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Summer 2015 |
4 The New Generation of
Opera Patrons
6 Partners and Sponsors 9 Sustainability Fund 11 Director’s Circle
12 Friends of Edmonton Opera
15 Endowment Fund
contents
16 Opera al Fresco
24 Epic Scandals: 2015/16 Season
31 Summer Culture Guide
39 Rob Hood Fund
41 Edmonton Opera Board
and Staff
42 Upcoming Events
2012
Administration Office: 15230-128 Ave., Edmonton, AB T5V 1A8 Ph: 780-424-4040 Fax: 780-429-0600 Email: info@edmontonopera.com www.edmontonopera.com
Suggitt PUBLISHERS
The Edmonton Opera magazine is published by Playhouse Publications Ltd. 10177 - 105 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1E2 Ph: 780-423-5834 • Fax: 780-413-6185 • www.playhousepublications.ca
Suggitt PUBLISHERS
GOVERNMENT & FOUNDATION SUPPORT
The New Generation of Opera Patrons A new generation of patron is attending opera. It is a generation that receives entertainment primarily through electronic media and who have grown up in an era where the only transportable entertainment device they know of comes from flash memory, CD’s or DVD’s. Young opera fan and professional with the Edmonton Boys and Girls Club, Danisha Bhaloo recently talked about what opera means to her generation – people in their late 20’s and early 30’s. Danisha was introduced to opera by a friend here in Edmonton. After seeing her first performance, she was taken by the overall atmosphere and culture of attending a spectacular live performance. Later, when living in Montreal, Danisha continued to attend the opera and introduce friends to the experience of live opera. Unlike some newcomers to opera, it was not primarily the music that attracted Danisha to opera. “I love the total atmosphere, the culture and the diversity of people attending. Opera is an experience.” “There are lots of young people who like to get dressed up for an evening on the town, and the opera is the perfect place to do that.” Danisha invited friend Ali Damani to Lucia di Lammermoor. “I first asked if they were using microphones! I couldn’t believe how amazing their voices were and how they projected!” For newcomers, Edmonton
Opera is often the first time they have experienced a live music performance that relies on the unamplified power of the human voice. Ali was also impressed with the performers acting abilities in addition to the strong voices. “The atmosphere was so welcoming and friendly! It was not like anything else I’ve been to” said Ali. Although Danisha enjoys the old standards, she prefers contemporary opera. “Of the friends I have invited, about half of them really loved it while the other half not so much,” says Danisha. For an art form sometimes presumed to be too high-brow this is a pretty impressive rate of creating new fans. Edmonton Opera is pleased to welcome Danisha Bhaloo to our Board of Directors. We feel her youthful enthusiasm and experiences in introducing newcomers to the opera will be of great benefit to our new audience development initiatives. We hope that both Danisha and Ali will come again to the opera, and we welcome this new generation of opera-goers to our performances.
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PARTNERS
and
SPONSORS
SEASON SPONSORS
The Rob Hood Fund Production Sponsors the barber of seville
the magic flute
Francis Price & Marguerite Trussler
Lucia di Lammermoor
Shelley & Guy Scott Family Foundation opening night sponsor
opening night sponsor
Jim & Sharon Brown Season Supertitles Sponsor
Emerging Artist Sponsors
Gold Partners
SPONSORS
media Supporters
6 SUMMER MAGAZINE
opera al fresco Sponsor
Official Supporters
Suggitt PUBLISHERS
Suggitt PUBLISHERS
Thank you to Pieces of the Past for the generous loan of the heirloom table that appears on the set of Lucia di Lammermoor. The Edmonton Opera gratefully acknowledges the Kucey Dental Group, who offers complimentary dental services for EO artists, and Dr. Mat Rose, who offers medical services for EO artists. Edmonton Opera is grateful for the support of these sponsors, suppliers and media partners. For more information about supporting the Edmonton Opera, please call 780.392.8719 or email development@edmontonopera.com.
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SUMMER MAGAZINE 7
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(Premiere Circle) We wish to thank the following individuals and corporations who have committed to Edmonton Opera’s sustainability fund. Each of the following members of the Sustainability Fund has committed a minimum of $50,000 over five years.
Monica & Jim Allen Al-Terra Engineering James Archibald & Heidi Christoph Robert & Michelle Bessette Kevin & Penny Birkholz Jim & Sharon Brown John Cameron Drs. Carol & David Cass Clark Builders Richard S. Cook Judy & John Cosco Mark & Nancy Heule Laurence Jewell Dianne Kipnes Irving Kipnes Ledcor Group of Companies
Ashif & Zainul Mawji Phil Milroy & Jane Russell Dr. Thomas & Melanie Nakatsui Jack & Esther Ondrack Francis Price Marguerite Trussler Bernie Robitaille Arnold & Grace Rumbold Shelley & Guy Scott Family Foundation Standard General Construction Angus & Heather Watt James & Sheila Wheatley Wheaton Family Foundation Bill Winter Paulette Winter Glenn & Sandra Woolsey
The Sustainability Fund will use 50% of the funds to support operations and the other 50% is to restore working capital and future reserves for Edmonton Opera. Edmonton Opera will endeavour to expand the Sustainability Fund with an immediate goal of 50 participants and a longer term goal of 100. For more information on the Sustainability Fund, please contact the Program Concierge, Gwen Horvath, at gwen.horvath@edmontonopera.com or at 780.392.7837.
SUMMER MAGAZINE 9
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Edmonton Opera director’s circle The Director’s Circle recognizes those patrons whose significant financial support and ongoing commitment enable Edmonton Opera to continue to produce award-winning and compelling art in our community. Bravo and thank you! For more information about the Director’s Circle or to become a member, please call the donor services line at 780.392.8719.
