, 250 people joined interviewer Brent Bambury (CBC) for an insightful and lively evening with famed director and designer Robert Lepage, bass Robert Pomakov and conductor Jonathan Darlington. Later in the season, Opera 101 events drew crowds to the Drake Hotel for chats with members of the creative teams of Otello and The Flying Dutchman. In total, almost 500 opera enthusiasts of all ages attended Opera 101 events. • In a successful pilot project that will be repeated in following seasons, 120 senior high school students from four Toronto-area schools were invited to attend a special afternoon performance of La serva padrona, a short intermezzo performed by Ensemble Studio members as part of the COC’s Free Concert Series. Online study guide materials (including discussion ideas, historical background and listening guide), a pre-performance introduction and a post-performance talk-back with the performers gave students a multi-level opportunity to connect with the art form, and gave many their first opportunity to attend a live opera. • Curious newcomers, avid readers and COC patrons looking to further their appreciation of opera came together for the COC’s innovative new online Book Club. Over the course of eight weeks, book club members discussed Philippa Gregory’s The Other Queen on the COC’s book club blog, in preparation for the production of Maria Stuarda. Baritone Patrick Carfizzi, who played the role of Giorgio Talbot in the production, made a guest appearance in an online podcast. Book club members were offered a special discount for a performance and had the opportunity to meet at intermission. Over 170 individuals signed up for this initiative, which is returning for the 2010/2011 season with Death in Venice and Nixon in China. • Throughout November 2009, the Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour of Cinderella and The Barber of Seville reached over 14,000 students in 10 different school boards. Families also had an opportunity to engage with the tour through public performances, complete with pre-performance presentations and activities. • In all, the COC ran 15 education programs for young people and families, and five adult education series throughout the 09/10 season.
(l – r) Erin Fisher, Wallis Giunta, Michael Uloth (behind) and Laura Albino in the COC’s Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour production of Cinderella, 2009. Photo: COC
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COC Ensemble Studio members Neil Craighead and Teiya Kasahara perform in the Free Concert Series production of La serva padrona. Photo: Joe Pack
Operating Grants
ensemble studio
special project funding Department of Canadian Heritage Human Resources and Social Development Canada
Endowment Support Department of Canadian Heritage Ontario Arts Foundation
The Nightingale and Other Short Fables and the extra performances of Madama Butterfly were financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.
CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2009/2010 officers Mr. David C. Ferguson, Chair Mr. Paul B. Spafford, President Mr. Philip C. Deck, President Elect Mr. Michael A. French, Treasurer Mr. John H. Macfarlane, Secretary Mr. Alexander Neef, General Director (ex officio) Mr. Rob Lamb, Managing Director (ex officio) members Mr. H. Anthony Arrell Ms Nora Aufreiter Mr. Barry Avrich Mr. Paul A. Bernards Mr. Walter Bowen, Q.C. Mr. David Broadhurst
Mr. Robert Brouwer Mr. Stewart Burton Mr. Frank Ciccolini, Sr. Mr. George S. Dembroski Dr. Fayaz Dossa Mr. William Fearn (ex officio) Mr. David Forster Mr. Adam Froman Mr. John Gagliano Dr. Linda Hutcheon Ms Pamela Jeffery Mr. Jeff Lloyd Mr. Douglas L. Ludwig Mr. Stephen O. Marshall Ms Judy Matthews Mr. Geoffrey Matus Ms Trina McQueen
Mr. Jonathan Morgan Mr. William Morneau Mrs. Sue Mortimer Mr. Nicholas Mutton Mr. Ian Pearce Ms Frances Price Mr. John Rothschild Mr. Arthur R. A. Scace, C.M. Ms Colleen Sexsmith Ms Sandra Simpson Mrs. Arija Stiver (ex officio) Ms Kristine (Kris) Vikmanis Ms Karen Walsh Mr. John H. (Jack) Whiteside Mr. Tom Woods HONORARY DIRECTOR Mr. Joey Tanenbaum, C.M.
