Canadian Opera Company 2016/2017 Season Brochure by Canadian Opera Company

2016 | 2017

coc.ca SUBSCRIBE AND

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NORMA NEW ARIODANTE NEW THE MAGIC FLUTE

GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG LOUIS RIEL NEW TOSCA

POWERFUL

THR

THE COC IS HOME TO THE BEST, with artists from across Canada and around the world gathered to present another glorious opera season, live on stage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Join us for three new productions, including Harry Somers’ Louis Riel with an all-star Canadian cast, and three beloved revivals: The Magic Flute, Götterdämmerung, and Tosca! Don’t miss a single moment of this exciting season! Six-opera packages start at JUST $199 and exclusive subscriber benefits make a subscription even more attractive. DON’T WAIT! Get the best seats at the best prices now. Subscribe today and join the adventure!

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INTIMATE

NORMA NEW COC PRODUCTION

VINCENZO BELLINI

Bellini and his operas are synonymous with the bel canto era when the beauty and virtuosity of the human voice reigned supreme. In that tradition, our production features two of the most sought-after sopranos today as Toronto’s own Sondra Radvanovsky and South African Elza van den Heever share the title role. OCT. 6, 15, 18, 21, 23, 26, 28, NOV. 5, 2016 Sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™ Co-production with San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona)

Conductor Stephen Lord Director Kevin Newbury Set Designer David Korins Costume Designer Jessica Jahn Chorus Master Sandra Horst Norma Sondra Radvanovsky/Elza van den Heever* Pollione Russell Thomas Adalgisa Isabel Leonard Oroveso Dimitry Ivashchenko With the COC Orchestra and Chorus *Oct. 23, 26, 28, Nov. 5

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One of Handel’s most radiantly beautiful scores echoes myriad emotions in this story of love, honour, and deception. Alice Coote and Jane Archibald—two COC favourites—return to head a dream Baroque cast, under the baton of Music Director Johannes Debus. NEW COC PRODUCTION COC PREMIERE

ARIODANTE ARIODANTE GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL

OCT. 16, 19, 22, 25, 27, 29, NOV. 4, 2016 Evening performances begin at 7 p.m. Sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™ Co-production with Féstival d’Aix-en-Provence; Dutch National Opera, Amsterdam; and Lyric Opera of Chicago

Conductor Johannes Debus Director Richard Jones Set and Costume Designer Ultz Lighting Designer Mimi Jordan Sherin Choreographer Lucy Burge Chorus Master Sandra Horst Ariodante Alice Coote Ginevra Jane Archibald Polinesso Varduhi Abrahamyan Dalinda Ambur Braid Lurcanio Owen McCausland The King François Lis With the COC Orchestra and Chorus 5

COC PRODUCTION

THE MAGIC FLUTE WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

G The depth of Mozart’s genius is evidenced by his last opera, The Magic Flute. A child-like fantasy is paired with the master’s most stunningly beautiful music. From the spectacular fireworks of the Queen of the Night, to Pamina’s anguished lament, and Papageno and Papagena’s comic antics, Mozart’s profound understanding of the human condition is given voice. JAN. 19, 28, 29, FEB. 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 16, 18, 19, 24, 2017 Sung in German with English SURTITLES™ A Canadian Opera Company production

Production Sponsor

With the COC Orchestra and Chorus *Jan. 29, Feb. 3, 16, 18, 24, 2017 Production originally made possible by THE CATHERINE AND MAXWELL MEIGHEN FOUNDATION

Conductor Bernard Labadie Director Diane Paulus Revival Director Ashlie Corcoran Set and Costume Designer Myung Hee Cho Lighting Designer Scott Zielinski Chorus Master Sandra Horst Pamina Elena Tsallagova/Kirsten MacKinnon* Tamino Andrew Haji/Owen McCausland* Papageno Joshua Hopkins/Phillip Addis* Queen of the Night Kathryn Lewek/Ambur Braid* Sarastro Goran Juri´c/Matt Boehler* Monostatos Michael Colvin Speaker Martin Gantner

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GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG RICHARD WAGNER

Deceit, betrayal, and revenge—assisted by magic potions—drive the drama in this final instalment of Wagner’s Ring and Siegfried’s journey. Ultimately, the worlds of both men and gods are destroyed to rise again in an unforgettable affirmation of rebirth and renewal.