Season SponsorS $250,000 Rob Hood Fund Dianne & Irving Kipnes Foundation Creekwood The Barber of Seville Production Sponsor $150,000 Francis Price & Marguerite Trussler The Magic FlutE Production Sponsor $150,000 Creekwood lucia di lammermoor Production Sponsor $150,000 Shelley & Guy Scott Family Foundation Visionaries & Evening sponsors $50,000 Jim & Sharon Brown The Magic Flute opening night sponsors Judy & John Cosco Shelley & Guy Scott Family Foundation
MaestroS $25,000 C.J. Woods, FCA $15,000+ Marianne & Andy Elder $10,000+ Allard Foundation Ltd. Arrow Engineering The Durstling Family Trust Russell M. & Marjorie Purdy Weber Motors LEADERS $6,000+ Larry & Ellen Eberlein Frederic & Alma Gojmerac LandLink Consulting Ltd. Alan Rose & Judy Schroder Chris & Vivian Varvis Ed Wiebe & Marcia Johnson $5,000+ General Recycling Industries Ltd. Heritage Insurance & Consulting Ltd. Judy & Stuart Mackay Overhead Door Co. of Edmonton Steel-Craft Door Prod. Ltd. Eira Spaner Dr. Oksana Suchowersky TD Canada Trust PATRONS $3,000+ Branko & Jasna Calic Fath Group/O’Hanlon Paving Jeffrey Jansen Dr. Christine Kyriakides Steven & Day LePoole Bertrand Malo Stephen & Lynn Mandel Arliss Miller Ken & Gerda Miller
BenefactorS $1,750-$2,999 Tricia Abbott Justice Darlene Acton Pauline Alakija Rhonda Baker Bruce & Carol Bentley Douglas K. Bingham & Sheila Janki-Bingham Jennifer Brown David & Patricia Cassie CBRE Ltd. Dr. Mary Chisholm Marian Clarke Elaine Coachman Conroy Ross Partners Joseph & Pat Fernando Hans & Susanne Forbrich Peter & Astrid Griep Linda Hamilton Dr. Karen & Pam Hofmann HUB International Canada West Brian Kucey & Elena Hernandez-Kucey Jill Konkin Igor & Galia Kwetny Joan Lopatka & Bill Rutledge Hilliard & Nancy Macbeth Rod & Heleen McLeod Michael & Mariette Meier Neil & Susan Miller Risha Milo John Oberg Eleanor Olszewski Aline Pratch Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff James E. & Vivian Redmond Tulane Rollingher Margaret Slate | Slate Personnel David Steer & Larissa Whiting Harold & Kay Veale Peter & Joyce Walton Wawanesa Dr. P.J. White & Patty Whiting Robert A. Wilson Paola Zanuttini Gerhard & Inge Zmatlo
SUMMER MAGAZINE 11
friends SustainerS
($1,000-$1,749) Robert Balfour Michael Boire Dr. Lorraine Bray Diane Buchanan Greg Christenson Orville Chubb Sandi Ann Darrell John & Ann Dea David & Janice Dorward Stephen Dougans Dolores Eaton Robert Edmunds Nelson Fok Donald S. Ethell Felesky Flynn Brent Fillmore Ralph Friederichsen Bill Grace Todd Grundy A.R. Grynoch & P.V. Sing Gabor Gyenes & Erika Mullner Bruce Hagstrom Brent Hesje Fountain Tire Ltd Vickie Kaminski Simon Laroche Peggy Marko Alan Mather & Helgard Proft-Mather Bob McNally Dr. Keith & Brenda McNicol Fred & Helen Otto Pals Geomatics Corp Dr. Dean Rokosh Donald Smith Dennis Todoruk & Susan Stauffer Stella Varvis & Paul Grossman Paul Verhesen Knut Vik & Frank Calder Ralph James Wood Ralph Young
SUPPORTERS
($500-$999) John Adria Joann Allard Tom & Sandy Allison Cory P. Almquist Derek Alty Carl Amrhein Andree Aston Ronald M. Bachmeier Terry Vincent Bendera Joan Bensted Bob Bowhay Cameron Development Corporation Bernie Corry Mark England Ivan & Ksenia Fedyna Fiona Fjeldheim Mary Ford Lorna Gawlinski Bill Giebelhaus
of
Robert & Diane Gomes Doug Goss Douglas & Joanne Goss Bryan Hall Dave Hancock Alice Harrison Kenneth & Jean Heavenor Ghislaine Hebert Douglas & Dorothy Hollands Holt Renfrew Hughes Petroleum Ltd. Jatec Electric Rob Jolley Ken Keenleyside Arno M. Klein Libuse Kuzel Paul Leonard Neil & Jean Lund Brenda MacDonald Kelly MacFarlane & Christopher Mackay Beth Macintosh Jeremy Main Greg & Patrece Maluzynsky Devon J Mark & Allen Vander Well David McCalla Denis & Ruth McGettigan Les Moss Janine Odishaw Andrew Otway William Pechtel Dr. George & Teresa Pemberton Mary Phillips-Rickey Fay Plomp Dr. Clarence H. Preitz Ian W. Reynolds Marshall & Lisa Sadd Kathryn Sandilands Pierre Sareault Grant Smith Michael & Nance Smith Brian & Dawn Vaasjo Frank Van Veen Tim Yakimec
CONTRIBUTORS ($250-$499) 763058 Alberta Ltd Brian Baker Jayson Barclay Armand & Lucie Baril Margaret Bateman James Belovich Curt Beyer William Blais Donald Bobey Mareena Bobey Colleen Brennan Joanne Burek & Lee Stickles Canada North Campus Janet Carle Peter Cavanagh Cory Chisholm Donald Chisholm Desmond Chow Bruce Clark
12 SUMMER MAGAZINE
Edmonton Opera CPI Construction Craig David Corbett Iris Diduck-Rudnisky Sophie Drolet Dwayne Dufva Jim & Bonnie Ebbels Wernre Fenske Jason Fjeldheim Dr. Kevin Foster Terry Freeman Jim & Shirley Funk Stacey Gibson John Greer Cathryn Heslep Paul Hobern Martin Hodgson Christy Holtby & Marc Carnes Doug Horner Dr. Jiri Hrazdil Prof Corp Nathan Isbister Islay Agencies Inc. Don Iveson Christopher Jack Marcel Jakob Barry James Pavel & Sylva Jelen Shafin Kanji Lynne Kest Patching Richard & Erin Kirby Bern Kotelko David & Sandra Kraatz Dr. Elizabeth Krause Shawn & Jane Kubiski Richard J Lain Peter Laird Franklin C Loehde Francesco Mannarino Paul & Lori Martens Michael Scott Martin Doug McConnell Linda Medland-Davis Robert Medynski Zoltan & Brigitte Meszoly Miclex Construction Inc. Shauna Miller & James Gillespie Tereena Morelli Kevin & Robyn Mott Sally & Barry Munro John Charles Mullholland, Esq. Larry Newton Alfred Nikolai Wade O’Neill Aaron & Jean Oshry Dr. Hanne Ostergaard Dr. Edward & Geri Papp C.H. Parks Iris Popowich Jason Portas Marc Prefontaine Lisa Redmond Scott Reed David Rees & Linda Miller William Richards Michael Roma Carolynne E Ross John M Ross
