Die Walküre House Program by Canadian Opera Company

Performance C A N A D I A N O P E R A C O M PA N Y Wi n te r 2015

DIE WALKĂ&#x153;RE

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CONTENTS 4 TOP TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MOZART’S DON GIOVANNI BY NIKITA GOURSKI

10 SEMELE GOES TO BAM! 18 BACKSTAGE AND BEYOND 26 TOP TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WAGNER’S DIE WALKÜRE BY NIKITA GOURSKI

2015/2016 SEASON PREVIEW: 12 LA TRAVIATA; 14 PYRAMUS AND THISBE; 16 SIEGFRIED; 20 THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO; 22 CARMEN; 24 MAOMETTO II

Performance

Top: Die Walküre (COC, 2006). Photo: Michael Cooper Bottom: Kyle Ketelsen in Don Giovanni (Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, 2010). Photo: Pascal Victor/Artcomart

C A N A D I A N O P E R A C O M PA N Y

Winter 2015

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n Cover images: Don Giovanni: Russell Braun as Don Giovanni in the Canadian Opera Company/Teatro Real Madrid (TRM)/Festival d’Aix-en-Provence/Bolshoi Theatre co-production of Don Giovanni, 2013, TRM. Photo: Javier del Real. Die Walküre: Canadian Opera Company, 2006. Photo: Michael Cooper Canadian Opera Company’s edition of Performance magazine is published quarterly by RJ Performance Media Inc., 2724 Coventry Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6H 6R1. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent is prohibited. Contents copyright © Performance Inc. Subscriptions available by contacting publisher. Direct all advertising enquiries to 2724 Coventry Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6H 6R1 or phone 905-829-3900

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TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW

ABOUT

MOZART’S

Don Giovanni

Kerstin Avemo as Zerlina and Bo Skovhus as Don Giovanni in Don Giovanni, Festival d-Aix-en-Provence, 2010. Photo: Pascal Victor/Artcomart

BY NIKITA GOURSKI

1. OPERA OF OPERAS

2. SOURCE MATERIAL

3. STORY IN A NUTSHELL

Musicians and music-lovers often refer to Don Giovanni as the “opera of operas.” Find out why by listening to excerpts from the stunning, genre-melding masterpiece at coc.ca/LookAndListen.

The legend of Don Juan originates in traditional Spanish folklore. The earliest recorded version appears in the play El Burlador de Sevilla (The Playboy of Seville), written by a Spanish monk, Tirso de Molina, and published in 1630. Other plays on the subject proliferated throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, including one by French playwright Molière. At least three operas predate Mozart’s treatment, testifying to the widespread cultural fascination with the myth in 18th-century Europe.

Each treatment of the legend is different, but the story typically begins with Don Juan, a shameless libertine and womanizer, forcing himself on a lady of noble birth and eventually murdering her father. The Don then pursues several other women. He is usually accompanied by a servant who is a wavering figure, sometimes reaffirming, sometimes bristling against his master’s dubious ethic. The story culminates with a dinner party, at which a stone statue (of the father killed by Don Juan) arrives at the feast and banishes the Don to Hell.

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TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW about Mozart’s Don Giovanni

4. MIXING IT UP Collaborating with the brilliant librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, Mozart mixed comedy and tragedy—including elements of horror—to produce a potent, even disturbing combination, which succeeded tremendously at its Prague premiere in 1787. Up until that point, operas about the unscrupulous seducer were exclusively comedic.

5. WHO IS DON GIOVANNI? Mozart gives him only two, notably brief arias, both of which offer little information about the rake’s inner life or psychological self. Some modern critics have speculated that Mozart and Da Ponte deliberately present Don Giovanni as a blank canvas, creating a psychological space into which the audience, as well as the characters, project their fantasies, nightmares, fears, and desires. Meanwhile 19th-century commentators like Søren Kierkegaard and E.T.A. Hoffmann became enthralled with the symbolic value of Don Giovanni, explaining him as something more than an individual man, something like a life-force, a principle of desire, or an emblem of the human soul itself, riven with the representative contradictions of the human condition. While the opera withholds any final answers, the persistence of the question explains the variety of directorial approaches taken over the opera’s performance history.

A scene from Don Giovanni, Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, 2010. Photo: Photo: Pascal Victor/ArtComArt

6. RIVETING INTERPRETATION Our production is staged by brilliant Russian director Dmitri Tcherniakov, “an artist whose work is on the edge of the cutting edge” (Opera News). For a full profile and analysis of Tcherniakov’s work, read Gianmarco Segato’s piece in the most recent issue of Prelude, available at the Welcome Desk and online at coc.ca/Publications.

Don Giovanni director Dmitri Tcherniakov

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

7. A FADED DON Tcherniakov’s Don Giovanni defies the stereotype of a successful Casanova; he is not particularly young or old, nor is he a carefree playboy. Rather, he’s a troubled, sometimes unhinged figure with a history—perhaps of some personal trauma—that makes him both invigorating and dangerous. Moreover he lacks any of the outward traits we’d normally associate with physical attractiveness or sexual charisma. Nevertheless, he exerts a powerful magnetism over those around him. His clothes and haggard look are inspired in part by Marlon Brando’s character in Bernardo Bertolucci’s seminal film Last Tango in Paris.

TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW about Mozart’s Don Giovanni

family’s hierarchy of values, and in negating a civilized morality of order and reason, transforms each of the family members for a time, estranges them from themselves, and opens a field of experience that was not accessible to them before—all this can lead to moments of intoxicating madness that briefly realize Don Giovanni’s utopian vision of absolute freedom. (top) (l-r) Bo Skovhus as Don Giovanni and Kyle Ketelsen as Leporello. (right) A scene from Don Giovanni. Both images from Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, 2010. Photos: Pascal Victor/ArtComArt

8. ALL IN THE FAMILY In a radical move, Tcherniakov redraws the relationships of the main characters, making them all part of a single family, which Don Giovanni—an outsider—has married into. This both complicates the relationships among the principals and generates new, revelatory meanings in their interactions. But whether we choose to take the family device literally or interpret it metaphorically, as signifying a closed system of human relations, the results make for powerful theatre, pushing the characters into intense emotional territory “often more meaningfully than in a straight reading” (Opera News), one critic raved.

9. INSIDE A ROOM, WORLDS COLLIDE The action is set inside a wealthy bourgeois home (the room could be a library, drawing room, or main parlour). Intentionally, there are no specific markers of the outer world—we could be in Vienna, Prague, London, Paris, etc.— but the costumes are contemporary, and the interior gives the impression of a respectable, well-established family. But if the Commendatore (the father, and master of this domain), represents a particular moral code, and his family members uphold a system of values consistent with that, then Don Giovanni is an eccentric force of dissent. He disrupts and rejects the

10. EXPANDING TIME Tcherniakov expands the opera’s 24 hour-time-frame into several months, inserting temporal gaps of days and weeks in between scenes that originally unfold in direct sequence. By opening up the temporal structure of the opera this way, Tcherniakov allows for the possibility of much greater personal change in the characters—we are no longer seeing someone minute-by-minute, but returning to them after a longer period of time, in which their outlooks, motivations, and desires could have changed more substantially than in a contracted time span.

A S I A N I N S P I R E D. D I S T I N C T LY C A N A D I A N.

E N J OY P R E - P E R F O R M A N C E D I N I N G .

Nikita Gourski is Development Communications Officer at the Canadian Opera Company.

T H E S I G N AT U R E R E S TAU R A N T A N D LO B B Y B A R AT S H A N G R I - L A H O T E L , T O R O N T O FOR FURTHER INSIGHT INTO DON GIOVANNI, READ ANATOMY OF AN OPERA AND A PROFILE OF DMITRI TCHERNIAKOV IN THE WINTER ISSUE OF PRELUDE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT COC.CA/PUBLICATIONS.

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Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

SEMELE

GOES TO BAM!

Jane Archibald as Semele (foreground) and William Burden as Jupiter (background) in the COC's Semele, 2012. Photo: Michael Cooper

“Both the adventurous staging and the consistently brilliant singing make Handel’s Semele by far the best opera production I’ve seen from the COC.” barczablog, 2012

or the second time in only four years, the COC presents a signature production at one of the most the prestigious art venues in the world, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)! The COC performs Handel’s Semele March 4 – 10 as part of BAM’s 2015 spring season. A tantalizing mix of East and West, Baroque opera and 21st-century performance art, ancient myth and real-life tragedy, Semele was the sensation of the COC’s 2011/2012 season. COC General Director, Alexander Neef “It’s truly an honour to have been invited to bring Semele to BAM. The centre’s international reputation and reach is an exceptional way for us to show new audiences what a great company we are. In 2011, we were thrilled to be the toast of New York City with The Nightingale and Other Short Fables, and we look forward to a similar reaction this year with this fantastic Semele.” Soprano Jane Archibald (Semele) “I am so delighted to be able to inhabit Semele’s world once again! Performing this role with

the COC has been an absolute highlight of my career and it feels like such a wonderful fit for me. The costumes are beautiful, the set is evocative and the production is thoughtprovoking. I'm very excited to share it with New York audiences!” Baritone Kyle Ketelsen (Cadmus/Somnus) “I’m extremely pleased to be debuting this role with the COC at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which is known for its dedication to cutting-edge art.”

In March 2015, the COC’s groundbreaking production of Handel’s Semele will travel to the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The COC thanks the following donors for their support of this milestone for the Company. The COC Tour to BAM has been generously underwritten by Philip Deck and Kimberley Bozak Peter M. Partridge David and Kristin Ferguson Colleen Sexsmith Jerry and Geraldine Heffernan Kristine Vikmanis and Denton Creighton Anonymous FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ALL THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY’S ACTIVITIES, READ THE WINTER ISSUE OF THE COC’S MAGAZINE PRELUDE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT COC.CA/PUBLICATIONS.

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

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GIUSEPPE VERDI

LA TRAVIATA When everything is for sale, what would you give for love? With an irresistible score and a heartbreaking story of grand romance, Verdi’s La Traviata epitomizes what great opera is all about. From Violetta’s soaring and passionate declaration of independence, “Sempre libera,” to her heartfelt cry for Alfredo’s love, “Amami Alfredo;” from Germont’s fatherly plea in “Di Provenza il mar” to the rousing “Libiamo,” Traviata is a glorious offering of some of Verdi’s most exciting melodies. The role of Violetta demands vocal pyrotechnics and the dramatic conviction to carry the character through a remarkable emotional arc, and we have wonderful exponents of the role in Ekaterina Siurina and Joyce El-Khoury, two of the most exciting young sopranos on the opera scene. In this new production, renowned director Arin Arbus sets the story of devotion and sacrifice in the demimonde of 1850s Paris, featuring decadent parties and all-night balls, sumptuous sets and exquisite costumes, all unfolding against the rhythms, rituals, and debauchery of a rapidly changing society.

October 8 – November 4, 2015

Generously underwritten in part by

NEW COC PRODUCTION

DAVID ROFFEY AND KAREN WALSH

Marina Rebeka as Violetta in La Traviata (Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2013). Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

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Bold new Canadian meets early Baroque classic BARBARA MONK FELDMAN

CANADIAN WORLD PREMIERE

PYRAMUS AND THISBE MONTEVERDI

IL COMBATTIMENTO DI TANCREDI E CLORINDA AND LAMENTO D’ARIANNA Opera’s earliest beginnings collide with a bold, new Canadian world premiere in this intriguing and innovative program. When opera was first invented in early 17th-century Italy, Claudio Monteverdi was at the forefront with works like Lamento d’Arianna (1608) and Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda (1624). As with most early opera, their subjects are drawn from mythology and history— here, the tales of Ariadne abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos; and, of Tancredi and Clorinda whose tragic fates unfold on the battlefields of the Crusades. Canadian composer Barbara Monk Feldman’s Pyramus and Thisbe (2010) is also based on a classical myth—the same saga of fated love famously adapted by Shakespeare for Romeo and Juliet. Inspired by the ever-changing light and colour of her native Gaspé Peninsula, Monk Feldman’s transparent score charts the emotional landscape between two star-crossed lovers and celebrates the cathartic power of letting love go. Following virtuosic turns in 2012’s Love from afar and 2015’s Erwartung, Canadian mezzo soprano and COC Ensemble alumna Krisztina Szabó continues her traversal of contemporary opera’s most compelling heroines as Monk Feldman’s Thisbe and then reaches back four centuries to play Monteverdi’s Arianna and Clorinda. Canadian baritone Phillip Addis (Marcello/Schaunard in 2013’s La bohème) returns as Pyramus and Tancredi. The compelling team of singer-actors is united under the ever-probing eye of director Christopher Alden (Die Fledermaus, 2012; Rigoletto, 2011). COC Music Director Johannes Debus leads the COC Orchestra.

October 17 – November 6, 2015 NEW COC PRODUCTION 14

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

Detail from Nicolas Poussin’s Landscape during a Thunderstorm with Pyramus and Thisbe, 1651. Photo: U. Edelmann–Stä del Museum–ARTOTHEK

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ONE NATION UNDER THE ARTS

RICHARD WAGNER

SIEGFRIED “Through furious fire have I come to you!” The journey of the hero Siegfried, as created by the revolutionary composer Richard Wagner, makes for some of the most profound drama ever conceived. Wagner immerses us into a psychologically penetrating world of greed, fear, and self-discovery in a production created by innovative FrenchCanadian director François Girard and Toronto-born designer Michael Levine. Mirroring the emotional landscape of Wagner’s stirring score, this production has been called “mind-blowing” (Eye Weekly), “awe-inspiring” (Toronto Sun) and “incandescent” (National Post). Described as “huge of voice, unflagging of stamina, imaginative and energetic on the stage” (Seattle Times), formidable German tenor Stefan Vinke is the hero Siegfried, a man without fear who battles dragons, fire, and gods in order to save the courageous Valkyrie Brünnhilde, who has been cast into an enchanted sleep. Powerhouse American soprano Christine Goerke brings her “multi-hued miracle of gale-force power and pin point control” (Musical America) in a return to the COC as Brünnhilde. Wagner’s exhilarating, intoxicating and deeply personal score is brought to life by the COC Orchestra under COC Music Director Johannes Debus.