FEB. 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 25, 2017

Conductor Johannes Debus Director Tim Albery Set and Costume Designer Michael Levine Lighting Designer David Finn Choreographer Patti Powell Chorus Master Sandra Horst

Siegfried Andreas Schager Brünnhilde Christine Goerke Hagen Ain Anger Alberich Robert Pomakov First Norn Lindsay Ammann Waltraute/Second Norn Karen Cargill Gutrune/Third Norn Ileana Montalbetti Gunther Martin Gantner

Evening performances begin at 6 p.m. Sung in German with English SURTITLES™ A Canadian Opera Company production

Production originally made possible by KOLTER COMMUNITIES

With the COC Orchestra and Chorus 7

LOUIS RIEL NEW COC PRODUCTION

HARRY SOMERS

Hero, martyr, or traitor? The story of the polarizing Métis leader and Canada’s westward expansion is told in this landmark work. Composed by Harry Somers for our nation’s centennial in 1967, this uniquely Canadian contribution to the opera world is returning on the work’s 50th anniversary, and will help mark the 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation. The COC has joined with Canada’s National Arts Centre to proudly present this new production of Louis Riel. APRIL 20, 23, 26, 29, MAY 2, 5, 13, 2017 Sung in English, French and Cree with English SURTITLES™ Co-production with Canada’s National Arts Centre

With the COC Orchestra and Chorus 8

Conductor Johannes Debus Director Peter Hinton Set Designer Michael Gianfrancesco Costume Designer Gillian Gallow Lighting Designer Bonnie Beecher Chorus Master Sandra Horst

Louis Riel Russell Braun Sir John A. Macdonald James Westman Marguerite Riel Simone Osborne Julie Riel Allyson McHardy Bishop Taché John Relyea Thomas Scott Michael Colvin

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TOSCA COC PRODUCTION

Set in Rome amid the turbulence of the Napoleonic Wars, Tosca is a tense psychological drama of passion and betrayal. Floria Tosca, a famous singer, murders Scarpia, the vicious chief of police, to save her beloved Cavaradossi. But Scarpia’s schemes outlive him with cruel and fatal consequences.

GIACOMO PUCCINI

APRIL 30, MAY 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 2017 Sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™ Co-production with Norwegian National Opera and Ballet

Conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson Director Paul Curran Set and Costume Designer Kevin Knight Lighting Designer David Martin Jacques Chorus Master Sandra Horst Tosca Adrianne Pieczonka/Keri Alkema* Cavaradossi Ramón Vargas/Andrea Carè* Scarpia Markus Marquardt With the COC Orchestra and Chorus *May 7, 11, 14, 18, 20, 2017 Production originally made possible by DELIA M. MOOG

Production Sponsor

YO U M A K E I GREAT OPERA NEEDS

GREAT SUPPORTERS Thank you to our many generous members, as well as corporate, foundation, and government partners for making everything we do possible. Your support ensures that we can continue bringing the transformative experience of opera to our audience in Toronto and across the country. Join today to go behind the scenes with our artists, enjoy exclusive benefits, access tickets ahead of the general public, and much more.

416-363-5801 coc.ca/Support

$150 and up

$2,250 and up

$12,500 and up

T POSSIBLE! MAJOR CORPORATE SPONSORS 2016/2017 SEASON

Official Automotive Sponsor of the COC at the FSCPA

Presenting Sponsor of SURTITLES™

Presenting Sponsor of Opera Under 30 and Operanation

Preferred Credit Card TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*

Supporter of Ensemble Studio and Centre Stage

Official Canadian Wine of the COC at the FSCPA

Program Sponsor After School Opera Program

Production Sponsor Puccini’s Tosca

Preferred Hospitality Sponsor

Production Sponsor Mozart’s The Magic Flute

Preferred Dry Cleaner

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT The Canadian Opera Company gratefully acknowledges the generous support through operating grants from these government agencies and departments:

COC subscribers always get the best seats and a host of other benefits

THE

SUBSCRIPTION

make subscriptions even more attractive. You’ll receive special invitations to COC events all season, and white-glove service from our staff of professional sales associates to make your opera season the best it can be.

ADVANTAGE

PREMIER

The Best Seats SUBSCRIPTIONS at the Best Prices— Always

• Save up to 60% off single-ticket prices on all

• Keep your seats from year to year—and be

six operas • Get the best seats available in your chosen section • A convenient payment plan: lock in your seats now with a 25% down payment and pay the balance in three more easy instalments

first in line for upgrades in following seasons

(Not applicable to P8 and P9)

• Buy additional single tickets at low Premier subscription seat prices • No-fee ticket exchanges

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Mat.

Sat Eve.

Sun

Opening

Back-to-back

7:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

Nights‡

Weekends‡

Norma

Oct 18

Oct 26

Oct 6

Oct 21

Nov 5

Oct 15

Oct 23

Thu Oct 6

Sun Oct 23

Ariodante

Oct 25*

Oct 19*

Oct 27*

Nov 4*

Oct 22

Oct 29*

Oct 16

Sun Oct 16

Sat Oct 22

Magic Flute

Feb 7

Feb 1

Jan 19

Feb 3

Feb 4

Jan 28

Jan 29

Thu Jan 19

Sat Feb 4

Götterdämmerung

Feb 14†

Feb 8†

Feb 2†

Feb 17†

Feb 25

Feb 11†

Feb 5

Thu Feb 2†

Sun Feb 5

Louis Riel

May 2

Apr 26

Apr 20

May 5

Apr 29

May 13

Apr 23

Thu Apr 20

Sat May 13

Tosca

May 9

May 17

May 4

May 12

May 20

May 6

Apr 30

Sun Apr 30

Sun May 14

*Evening performances of Ariodante start at 7 p.m. †Evening performances of Götterdämmerung start at 6 p.m.