John Buchko Elizabeth Butler Johnathan Charles W. Calvert Maurizio Capano Chris Chantler & Colleen Mckenna Carole Charette Rick Charity Elisebeth Checkel Janice Chobanuk Gary Christenson Chung Chu Janet M. Clark Mary Teresa Clonfero Roger & Carol Cohen Joseph & Marta Collier Mark Collins Connect Homes Lesley Cormack Judy Coulombe Dr. Diane Cox Robin Crane Tim Crisall & Stefanie Ivan Cruz Ventures Inc. Brenda Dale Michaela Davis Mike & Marnie Davis Jennifer Dechaine James & Gail DeFelice Roger Delbaere Darrell Demchuk MEMBERS Kathy Demuth ($100-$249) Dan & Lorna Dennis 1732354 Alberta Ltd. Derks Menswear Sam & Sonia Azer Manuel Desa J Lynn Adams Louis & Marcelle Marissa Adams Desrochers Brent Agerbak Frank W. Deys Barbara Allen R.J. & Janet Dmytruk Scott & Alma Allen James C Dobie Darcy Anderson Len Dolgoy Catherine Andrew Wendy Doughty & Justin Archer Jim Klingle Dr. David Atkinson Maggie Dower Nancy Aust Lisa Doyle Dr. Halfdan Baadsgaard Frank & Muriel Dunnigan Diana M Bacon John Eaton Jeff Baker Tim Eckert Raymond & Roberta Baril Dr. Catherine Eddy Deborah Barnes Edmonton Japanese Vicki Barrow Community Association William Bartelds John R. Elford Mike & Tracy Bateman Martin & Jacqueline Elton Walter & Stella Baydala Tom & Heather Etsell Regina Beckett Leanne Eyo Heidi Benoit Wayne Eyre Jeff Bertram Noella Fagnan Patrick S. Bieleny Alfred & Coleen Falk Linda Bogdan Greg & Cathy Farnell Jelena Bojic Eric Fath-Kolmes Dr. Grace Bokenfohr Lois Field Theodore D. Bosse Karin Fodor William A. Bowlen Margaret Friedman Patrick Boyle Vanessa Gardner E. Ross Bradley Phil Gaudreault Scott & Juanita Brattly Brent Gelland Aaron Breitkreuz Gordon & Colleen George John Edmond Brick Louise Gibson
Stewart Roth Jesse Rudge Generoso Russo Edmund & Orla Ryan Kathleen Ryks Bruce Sansom Don Schultz Alison Seymour R & W Sherbaniuk Doug & Devika Short Doug Silverberg Gerry & Barbara Sinn Bill & Marlene Smith Campbell & Rosalind Sydie Marc Tardif Dave Tarkowski Michelle Taylor Mike Tighe & Rachel Mandel William Tonn Karen Marie Trace Dr. Linda Uniat Kirsten & Konrad von Finckenstein Andrew & Kirsty Wallace Terry & Melanie Whittingham Brian & Joanne Wong Dan Worley Mark Zutz Wade Zwicker
Todd R. Gilchrist Allan & Krista Gilliland Gerda Goetz Walter Goetz F.S. & Margaret Golberg Jon & Heather Goor Doug Gordulic Orest & Linda Gouda Sherry Gourdry Charles & Ann Grant June Greig Brenda Gross Ulf-Hilmar Hahn Matthew Haley Daniel Hamilton Joceylyn Hamilton John Hampson Jonathon Hancock Marylee Hansen Michael Haupt Zenia J Hawrysh Dr. T Hayashi R & Barbara Henderson Lesley Heppleston Jeremy & Elizabeth Herbert Kevin Heselton Ty & Tayne Hewer Dr. Judith Hibberd Kris Hildebrand Leroy & Barb Hiller Dr. John-Paul Himka David Hole Curtis Hollister Donna A. Holowaychuk Karla Horcica Gwen Horvath Stuart Houston Barbara Mary Howard Mike Hruska Bonny & Earl Hubert Dr. Sheila L Hughes W.H. Hurlburt Bonnie Hutchinson Stewart & Juliette Inglis Erik & Franziska Jacobsen Susan Jaksich Christian Jonean Alan Jones Alison Kabaroff Rene & Anna Kiens Adam D. Kilburn John Kim David King Debra King Harold Kingston & Marie Desrochers Shirley Kirkpatrick Wade Klimchuk Andrew Paul Kowalchyk Greg Krischke Kimberlay Krushell J. Allen Kucay Lorraine & Stan Kucey John Kuzyk Jean Langley & Tim Winton Trevor Larose Mark LaRue Jack & Diane Latham Colleen Lathan
Patricia Marie Lavender David & Leslie Leeworthy Steven Lenarduzzi Colin & Jennifer Linton John Little Stuart Loe Doug & Joan Longley Thomas A. Lukaszuk David Lynch Richard & Jean Lyne Lowell & Donna Lyseng Mike MacBeath Ian B MacDonald Jessica MacDonald Campbell MacKenzie Denise MacIver Cameron MacRae Carla Mallett Hana Marinkovic Joan H Marshall John & Cathleen Matthews Vince A. Mattia
Joseph A. Matties Jason Maurer Dwain & Monique May Karen Mazurek Allison McCollum Mickey Melnyk Nicole Merrifield Ronald & Carole Middleton Janet Millar Jason Milligan Paul Monson Susan Monson Renn Moodley Dr. Kyle Murray Tina Naqvi-Roth Ole & Marilyn Nielsen Andrey Niklevich Michael O’Dell Brenda Oberg Terry Ogrodiuk Sharon Ohayon Anthony Olivares
In Memory of Patricia M. Paone: Glenn Paone
Frank Palko Glenn A R Paone Joanna Papadopoulos-Wass David Parbery William Pigden Barbara Prodor Carlos Raposo & Judy Strachan Eugene & Jeanne Ratsoy Sharla & Dorian Rauschning Trevor & Wendy Reddekopp Yvonne Rekken Justin Reynolds Jordan Rice Paul Richards Jason James Richardson Carey Rizzato Jeff Robinson Keith Robinson Kerry Rose Wayne Rose
Susan & Greg Rosychuk Denise Roy Joel Rubletz Dr. E.J. Rudnisky Nola Ruhl Barbara Sadler Wells Jelena & Dusan Savic Tom & Bev Sawyer Roger Schilf Mike Schmidt Tony Scozzafava Rod Shaigec Anne Shillington Chris Sieben Christine Siegel Sinclair Supply Ltd. Caroline Smith Cory Smith Edward Smith Michael Smith Ian & Irene Sneddon Dr. Thomas Snyder
Mike Staines Alison & Richard Starke Naomi Stefura Sheila Steinhauer-Mozejko Bill Stephens Shawn D Stevens Karen Elaine Stewart Bobbi Stobbart Anne Strack Martin & Heike Stribrny Brigitte Suess Jean Sult Coady Summerfield Susie Sykes Rene & Lynette Tardif Mark & Sarah Taylor Louis Te Alison Toews Sandra Torrieri John & Mandy Trapp Kristian Udesen George Vailas
Dennis Vance Terry & Michele Veeman Trudy Velichka Gus & Patricia Visman Hon. Allan H. Wachowich Matthew Walker Allen Wasnea Cassandra Watson Joan Welch John Wenchulak Randy Williams & Janice MacDonald Elaina M Wisser Richard Wojcichwsky John Womchlek Sara Wright Shawn Wruth Serene Yau Jim Yih Hoover Young Jeff Young Leanne & Steve Young
In Honour of Rita Allen: Margaret Friedman
Thank you to those who have previously donated in memory of Kimberly Heard, Dr. Robert J. Buck, Dr. Lee Anholt, Dr. John Martin, Norah McKillop, Ernie LeMessurier, Dr. David Cook, Howard Irving and in honour of Dianne and Irving Kipnes.