Jonathan Darlington, conductor, and on the far right (l – r) Peter Barrett and Lothar Odinius in the COC production of The Nightingale and Other Short Fables, 2009. Photo: Gary Beechey
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Canadian Opera Company Condensed Financial Statements CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF operations and net deficit
As at June 30 (in thousands)
For the year ended June 30 (in thousands)
Assets
2010
2009
Current Assets Cash & cash equivalents
$
4,831
$
674
Due from Canadian Opera House Corporation Due from The Canadian Opera Foundation Other
6,432 354
1,051
–
263
921
1,388
1,453
8,207
9,160
382
221
1,585
1,627
$ 10,174
$ 11,008
Other Assets Capital Assets, net
Liabilities and Net Deficit Current Liabilities
Deferred revenue
$
1,266
Net deficit
$
994
10,198
9,979
–
1,471
125
–
11,589
12,444
(1,415)
(1,436)
$ 10,174
$ 11,008
Due to Canadian Opera House Corporation Due to The Canadian Opera Foundation
2010
2009
$ 13,422
$ 12,634
Grants
6,206
5,991
Fundraising
8,909
8,785
Box office and fees
Accounts receivable
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Revenue
Unrestricted bequests Other Total Revenue
214
70
3,766
3,500
$ 32,517
$ 30,980
Expenses $ 21,038
$ 21,027
Marketing and publicity
Production
2,558
2,861
Development
2,190
2,045
General and administrative
3,146
2,904
Ensemble Studio Program
758
927
Education
379
395
Transfer to The Canadian Opera Foundation Other Total Expenses Operating deficit Contribution from The Canadian Opera Foundation Net deficit, beginning of year Net deficit, end of year
214
70
2,428
2,376
$ 32,711
$ 32,605
(194)
(1,625)
215
1,650
21
25
(1,436)
(1,461)
$ (1,415)
$ (1,436)
Management’s Report The financial statements of the Canadian Opera Company are the responsibility of and have been prepared by management and approved by the Board of Directors. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and include certain amounts which are based on estimates and judgments. Management has determined such amounts on a reasonable basis in order to ensure that the financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects. The integrity of the financial statements is supported by a system of internal accounting controls. This system is designed to provide assurance that the financial information is relevant, reliable and accurate, and that the Company’s assets are appropriately accounted for and adequately safeguarded. The external auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, have full and free access to the Audit Committee and the Finance and Operating Committee, which are comprised of members of the Board of Directors. The Finance and Operating Committee meets regularly with management, and the Audit Committee meets annually with the auditors to review the financial statements and to recommend their approval to the Board of Directors.
Lindy Cowan, CA Director of Finance and Administration A complete set of audited statements is available upon request.
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Canadian Opera foundation The Canadian Opera Foundation Financial Statements The Canadian Opera Foundation (the “Foundation”) acquires, holds in trust and applies funds to assist in the development of opera for the benefit of the Canadian Opera Company (the “Company”). The audited market value of the net assets held by the Foundation as at December 31, 2009, totalled approximately $22,411,000. These funds are not included in the accounts and financial statements of the Company. In addition the Foundation administers additional funds totaling $263,000 on behalf of the Company. The following sets out the balance sheet and statement of revenue and expense for 2009 and 2008.
BALANCE SHEET
STATEMENT OF REVENUE AND EXPENSE
As at December 31 (in thousands)
For the year ended December 31 (in thousands)
Assets
2009
Miscellaneous receivables
$
Investments (at market value)
10
2008 $
14
22,418
19,108
$ 22,428
$ 19,122
Revenue Investment income
2009 $
Donations and bequests
737
2008 $
1,593
942 3,857
$
2,330
$
4,799
$
116
$
92
Expenses Liabilities and Fund Balances Accrued Liabilities Fund Balances
Investment and counsel fees and services $
17 22,411
$ 22,428
$
18 19,104
Administration and professional fees
28
37
144
129
Net revenue before grants
2,186
4,670
Grants to Canadian Opera Company and individuals
650
1,078
1,536
3,592
19,104
18,539
$ 19,122
Net revenue Fund balances beginning of year Change in unrealized losses for the year Fund balances, end of year
1,771
(3,027)
$ 22,411
$ 19,104
An ice sculpture of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts at the COC’s Diamond Anniversary Celebration. Photo: COC
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coc.ca Olga Peretyatko as the Nightingale with the COC Chorus in the COC production of The Nightingale and Other Short Fables, 2009. Photo: Michael Cooper