February 6 – 26, 2016

Production originally made possible by

COC PRODUCTION

KOLTER COMMUNITIES A scene from Siegfried (Canadian Opera Company, 2006). Photo: Michael Cooper

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

We live in a country with a rich and deep appreciation for arts and culture, and we’re committed to fund programs that enable Canadians of all means and backgrounds to enjoy the very best. Proud supporter of SURTITLES™ at the Canadian Opera Company and proudly Canadian.

ALEXANDER NEEF, General Director

DIE WALKÜRE by Richard Wagner Drama in Three Acts, Libretto by Richard Wagner First performance: Royal Court and National Theatre, Munich, June 26, 1870 COC Production Last performed by the COC in 2006 January 31, February 4, 7, 10, 13, 19, 22, 2015 Sung in German with English SURTITLESTM

THE CAST (in order of vocal appearance)

Siegmund Sieglinde Hunding Wotan Brünnhilde Fricka Gerhilde Helmwige Waltraute Schwertleite Ortlinde Siegrune Rossweisse Grimgerde Conductor Director Associate Director Set and Costume Designer Lighting Designer Stage Manager SURTITLES™ Producer

Clifton Forbis Heidi Melton Dimitry Ivashchenko Johan Reuter Christine Goerke* Janina Baechle Elaine McKrill Aviva Fortunata†** Rihab Chaieb^ Lindsay Ammann Mona Somm Laura Tucker Megan Latham Charlotte Burrage†*** Johannes Debus Atom Egoyan Marilyn Gronsdal^ Michael Levine David Finn Cynthia Toushan Gunta Dreifelds

Performance time is approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes, including two intermissions.

Production originally made possible by Kolter Communities *Christine Goerke’s performance is generously sponsored by Jack Whiteside **Aviva Fortunata’s performance is generously sponsored by the COVC Jean A. Chalmers Award ***Charlotte Burrage’s performance is generously sponsored by Margaret Harriett Cameron and the late Gary Smith

† Current member of the COC Ensemble Studio ^Graduate of the COC Ensemble Studio Program information is correct at time of printing. All casting is subject to change.

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DIRECTOR’S NOTES

here is no question that Wagner’s Ring is one of the supreme achievements of 19th century art. No other composer has so completely immersed himself in the political and philosophical ideas of their time. This magnificent and richly layered work finds its inspiration from a multitude of sources; from the spirit of the 1848 Revolution (Wagner was a devoted Anarchist who was close to Bakunin), to the dramatic strategies of classic Greek Theatre, to a deep reading of philosophers such as Hegel, Kant and Schopenhauer. The most essential source of tension in the work is between the love of power and the power of love. In Wagner’s world, power is sustained by an elaborate set of laws and treaties, combined with a brutal show of force and the threat of destruction. Perhaps the single most destructive force— as laid out so brilliantly in Die Walküre—is the capacity for self-delusion.

SYNOPSIS It is in this examination of self-delusion that any production must focus on the generation and carefully constructed aspect of myth. I’m fascinated by the way in which the creation of any myth (be it national, familial or personal) allows one to condone what might otherwise seem a transgression. In Die Walküre, even the most grave transgression of incest is given a degree of license under the generation of myth. Who constructs these myths? Why should we believe them? Die Walküre is a brilliantly constructed drama that finds its force in the disparity between the literal— the stories and myths that the characters articulate—and the overwhelming ability of Wagner’s music to give expression to the irrational and subconscious. This revolutionary combination is the genius of Wagner’s extraordinary imagination. Atom Egoyan

“To better understand the distressed and visually chaotic world of Die Walküre, it is important to remember that this is the second part of a four-part drama. In the first part, Das Rheingold, as Valhalla is being considered and planned, the theatrical space—now destroyed—was presented as a pristine and highly organized playing area.” – Atom Egoyan

A scene from the COC's Das Rheingold, 2006. Photo: Gary Beechey

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

Before the opera begins Alberich, the Nibelung dwarf-king, had stolen the magic Rhine gold from the Rhinemaidens and forged it into a ring giving world power to its wearer. Wotan, ruler of the gods, acquired it from him by trickery and gave it to the giants, Fafner and Fasolt, in payment for building him the mighty fortress, Valhalla. However, Alberich had cursed the ring and its possessors. In an effort to forestall Alberich’s vengeance, Wotan ordered his nine Valkyrie daughters to retrieve fallen heroes who will become immortal protectors of Valhalla. Wotan also sired twin children, Siegmund and Sieglinde, by a mortal woman. He now hopes that Siegmund will be the one who recovers the ring and returns it to the Rhinemaidens, thereby saving the gods. ACT I Fleeing his enemies and seeking refuge, Siegmund enters Hunding’s dwelling and is found by Sieglinde, Hunding’s wife, who gives him a drink and bids him rest awhile. They are unaware of actually being twin brother and sister separated at birth. Hunding returns and offers him the traditional night’s hospitality for travellers. In answer to his host’s questions, Siegmund tells of his mother’s death and the disappearance of his sister and father. He then tells of his flight from a battle with local tribesmen. Hunding angrily exclaims that they are his kinsmen and challenges Siegmund to a fight in the morning. Siegmund wonders when he will find the sword, Nothung, which his father had promised him in his hour of need. Sieglinde returns, having drugged Hunding into a deep sleep. She tells Please visit coc.ca for additional information

Siegmund the events of her forced marriage and of the stranger who appeared in her house at the wedding-feast. The stranger plunged a sword into the ash tree around which Hunding’s house was built and said that it would belong to the warrior who could remove it. Sieglinde then recognizes Siegmund as her twin brother and, as the two embrace, Siegmund declares he will claim the sword and Sieglinde for himself. He then rushes to the tree and, pulling free the sword, he releases Sieglinde from Hunding’s bondage. INTERMISSION ACT II Wotan orders Brünnhilde to assemble her sisters, the Valkyries, to help Siegmund in his battle with Hunding. As Brünnhilde leaves, Fricka, the goddess of marriage and Wotan’s wife, arrives outraged at the incestuous twins and demands that Wotan withdraw his protection of Siegmund. Wotan protests that Siegmund is the champion he has chosen to recover the ring. But Fricka will not be persuaded and he finally gives in. Brünnhilde returns to a gloomy and despairing Wotan, who tells her of his futile attempts to get the ring and of Alberich’s imminent victory over the gods. Wotan instructs Brünnhilde to ensure that Siegmund dies in battle. The fleeing lovers rest in the forest. Sieglinde, exhausted, begs to be left to die in shame and falls asleep. Brünnhilde approaches, calling Siegmund by name. Only warriors destined to die in combat can look at her, she explains, and she has come to take him to Valhalla. Determined never to leave Sieglinde, he stands ready to fight. His bravery and defiance win Brünnhilde’s sympathy and she promises her help in spite of Wotan’s orders. 3

SYNOPSIS

At the sound of Hunding’s horn, Siegmund prepares for battle with Brünnhilde standing close to shield him. Wotan appears and shatters Siegmund’s sword. Defenseless, he is slain by Hunding. Brünnhilde hurriedly gathers up the fragments of the sword and takes Sieglinde to safety. Wotan gazes on his fallen champion and kills Hunding. He disappears, promising punishment for Brünnhilde’s disobedience. INTERMISSION ACT III Accompanied by Sieglinde, Brünnhilde is met by the Valkyries and relates the events of Siegmund’s death and Wotan’s anger. Brünnhilde’s sisters reproach her, themselves fearful of Wotan’s wrath. Sieglinde, begging for help, is advised to hide near Fafner’s cave in the forest for even Wotan fears the place and will not pursue her there. Brünnhilde tells her that

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

she will bear Siegmund’s son, the greatest of all the world’s heroes—Siegfried. Sieglinde takes the fragments of Siegmund’s sword and departs. Wotan appears and orders Brünnhilde to come forward. Henceforth, she is no longer a Valkyrie, but a mortal woman, and forever banished from the company of her sisters. The others scatter in terror. Wotan is overcome with sadness and affection for his favourite daughter. But she must be punished. She will be put into a deep sleep until a worthy hero awakens her and wins her love. Brünnhilde begs Wotan for protection while she is in her defenseless sleep by encircling her with fire. He gently kisses her eyes, bidding her farewell, and she loses consciousness. Striking a rock, he calls to Loge, god of fire, to bring forth his ring of flames. Holding his spear aloft, he declares with a last sorrowful gaze at Brünnhilde that only the one who does not know fear will be able to cross the ring of fire.

MUSIC STAFF

Rachel Andrist (Head Coach) Anne Larlee Jennifer Szeto (Ensemble Studio Intern Coach) ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR

Derek Bate ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

Lesley Abarquez Liliane Stilwell ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNERS

Kaileigh Krysztofiak Andrea Nelson ACROBAT

Dana Fradkin FIGHT DIRECTOR

James Binkley UNDERSTUDIES

Siegmund Sieglinde Brünnhilde Fricka Ortlinde/Gerhilde Helmwige Waltraute/Siegrune/Schwertleite/ Grimgerde/Rossweisse

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Issachah Savage Elaine McKrill Mona Somm Laura Tucker Joni Henson Karine Boucher Mia Lennox

ARTISTS’ BIOGRAPHIES

ARTISTS’ BIOGRAPHIES LINDSAY AMMANN Schwertleite

American contralto Lindsay Ammann is making her COC debut. Recent highlights include Olga in Eugene Onegin, Dryad in Ariadne auf Naxos, Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Mary in Der fliegende Holländer, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan and Mistress Quickly in Falstaff (Oper Stuttgart); Brangäne in a concert version of Tristan und Isolde (Casals Festival); Rossweisse in Die Walküre (Metropolitan Opera); and Messiah (Pittsburgh Symphony). Upcoming appearances include Ježibaba in a new production of Rusalka (Aalto-Musiktheater Essen); Erda in Das Rheingold and Siegfried, Schwertleite, and First Norn in Götterdämmerung (Washington National Opera). JANINA BAECHLE Fricka

German mezzo-soprano Janina Baechle is making her COC debut. Recent appearances include Ježibaba in Rusalka (Opéra de Lyon); Herodias in Salome, Ježibaba, Erda in Das Rheingold, Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde, and Fricka in Die Walküre and Das Rheingold (Wiener Staatsoper); Brangäne (Opéra national de Paris); Azucena in Il Trovatore (Volksoper Wien); Gertrud in Hänsel und Gretel (Bayerische Staatsoper); and Mistress Quickly in Falstaff (Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck and Théâtre du Capitole Toulouse). Upcoming appearances include Erda (in concert with Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under Sir Simon Rattle and at Wiener Staatsoper); Brangäne (Opéra National de Bordeaux); Mahler Symphony No. 8 (Grazer Philharmonische 6

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

Orchester); The Dream of Gerontius (Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie); as well as recitals in Warsaw, Stuttgart, and Naples. CHARLOTTE BURRAGE Grimgerde

Originally from Woodstock, Ontario, mezzo-soprano Charlotte Burrage is a second-year Ensemble Studio member. She recently appeared as Dorabella in Così fan tutte (Ensemble performance). Other credits include Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with both Kevin Mallon in Italy and Christopher Verrette in Toronto; Hansel in Hansel and Gretel with Vancouver Opera in Schools; Dorabella in Così fan tutte with Banff Centre’s Opera as Theatre and Jeunesses Musicales; and the title role in Massenet’s Cendrillon with University of British Columbia. Other credits include appearances with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra under conductor Bramwell Tovey and Handel’s Messiah with Orchestra London. RIHAB CHAIEB Waltraute

Tunisian-born mezzosoprano Rihab Chaieb, a COC Ensemble Studio graduate, last appeared at the COC as Sister Mathilde in Dialogues des Carmélites. Other COC credits include Sesto in La clemenza di Tito (Ensemble performance), Inez in Il Trovatore, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, Ino/Juno in Semele (Ensemble performance), Tisbe in La Cenerentola, Second Secretary to Mao in Nixon in China, and the Third Lady in The Magic Flute (Ensemble performance). Recent credits include Octavian (cover) in Der Rosenkavalier at the Glyndebourne Opera Festival. Upcoming engagements include Ino/Juno (cover) in the COC’s

Semele (Brooklyn Academy of Music); Mercedès in Carmen (Glyndebourne Opera Festival); and a debut with Opéra National de Bordeaux. CLIFTON FORBIS Siegmund

American tenor Clifton Forbis last appeared at the COC in the title role of Otello. He also sang the role of Siegmund in the COC’s Die Walküre in 2006 and 2004. A leading artist with the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra national de Paris and Teatro alla Scala, his recent credits include Otello (Korea National Opera, Nashville Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Teatro Petruzelli, Deutsche Oper, Opera Philadelphia and in concert with the BBC Philharmonic); Siegmund (Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper and Staatsoper Unter den Linden); Samson in Samson et Dalila (Mariinsky Theatre and San Diego Opera); Tristan in Tristan und Isolde (Washington National Opera, Seattle Opera and Dallas Opera); Florestan in Fidelio (Seattle Opera); and Canio in Pagliacci (New Orleans Opera). AVIVA FORTUNATA Helmwige

Calgary native soprano Aviva Fortunata is a second-year Ensemble Studio member. She recently appeared with the COC as Fiordiligi in the Ensemble Studio performance of Così fan tutte. Other notable credits include Desdemona in Otello and the Lady with a Cake Box in Postcard from Morocco (San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program); Donna Anna in Don Giovanni (Concert Opera Group, Centre for Opera Studies in Italy and UofT Opera); and Poulenc’s Gloria (Buffalo Philharmonic Please visit coc.ca for additional information

Orchestra). Ms. Fortunata was the 2012 Norcop Prize in Song Recital winner and was awarded a judges’ commendation in the Mildred Miller International Voice Competition (Opera Theater of Pittsburgh). This season at the COC Ms. Fortunata sings the role of Berta in The Barber of Seville. CHRISTINE GOERKE Brünnhilde

American soprano Christine Goerke is making her COC debut. She appears regularly in the major international opera houses and with the world’s leading orchestras. Recent credits include the title role in Elektra (Michigan Opera Theatre/ MOT, BBC Proms, Chicago Opera Theater and Royal Opera House, Covent Garden); Florencia Grimaldi in Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas (Washington Opera); the title role in Ariadne auf Naxos (Glimmerglass Opera); The Dyer’s Wife in Die Frau ohne Schatten (Metropolitan Opera/Met); Leonore in Fidelio (MOT); Ortrud in Lohengrin (Deutsche Oper); and Eboli in Don Carlos (Houston Grand Opera/HGO). Upcoming appearances include War Requiem (University of North Carolina); Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood with conductor Andris Nelsons); and Brünnhilde (HGO, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Met). DIMITRY IVASHCHENKO Hunding

Russian bass Dimitry Ivashchenko is making his COC debut. Recent credits include Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte (Petruzzelli di Bari, Komische Oper Berlin/KOB and Festspiele 7

ARTISTS’ BIOGRAPHIES

Baden-Baden); Osmin in Die Entführung aus dem Serail (La Monnaie and Royal Concertgebouw, conducted by René Jacobs and recorded for CD); Méphistophélès in Faust (Hong Kong Opera); Gurnemanz in Parsifal (Staatstheater Darmstadt and Teatro Municipal de Santiago); Rocco in Fidelio (Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen); Sparafucile/Monterone in Rigoletto (Münchner Opernfestspiele); Veit Pogner in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Chicago Opera Theater and KOB); the title role in Boris Godunov (Theater Dortmund); and Ariodate in Serse (Opera Bergen). Upcoming appearances include Vodnik in Rusalka and Sarastro (Opéra national de Paris). MEGAN LATHAM Rossweisse

Canadian mezzo-soprano Megan Latham last appeared with the COC as Mother Jeanne in Dialogues des Carmélites. Other COC credits include Giovanna in Rigoletto, the Third Secretary to Mao in Nixon in China, Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro and Florence Pike in the Ensemble Studio production of Albert Herring. Recent credits include Grandmother in Stickboy (Vancouver Opera/VO) and Mistress Quickly in Falstaff (Pacific Opera Victoria/ POV). Other credits include Eduige in Rodelinda (POV); Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro (VO); and she was featured in The Sound of Music at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Ms. Latham was the 2003 winner of the Marilyn Horne Foundation Song Competition which resulted in her recital debut at Carnegie Hall.