Sincere thanks go to those individuals who, through their gifts, have demonstrated their belief in making opera a vital part of our cultural community. To donate or for additional information, phone the donor services line at 780.392.8719 or email individual.giving@edmontonopera.com. Only 2014/15 season donations and/or pledges processed up to May 5, 2015, are listed. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our donor information. If we have made an error or omission, please call the donor services line at 780.392.8719. We apologize for any inconvenience. Although space limitations allow us to list only charitable contributions of $100 or more, we gratefully acknowledge all donations. Each gift, regardless of size, helps to make Edmonton Opera performances possible. Thank you!
FRIENDS OF THE OPERA
benefits
MEMBER
CONTRIBUTOR
SUPPORTER
SUSTAINER
BENEFACTOR
PATRON
LEADER
$100+
$250+
$500+
$1,000+
$1,750+
$3,000+
$5,000-$10,000
Tax receipt Acknowledgment in Intermezzo magazine Complimentary poster from our current season
• •
Invitation for two to each dress rehearsal and VIP reception Two tickets at 30% off for each mainstage production Exclusive VIP event (per season) Two invitations to the exclusive DC Lounge VIP courtesy Jubilee parking during performances Backstage tour of a mainstage production Two complimentary Opera Brunch tickets
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
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Invitations to each Sitzprobe rehearsal
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Edmonton Opera’s Director’s Circle (donations of $1,750 or more) is our way of providing special recognition to our generous individual donors for their outstanding and sustained annual support. Director’s Circle members enjoy a number of exclusive opportunities throughout the season, to enhance their overall operatic experience. Please contact Mickey Melnyk, Stewardship Officer, at mickey.melnyk@edmontonopera.com or 780.392.8719 for more information about becoming a DC member. The Sustainability Fund is comprised of dedicated individuals and corporations who have committed to a five-year, $10,000-per-year contribution, ensuring the sustainable future of Edmonton Opera. For more information about Sustainability Fund experiences and commitments, please contact Gwen Horvath, Fund Development Manager, at gwen.horvath@edmontonopera.com or 780.392.7837.
SUMMER MAGAZINE 13
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14 SUMMER MAGAZINE
Aria Legacy Help Edmonton Opera Sing Forever Edmonton Opera creates award-winning and compelling art, and strives to keep that art accessible for the Edmonton community. Aria Legacy is your opportunity to share that dream in a focused and personal way, with a gift to our endowment program that will last into perpetuity. Endowment gifts of any size are appreciated. For more information on how you can help sustain Edmonton Opera for generations to come, please call the donor services line at 780.392.8719.
Edmonton Opera
endowment funds
Edmonton Opera applauds the following visionaries for contributing to or establishing a legacy of support for the future of opera in our community. Many of these contributions have been matched by the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. Thank you.
Edmonton Opera’s Endowment Funds: Sam & Sonia Azer Family Fund Frederic & Alma Gojmerac Family Fund Canada Cultural Investment Fund Edmonton Opera Staff Contributions Fund Edmonton Opera Endowment Fund Irving Guttman Opera Endowment Fund The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Opera Fund John and Barbara Poole Family Fund Francis Price and Marguerite Trussler Family Fund Dwight Purdy Memorial Fund David Cook Fund for Edmonton Opera Oline and Roderick Markine Family Fund Arnold & Grace Rumbold Fund Cecilia Fund In Memory of Howard Irving: J.E. Cote Richard Fraser Larry Judge John Karvellas Alec & Irene Murray Francis Price & Marguerite Trussler
Endowment Donors & Aria Legacy Members John Adria Tricia Abbott Justice Darlene Acton Peter & Barbara Allen Rebecca Anderson Sam & Sonia Azer Alan and Alice Bell Robert Bessette Jelena Bojic Dr. Grace Bokenfohr Katherine Braun Jennifer Brown John Cameron Erin Clyde Richard S. Cook Glenda Dennis Maggie Dower Marianne & Andy Elder Ivan & Ksenia Fedyna Laura Fitzgerald Karin Fodor Sandra Gajic Fred & Alma Gojmerac Karen Good Jennifer Hinnell
Andy Hladyshevsky John & Susan Hokanson Dorothy & Douglas Hollands Gwen Horvath W.H. Hurlburt Jeffrey Jansen Laurence Jewell Ha Neul Kim Debra King The Dianne & Irving Kipnes Foundation Betty Kolodziej Juri and Helle Kraav Tara-Lee LaRose Franklin C. Loehde Brenda MacDonald Amanda MacRae Cameron MacRae Bertrand Malo Stephen & Lynn Mandel Devon J. Mark & Allen Vander Well Roderick & Oline Markine Peggy Marko
Alan Mather & Helgard Proft-Mather Julian Mayne Jeff McAlpine Jeff McCune Rod & Heleen McLeod Bob & Bev McNally Mickey Melnyk Arliss Miller Kyle & Colleen Murray Dr. Thomas & Melanie Nakatsui Wesley M. Pedruski Barbara Poole Clarence & Elizabeth Preitz Francis Price Protostatix Engineering Consultants Russell & Marjorie Purdy Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP Robert & Asha Rock Clayton Rodney & Raymond Cameron Analee Roman
Hilary & Robert Rose Arnold & Grace Rumbold Kelly Sheard Katie Soles Michael Spassov Darren Staten Catherine Szabo Lauren Tenney Karen Trace Marguerite Trussler Chris & Vivian Varvis Stella Varvis Angus Watt Howard & Joan Welch Adrienne E. Wong Tim Yakimec Serene Yau Stacy Young Gerhard & Inge Zmatlo
Additional financial contributions from members of the Edmonton Opera Chorus. A generous endowment gift has been made by the Edmonton Opera Guild in honour of the Edmonton Opera Chorus.