‡ Check calendar on page 15 for performance start times.

• Save up to 33% off single-ticket prices on five operas or

up to 25% on four • A convenient payment plan: lock in your seats now with a 25% down payment and pay the balance in three more easy instalments • Buy additional single tickets at low Select subscription seat prices

SELECT FIVE SELECT FOUR

SUBSCRIPTIONS S1

FIVE SERIES

Weeknights 1 7:30 p.m.

Weeknights 2 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Fridays 7:30 p.m.

Norma

Fri Oct 28

Oct 6

Oct 28

Nov 5

SELECT

Ariodante

Tue Oct

25*

Wed Oct

19*

Oct

27*

Nov

Sat Mat.

Sat Eve.

Sundays

Opening

4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

Nights†

Oct 15

Oct 23

Thu Oct 6

Oct 22

Oct

29*

Oct 16

Sun Oct 16

Magic Flute

Fri Feb 10

Thu Feb 16

Feb 16

Feb 10

Feb 4

Feb 18

Feb 19

Thu Jan 19

Louis Riel

Tue May 2

Wed Apr 26

Apr 20

May 5

Apr 29

May 13

Apr 23

Thu Apr 20

Tosca

Thu May 11

Thu May 18

May 11

May 19

May 20

May 6

May 7

Sun Apr 30

*Evening performances of Ariodante start at 7 p.m. † Check calendar on page 15 for performance start times.

SELECT FOUR SERIES

S11

S12

S13

S14

Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Fridays 7:30 p.m.

Weekend Mix 1†

Snowbird 7:30 p.m.

S10

Weeknights 3 Weeknights 4 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Norma

Fri Oct 28

Wed Oct 26

Oct 6

Oct 28

Sat Oct 15

Norma

Fri Oct 28

Ariodante

Tue Oct 25*

Wed Oct 19*

Oct 27*

Nov 4*

Sat Oct 22

Ariodante

Wed Oct 19*

Magic Flute

Fri Feb 10

Thu Feb 16

Feb 16

Feb 24

Sun Feb 19

Louis Riel

Wed Apr 26

Tosca

Thu May 11

Thu May 18

May 11

May 19

Sun May 7

Tosca

Thu May 11

*Evening performances of Ariodante start at 7 p.m. †Check calendar on page 15 for performance start times.

SELECT

THREE

• Save on three operas over single-ticket pricing • Enjoy priority seating before single-ticket buyers

SUBSCRIPTIONS S15

S16

S17

S18

S19

THREE SERIES

Weeknights 5 7:30 p.m.

Weeknights 6 7:30 p.m.

Weeknights 7 7:30 p.m.

Weekend Mix 2†

Weekend Mix 3†

SELECT Norma

Fri Oct 28

Sun Oct 23

Sat Oct 15

Magic Flute

Fri Feb 10

Thu Feb 16

Fri Feb 24

Sat Feb 18

Sun Feb 19

Tosca

Thu May 11

Thu May 18

Fri May 19

Sun May 14

† Check calendar on page 15 for performance start times.

FLEXIBLE

SUBSCRIPTIONS

• Save on four operas of your choice over single-ticket pricing • Get the best seats before they go on sale to the public • Create your own schedule (see calendar on page 15 for performance dates) 13

PACKAGE

THE

PRICING

ALL SIX BEST SEATS

FLEXIBLE SUBSCRIPTIONS

SELECT 4- OR 5OPERA PACKAGES

SAVE up to 60%

SAVE and create

SAVE up to 33%

your own series

6 Operas Premier

6 Operas: Value Pricing

Select 3

S1-S8

S9-S14

Create your own

S15-S19

$2,086

$1,741

$1,396

$1,050

Orchestra Premium

$1,117

$990

$838

$909

$675

Orchestra Circle

$916

$460

$559

$816

$707

$744

$561

Orchestra Ring

$712

$409

$511

$689

$588

$631

$474

Orchestra Ring Rear*

$301

$290

$288

$320

$243

Ring 3

$916

$816

$707

$744

$561

Ring 4

$511

$471

$412

$436

$330

Ring 5

$301

$290

$288

$320

$243

Grand Ring

P1-P4

$460

$199

P5-P7

$559

$199

Select 5

3 Operas

Flexible

P1-P9

Weekend

4 Operas Select 4

Section

Weekday

5 Operas

*SURTITLES™ obstructed

Special pricing available for seniors and children in all series. Visit coc.ca/SpecialPricing for complete details.