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

ARTISTS’ BIOGRAPHIES

ELAINE MCKRILL Gerhilde

British soprano Elaine McKrill is making her COC debut. She appears regularly in many of Europe’s leading opera houses, and specializes predominantly in the music of Wagner and Strauss. Career highlights include the title role in Tristan und Isolde (Teatro Carlo Felice, Angers Nantes Opéra, Opéra de Dijon); Brünnhilde in the Ring Cycle (Theater Chemnitz); Ortlinde in Die Walküre (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/ROH, BBC Proms, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence and Salzburger Festspiele); Gutrune in Götterdämmerung (Scottish Opera); Helmwige in Die Walküre (Deutsche Oper, Dutch National Opera, and Palau de les Arts); Dritte Norn in Götterdämmerung (Oper Stuttgart); Marianne Leitmetzerin in Der Rosenkavalier (ROH and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra); and the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier in concert in Edinburgh. Ms. McKrill will make her debut as Elektra in Germany later this year. HEIDI MELTON Sieglinde

American soprano Heidi Melton is making her COC debut. Recent credits include Sieglinde (San Francisco Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin/DOB and Palau de les Arts); Elsa von Brabant in Lohengrin (DOB and Badisches Staatstheater); Elisabeth in Tannhäuser (BBC Proms and Opéra National de Bordeaux/ONB); Amelia in Un ballo in maschera (DOB and ONB); Elisabeth/Venus in Tannhäuser, Ellen Orford in Peter Grimes, Didon in Les Troyens and Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier (Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe); Dritte Norn in Götterdämmerung (Metropolitan Opera and DOB); Brünnhilde in Siegfried

(in concert); the title role in Ariadne auf Naxos (ONB); and The Foreign Princess in Rusalka (North Carolina Opera and Royal Concertgebouw). Upcoming appearances include Eglantine in Euryanthe (Oper Frankfurt). JOHAN REUTER Wotan

Danish baritone Johan Reuter is making his COC debut. Recent credits include Scarpia in Tosca, Tonio in Pagliacci, Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana, the title role in Der fliegende Holländer, Michele in Il tabarro and the title role in Gianni Schicchi (Royal Danish Opera/RDO); Orest in Elektra (BBC Proms); Barak in Die Frau ohne Schatten (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/ROH and Metropolitan Opera); the title role in Nabucco (Deutsche Oper); Gilles de Rais in Braunfels’ Szenen aus dem Leben der Heiligen Johanna (Salzburger Festspiele); Wotan in Das Rheingold (Münchner Opernfestspiele/MO); and the title role in Der fliegende Holländer (MO and Bayerische Staatsoper). Upcoming appearances include Saul in Saul and David (RDO) and Dr. Schön/ Jack the Ripper in Lulu (Dutch National Opera). MONA SOMM Ortlinde

Swiss soprano Mona Somm is making her COC debut. Recent credits include Brünnhilde in Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung (Tiroler Festspiele Erl/TFE); Ortrud in Lohengrin (Opera Slovakia); Kundry in Parsifal, Venus in Tannhäuser, the title role in Tosca and Ortrud (TFE); Sieglinde in Die Walküre (Theater Freiburg); and Ortlinde (Oper Frankurt). Upcoming appearances include Brünnhilde as well Please visit coc.ca for additional information

as her role debut as Isolde in Tristan und Isolde (TFE). The TFE Ring Cycle will also travel to China in October 2015. LAURA TUCKER Siegrune

Mezzo-soprano Laura Tucker last appeared at the COC as Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus. Other COC credits include Schwertleite in Die Walküre and Tamiri in Il re pastore. She has performed with Seattle Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Philadelphia Opera, New York City Opera (NYCO) and the Spoleto and Wexford Festivals, to name a few. Highlights of Ms. Tucker’s operatic repertoire include the title role in the premiere of Tan Dun’s Marco Polo (NYCO); Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier, Charlotte in Werther, Romeo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Adalgisa in Norma and the title role in Carmen. She has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, the Barbican Centre, Avery Fisher Hall and Chicago’s Ravinia Festival. JOHANNES DEBUS Conductor

COC Music Director Johannes Debus recently conducted the company’s Falstaff. Other COC credits include Don Quichotte, Così fan tutte, Peter Grimes, Dialogues des Carmélites, Salome, Tristan und Isolde, Die Fledermaus, The Tales of Hoffmann, Love from Afar, Rigoletto and, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Nightingale and Other Short Fables. Other highlights include his recent BBC Proms debut in a concert featuring Rufus Wainwright and Deborah Voigt; The Adventures of Mr. Brouˇ cek and Rusalka (Oper Frankfurt); appearances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Orchestra Haydn, and Philharmonia 9

ARTISTS’ BIOGRAPHIES

Orchestra; Elektra and The Rake’s Progress (Staatsoper Unter den Linden); Hänsel und Gretel and Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Bayerische Staatsoper); and appearances at Opéra Festival de Québec, Merola Opera Program at San Francisco Opera and Spoleto, Scotiafest, Aspen, and Blossom music festivals. This season at the COC Mr. Debus also conducts Bluebeard’s Castle/Erwartung. ATOM EGOYAN Director

Academy Award®nominated writer and film director Atom Egoyan recently directed Così fan tutte and Salome at the COC. Other credits include the North American premiere of Martin Crimp’s Cruel and Tender (Canadian Stage); the world premiere of Gavin Bryars’ Dr. Ox’s Experiment (English National Opera); Feng Yi Ting (Spoleto, Lincoln Center, and Luminato festivals) and Elsewhereless, his own original opera with composer Rodney Sharman (Tapestry Music). Mr. Egoyan won the Irish Times/ESB Award for Best Direction for his production of Samuel Beckett’s Eh Joe which transferred to London’s West End before being remounted at the Lincoln Center Festival. He has been knighted by the French Government, received State Honors from The Republic of Armenia, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. He is currently completing his sixteenth feature film, Remember, starring Christopher Plummer. MARILYN GRONSDAL Associate Director

Marilyn Gronsdal was recently associate director for the COC’s Così fan tutte, and assistant director for Falstaff, Don Quichotte and Peter Grimes. Other COC credits include director of La Bohème, associate director of Eugene 10

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

ARTISTS’ BIOGRAPHIES

Onegin, and assistant director on several productions that have been presented elsewhere: Oedipus Rex with Symphony of Psalms (Edinburgh Festival); La Traviata (New Zealand Opera); Siegfried (Opéra national de Lyon); and the COC’s production of The Nightingale and Other Short Fables (Brooklyn Academy of Music). Other credits include directing Carmen and Don Pasquale (Saskatoon Opera) and remounting the COC’s Der fliegende Holländer (Opéra de Montréal). In 2013, she was a jury member in the Helikon-Opera’s International Competition for Young Opera Directors in Moscow. She will be co-directing Madama Butterfly for Saskatoon Opera later in the season. MICHAEL LEVINE Set and Costume Designer

Canadian Michael Levine’s previous work at the COC includes designing Dialogues des Carmélites, Rigoletto, the Ring Cycle, Oedipus Rex with Symphony of Psalms and Bluebeard’s Castle/Erwartung, as well as directing Das Rheingold. Recent credits include The Rape of Lucretia (Deutsche Oper); Eugene Onegin (Grand Théâtre de Genève); Die Zauberflöte (Festival d’Aix-en-Provence); Dialogues des Carmélites (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden); and I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Opéra national de Paris). Upcoming productions include Tannhäuser (Lyric Opera of Chicago); The Rape of Lucretia (Glyndebourne Festival); Wozzeck (Opernhaus Zürich); Between Worlds (a new opera by Tanzi Davies for English National Opera); Hänsel und Gretel (Dutch National Opera); and Amazon Beaming (Complicite Theatre). Mr. Levine has won a Gemini and two Dora Awards, Paris Critics’ Prize, Edinburgh Festival Drama and Music Award and is a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in France.

DAVID FINN Lighting Designer

David Finn returns to the COC after designing lighting for the COC’s complete Ring Cycle. Other COC credits include Macbeth and Venus and Adonis. Recent credits include Don Giovanni (Opera Australia); The Rake’s Progress (Teatro Regio Torino); Tannhäuser (Staatsoper Unter den Linden); Rusalka (Lyric Opera of Chicago/ LOC); and Parsifal (Metropolitan Opera). Upcoming productions include Tannhäuser (LOC); Hänsel und Gretel (Dutch National Opera); and Romeo et Juliette (Deutsche Oper). He has designed for major dance companies including The National Ballet of Canada, San Francisco Ballet, Royal Ballet, and Paris Opera Ballet, among others. He was resident designer for Mikhail Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project from 1993 to 2000. David recently designed the musical Atomic off-Broadway, and Michael Jackson One for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. DEREK BATE Assistant Conductor

COC assistant to the music director Derek Bate was recently assistant conductor for Falstaff, and conducted a performance of Don Quichotte. Also with the COC, he has led performances of Salome, La clemenza

di Tito, Rigoletto, Aida, Madama Butterfly, The Flying Dutchman, Luisa Miller, Eugene Onegin, La Bohème, Carmen, Turandot, La Traviata, Die Fledermaus and served as assistant conductor for Così fan tutte, Peter Grimes, Love From Afar, A Florentine Tragedy/Gianni Schicchi, Maria Stuarda, Nixon in China, Cinderella, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, War and Peace and the complete Ring Cycle, among others. Mr. Bate frequently conducts with Toronto Operetta Theatre, and was musical director for Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Show Boat. CYNTHIA TOUSHAN Stage Manager

Cynthia Toushan has been a member of the COC for over 25 years as a stage manager and choreographer. Past COC productions include A Masked Ball, Tristan und Isolde, Love from Afar, Nixon in China, From the House of the Dead, Faust, Turandot and Hänsel und Gretel. Ms. Toushan was the production stage manager and resident director for Jersey Boys Toronto (2008– 2010). She has worked for 18 seasons with the Stratford Festival as a Production Stage Manager and a Stage Manager. Her credits there include Crazy for You, 42nd Street, Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof and Camelot. In addition, she was the senior stage manager for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Toronto in 2002.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE

We are pleased to offer, for the convenience of all of our patrons, a pre-order system for intermission purchases. Our pre-order system is designed to decrease your wait time at the bar during intermission and we invite you to make use of it at every COC performance. Bars are located throughout the Isadore and Rosalie Sharp City Room’s many levels. Food and beverages are not permitted in R. Fraser Elliott Hall.