SUMMER MAGAZINE 15
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
WELCOME FROM EDMONTON OPERA
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Thank you for joining us to celebrate the summer solstice, with the beauty of the human voice in harmony with the natural beauty of the fabulous Devonian Botanic Garden.
6:30
WELCOME RECEPTION Kurimoto Japanese Garden
7:00
OPENING REMARKS & PERFORMANCE Kurimoto Japanese Garden
As the seeds of spring start to burst forth, enjoy the variety of operatic and musical offerings from the various groups and individuals in each of the gardens. There is a worldwide tradition of celebrating summer and song together, and I know this memorable evening has become an anticipated one for us at Edmonton Opera. With nature as its stage, opera, music and song are the perfect partners in lifting our spirits, reactivating our souls and bringing in the new season.
8:00
Primula Dell
Pine Pavilion
Alpine Garden
8:45
Pine Pavilion
Alpine Garden
Primula Dell
9:30
Alpine Garden
Primula Dell
Pine Pavilion
Enjoy your evening. Tim Yakimec General Manager & Artistic Director | Edmonton Opera
WELCOME FROM THE DEVONIAN BOTANIC GARDEN We are delighted you can join us for this wonderful opera garden party. What could be better than a summer evening of music presented by Edmonton Opera performing at the University of Alberta’s Devonian Botanic Garden? Enjoy food and drink at each location to sustain your conversations along our garden pathways, for the sensory immersion of this unique and exclusive event. The garden truly comes alive to the majesty of tenor, soprano and baritone voices blending with nature's ambience. I look forward to greeting you all and toasting the magical convergence of vocal and floral beauty at the 2015 Opera al Fresco. Dr. Lee Foote Director | Devonian Botanic Garden
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Flower arrangements provided by: The Devonian Botanic Garden Crafters Association
KURIMOTO JAPANESE GARDEN ➀ The Servants’ Chorus / Don Pasquale / Gaetano Donizetti Arranged by Scott Gilmore for two-part treble voices and piano
EDMONTON OPERA CHILDREN’S CHORUS
The Edmonton Opera Children’s Chorus was formed three years ago in a joint project between Edmonton Opera and Victoria School of the Arts, under chorus director Janice Tole. The children are all pupils at the school, from Grades 4 to Grades 6. They performed at Opera al Fresco in 2012, and since then have taken part in various events, including Edmonton Opera’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Individual members of the chorus have been involved in Edmonton Opera’s main stage productions, and in 2014, the Chorus performed a complete opera specially written for them in which they are the main protagonists.
JANICE TOLE • Director Edmonton Opera Children’s Chorus
Janice Tole has made working with children and opera central to her activities, and has received recognition provincially, nationally and internationally for excellence in music education. In 1997 she co-founded KidsOp, to create new operas for children and adults to perform together, and since then has been musical director of a number of operas and workshops. Highlights include conducting the Canadian premier production of Mervyn Burtch’s The Raven King, a fulllength opera for children and adults which was the main-stage production of the 1999 Banff Festival, and which drew together adults from Canada, Australia, the US, and the UK, together with 84 children from Wetaskiwin. She has been the chorus director for the Edmonton Opera Children’s Chorus since its inception in 2012, and conducted the children’s opera, The Carpenter and the Oniroku, specifically written for the chorus to perform at Edmonton Opera’s Opera al Fresco, 2014. She has completed a MEd which studied how Canadian opera companies interact with children in their communities, and currently teaches elementary music at Earl Buxton School.
BRIAN LEGROW • Repetiteur
ROYAL GLENORA CLUB The Merry Widow • October 4, 2015 Carmen • January 17, 2016 Maria Stuarda • April 3, 2016 Subscribe to all three brunches for $240 780.429.1000 • edmontonopera.com
Bryan LeGrow is an Edmonton based composer, pianist and vocalist. He has completed his Diploma of Music from Grant MacEwan University and his Bachelor of Music from the University of Alberta. Bryan has been a member of the Kokopelli Choir Association since 2009 and is currently an accompanist for Kokopelli, Tamariki, Victoria School of the Arts, the Edmonton Opera Children’s Chorus, and Holy Spirit Lutheran Church. As a vocalist, Bryan sings with Oran and is also a founding member of High Street Sound (a 6 member vocal ensemble). Bryan has composed music in many styles for a variety of ensembles, but has found a home writing and arranging choral music for the groups he works with, and has begun to receive international exposure for his works.
SEE ALL 3 OPERAS ON THE MAIN FLOOR STARTING FROM 780.429.1000 • edmontonopera.com
$99
PINE PAVILION ➀ ➁ ➂ ➃
“O Fortuna” / Carmina Burana / Carl Off “Homeward Bound” / Marta Keen Grisettes / Merry Widow / Franz Lehár “Time to Say Goodbye” / Peterson, Sartori, Quarantotto
PETER DALA Resident Conductor & Chorusmaster
Peter Dala began his conducting career 30 years ago with the Basel Ballet. He conducted for seven years at the Hungarian State Opera and the National Ballet of Hungary. As Edmonton Opera’s chorusmaster from 1996 to 2012 and resident conductor from 2001 to 2012, he prepared the chorus for roughly 40 operas, has played over 50 operas as repetiteur and has conducted over 30 operas. In 2001 he began his affiliation with Alberta Ballet and was named music director in 2005. He has conducted over 40 different productions for them.