VALUE SUBSCRIPTIONS • Great Deals! SAVE UP TO 60% • Seats at rear and sides of sections • Non-renewable seats • Visit coc.ca/ValueSubscriptions

RING 5

RING 4

RING 3

UNDER 30?

GRAND RING

ORCHESTRA RING REAR*

ORCHESTRA RING ORCHESTRA CIRCLE

ORCHESTRA PREMIU M

ORCHESTRA CIRCLE STAGE

ORCHESTRA RING REAR*

• SAVE AN EXTRA 15% off regular subscriptions as part of our Opera Under 30 (OUT) program. Any seat, any section. Visit coc.ca/OUT. • Check out NightsOUT Subscriptions at just $117 for all six operas in Ring 5. Visit coc.ca/NightsOUT Presenting Sponsor Opera Under 30

FALL 2016 SEASON Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

3 OCT

Friday P3,P8 7

Saturday

Sunday

Norma 7:30 p.m.

Thanksgiving

P1 19

Norma 7:30 p.m.

P6 16

Norma 7:30 p.m.

P2 20

Ariodante 7 p.m.

P1 26

Ariodante 7 p.m.

Norma 7:30 p.m.

NOV 1

Norma 7:30 p.m.

P2 27

P3 28

Ariodante 7 p.m.

Norma 7:30 p.m.

Centre Stage*

Ariodante 7 p.m.

P4 22

P7,P8

Ariodante 2 p.m.

P5,P9 23

Ariodante 4:30 p.m.

P7,P9

Norma 2 p.m.

P6 30

Ariodante 7 p.m.

P4 5

P5 6

Norma 4:30 p.m *Visit COCCentreStage.ca

WINTER 2017 SEASON Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

16 JAN

Friday P3,P8 20

Saturday

Sunday

P6 29

Magic Flute 7:30 p.m.

1 FEB

P2 2

Magic Flute 7:30 p.m.

P1 8

Magic Flute 7:30 p.m.

P1 15

P2 9

Götterdämmerung 6 p.m.

P3,P8 3

Götterdämmerung Magic Flute 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Family Day

P4 4

Magic Flute 7:30 p.m.

Götterdämmerung 6 p.m.

Götterdämmerung Magic Flute 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

P4 18

Magic Flute 7:30 p.m.

Götterdämmerung 4:30 p.m.

Thursday

Friday P3,P8 21

Saturday 22

Louis Riel 7:30 p.m.

P2 27

P1 10

Tosca 7:30 p.m.

29 Louis Riel 4:30 p.m.

4 Tosca 7:30 p.m.

P3 5 Louis Riel 7:30 p.m.

P4 6 Tosca 7:30 p.m.

Tosca 7:30 p.m.

Louis Riel 7:30 p.m.

P2 18

Sunday 23

Louis Riel 2 p.m.

Louis Riel 7:30 p.m.

P1 3

P5 26

*Visit coc.ca/EnsembleStudio

Wednesday

Magic Flute 2 p.m.

Louis Riel 7:30 p.m.

Ensemble Showcase* 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday

1 MAY

P6 12

17 APR

P7,P9

Götterdämmerung 2 p.m.

Magic Flute 7:30 p.m.

Monday

P5,P9 5

Magic Flute 4:30 p.m.

SPRING 2017 SEASON

Magic Flute 2 p.m.

P4 13

P5 30

P7,P8

Tosca 2 p.m.

P6 7 Tosca 2 p.m.

P6,P9 14

Tosca 2 p.m.

P5 21

Tosca Tosca Tosca Tosca 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6: Fine Wine Auction and Thursday, May 25: Operanation – visit coc.ca/FineWineAuction and Operanation.ca

IMPORTANT INFORMATION All sales are final and non-refundable. New subscription seats are assigned after all renewing subscribers have been sat, and tickets are mailed out at the beginning of August. You will only be contacted should we be unable to fulfill any of your seating requests. Subscription orders conditional upon seating requests cannot be accepted. All subscriptions include a $16 handling fee. All prices include 13% HST and a $3.25 per-ticket Four Seasons Centre capital renewal surcharge. Subject to availability, COC tickets are exchangeable for another performance of the same opera, up to—and no later than—one full business

day prior to the original performance date. Exchanges are free for Premier subscribers. Service fees apply for all other types of exchanges, and tickets cannot be exchanged from one opera title to another. Information in this brochure is correct at the time of printing, but dates, prices, casting, repertoire and productions are subject to change without notice or compensation. Complete COC and Four Seasons Centre policies are available at coc.ca/Policies. CHARITABLE REGISTRATION NUMBER: 11883 4829 RR0001