Please visit coc.ca for additional information

CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY ORCHESTRA VIOLIN I

CELLO

Marie Bérard, Concertmaster The Concertmaster’s chair has been endowed in perpetuity by Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Aaron Schwebel, Associate Concertmaster Jamie Kruspe, Assistant Concertmaster, on leave of absence Aya Miyagawa, Acting Assistant Concertmaster Anne Armstrong Sandra Baron Bethany Bergman Erik Fujita** Hiroko Kagawa* Boris Kupesic* Nancy Kershaw Dominique Laplante Yakov Lerner Jayne Maddison Neria Mayer Ashley Vandiver*

Bryan Epperson, Principal Alastair Eng, Associate Principal Paul Widner, Assistant Principal Maurizio Baccante Naomi Barron* Tess Crowther** Peter Cosbey* Olga Laktionova Loewi Lin* Marianne Pack* Elaine Thompson

BASS Alan Molitz, Principal Robert Speer, Assistant Principal Malcolm Armstrong** Nick Davis* Tom Hazlitt Andrew Horton* Paul Langley Eric Lee* Robert Wolanski*

VIOLIN II Paul Zevenhuizen, Principal Csaba Koczó, Assistant Principal James Aylesworth Jennie Baccante* Andrew Chung* Laura D’Angelo* Brenna Hardy Kavanaugh** Elizabeth Johnston Sarah Kim* Laurel Mascarenhas* Alexey Pankratov* Kate Unrau* Marianne Urke Louise Tardif Joanna Zabrowarna

FLUTE

Bardhyl Gjevori Gary Pattison David Quackenbush* Micajah Sturgess* Scott Wevers*

WAGNER TUBAS Bardhyl Gjevori Gary Pattison. David Quackenbush* Micajah Sturgess*

TRUMPET Robert Grim, Principal Andrew Dubelsten* Robert Weymouth

BASS TRUMPET David Pell*

TROMBONE Charles Benaroya, Principal Ian Cowie

CONTRABASS TROMBONE

PICCOLO

Scott Irvine, Principal

Shelley Brown Marie Pelletier*

TIMPANI

Trevor Dix*

TUBA

Michael Perry, Principal Mark Rogers, Principal Jasper Hitchcock* Lief Mossbaugh*

ENGLISH HORN

PERCUSSION Trevor Tureski, Principal Chung Ling Lo* Ryan Scott*

Lesley Young

HARP

VIOLA

CLARINET

Sarah Davidson, Principal Sanya Eng*

Keith Hamm, Principal Joshua Greenlaw, Assistant Principal Carolyn Blackwell* Katrina Chitty* Brandon Chui* Kelvin Enns* Ivan Ivanovich* Sheila Jaffé Shannon Knights* Rory McLeod* Nicholaos Papadakis* Rhyll Peel, on leave of absence Laurence Schaufele** Beverley Spotton Yosef Tamir, on leave of absence

James T. Shields, Principal Michele Verheul* James Ormston*

BASS CLARINET Colleen Cook

OFFICERS Mr. Tony Arrell, Chair Ms. Colleen Sexsmith, Vice Chair Mr. Paul A. Bernards, Treasurer Mr. John H. Macfarlane, Secretary Mr. Alexander Neef, General Director (ex officio) Mr. Robert Lamb, Managing Director (ex officio)

MEMBERS Mr. Mark Appel Ms. Nora Aufreiter Mr. Robert Brouwer Ms. Helen Burstyn Ms. Marcia Lewis Brown Mr. Stewart Burton Mr. Philip C. Deck Mr. Peter M. Deeb Mr. George S. Dembroski Mr. William Fearn (ex officio) Mr. David Ferguson (ex officio) Mr. Adam Froman Mr. Michael Gibbens Mr. Peter Hinman Dr. Linda Hutcheon Ms. Carolyn Jarvis

Mr. Justin Linden Mr. Jeff Lloyd Ms. Anne Maggisano Mr. Stephen O. Marshall Ms. Judy Matthews Mr. Jonathan Morgan Mr. Nick Mutton Ms. Frances Price Mr. Arthur R.A. Scace, C.M. Mr. Philip S.W. Smith Mr. Paul B. Spafford Ms. Michele Symons Ms. Kristine (Kris) Vikmanis Mr. Graham Watchorn Mr. John H. (Jack) Whiteside

HONORARY DIRECTOR Mr. Joey Tanenbaum, C.M.

BASS TROMBONE Trevor Dix* Herbert Poole

Douglas Stewart, Principal Christine Little* Maria Pelletier*

OBOE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STIERHORN Herbert Poole

LIBRARIAN

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS COC OPERA GUILDS Brantford Opera Guild, David M. Cullen, President Kingston Opera Guild Grace Orzech, President London Opera Guild Ernest H. Redekop, President Muskoka Opera Guild Dr. Hans Heeneman, President Northumberland Opera Guild Thais Donald, President Oakville Opera Guild Maureen Rudzik, President Sudbury Opera Guild Diane Moore, President Western New York Opera Guild Dorothy K. Piepke, President

CANADIAN OPERA FOUNDATION DIRECTORS Mr. Tony Arrell Mr. Jonathan Bloomberg Mr. J. Rob Collins Mr. Philip C. Deck, Vice Chair Mr. William Fearn, Chair Mr. David Forster, Treasurer Mr. Gary Grad Mr. Michael Gough Mr. Christopher Hoffmann Mr. David Spiro, Secretary

HONORARY DIRECTORS Mr. George Hamilton Hon. Dennis Lane

Wayne Vogan

BASSOON Eric Hall, Principal William Cannaway* Lisa Chisolm* Elizabeth Gowen, on leave of absence

ASSISTANT MUSIC LIBRARIAN

For more information on COC Guilds please visit coc.ca/Guilds

Ondrej Golias

STAGE LIBRARIAN Paul Langley

HORN Joan Watson, Principal Diane Doig*, Assistant Principal Janet Anderson Michele Gagnon*

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

PERSONNEL MANAGER Ian Cowie * extra musician **COC Orchestra Academy Student

Please visit coc.ca for additional information

ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF ALEXANDER NEEF, General Director Robert Lamb Managing Director Johannes Debus Music Director EXECUTIVE OFFICE Marguerite Schabas Executive Assistant to the General Director

Jean-Philippe FortierLazure Aviva Fortunata Clarence Frazer Andrew Haji Iain MacNeil Owen McCausland Jennifer Szeto Production Assistants Adriana Dimitri Jane Honek

David Retzleff Head Scene Shop Carpenter Andrew Walker Assistant Scene Shop Carpenter Richard Gordon Head Scenic Artist

ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAMMING

Carolina Valenzuela Assistant Head Scenic Artist

Roberto Mauro Artistic Administrator

Nina Dragani´ c Director of Programming – Free Concert Series

Scott Williamson Rehearsal Head Technician

Olwyn Lewis Company Manager

PRODUCTION

Guy Nokes Properties Supervisor

Karen Olinyk Assistant, Artistic Administration & Music

Peter W. Lamb Director of Production

MUSIC

Lee Milliken Production Manager

Sandra Gavinchuk Music Administrator Sandra Horst Chorus Master Wayne Vogan Music Librarian, Coach Elizabeth Upchurch Head of the Ensemble Studio & Coach Wendy Nielsen Head Vocal Consultant Derek Bate Assistant to the Music Director Music Staff Rachel Andrist Timothy Cheung Andrea Del Bianco Jenna Douglas Stephen Hargreaves Anne Larlee Ben Malensek Michael Shannon Kathryn Garnett Scheduling Manager Birthe Joergensen Archivist – Joan Baillie Archives

Chuck Giles Technical Director

Kathy Frost Resident Properties Buyer/Co-ordinator

Leslie Brown Wardrobe Assistant Sharon Ryman Wig & Make-up Supervisor Cori Ferguson Head of Wig & Make-up Crew Shawna Green Production Co-ordinator Hannah Gordon Assistant to the Production Department Gunta Dreifelds SURTITLES™ Producer Zane Kaneps SURTITLES™ Editor John Sharpe SURTITLES™ Assistant

Barney Bayliss Associate Technical Director

Tracy Taylor Properties Builder/ Co-ordinator

Supernumeraries Co-ordinators Analee Stein Elizabeth Walker

Lighting Co-ordinators Wendy Greenwood Daniele Guevera

Properties Builders Carolyn Choo Wulf

DEVELOPMENT

Assistant Technical Directors Melynda Jurgenson Wendy Ryder

Sandra Corazza Costume Supervisor

Christie Darville Chief Advancement Officer

Chloe Anderson Costume Co-ordinator

Amy Mushinski Manager, Government Relations

Janice Fraser Head Electrician Joel Thoman Assistant Electrician Bob Shindle Head of Sound Craig Kadoke Assistant Sound Paul Watkinson Head Carpenter David Middleton Assistant Carpenter Rupert Baker Head Flyman

Ian Cowie Orchestra Personnel Manager

Daniel Graham Head of Properties

Ondrej Golias Assistant Librarian

Core Crew John Beirne Scott Clarke Terry Hurley Paul Otis

COC Ensemble Studio Gordon Bintner Karine Boucher Charlotte Burrage

Stephanie Tjelios Resident Properties Builder/Co-ordinator

Nancy Hawkins Head of Wardrobe

Amy Cummings Scene Shop Co-ordinator

Alexandra Folkes Co-ordinator, Annual Programs and Patron Engagement Victor Widjaja Senior Development Officer, Friends of the COC Heather Cassels Individual Giving Co-ordinator, Friends of the COC Francesco Corsaro Senior Development Officer, Institutional Gifts Sarah Heim Senior Development Officer, Partnerships Nikita Gourski Development Communications Officer Tracy Briggs Senior Manager, Special Events

Eldon Earle Marketing Co-ordinator

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Kristin McKinnon Assistant Publicist

Lindy Cowan, CPA, CA Director of Finance and Administration

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH Katherine Semcesen Associate Director, Education and Outreach Gianmarco Segato Adult Programs Manager Vanessa Smith School Programs Manager

General Accountants Florence Huang Zoran Orli´ c (FSCPA) Vera Brjozovskaia Accounting Clerk

Paula Da Costa Eurest Services Supervisor Eurest Services Team Jennifer Barros Malaku Godana Nash Lim Jimmy Pacheco Sugey Torres FOUR SEASONS CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Payroll Accountants Jovana Bojovic Jeanny Won

TICKET SERVICES

Steven Sherwood Manager, IT Services

Alfred Caron Director, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Brad Staples Database Reporting Specialist

Elizabeth Jones Associate Director, Business Development

Tony Sandy IT Services Assistant

Shannon Churm Business & Events Co-ordinator

Andrea Salin Ticket Services Manager Nikki Tremblay Assistant Ticket Services Manager

Laura Aylan-Parker Senior Development Officer, Special Events and Ensemble Circle

David Nimmo Group Sales Co-ordinator

John Kriter Donation Database Officer

Lillian Fung Ticket Services Supervisor

Olena Moldovan Donation Database Officer

Ticket Services Representatives James Baldwin Ernest Cayemen Aurelie Dufour Anna Kay Eldridge Peter Genoway Sylvie Goncalves Maureen Gualtieri Cat Haywood Keith Lam Kevin Morris Paulina Saliba Kat Smiley Darcy Stoop

Janet Stubbs Foundation Development

COMMUNICATIONS

Sue Furlong Resident Tailor

Stephen Gilles Director of Development

Steve Kelley Chief Communications Officer

Assisted by Gulay Cokgezen Sharon Gashgarian Karen Hancock Carolyn Kasperski Barbara Nowakowski

Peter Hussell Senior Manager, Advancement Operations

Claudine Domingue Director of Public Relations

Dawn Marie Schlegel Associate Director, Donor Relations

Gianna Wichelow Senior Manager, Creative and Publications

CALL CENTRE

Emma Noakes Donor Relations Officer

Jennifer Pugsley Media Relations Manager

Richard Paradiso Call Centre Manager

Additional Costumes by Christine Audet Assisted By Judy MacDougall Mary Fulong Barbara Cassidy

Natalie Sandassie Senior Development Officer, Annual Programs and Patron Engagement

Claire Morley Associate Manager, Editorial

Additional Paint and Breakdown by Chrome Yellow

Bree Callahan Co-ordinator, Annual Programs and Patron Engagement

Call Centre Representatives Catherine Belyea Taisa Dackiw Ion Handrabur Wendy Limbertie Margaret Terry

Meighan Szigeti Associate Manager, Digital Marketing

Amalie Vanderzwet, CPA, CA Finance Manager

Building Operators Dan Bisca Dan Popescu Adrian Tudoran

Blanche Israël Interim Children and Youth Programs Co-ordinator

Costume Assistants Natassia Brunato Christina Del Monte

Additional Costumes by Avril Stevenson Assisted By Rebecca Boyd

Lorraine O’Connor, CHRP Human Resources Manager

Kathleen Minor Heather Reid Craig Thompson

Kiersten Hay Digital Marketing Co-ordinator

Katarina Božovi´ c Receptionist/ Switchboard Branka Hrsum Mailroom Clerk/Courier

Jefferson Guzman Associate Director, Patron Services

BUILDING SERVICES

Kim Hutchinson-Barber Assistant Manager, Patron Services

Joe Waldherr Associate Director, Facilities Management

Julia Somerville Assistant Manager, Front of House

Christian Coulter Assistant Manager, Operations

Brigitte Lang Assistant Manager, Food & Beverage

Maintenance Assistants Ryszard Gad (COC) Branislav Peterman (COC) Julian Peters (COC) James Esposito (FSCPA) Mark Healy (FSCPA) Piotr Wiench (FSCPA)

Patron Services Supervisors Stuart Constable Enrique Covarrubias Cortes Jamieson Eakin Lori MacDonald Melissa McDonnell

Security Supervisors Videsh Dookhu Dave Samuels Security Officers George Balyasin Tammy Hill Natalia Juzyc Usman Khalid

Patron Services Assistant Jennifer Toulmin Patron Services Leads Karol Carstenson Christine Groom Skye Plowman Rosemary Williams

FSCPA – Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

Please visit coc.ca for additional information

LIFE TRUSTEES COUNCIL The Life Trustees Council salutes the leaders of the COC community whose efforts have been integral to the company’s artistic evolution and transformative history of accomplishment. Earlaine Collins David Ferguson (Chair) Jerry and Geraldine Heffernan

Ben Heppner Henry N. R. Jackman Adrianne Pieczonka

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.

SUPPORTING TORONTO’S GROWING ARTS COMMUNITY TODAY, AND FOREVER

Tony and Anne Arrell The Estate of Dr. Larry M. Agranove ARIAS: Canadian Opera Student Development Fund The Gerard & Earlaine Collins Foundation The late John A. Cook The Estate of Horst Dantz and Don Quick Jerry and Geraldine Heffernan Kolter Communities

The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation Roger D. Moore E. Louise Morgan Tim & Frances Price Colleen Sexsmith Joey & Toby Tanenbaum Anonymous (2)

As Naming Donor of the Four Seasons Centre

MAJOR GIFTS & SPECIAL PROJECTS for the Performing Arts, we are proud to be a lifelong friend of the fine arts experience for the patrons here and from around the world.

ENJOY THE PERFORMANCE fourseasons.com

The COC offers its sincere thanks to the individuals listed below for their extraordinary support. PRODUCTION UNDERWRITERS

PERFORMANCE AND ARTIST SPONSORS

ENSEMBLE STUDIO SUPPORTERS

Demonstrating their leadership and generosity, these donors have underwritten the COC’s main stage productions.

The following donors extend their generous support to individual artists and productions

Encouraging the next generation of artists, these donors support the COC’s Ensemble Studio.