ALPINE GARDEN ➀ ➁ ➂ ➃ ⑤
Dicetencello unje / Neopolitan song “Nessun dorma” / Turandot/ Giacomo Puccini Core ’ngrato / Neopolitan song O sole mio / Neopolitan song Tu ca nun chiagne / Neopolitan song
ANDREA PINNA • Tenor
Born in Cagliari, Italy, Andrea migrated to Canada in 2014. His singing career as a tenor started late in life in a tourist village on Sardinia Island. The experience of singing in public was surprising and very emotional. As a result of this sudden success, Andrea began to study classical lyric singing supported by professional coaches who helped him and who introduced him to professional classical singers. As a result of his discovered natural talent, Andrea has performed in many Italian music centers such as Milan, Bologna Palermo and of course in his native Cagliari. In 2012, Andrea produced a CD of Italian popular arias and Neapolitan songs with much success. He also joined a musical group that performed in many Italian theatres.
18 SUMMER MAGAZINE
THE EDMONTON OPERA CHORUS
The Edmonton Opera Chorus is made up of talented Edmonton singers with a variety of training backgrounds and experience, including community singers, aspiring professionals and vocal singers. Led by chorusmaster Peter Dala, the EO chorus’ 2015/16 season will include performances in Edmonton Opera’s productions of The Merry Widow, Carmen and Maria Stuarda. A central and thrilling component of the operatic art form, the Edmonton Opera chorus performs alongside the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, as well as world-class singers, conductors and directors. John Adria Janine Bamford Garreth Borgstrom Sable Chan Seang Youn Choi Natasha Da Fonseca Mathew Glenn Douglas Graham Jill Hoogewoonink Nick Horobec Walter Hsu Dilys Kulchitsky Joyce Labriola Lydia-Ann Levesque
Joanne Linden Cole MacIver Greg Maluzynsky Patrece Maluzynsky Andrae Marchak Kevin Mott Krista-Marie Mulbery Francis Price Glynis Price Rob Rock Cristina Weiheimer Laura Winton John Yun
LEANNE REGEHR • Repetiteur
Pianist Leanne Regehr earned a doctor of music degree in piano performance from Northwestern University and is currently based in Edmonton where she serves on the faculties of the University of Alberta and The King’s University. Leanne has been engaged as a repetiteur with Shreveport Opera, Mercury Opera and Edmonton Opera. Her dedication to the development of young singers has been recognized through her work as a faculty member with Opera NUOVA, as a staff pianist for Sherrill Milnes’ VOICExperience Program in Florida, and as a coaching fellow at the Aspen Music Festival. Leanne enjoys her freelance career as a soloist, vocal coach, recital partner and adjudicator.
PRIMULA DELL ➀ ➁ ➂ ➃ ⑤
Claire de Lune / Gabriel Fauré Beau Soir / Gabriel Fauré Epheu Op. 22 No. 3 / Richard Strauss Morgen Op. 27 No. 4 / Richard Strauss Tis the Last Rose of Summer / Friedrich von Flotow
WHITNEY SLOAN • Soprano
Full lyric soprano Whitney Leigh Sloan has been praised for her clear, lyrical voice and ability to take full advantage of both the light and shade in a score (Opera Canada). Whitney is an active performer within the community. Past performances include the title role in Dvořak’s Rusalka (Opera NUOVA), Hanna Glawari in Die Lustige Witwe, Mimí in La Bohème, La Contessa Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro and Tatiana in Eugene Onegin. Future engagements will include a feature performance in Symphony Under the Sky with Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and in recital with the Edmonton Recital Society. In February 2016, Whitney will be the solo artist in La Voix Humaine, a co-operative production with L’Uni Théatre and Opera NUOVA.
ELISE NEELAND • Harpist
Elise has been a harpist in the Edmonton region for the past 17 years, having studied under Nora Bumanis, principal harpist with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with many orchestras including the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the University Symphony Orchestra & Academy Strings, the Wind Sinfonia, Opera Nuova and numerous other orchestras in and around Edmonton.
SYMPHONY UNDER THE SKY AUGUST 27-30 • HAWRELAK PARK ROBERT BERNHARDT, Conductor
Thursday, August 27 Music of the 70s Friday, August 28 Mozart, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff Saturday, August 29 The Sound of Hollywood Sunday, August 30 Bob’s Favourite Things
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Opera al Fresco at the Devonian Botanic Garden, they sing opera amongst the trees. We may not offer that, but our setting is also pretty serene.
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2015 2016 SEASON
Join us to experience the operatic scandals of epic proportions in Edmonton Opera’s 2015/16 season, where infidelity, betrayal, power struggles and murder fuel intense emotions. Starting on a whimsical note with Lehár’s The Merry Widow, Bizet’s Carmen touches on familiar tunes, and then the drama reaches a memorable conclusion with Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda. “Sometimes you go to an opera and it’s very psychological, it’s based on some character’s mental state, and I find that, given the subject matter of [The Merry Widow] and the way the music presents itself, it’s very physical,” said director Brent Krysa, who will direct in Edmonton for the first time in October 2015. “That’s where I feel the strength of the piece lies — it lies in the way you feel the music; instead of listening to the music, you feel the movement of the music.” All of Paris’ eligible bachelors are begging for a spot on the widow Hanna’s dance card — and Canadian soprano Sally Dibblee personifies the charm and flirtatious attitude of the character perfectly— but it would spell financial ruin for Hanna’s native country of Pontevedro if she were to fall in love with a foreigner. “The story is very silly, but the amount of spectacle involved is significant,” Krysa said, comparing the time period and location to Moulin Rouge. With the amount of principal singers and chorus members involved, the grand opera experience is definitely felt in this production, he continued. By the time Franz Lehár wrote The Merry Widow in 1905, he was already an established composer, but this operetta was his first runaway success, where he fused comedy, romance and sentiment with a light touch, resulting in a quintessentially Viennese piece. “I think if you’re [also] doing Carmen and Maria Stuarda [this season], in Carmen, the audience is going to expect to hear all the tunes they know, and I think in The Merry Widow, they’ll be surprised at how many tunes they know,” Krysa said, specifically naming “The Merry Widow Waltz” as a recognizable piece. “It’s the type of opera you go to, and you say, ‘Hey, I know that. I don’t know where I know that from, but I definitely know the music.’” 24 SUMMER MAGAZINE
Music, libretto creates parallel narrative The widow Hanna isn’t the only character with her own ideas about how the story plays out — strong women take the lead in all aspects this season, from characters to casting and creative teams. In the spotlight, mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich has portrayed Carmen worldwide, from the Met Opera stage to the Verona Arena, embodying the adventurous and spirited temptress. Since Edmonton Opera’s production will be a new build, costume designer Deanna Finnman also noted the interesting dynamic for the award-winning Canadian creative team of three women — herself, scenery designer Camellia Koo and director Maria Lamont. “Bizet originally created a Carmen that romanticized gypsy life,” Finnman said. “From that perspective, a Carmen who was strongwilled enough to rise above her circumstances and live by her own rules makes her a trailblazer.” However, designing a new production doesn’t mean re-inventing the wheel, Koo added. “This is always a challenge — Carmen audiences come with so many pre-conceived ideas and expectations and past productions they have seen, so our challenge is to not to try to do something different with our version for the sake of trying to be different, but instead trying to find a way to approach the opera in a way that we, as a modern audience today, can relate to it on an emotional level.” Understanding the artistic, political and social climates of the time, as well as historical context, is the first step when deciding on a new concept, said both Koo and Finnman. Koo explained that when designing scenery, she considers the narrative and underlying psychology of the story and characters living it. The music also plays a huge role. “There is the narrative of the libretto, but there is also this amazing parallel narrative in the music that is fun to design to,” Koo said.
Join us for
Epic Scandals in 2015/16, with a season subscription starting at $99 on the main floor. Subscriptions can be purchased online at edmontonopera.com or by calling the box office at 780.429.1000.
Art and life Just as Carmen tells an impassioned love story, director Maria Lamont was intrigued by Donizetti’s dramatic storytelling and the way he linked the fates of two queens, Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, who are entrenched in a love triangle with Lord Leicester as the object of their affections. The research required for Maria Stuarda resulted in an overwhelming amount of information from books, biographies, novels, television programs and documentaries, Lamont said. But, she added, she found herself looking at the Tudor-era portraits of Elizabeth and Mary over and over again. The production is set in a gallery in an old Tudor mansion, and the museum staff are preparing an exhibition on the two queens. Over the course of the story, the design team played with the idea that art becomes life, and life becomes art. In her director’s statement, Lamont wrote that, “Donizetti is known as a singer’s composer, and this is never truer to be found than in the virtuosic bel canto vocal music he created for these two remarkable women.” Behind the characters, the artists are just as remarkable — soprano Kathryn Lewek (Maria) is considered the world’s reigning Queen of the Night, and as Elisabetta, Keri Alkema is a powerful, acclaimed soprano, both lending credibility to the explosive rivalry between the two monarchs. “One is continually confronted by what connects these two queens, and also what made them so different and unique,” Lamont wrote in her concept proposal. Donizetti knew exactly how to build on a dramatic moment, leaving the audience captivated with his bel canto masterpiece — and the perfect note on which to close a season.
2012
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August 13 – 22, 2015 The centrepiece of this year’s festival is Gilbert & Sullivan’s comedic opera
There will also be family-friendly matinee performances of The Scorpions’ Sting Canada’s only outdoor opera festival is at Calgary’s East Village RiverWalk™ Plaza
gEt YOuR tICKEts!
calgaryopera.com/festival
HELPING OUR ARTS COMMUNITIES
Take Centre Stage
At MNP, we know that a thriving arts and cultural community can spur economic growth, inspire innovation and accelerate the creative vitality of the region. We like to believe we have earned a five-star reputation in strengthening our cultural communities and industries through our support for artists and arts organizations since 1945. To find out how MNP can help your organization shine, contact Darren Turchansky at 780.453.5378 or darren.turchansky@mnp.ca
28 SUMMER MAGAZINE
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DEAD MAN WALKING // OUR TOWN // OKLAHOMA! MAY 29–JUNE 29 operanuova.com
JUNE 18–27 elopemusicaltheatre.ca
VOCAL ARTS FESTIVAL THE WORKS
ART & DESIGN FESTIVAL JUNE 17–27 theworks.ab.ca
GUYS & DOLLS
TEATRO LA QUINDICINA
SAINT ALBERT
JUNE 18–JULY 4 teatroq.com
EDMONTON CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
EDMONTON OPERA & DEVONIAN BOTANIC GARDEN
JUNE 18–21 edmontonchambermusic.org
JUNE 19 edmontonopera.com
SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL OPERA AL FRESCO
EDMONTON JAZZ FESTIVAL SOCIETY
EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE 19–JUNE 27 edmontonjazz.com
CULTURE GUIDE 2015 FREEWILL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
AS YOU LIKE IT // CORIOLANUS
JUNE 23–JULY 19 freewillshakespeare.com
WALTERDALE THEATRE
A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE JULY 2–12 walterdaletheatre.com
CURTAIN UP! A NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL REVIEW STARRING RICHARD MARGISON JULY 3 ticketfly.com/event/850613
EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL
STREET PERFORMERS FESTIVAL
JULY 3–12 edmontonstreetfest.com
ART WALK
SAND ON WHYTE JULY 3–12 art-walk.ca
EDMONTON & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HISTORIC FESTIVAL & DOORS OPEN EDMONTON JULY 5–12 historicedmonton.ca
TASTE OF EDMONTON JULY 16–25 tasteofedm.ca
SUMMER MAGAZINE 31
INTERSTELLAR RODEO
CARIWEST FESTIVAL
JULY 24–26 interstellarrodeo.com
EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
SYMPHONY UNDER THE SKY
AUGUST 7–9 cariwest.ca
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EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL
EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
AUGUST 13–23 fringetheatre.ca
SEPTEMBER 4–5 edmontonsymphony.com
EDMONTON DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
FILM AND VIDEO ARTS SOCIETY
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SEPTEMBER 14–20 gottaminutefilmfestival.com
SYMPHONY IN THE CITY GOTTA MINUTE FILM FESTIVAL
AUGUST 14–16
EDMONTON FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
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Hannah’s surgery gave her back the ability to walk. – Jacob (twin brother)
Thank you for helping us fund excellence at the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
To learn more, visit www.stollerykids.com or call 780.433.5437.