$100,000 + Jack Whiteside

$1,000,000 Peter M. Deeb

$50,000 – $99,999 Sue Mortimer

$500,000 – $999,999 The Slaight Family Foundation

$500,000 + Jerry & Geraldine Heffernan The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation Colleen Sexsmith $100,000 – $499,999 Paul Bernards David Roffey & Karen Walsh $50,000 – $99,999 The Asper Foundation

$25,000 – $49,999 Earlaine Collins J. Hans Kluge Anonymous (1) Up to $25,000 Robert Sherrin Sarah Billinghurst Solomon & Howard Solomon Carol Swallow Riki Turofsky & Charles Petersen Kristine Vikmanis & Denton Creighton

Please visit coc.ca for additional information

$25,000 – $499,999 Anne & Tony Arrell Ethel Harris & the late Milton E. Harris Hal Jackman Foundation Roy and Marjorie Linden The Stratton Trust W. Garfield Weston Foundation

MAJOR GIFTS & SPECIAL PROJECTS

Join the Ensemble Circle

Three acclaimed opera productions Invitations to special events Post-performance toast with artists Henry N. R. Jackman Lounge access

Exclusive backstage tour Attend working rehearsal Admission to Operanation … and much more

The Ensemble Circle is a rapidly expanding community of young people who appreciate and support opera and the arts in Toronto. By becoming a member, you join a network of your peers from across the arts, media and business communities, and benefit from a personalized introduction to the world of opera and the Canadian Opera Company.

Call 416-306-2309

E-mail lauraa@coc.ca

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Photos from Operanat10n: A Night of Temptation, 2013. Left: Cameron McPhail and Catherine Affleck. Photo: Ryan Emberley. Centre: Photo: Tara Noelle. Right: (l-r) Katie Jones, Ashleigh Semkiw and Marissa Semkiw. Photo: Tara Noelle

Up to $25,000 ARIAS: Canadian Opera Student Development Fund Bruce Bailey Marcia Lewis Brown Margaret Harriett Cameron and the late Gary Smith Earlaine Collins Ninalee Craig Catherine Fauquier Patrick Hodgson Family Foundation Peter & Hélène Hunt Jo Lander Tom C. Logan Roger D. Moore Colleen Sexsmith June Shaw and the late Dr. Ralph Shaw Graham Watchorn Ruth Watts-Gransden Jack Whiteside Brian Wilks Anonymous (2)

GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORTERS Providing general program support is critical to the COC’s artistic mission. $1,000,000+ Tim & Frances Price $100,000+ Anne & Tony Arrell Anonymous (1) $10,000 - $25,999 Bruce C. Bailey A. R. Deane & Mary Nesbitt The Parvez-Tyab Family Trust

SPECIAL PROJECTS In March 2015, the COC’s groundbreaking production of Handel’s Semele will travel to the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The COC thanks the following donors for their support of this milestone for the Company.

Jerry & Geraldine Heffernan Judy & Wilmot Matthews Peter M. Partridge Colleen Sexsmith Kris Vikmanis & Denton Creighton Anonymous (1)

ENDOWMENT SUPPORT Making a gift to the Endowment ensures the long-term stability for the COC and its artists. $100,000 + Hon. Henry N. R. Jackman Anonymous (1) $25,000 – $99,999 Michael W. & Wanda Plachta Endowment Fund Up to $25,000 Anonymous (1)

Philip Deck & Kimberley Bozak David & Kristin Ferguson

INDIVIDUAL GIVING ANNUAL SUPPORT LEGACY AND BEQUEST GIFTS

MEMORIAL AND HONORARY DONATIONS

The COC honours the memory of the following patrons whose vision and generosity has provided lasting support.

The COC expresses its sincere appreciation to all donors who have made memorial and honorary donations.

Estate of Horst Dantz and Don Quick‡ Estate of Egon Homburger‡ Estate of John Gordon Hunter Estate of Ethel Berney Jackson‡ Estate of Henri Kolin Estate of Vida Peene Estate of J.M. (Doc) Savage‡ Estate of Helen Allen Stacey Estate of Jeanie Irwin Walker Anonymous (1)

In Memory of Margaret Elder Bell Fern Cohen Roy Albert Cross Derdre Gipp David Murray Harley Stephen Walter Ireland Janet Lo Eric Rump Darko Seifert Sylvia Shawn

In Honour of Walter Bowen Earlaine Collins Ninalee Craig Yael Dunkleman Michael Gibbens and Julie Lassonde Stephen Gilles Earl B. Law Wailan Low Judy and Wilmot Matthews Robert Morassutti Elizabeth Pizzinato and Richard Paquet Tim and Frances Price Barbara and Iain Scott Colleen Sexsmith David Stanley-Porter Beverly Zerafa As of January 15, 2015

‡ designates funds directed to the COC’s Endowment

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GOLDEN CIRCLE GOLD, $50,000 + Anne & Tony Arrell**** Cecily & Robert Bradshaw* David G. Broadhurst** In memory of Gerard H. Collins**** Jerry & Geraldine Heffernan**** The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation**** Roger D. Moore**** Colleen Sexsmith*** Anonymous (1) SILVER, $25,000 – $49,999 Andrew Peller Limited* Mark & Gail Appel*** Paul Bernards*** Barbara Black** The Black Family Foundation Philip Deck & Kimberley Bozak*** George & Kathy Dembroski**** Michael Gibbens & Julie Lassonde* Ethel Harris & the late Milton Harris**** Rennie & Bill Humphries**** Ronald Kimel & Vanessa LaPerriere**** Susan Loube & William Acton** James Nicol & Christine Milne Jack Whiteside*** BRONZE, $12,500 – $24,999 Dr. & Mrs. Hans G. Abromeit**** Philip & Linda Armstrong** Ms Nora Aufreiter* Mr. Philip J. Boswell**** Walter M. & Lisa Balfour Bowen**** Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen**** Rob & Teresa Brouwer** Marcia Lewis Brown* Stewart & Gina Burton* Wendy M. Cecil**** Dr. John Chiu in memory of Yvonne Chiu, C.M.**** Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Christ**** Stephen Clarke & Elizabeth Black** The Max Clarkson Family Foundation**** J. Rob Collins & Janet Cottrelle**** Sydney & Florence Cooper** Ninalee Craig*** Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Dan*** Jean Davidson & Paul Spafford**** Jill Denham & Stephen Marshall**

David & Kristin Ferguson**** George Fierheller**** Lloyd & Gladys Fogler*** Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts*** Robert Fung** The Hon. William C. Graham & Mrs. Catherine Graham**** Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin*** William & Nona Heaslip Foundation**** Mr. Peter Hinman & Ms Kristi Stangeland Douglas E. Hodgson**** Michael & Linda Hutcheon**** Bernhard & Hannelore Kaeser**** Justin S. Linden* Jeff Lloyd & Barbara Henders* Mr. & Mrs. J. S. A. MacDonald**** Bobby & Gordon MacNeill** Judy & Wilmot Matthews* Hon. Margaret McCain*** John & Esther McNeil**** Don McQueen & Trina McQueen, O.C. ** John McVicker & B. W. Thomas**** Delia M. Moog*** Jonathan Morgan & Shurla Gittens** Sue Mortimer**** Nicholas & Rosemary Mutton* Mrs. Christl & Mr. Karl Niemuller*** Donald O’Born*** Peter M. Partridge**** Mr. Tim & Mrs. Frances Price**** Ms R. Raso**** David Roffey & Karen Walsh**** Barrie D. Rose & Family*** Philip & Maria Smith** Stephen & Jane Smith**** Marion & Gerald Soloway** David E. Spiro*** David Stanley-Porter**** Ryerson & Michele Symons Riki Turofsky & Charles Petersen** Ms Kristine Vikmanis & Mr. Denton Creighton**** The Youssef-Warren Foundation**** PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL TRUSTEE, $7,500 – $12,499 à la Carte Kitchen Inc. Margaret Atwood & Graeme Gibson*** Mr. & Mrs. Avie Bennett**** Dr. David & Constance Briant****

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

Paul G. Cherry & Dean C. Noack**** Marilyn Cook* Ms Lindsay Dale-Harris & Mr. Rupert Field-Marsham**** Andrew Fleming** Peter & Shelagh Godsoe** Dr. Melvyn L. Iscove*** Bernhard & Hannelore Kaeser**** J. Hans Kluge** Jean V. Kramar** Mr. Gurney Kranz**** Mr. Philip Lanouette** Paul Lee & Jill Maynard**** Anne Lewitt** Jerry & Joan Lozinski**** Amy & John Macfarlane* Kathleen McLaughlin & Tim Costigan* Dr. Judith A. Miller*** Annie & Ian Sale* Dr. David Shaw** Françoise Sutton*** Carol Swallow*** William R. Waters**** PATRON, $3,750 – $7,499 Laurie & Fareed Ali** Sue Armstrong**** Ron Atkinson & Bruce Blandford**** Mona H. Bandeen, C. M. ** Karen & Bill Barnett* Henk Bartelink in memory of Oskar & Irmgard Gaube*** Dr. Frank Bartoszek & Mr. Daniel O’Brien**** Dr. Gail Beck, O. Ont. & Mr. Andrew Fenus* Dr. Thomas H. Beechy**** Mr. & Mrs. Eric Belli-Bivar*** Dr. Catherine Bergeron*** Tom Bogart & Kathy Tamaki** Peter Brieger & Beverley Hamblin* Dr. Jane Brissenden & Dr. Janet Roscoe**** Mrs. Donna Brock*** Alice Burton*** Margaret Harriett Cameron**** Joe & Laurissa Canavan Cesaroni Management Limited*** Frank Ciccolini**** The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson* Mr. & Mrs. William J. Corcoran*** Lindy Cowan† & Chris Hatley*** Norman Curtis**** Brian J. Dawson*** Dr. Jeanne Deinum**** Carol Derk & David Giles** Mrs. A. Ephraim Diamond & Family**** Peter & Anne Dotsikas**

Jeffrey Douglas Vreni & Marc Ducommun*** Mr. Albert D. Dunn* Ron Dyck & Walter Stewart*** Bud & Leigh Eisenberg*** Joseph Fantl & Moira Bartram** Mr. & Mrs. Fraser M. Fell**** Kimberley Fobert & Robert Lamb†**** The Fraser Elliott Foundation**** Dr. & Mrs. Wm. O. Geisler*** Ben & Sarah Glatt**** Ann J. Gibson**** Peter & Shelagh Godsoe** Rose & Roger Goldstein**** Michael & Anne Gough**** Ronald & Birgitte Granofsky**** Douglas & Ruth Grant* John & Judith Grant** Al & Malka Green** John Groves & Vera Del Vecchio**** James & Joyce Gutmann**** George & Irene Hamilton**** Hampton Securities Ltd. * Scott & Ellen Hand*** Maggie Hayes** Hon. & Mrs. Paul Hellyer**** Chris Hoffmann & Joan Eakin** Michiel Horn & Cornelia Schuh**** Ken Hugessen & Jennifer Connolly** Dr. Melvyn L. Iscove*** The Jackman Foundation*** Victoria Jackman*** Ms Elizabeth Johnson** Dr. Joshua Josephson & Ms Elaine Lewis**** Lorraine Kaake**** Patrick & Barbara Keenan**** Dr. Joel Keenleyside**** Joseph Kerzner & Lisa Koeper**** James & Diane King** Dr. Elizabeth Kocmur**** Murray & Marvelle Koffler**** John B. Lawson, Q.C. **** Mr. J. Levitt & Ms E. Mah** Daniel & Janet Li** Vincent & Helene Lobraico* Tom C. Logan* Jonathan & Dorothea Lovat Dickson** Mr. Jed MacKay**** Mrs. R. MacMillan **** Dr. Colin McGregor Mailer**** Mrs. J. L. Malcolm* Dr. & Mrs. M. A. Manuel* Frederick J. Marker & Anne Dupré* Paul & Jean McGrath**** Ronan McGrath & Sarah Perry* June McLean****

Mr. Ian McWalter* Mr. Ulrich Menzefricke**** Bruce & Vladka Mitchell* Mr. Noel Mowat** Dr. Shirley C. Neuman** Eileen Patricia Newell*** Sally-Ann Noznesky**** E. Oliana & A. Iu*** Janice Oliver*** Keith & Brenda Ottaway*** The Ouellette Family Foundation Julia & Liza Overs**** Dr. & Mrs. William M. Park**** Douglas L. Parker**** John & Gwen Pattison** June C. Pinkney**** Polk Family Charitable Fund** Julian Porter, Q.C. ** Mary Jean & Frank Potter*** Margrit & Tony Rahilly**** Rob & Penny Richards*** Margaret A. Riggin* Gordon Robison & David Grant* Cameron Rusaw & Anne-Marie Sorrenti Judy & Hy Sarick**** Sam & Esther Sarick**** Helen & John Scott** June Shaw & the late Dr. Ralph Shaw**** Allan & Helaine Shiff**** David & Hilary Short*** Hume Smith**** Dr. Harley Smyth & Carolyn McIntire Smyth** Philip Somerville* Dr. John Stanley & Dr. Helmut Reichenbächer*** Wayne Stanley & Marina Pretorius* Doreen L. Stanton**** Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Taylor**** Wendy J. Thompson**** Anthea Thorp**** Ian Turner*** Sandra & Guy Upjohn*** Dita Vadron & James Catty** Rosalind & Dory Vanderhoof** Donald & Margaret Walter**** Hugh & Colleen Washington** Ruth Watts-Gransden**** Dr. Virginia Wesson*** Dr. Jack Williams & Dr. Dorothy Pringle*** Ms Lilly Wong* Mr. & Mrs. Richard Wookey**** Linda Young* Helen Ziegler*** Susan Zorzi** Sharon Zuckerman**** Anonymous (2)

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MEMBER, $2,250 – $3,749 D. C. Adamson-Brdar**** Susan Agranove & Estate of Dr. Larry M. Agranove**** Donna & Lorne Albaum** Mr. & Mrs. Roberto & Nancy Albis*** David & Debbie Allan Clive & Barbara Allen**** Mr. Thomas & Mrs. Claire Allen** Dr. D. Amato & Ms J. Hodges**** Anne-Marie H. Applin*** Valerie Armstrong**** Philip Arthur & Mary Wilson* Virginia Atkin*** Mr. Jeff Axelrod & Dr. John Goodhew John Bailey** James C. Baillie** Marilyn & Charles Baillie**** Andrew & Cornelia Baines**** Janice A. Baker**** Richard J. Balfour**** Lindy Barrow** Julia Bass & David Hamilton*** Alice & Tom Bastedo*** Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Sondra Beck* Ms Marie Bérard†*** Nani & Austin Beutel**** Dody Bienenstock** John & Mandy Birch* Anneliese & Walter Blackwell**** Darlene & Peter Blenich* Ian & Janet Blue*** John & Ila Bossons** Mr. W. Bowen & Ms S. Gavinchuk†**** Mr. Stephen Bradley Mrs. Carolyn Bradley-Hall & Mr. William Bradley*** Mrs. Richard Bradshaw*** Mr. Ingvar & Mrs. Sheila Brogren Brian Bucknall & Mary Jane Mossman**** Christopher & Elizabeth Buller Thomas J. Burton** Maureen Callahan & Douglas Gray** Sharon & Howard Campbell** Ken & Denise Cargill** Brian & Ellen Carr**** Gail Carson**** Drs. Carol & David Cass Cara Celotti & Tom Nicolopoulos Prof. Alfred L. Chan & Mr. Michael Farewell*** Dr. & Mrs. Albert Cheskes*** John D. Church Dr. Howard M. Clarke*** Edward Cole & Adrienne Hood*** Brian Collins & Amanda Demers* Mr. Andrew Combes*

Tony & Elizabeth Comper* Mr. & Mrs. R. W. Corcoran Murray & Katherine Corlett**** Harold & Anita Corrigan*** Dr. Lesley S. Corrin**** Bram & Beth Costin Gay & Derek Cowbourne** Mary & John Crocker**** Ruth & John Crow*** Carrol Anne Curry*** Michael & Honor de Pencier**** Mrs. Rosario de Wit-Farro*** Dr. & Mrs. Michael & Ute Davis** Angelo & Carol DelZotto*** Charles Dennis & Steve Kelley† Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Diamond* J. DiGiovanni* Olwen & Frank Dixon** James Doak & Patricia Best*** Sandra Z. Doblinger** Ms Petrina Dolby*** Dr. James & Mrs. Ellen Downey** Marko Duic and Gabriel Lau**** William & Gwenda Echard**** Jean Patterson Edwards** Wendy & Elliott Eisen**** Jordan Elliott & Lynne Griffin* Robert Elliott & Paul Wilson** Christoph Emmrich & Srilata Raman Dr. & Mrs. John Evans*** Fabris Inc. * Mr. Eddy Fan George A. Farkass** Gail & Bob Farquharson* Darren Farwell Catherine Fauquier*** Bill Fearn & Claudia Rogers**** Lee & Shannon Ferrier**** William & Rosemary Fillmore*** Mrs. Lois Fleming**** Goshka Folda* J. E. Fordyce**** Robert & Julia Foster** Margaret & David Fountain**** Linda & Ken Foxcroft* Mrs. Ingrid Fratzl Rev. Ivars Gaide & Rev. Dr. Anita Gaide*** Ann Gawman*** Dr. Barry A. Gayle**** The Honourable Irving Gerstein & Mrs. Gail Gerstein** Mary & Lionel Goffart* Dr. Eudice Goldberg* Dr. Fay Goldstep & Dr. George Freedman** Deanna A. Gontard**** Dr. Paul W. Gooch Tina & Michael Gooding*** Wayne A. Gooding**** Goodman Family*

Dr. Noëlle Grace & the Shohet Family**** Jane Greene** Mr. Finn Greflund & Mrs. M. Ortner** Mr. Carmen & Mrs. Vittoria Guglietti** Ellen & Simon Gulden**** Mr. Albert Haddad Dan Hagler & Family*** Ms Pamela Hallisey Francess G. Halpenny Mr. Adrian J. Hamel Beverly Hargraft** Mr. Harquail & Dr. Sigfridsson* Michael Harris & Carol Rak** Mr. & Mrs. William B. Harris*** Paul & Natalie Hartman* Caroline Helbronner*** Jacques & Elizabeth Helbronner*** Thea Herman & Gregory King*** William E. Hewitt*** Pamela Hoiles Sally Holton**** Emmy & Walter Homburger*** Drs. Walter & Virginia Hryshko* Ms Judith Hull Anthony C. J. Humphreys**** Peter & Hélène Hunt**** Eva Innes & David Medhurst* Elliott Jacobson & Judy Malkin** Paul Jaggard & Ruth Caswell Lynne Jeffrey**** Laurence Jewell** The Norman & Margaret Jewison Charitable Foundation**** E. Patricia Johnson** Dr. Albert & Bette Johnston** Joyce Johnston*** Alexandra Jonsson Miriam Kagan Mr. & Mrs. John & Donata Kaldas H. L. Katarynych David W. & Sheryl L. Kerr* Inta Kierans**** Ellen & Hermann Kircher**** Mr. Martin Kirr & Ms Suzanne McCuaig Mr. Douglas Klaassen** Michael & Sonja Koerner*** Robin Korthals & Janet Charlton** Dr. Robert Kosnik**** Valarie Koziol* William & Eva Krangle**** Richard T. La Prairie* Elizabeth & Goulding Lambert*** Jo Lander**** M. J. Horsfall Large** Marc Lebeau & Guylaine Lefebvre Dr. Connie Lee***

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

Linda Lee & Michael Pharoah**** Neal & Dominique Lee** Dr. Richard Lee & Mr. Gary Van Haren** Alexander & Anna Leggatt*** Joy Levine*** Mr. Peter Levitt & Ms Mai Why*** Mr. Kejun Liang L. Liivamagi & Dr. D. N. Cash Marjorie & Roy Linden**** Dr. & Mrs. W. G. Lindley**** Janet & Sid Lindsay*** Anthony J. Lisanti*** In memory of Janet Lo** Dr. Vance Logan**** A. Benson Lorriman**** Douglas L. Ludwig & Karen J. Rice*** Peter H. Lunney* Dr. Robert G. Luton**** James & Connie MacDougall**** Dr. & Mrs. Richard Mackenzie**** Tom MacMillan**** Macro Properties Ltd. ** Ole P. Madsen* Mr. A. Mafrici**** R. Manke**** Mr. & Mrs. R. Gordon Marantz**** Fernando Martinez-Caro Roberto Mauro† & Erin Wall Mrs. Ettore Mazzoleni*** Dr. & Mrs. John A. McCallum**** The Hon. Barbara McDougall*** Dr. & Mrs. Donald C. McGillivray**** Darcy & Joyce McKeough* Mark & Andrea McQueen*** Don McLean & Diane Martello Guy & Joanne McLean**** M. E. McLeod**** Jean M. McNab**** Mr. Thomas McNicholas* Shawn McReynolds & Elaine Kierans* Dr. Davender Mehra & Dr. Ellis Galea Kirkland* Dr. Don Melady & Mr. Rowley Mossop*** Eileen Mercier**** Ms Andrea Miller Marvene (Cox) & Gordon Miller** Lee Milliken† & Doug MacNaughton** Patricia & Frank Mills*** Dr. & Mrs. Steven Millward** Florence Minz Audrey & David Mirvish*** Dr. David N. Mitchell & Dr. Susan M. Till*** Mr. Donald Mitchell Eva Mocarski* Anne Moore**** Mr. Robert Morassutti****

Ruth Morawetz & Ken Judd*** Alice Janet Morgan*** Ms Rosalind Morrow** Drs. Christopher & Pippa Moss*** Gael Mourant & Caroline Hubberstey* Mr. Joseph Mulder** Anne Murdock** Marilyn & Amy Mushinski† Matt & Debbie Mysak*** David & Mary Neelands*** Dr. Emilie Newell* Dr. Steven Nitzkin**** Simon & Marlene Nyilassy* Dr. James & Mrs. Valda Oestreicher*** Benson Orenstein*** Martin & Myrna Ossip* Eileen & Ralph Overend* Clarence & Mary Pace** Dr. & Mrs. N. Pairaudeau**** Lee Parsons* Dr. Roger D. Pearce*** Dr. A. Angus Peller* John & Penelope Pepperell* John & Carol Peterson*** M. J. Phillips**** Robin B. Pitcher**** Wanda Plachta**** Georgia Prassas**** Ms Jill Presser & Mr. John Duffy* Dr. Mark Quigley**** Stephen Ralls & Bruce Ubukata*** The Carol & Morton Rapp Foundation**** Professor C. Edward Rathé**** Kenneth F. Read**** Mrs. Richard Gavin Reid** Grant L. Reuber**** Mrs. Gabrielle Richards** Carolyn Ricketts**** Ms Nada Ristich* Emily & Fred Rizner** Clara Robert* Mr. Mike & Ms Stacy Robitaille Steve & Richa Roder Dr. Michael & Mary Romeo**** John & Hannah Rosen* Mrs. Gertrude Rosenthal**** Ken & Helen Rotenberg** Rainer & Sharyn Rothfuss**** Peter A. Roy & Leah Taylor Roy Drs. Orest & Maureen Rudzik**** David A. Ruston*** Ms Sharon Cookie Sandler**** Mallory Morris Sartz & John Sartz**** Go Sato**** Fred & Mary Schulz** Dr. Marianne Seger**** Carol Seifert & Bruno Tesan*** Robert & Geraldine Sharpe**** Victor & Rhoda Shields****

Milton & Joyce Shier**** William Siegel & Margaret Swaine** Dr. Bernie & Mrs. Bobbie Silverman** Rod & Christina Simpson In memory of Dr. Bernard Slatt* Dr. & Mrs. Jeremy Sloan** Jay Smith & Laura Rapp* Ms Muriel Smith & Mr. Eric Ojala**** Dr. Joseph So*** John & Ellen Spears**** Martha E. Spears*** Rosemary Speirs Alex & Kim Squires**** Oksana R. Stein*** Mr. & Mrs. Gary & Sula Stern* Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Stern*** John D. Stevenson**** James H. Stonehouse** Janet Stubbs** Eric Tang & Dr. James Miller** Mr. Arthur Paul Tarasuk* Tesari Charitable Foundation** Elizabeth Tory**** Mr. Alex Tosheff* Edmond & Sylvia Vanhaverbeke**** Dr. R. B. Van Winckle* Stefan Varga & Dr. Marica Varga* Mr. & Mrs. Henry & Ann Louise Vehovec**** Dr. Yvonne Verbeeten** Dr. Helen Vosu & Donald Milner**** Richard & Nathalie Wachsberg* Elizabeth & Michael Walker*** Ann & Marshall Webb** Peter Webb & Joan York**** Dr. Bogomila Welsh** Ms Eleanor Westney** Melanie Whitehead*** Mr. Brian Wilks* Elizabeth Wilson & Ian Montagnes**** John Wright & Chung-Wai Chow* Dr. Jackson Wu & Dr. Viviana Chang* Ms June Yee** Morden Yolles**** Walter Zwig**** Anonymous (26) FRIENDS OF THE COC SUSTAINING FRIENDS $1,600 – $2,249 Iivi Campbell**** Mr. Steven D. Donohoe**** Ted Goldenberg Mr. James Hamilton*

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Bill Heaslip**** Mr. Josef Hrdina* Dr. Paul & Mrs. Marcia Kavanagh Mrs. Mary Liitoja**** Mrs. Annette Oelbaum* Ms Marianne Orr* Barbara & Peter Pauly** Dr. Norbert V. Perera**** Ms Adrianne Pieczonka Mr. & Mrs. Domenic Porporo** Ms Joan Sinclair** David Smukler & Patricia Kern** The Sorbara Group**** Dr. M. Lynne Thurling & Dr. John Treilhard*** Vernon & Beryl Turner**** Gordon Waugh**** Anonymous (1) ASSOCIATE FRIENDS $1,100 – $1,599 Carol & Ernest Albright**** Gail Asper & Michael Paterson Michael & Janet Barnard** Don Biderman**** Ellen & Murray Blankstein* Darlene & Peter Blenich* Murray & Judy Bryant*** Dr. Wendy C. Chan* Patricia Clarke** Robert D. Cook** Mr. Neil Crawford* Mr. Stuart Davidson Mr. Darren Day*** Dr. Christine Dunbar** Howard & Kathrine Eckler*** R. Dalton Fowler**** John H. Galloway**** Alison Girling & Paul Schabas** Ricardo Gomez-Insausti* David Gordon & Wendy Flores Gordon* Sylvie Hatch**** David Holdsworth & Nicole Senécal* Richard & Susan Horner**** James Hughes*** Mr. Sumant Inamdar** Mr. Kazik Jedrzejczak**** Ms Elisa Kearney Ms Suanne Kelman & Dr. Allan J. Fox** The Hon. Dennis Lane, Q.C. & Mrs. Sandra Lane**** Jason & Stephanie Lewis Andrew & Harriet Lyons P. Anne Mackay**** Mrs. Janet Maggiacomo** Karen & Craig** Georgina McLennan**** Mr. David Milovanovic & Dr. Cinda Dyer Mr. Carl Morey****

Mr. Sean O'Neill**** Marjorie & Anne Pepper** Ms Victoria Pinnington*** Dr. Peter Ray**** Dr. Shelley Rechner**** Amye & DeeAnn Hagler Sagar William & Meredith Saunderson**** Ms Elisabeth Scarff**** Beverly & Fred Schaeffer**** Dr. & Mrs. W. K. Stavraky*** Norma & George Steiner**** Ms Peg Thoen** Dr. Peter Voore**** Ron Williams* Nina & Norman Wright*** Carole & Bernie Zucker*** Anonymous (7) CONTRIBUTING FRIENDS $700 – $1,099 Dr. M. Al Sayyab Dentistry Professional Corp. Ms I. M. Allen**** Dr. I. L. Babb Fund at the Toronto Community Foundation**** In memory of M. Baptista*** Peter & Leslie Barton** Mrs. Lynn Bayer*** Catherine Belyea+ Michael Benedict & Martha Lowrie**** Jeniva Berger**** Anthony Bird**** Dr. B. Derek & Dr. Anne W. Birt**** Dr. Jennifer Blake** Ms Marlene Bohn* Mary Brock & Brian Iler**** Ms Judith Burrows*** Ms E. Burton*** Mr. Bill Cameron* Betty Carlyle**** Mark Cestnik & Natercia Sousa**** Geoffrey & Bilgi Chapman**** Harold Chmara & Danny Hoy**** Joe T. R. Clarke**** Ms Rovena Cooper Mr. Sylvain Crozon M. P. Davies** Anita Day Don DeBoer & Brent Vickar*** Mr. Michael Disney* Wendy Drahovzal Mr. Arthur English** Mr. Larry Enkin*** Joe & Helen Feldmann*** Brian A. Ferguson**** Dr. James Ferguson Bruce & Mary Fillier Tom Flemming**** Jennifer & Frank Flower*** Angelo Furgiuele & Family*

Douglas G. Gardner**** Martin Gerwin & Judith Rutledge* Girish & Bharati Ghatalia Elinor Gill Ratcliffe C.M., O.N.L., LLD (hc) Aviva & Andrew Goldenberg** Dr. Wilfred S. Goodman**** Mrs. Marion A. Green**** Mrs. Suzy Greenspan** Dr. & Mrs. Voldemars Gulens**** Dr. & Mrs. Brian & Cynthia Hands**** Roy & Gail Harrison**** Sandra Hausman** Peter L. Henniger* In memory of Pauline Hinch** Istvan & Gilian Hlinyanszky Mr. Sylvain Houle* Dr. Ivan & Mrs. Diana Hronsky**** In loving memory of Joyce Whitney Hughes* Mr. David Hutton*** Douglas & Dorothy Joyce**** Lilian Kilianski+ & Brian Pritchard* Mai Kirch**** Dr. & Mrs. L. A. Kitchell**** Serguei Kloubkov Mr. & Mrs. I. P. & O. M. Komarnicky*** Mr. Christopher J. Kowal* Mr. Jonathan Krehm* Gediminas P. Kurpis**** Mr. James R. Lake**** Harry Lane*** Alan & Marti Latta**** Giles le Riche & Rosemary Polczer*** Mr. Tom Le Seelleur** Claus & Heather Lenk* Mr. Yakov Lerner* Dr. David Levine* Mr. & Mrs. G. Lorenson Dr. Francois Loubert* Deidre Lynch* Tyler & Claire Macnamara Kathy Marton* Dr. Lynn McAslan Mary McClymont**** Mary McGowan**** Jil McIntosh** Mr. Bruce McKeown**** David & Jean McLay**** Sylvia McPhee**** Janis Medland* Janina Milisiewicz**** Kamini & Lynne Milnes* Frank & Anne Moir*** Blake Murray & Nancy Riley**** Peter Naylor Larry Nevard Mr. Tomi Nishio**** David Northcote & Suzanne Betcke*

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

Mrs. Jean O'Grady** Ms Cristina Oke*** Karen Olinyk+* Joan Pape**** Mr. James C. Pappas**** Mr. Joseph & Mrs. Letizia Paradiso*** David Peachey & Georgia Henderson** Dr. Wadermar A. Pieczonka**** Dr. Alice Pitt & Dr. Deborah Britzman Ed & Beth Price*** Mr. Robert Radke Annette & Jim Ray Marat Ressin Ms Virginia Robeson** Dorothy & Robert Ross*** Mr. Michael Samborsky** M. & G. Sanvido**** Patti & Richard Schabas** Nancy A. Schiefer in memory of Walter Schiefer**** Marlene Pollock Sheff* John Spears**** Phil Spencer**** Mr. Paul Steep & Ms Anne McNeilly* Helga & Klaus Stegemann*** Jane & Ted Stephenson**** Penelope K. Sullivan**** Ms Michelle Tan** Judith Teller Foundation**** Ria Tietz**** Dr. Claude Tousignant** Mr. & Mrs. David G. Trent**** Maria & Ian Tulip**** Dr. Nancy F. Vogan**** Mr. Wayne Vogan+**** George Vona & Lark Popov** Barbara J. Weider Mr. John M. Welch**** James & Margaret Whitby**** F. Whittaker** Ms Diana Yenson* David A. Young Ms Iris Zawadowski* Anonymous (9) THE ENCORE LEGACY The 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. 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.

The Canadian Opera Company gratefully acknowledges and thanks the following individuals who have included the COC in their estate planning: Susan Agranove & Estate of Dr. Larry M. Agranove Isobel Allen Callie Archer Renata Arens & Elizabeth Frey Mrs. Rosalen Armstrong Ron Atkinson & Bruce Blandford Lindy Barrow Mr. L. H. Bartelink J. Linden Best & James G. Kerr David Bowen Marnie M. Bracht Gregory Brandt Ann Christie Earl Clark The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson Brian Collins & Amanda Demers Earlaine Collins David H. Cormack Ninalee Craig Anita Day & Robert McDonald Ann De Brouwer Helen Drake Rowland D. Galbraith Douglas G. Gardner Ann J. Gibson Michael & Anne Gough L. A. Grover David G. Hallman George & Irene Hamilton Joan L. Harris James Hewson John R. Higgins Mr. Kim Yim Ho & Walter Frederic Thommen Douglas E. Hodgson Matt Hughes Michael & Linda Hutcheon Lynne Jeffrey Ann Kadrnka Ben Kizemchuk Kathryn Kossow Mr. Gurney Kranz Jo Lander Peggy Lau Tom C. Logan, A.R.C.T. Marjorie & Roy Linden Ms Lenore MacDonald Dr. Colin M. Mailer R. Manke Tim & Jane Marlatt Mr. Shawn Martin Margaret McKee Sylvia M. McPhee Dr. Alan C. Middleton Eleanor Miller Sigmund & Elaine Mintz

Donald Morse Sue Mortimer Mr. & Mrs. James D. Patterson Mervyn Pickering Gunther & Dorothy Piepke Wanda Plachta Ms Georgia Prassas K. F. Read Dr. John Reeve-Newson Mrs. Margaret Russell Sharon Ryman† Cookie & Stephen Sandler 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 Mrs. L. Treutler Riki Turofsky & Charles Petersen N. Suzanne Vanstone Marie-Laure Wagner Hugh & Colleen Washington Marion C. Wilson Marion York Tricia Younger Anonymous (59)

The above Individual Support Gifts were made as of December 15, 2014. * ** *** **** † ‡

five to nine 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 Endowment

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.

OPERATOURS DONORS $700 + (As of December 10, 2014) Mrs. Larry M. Agranove**** Brian J. Dawson*** Jayne & Ted Dawson**** Brian A. Ferguson**** Ben & Sarah Glatt**** John B. Lawson, Q.C.**** Dr. Colin McGregor Mailer**** Mary McClymont**** John & Esther McNeil**** Benson Orenstein*** Joan Pape**** Ria Tietz**** Melanie Whitehead*** CORPORATE MATCHING PARTNERS The Canadian Opera Company gratefully acknowledges the following organizations that have matched gifts by their employees: Canadian Tire Corporation Limited IBM Canada Ltd. Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Ltd. FM Global Foundation

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MAJOR CORPORATE SPONSORS 2014/2015 SEASON

2014/2015 SPONSORS PERFORMANCE SPONSORS Barrick Gold Blake, Cassels & Graydon Burgundy Asset Management Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP Fionn MacCool’s Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Linden & Associates McCarthy Tetrault LLP Norton Rose Fulbright LLP Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

BMO Financial Group Pre-Performance Chats BMO Financial Group Student Dress Rehearsals Verdi’s Falstaff generously underwritten in part by

HOSTING SPONSORS

Official Automotive Sponsor of the COC at the FSCPA

Presenting Sponsor of SURTITLES™

Presenting Sponsor Opera Under 30 Preferred Credit Card and Operanation TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*

CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION DONORS $50,000+ The Asper Foundation The Slaight Family Foundation The Hal Jackman Fund at the Ontario Arts Foundation

Glencore Ensemble Studio School Tour

$10,000 – $49,999 Audrey S. Hellyer Charitable Foundation Cineplex Great West Life, London Life and Canada Life J.P. Bickell Foundation The Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation OCC Lasik The McLean Foundation The W. Garfield Weston Foundation Anonymous (1) Official Canadian Wine of the COC at the FSCPA

Production Sponsor Rossini’s The Barber of Seville

Production Sponsor Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

$5,000 to $9,999 The Hope Charitable Foundation JMV Food Services Canada Ltd. Local 58 Charitable Benefit Fund Mill Street Brewery Shinex Window Cleaning Inc. State Street Unit Park Holdings Inc. The WholeNote Magazine $2,500 – $4,999 Hicks Memorial Fund at The Calgary Foundation Vida Peene Fund at the Canada Council for the Arts

Preferred Jewellery Partner

Golden Circle Hosting Partner

Preferred Fragrance

Program Sponsor After School Opera Program

Preferred Dry Cleaner

Preferred Hospitality Sponsor

Preferred Medical Services Provider

$1,000 – $2,499 Aimia D’Avignon Freight Services Inc. Jarvis & Associates Loch-Sloy Holdings Ltd. MAC Cosmetics Milgram Group of Companies Ltd. O’Shanter Development Company Ltd. The Powis Family Foundation CENTRE STAGE: ENSEMBLE STUDIO COMPETITION GALA 2014 COMPETITION SUPPORTERS RBC and RBC Foundation Peter M. Deeb Hal Jackman Foundation PLATINUM SPONSOR Mercedes-Benz OPERA UNDER 30 SPONSOR TD Bank Group

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

GOLD SPONSORS Brookfield Asset Management Linden & Associates Scotiabank OPERANATI0N: LIGHT UP THE NIGHT PRESENTING SPONSOR TD Bank Group DINNER SPONSOR Hampton Securities PREFERRED FRAGRANCE REVEAL by Calvin Klein

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JEWELLERY PARTNER Maison Birks PARTNERING SPONSOR Burgundy Asset Management CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS Bloomberg Bonnie Shore Canaccord Genuity Element Financial Corp. Torkin Manes LLP EVENT SUPPORTERS BT/A Chairman Mills Knot PR Mill St. Perrier Quince Flowers Ryan Emberley Photography 10tation The Room Toronto Life Trius Wines Wellington Printworks J.P. Wiser’s ® Canadian Whisky Lot No. 40™ Canadian Whisky Pike Creek™ Canadian Whisky Jameson® Irish Whiskey The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aberlour® Single Malt Scotch Whisky Beefeater® Gin. FINE WINE AUCTION 2014 PRESENTING SPONSORS TD Securities Bloomberg Graywood Group PARTNERING SPONSORS GWLM Inc. Thomson Reuters Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP SUPPORTING SPONSORS IAMGOLD Ozz Electric EVENT SPONSORS Falconcrest Homes Marel Contractors CHEESE SPONSOR The Cheese Boutique AUCTIONEER Stephen Ranger Fine Art Valuation & Consultancy

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT The Canadian Opera Company gratefully acknowledges the generous support of these government agencies and departments.

OPERATING SUPPORT

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $157 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country. Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil a investi 157 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.

ENSEMBLE STUDIO

SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDING For the many programs and special initiatives undertaken each year by the Canadian Opera Company, we gratefully acknowledge project funding from: Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Department of Canadian Heritage Employment and Social Development Canada

CREDITS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Canadian Opera Company would like to thank all those who volunteer both on a daily basis and for special events with the company. Michael Cooper: Official photographer The COC is a member of Opera America, Opera.ca. and TAPA. The COC operates in agreement with Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. The COC operates in agreement with I.A.T.S.E., Local #58, Local #822, Local #828.

SUPERNUMERARIES Matthew Badali Melanie Brown Robert Bell Ray Bielawski Elizabeth Birss Jacques Gamache

Doug Hamilton David Johnston Jim Lucas Ian McIntosh Doug McMahon Todd Mickolwin

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

Mark Milligan Wayne Purchase Vladimir Pajovic Phillip Rego Basil Tamkei

BACKSTAGE AND BEYOND

OUR WONDERFUL COC DONORS ARE HELPING US CELEBRATE A GREAT SEASON AT SOME UNFORGETTABLE EVENTS INCLUDING PARTIES, GALAS, AND BACKSTAGE MEET-AND-GREETS WITH ARTISTS!

11 10

7. The cast and creative team of Falstaff celebrated a great show at the opening night party afterwards. Photo: Dave Cox 8. Falstaff himself, baritone Gerald Finley, celebrated the opening of Falstaff with the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson 9. COC General Director Alexander Neef and Head of the Ensemble Liz Upchurch celebrated the opening concert of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, at which Ensemble Studio members performed. Photo: Karen Reeves

6 1. Councillor Anthony Perruzza (far left) and Councillor Peter Leon (second from right) attended the Madama Butterfly backstage toast with their spouses. Photo: Joey Lopez

2. (l-r) Tenor Stefano Secco and his fiancée Sarah, mezzo-soprano Beth Clayton (Patricia Racette's wife), and soprano Patricia Racette with a fluffy friend celebrated Madama Butterfly backstage along with COC Golden Circle members. Photo: Joey Lopez

11. KPMG guests Nazir and Yasmin Valani, and Margaret and Rob Brandl at a Backstage Toast for members of the COC’s Golden Circle. Photo: Joey Lopez

3. Beautiful table settings for the Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition Gala. Photo: Jenna Wakani 4. Centre Stage Co-Chairs and COC Board members Frances Price and Justin Linden celebrated an evening of great Canadian talent, both current and future. Photo: Jenna Wakani

12. Ensemble Studio soprano Karine Boucher at a reception following the opening concert of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Photo: Karen Reeves

5. Nicholas Mellamphy (Creative Director, The Room, Hudson's Bay), Nada Ristich (BMO Financial Group's Director, Corporate Donations), and Stephen Gilles (COC Development Department), at Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition Gala. Photo: Jenna Wakani 6. An enthusiastic crowd attended the President’s Council Season Opening Party, held for the first time ever at the Four Seasons Centre. Photo: Dave Cox

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

10.COC Board member Marcia Lewis Brown, Ensemble Studio baritone Gordon Bintner and soprano Simone Osborne (Nannetta in Falstaff and an Ensemble Studio alumna) celebrated opening night of Falstaff.

13. Tim Reuss, Mercedes-Benz Canada President, with his guests at the Centre Stage Ensemble Studio Competition gala. Photo: Jenna Wakani

Catch up with blogs and explore Look and Listen at coc.ca.

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MOZART

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Love conquers all. Especially reason. CREDIT: Daniel Kukla, Porcupine Wash (from the series “The Edge Eﬀect”)

No opera is more convincing – or as consistently beautiful—in portraying the fluid enchantments, maze-like confusions, and bouts of sheer blindness brought on by love. On the eve of their wedding, Figaro and Susanna’s romance is shaken when their employer, the Count, takes an extramarital interest in Susanna. This sets in motion a day of schemes and counter schemes, sexual intrigues and mistaken identities, embroiling the entire household in a web of erotic passions. A sparkling cast of Mozartian singers take us into this magnificent, seriously witty farce, set to some of the most sublimely beautiful music ever written, from the Countess’s ravishing arias to virtuosic ensembles such as the Act II finale. Hailed as a “masterpiece” (Bloomberg News), this new-to-Toronto production by Claus Guth draws visual inspiration from the films of Ingmar Bergman and the plays of Ibsen and Strindberg, while fusing stylized gesture and choreography with Mozart’s score to deliver a “shattering, unforgettable” (The Guardian) account of the elemental forces of human nature.

February 4 – 27, 2016

TORONTO’S MOST EXCITING ANNUAL AUCTION OF CONTEMPORARY ART PHOTOGRAPHY

LIVE AND SILENT AUCTION GALA Thursday, March 26, 2015 Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library 789 Yonge Street PUBLIC PREVIEW March 20 to 22, 2015 Arta Gallery Distillery District

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NEW COC PRODUCTION Uli Kirsch as Cherubim in The Marriage of Figaro (Salzburg Festival, 2011). Photo: Monika Rittershaus

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

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BIZET

CARMEN Live free or die. Carmen. The name alone conjures up myriad allusions: freedom-loving gypsy, sexual predator, fatalistic soul. Carmen has inspired ballets, movies and one of the world’s most enduringly popular operas, set to the driving passion and sensual heat of Georges Bizet’s score. The story is one that could be ripped from the headlines of today, or anytime: Carmen enters into a tragic love affair with a young soldier whose jealousy is at odds with her unrelenting desire for freedom. She soon tires of him and seeks fresh excitement in the arms of another man. Joel Ivany, of Toronto’s Against the Grain Theatre, directs a young and brilliant cast including two of the most outstanding Carmens on the opera stage today: Anita Rachvelishvili, who has sung Carmen with “smoldering, earthy sexuality"( New York Times) at the Met, La Scala and Berlin; and Clémentine Margraine, whose "passion and menace" (Opera News) has made her Carmen such a hit in Rome and Berlin.

April 12 – May 15, 2016 COC PRODUCTION

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A scene from Carmen (COC, 2010). Photo: Michael Cooper

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

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ROSSINI

MAOMETTO II Love and war collide in Rossini’s epic drama In his grand bel canto drama Maometto II, Rossini unleashes his full arsenal of vocal pyrotechnics on the historical tale of the great Turkish Sultan, Maometto, and his quest to conquer the Holy Roman Empire. Mostly known for effervescent comedies like The Barber of Seville, Rossini was also a master of serious opera, the most famous being William Tell. After its 1820 Naples premiere, Maometto II was not seen again in its original form until 2012 at Santa Fe Opera. There, it was lauded as a “thrilling [piece of] experiential theater” (Opera News) in the same David Alden production that will appear on our Toronto stage next Spring. Along with set and costume designer Jon Morrell, Alden has brought the opera’s action forward from its historical 15th-century origins to the time of its creation in 1820. Strikingly-coloured, Napoleonic era, First Empire gowns glow jewel-like against a neoclassical marble colonnade. Surprising coups des théâtres are peppered throughout, including the sudden emergence of a statue of three galloping horses on which Maometto makes a dramatic exit.

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Mastering Rossini’s fearsome vocal demands will be superstar Italian bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni making his COC debut as “a chilling and complex Maometto. His dashing stage presence and virile voice exude menacing authority” (New York Times). COC favourite Elizabeth DeShong—no stranger to Rossini’s roulades that she so expertly tossed off as our 2011 Cenerentola—returns as Calbo, one of bel canto’s great, heroic pants roles. The young, rich-toned American soprano Leah Crocetto debuts as Maometto’s forbidden love, Anna. Conductor Harry Bicket (Hercules, 2014) makes a welcome return to the podium.

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April 29 – May 14, 2016 NEW COC PRODUCTION Luca Pisaroni as Maometto II (Santa Fe Opera, 2012). Photo: Ken Howard

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

TORONTO OPEN CLASSES JAN 11 AUDITIONS JAN 25 & FEB 8 DVD AUDITIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL MARCH 30 REGISTER: WWW.NBS-ENB.CA

TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW About Wagner’s Die Walküre

A scene from Die Walküre, COC, 2004. Photo: Michael Cooper

TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW

ABOUT

WAGNER’S

Die Walküre

3. THEATRE AS COMMUNITY

5. MYTHS ABOUT OURSELVES

6. GOOD PLACE TO START

By “total work of art” Wagner didn’t just mean the combination of discrete artistic practices into a unified whole. He also meant that the art work should bring people together. (Wagner was far from the clichéd figure of a genius composing only for himself; he was an essentially popular composer.) Indeed, Wagner was following—or was trying to revitalize, in a distinctly modern way—the traditions of ancient Greek theatre, in which a community gathers to reaffirm its selfunderstanding and collective values, as happens in religious ceremonies or festivals, for example.

Drawn from Icelandic legends, ancient Norse poems, and arcane German myths, the story of The Ring might seem completely disconnected from ordinary human concerns. Yet for all the flying horses, fantastic locales, and power battles among gods, dwarves, and giants, the operas of the Ring Cycle are actually supremely human, presenting a completely recognizable world of human emotions. Romantic passion, selfdiscovery, family dysfunction —these are the highs and lows the principal characters navigate, charting psychological experiences that define the human condition.

Die Walküre is the one Ring opera that is most often presented as a stand-alone piece. Full of accessible and beautiful music, it is a tale of a heroic warrior goddess, Brünnhilde, who defies divine law to do what she knows is right; it’s also a moving character study of a father, Wotan the leader of the gods, who comes to realize he has failed his wife and children; finally it is a masterful depiction of romantic love. Plus it features the famous “Ride of the Valkyries” theme, ubiquitously deployed in pop culture, from Apocalypse Now to Bugs Bunny. Hear it, and other highlights, at coc.ca/LookAndListen.

BY NIKITA GOURSKI

Wagner in Paris, 1861, approximately thirteen years before completing his monumental Ring Cycle.

1. THE ARTIST OF THE MODERN WORLD

2. TOTAL WORK OF ART

Richard Wagner (1813–1883) is without a doubt one of the most important, not to mention controversial, artists in human history. His influence extends far beyond music and has touched all aspects of modern culture, from literature, poetry, fine arts, and cinema, to literary theory, politics, philosophy, and more. Renowned music critic Andrew Porter has claimed that “No artist has been more influential than Wagner.”

Wagner pursued aggressive reforms of traditional opera structures and insisted on the notion of Gesamtkunstwerk, “a total work of art,” in which music and words are seamlessly integrated, and various art forms are combined for maximal expressive effect. Mythology, philosophy, dance, architecture, as well as the visual and plastic arts, would all be synthesized and absorbed into a unified, complete, multimedia experience. Wagner even designed a special performance venue, the Bayreuther Festspielhaus, where these operas of the future could be appropriately staged.

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

4. APEX OF MUSICAL STORYTELLING Der Ring des Nibelungen, Wagner’s massive cycle comprising four interconnected operas, took approximately 26 years to compose. Music critic Alex Ross has pointed out that the Ring’s entire score is “more than two thousand printed pages [and if the music were played from beginning to end] would last from morning until midnight… arguably, the most ambitious work of art ever attempted.” There are only two opera houses in history that have opened their inaugural seasons with a full Ring Cycle: the Bayreuther Festspielhaus in 1876 (see point 2) and the COC’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in 2006.

Clifton Forbis as Siegmund in Die Walküre, COC, 2004. Photo: Michael Cooper

Catch up with blogs and explore Look and Listen at coc.ca.

TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW About Wagner’s Die Walküre

7. WAGNER’S LEITMOTIFS Wagner is known for his very rich orchestrations and harmonies, and especially for his system of leitmotifs. These are the short melodic and/or harmonic “symbols” associated with a particular person, object, emotion, or idea. The orchestra usually presents and develops most of the leitmotifs—only occasionally do they originate in the vocal line. As these musical “symbols” recur, they might return in altered forms and combinations, to signal evolving dramatic situations and character relationships. For more, visit coc.ca/LookAndListen.

8. LOVE VERSUS POWER Our production is directed by Canadian film and stage director Atom Egoyan. It was originally created as part of the COC’s complete Ring Cycle, a huge collaborative undertaking which brought together four directors (one per opera) and one designer, Canadian Michael Levine. Egoyan focuses on the emotional life of the characters, and interprets the series of intimate family dialogues as part of a larger conflict between “love of power and power of love.”

9. DOWNFALL OF THE GODS Die Walküre, takes place in the once-pristine Valhalla, which is now in ruins as a result of Wotan’s power struggle for a magical ring. Egoyan and Levine render this atmosphere of crisis with set design that features tiles torn violently from the floor, as if by an earthquake; a massive structure of collapsed scaffolding; floodlights suspended precariously; and miles of hanging cables and, wire, apparently wrenched loose in a cataclysmic event. “Even the costumes are falling apart and disintegrating,” Egoyan says. “The whole production is about chaos.”

10. TODAY’S BEST WAGNERIANS CHRISTINE GOERKE (Brünnhilde) Highly anticipated role debut for this Musical America’s Vocalist of the Year: “the soprano we have been waiting for, a multi-hued miracle of gale-force power, and pinpoint control, effortlessly riding over the most clamoring orchestras.” JOHAN REUTER (Wotan) Starred together with Christine Goerke in the Met’s Die Frau ohne Schatten in which their duet was “inarguably one of the evening's highlights.” Opera News

SEAFOOD

STEAK

COCKTAILS

HEIDI MELTON (Sieglinde) Melton “brought a lovely, plush soprano and great heart to the role of [Sieglinde].” Wall Street Journal CLIFTON FORBIS (Siegmund) Forbis “flashes electrifying muscular power but still floats captivating sotto voce effects” Financial Times JANINA BAECHLE (Fricka) German mezzo-soprano is “intense and captivating” The Opera Critic

Nikita Gourski is Development Communications Officer at the Canadian Opera Company.

FOR FURTHER INSIGHT INTO DIE WALKÜRE, READ AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTINE GOERKE IN THE WINTER ISSUE OF PRELUDE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT COC.CA/PUBLICATIONS.

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

155 Wellington St. W, Toronto 416-351-3311

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PATRON INFORMATION AND POLICIES Etiquette Patrons are reminded that R. Fraser Elliott Hall is an extremely lively auditorium and that all audience noise will be accentuated and audible to other patrons. Turn off all electronic devices, avoid talking, coughing, humming, moving loose seats, kicking the backs of seats, rustling programs, and unwrapping candies or cough drops. In consideration of patrons with allergies please avoid wearing strongly perfumed beauty products and fragrances. Please remain in your seat until the performance has completely ended and the house lights have been turned on. Electronic Devices The use of mobile and smartphones and all other electronic devices is extremely disruptive and is strictly prohibited during performances. If a patron has an emergency and needs to be contacted during a performance, he or she should contact Patron Services for assistance before the performance. Cameras/Recording Devices The use of cameras, video cameras or sound-recording devices of any kind is prohibited in R. Fraser Elliott Hall during performances. Any person using an unauthorized recording device while the performance is in progress will be required to surrender or erase any recordings, photographic or digital images and may be asked to leave. No refunds will be issued. Latecomers In the interest of safety and for the comfort of all patrons and performers, latecomers may not enter the auditorium or be seated unless there is a suitable break in the performance (usually intermission). Patrons leaving the auditorium during the performance or returning late after intermission may not be readmitted or may be accommodated in an alternate viewing location. Children and Babes-in-Arms All patrons, including children, must have a ticket for the performance. All children must be seated next to an accompanying adult. Young children should be able to sit quietly throughout the performance. If unable to do so, children and their accompanying adult will be asked to leave the auditorium. Babes-in-arms will not be admitted. Patron Services Located in the Lower Lobby, the following services are available: coat and parcel check, booster seats, back supports, infrared hearing-assistive devices and rental of binoculars, on a first-come, first-served basis. Medical Emergencies and First Aid A house doctor is present at all performances. Please contact an usher if medical services are required. Lost and Found During performances please speak with an usher or visit Patron Services at the Coat Check in the Lower Lobby. Following performances, all lost and found items will be stored at the security desk at Stage Door. Please call 416-363-6671 for information.

Canadian Opera Company 2014/2015 Season

Ticket Services Canadian Opera Company subscriptions and individual tickets are available through COC Ticket Services ONLINE: coc.ca BY PHONE: 416-363-8231 or long distance 1-800-250-4653 Monday to Friday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. IN PERSON: Four Seasons Centre Box Office 145 Queen St. W. Monday to Saturday – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or through first intermission Sunday (performance days only) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or through first intermission The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office also services ticketing needs for The National Ballet of Canada and all other Four Seasons Centre events. Group Sales Groups of 10 or more enjoy savings on regular individual ticket prices. For more information or to reserve seats call 416-306-2356. Parking There is parking on a first-come, first-served basis for about 200 vehicles underneath the Four Seasons Centre. The entrance is located on the west side of York Street, south of Queen Street. Additional parking is conveniently located just steps away in the Green P lot underneath Nathan Phillips Square. For directions visit greenp.com. Four Seasons Centre Facility Tours Tours of the Four Seasons Centre now include backstage access! For more information, visit fourseasonscentre.ca. BMO Financial Group Pre-Performance Opera Chats The Canadian Opera Company Volunteer Speakers Bureau offers free, insightful chats about the stories, music and background of all COC performances, 45 minutes prior to each performance in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Food and Beverage Service A pre-order system for intermission refreshments is available at all bars throughout the Isadore and Rosalie Sharp City Room. Food and beverages are not permitted in R. Fraser Elliott Hall. Special Events and Catering The Four Seasons Centre is available for rental for all of your presentation, meeting or special events needs, with spaces accommodating from 20 to 2,000 people and full catering services. For further details visit fourseasonscentre.ca or call 416-363-6671.

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