Construction Raywalt knows dirt. As the title sponsor of Opera al Fresco, however, Raywalt Construction looks much further underground than just the topsoil — the approximately 30 centimeters of nutrient-rich soil good for planting. “Unless you’re out there when we’re doing the sewer and water servicing and making big piles all over the place, you don’t really think about [the clay, sand, silt and soil] when you drive into a finished subdivision and look at show homes; everything is back in place,” said Ron Johnson, who is the president of Raywalt. The majority of the company’s projects require digging three- to fivemeter-deep ditches to complete subdivision servicing, transmission mains and other specialty work, but projects such as deep gravity sewers can extend 12 to 15 meters deep. Edmonton area is largely comprised of clay that is good for construction projects because it compacts well, Johnson said, although Raywalt has encountered all types of dirt in their 36-year excavating history. Even on the same site, dirt can vary significantly, and it’s the experience behind the company that allows them to deal with it, he continued. “A lot of people have been with us almost since the start, or a lot of people have been with us for a few decades, so we’ve got a lot of
OPERA people who know how to deal with that kind of stuff and work safely,” Johnson said. Based in Acheson, most of the company’s employees — 18 permanent staff, which expands to 170 staff seasonally — commute from the greater Edmonton area, so it makes sense to support a number of local charitable organizations in addition to the Edmonton Opera, Johnson said. Among others, the company supports the Cross Cancer Institute, the Canadian Diabetes Association, Kids with Cancer, CapitalCare, the United Way and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. To create the beautiful settings of Opera al Fresco, the staff at the Devonian Botanic Garden may only be working with topsoil, but as Johnson joked, after all these years, while it’s not always easy to deal with the other layers of earth, “we’re still digging it.” It is thanks to companies like Raywalt that care about infrastructure that allows Edmonton Opera to flourish.
Celebrating 35 years Three decades of reliability and innovative solutions in subdivision servicing, project management, general contracting, sewer and water transmission mains, and all types of heavy equipment projects.
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34 SUMMER MAGAZINE
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SUMMER MAGAZINE 35
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SUMMER MAGAZINE 37
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Rob hood fund The Edmonton Opera is the grateful recipient of a generous gift from the Rob Hood Fund. Mr. Hood’s direction was that these legacy funds be used to attract operatic singers of the highest calibre. In the 2015/16 season, Kate Aldrich brings her world-renowned performance of Carmen to Edmonton thanks to a gift from the Rob Hood Fund; appearances by fellow artists Jeffrey Gwaltney (Don José) and baritone Gregory Dahl (Escamillo) are also funded through this gift. In April 2016, gifts from the Rob Hood Fund will be applied to the three principal artists in Maria Stuarda: Keri Alkema (Elisabetta), Diego Silva (Leicester) and Kathryn Lewek (Maria), who is considered the world’s reigning Queen of the Night. Previous gifts from the Rob Hood Fund have been awarded to Metropolitan Opera stars Angela Brown and Carl Tanner (Aida, October 2012) and Anne-Sophie Duprels (Madama Butterfly, April 2014).
Dr. Irving Guttman, artistic director emeritus of the Edmonton Opera (1928 – 2014), shared his memories of Mr. Hood. “I first met Robert when he joined our chorus in 1965. Two things were clear between us — we both loved opera and while he was serious and dedicated about his singing, we agreed that it was important to pursue one’s passions but not necessarily aspire to singing on the Met stage. He contributed to Edmonton Opera as both a board and guild member. That said, I believe his work in our chorus was seminal to his fine appreciation of the power and presence of the human voice. With his personal experience as a bass, his respect grew for the voices of the operatic greats of the time. He liked to call it ‘fine singing!’” “Rob was very principled in his belief that there were certain ways to do things, which extended to being a rather private person, to dressing properly and to being immensely loyal to his friends and colleagues. “Aside from his avocation, Rob was well placed in his work with the Alberta government’s culture portfolio. He was always committed to high standards, personally and professionally, and I am certain those were valued qualities in his work, thus making him known and respected in the arts community in the province and beyond.”
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With the help of pain management, Keaton loves swimming. – Kelli (mom)
edmonton opera board of directors 2014-2015 season
Richard Cook, Chair Francis Price, Vice Chair Ken Keenleyside, Treasurer Irv Kipnes, Past Chair Robert Bessette Danisha Bhaloo Jennifer Brown John Cameron
Mary Clonfero Craig Corbett Mary-Lou Hamilton Melanie Nakatsui
Bernie Robitaille Robert Rock Stella Varvis
edmonton opera staff Executive Tim Yakimec, General Manager & Artistic Director
Finance Debra King, Interim CFO Serene Yau, Accountant
Community Relations Cameron MacRae, Senior Manager, Marketing Catherine Szabo, Communications Manager Lauren Tenney, Marketing Coordinator
Fund Development Gwen Horvath, Fund Development Manager Jennifer Hinnell, Grants Officer Mickey Melnyk, Stewardship Officer
Box Office Joanne Madeley, Box Office Manager Celyne Runzer, Box Office Clerk
Thank you for helping us fund excellence at the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
Artistic Administration Ha Neul Kim, Artistic Manager & Resident Stage Manager Peter Dala, Resident Conductor & Chorusmaster
Production and technical Clayton Rodney, Production & Technical Director Greg Brown, Head Scenic Carpenter & Shop Supervisor Deanna Finnman, Head of Wardrobe & Resident Wardrobe Designer Patsy Tomkins, Production Coordinator Michael Machan, Summer Production Assistant stollerykids.com 780.433.5437
Nanc Price, Volunteer Photographer SUMMER MAGAZINE 41
�pcoming
events
Sept. 26, 2015 Listen to the Edmonton Opera Chorus perform O Canada at the Edmonton Eskimos game, and then cheer on the home team versus the B.C. Lions. Tickets available through the Edmonton Eskimos.
Oct. 4, 2015 Featuring performances by the cast of The Merry Widow, the first brunch of the 2015/16 season will be at the Royal Glenora Club, starting at 11 a.m.
Oct. 7, 2015 Enjoy your favourite beverage and a casual discussion about Lehár’s The Merry Widow during Opera 101. Starting at 7 p.m., this event is complimentary (food and drinks not included), but requires online registration at edmontonopera.com.
Oct. 22, 2015 The education dress rehearsal allows students to experience opera firsthand. The dress rehearsal for The Merry Widow will be at 11 a.m., at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Teachers can contact education@edmontonopera.com to arrange tickets.
Oct. 24, 27 & 29, 2015 The nearly bankrupt Balkan nation of Pontevedro has but one hope — ensuring that the money of the widow Hanna Glawari stays in the country! With all of Paris’ most eligible bachelors begging for a spot on her dance card, will Hanna find true love, or a partner with two left feet?
Season ticket packages for 2015/16 are now available — see The Merry Widow, Carmen and Maria Stuarda, starting at $99 for all three productions! 2012
For more information or to purchase tickets to any of these events, please call 780.429.1000, or visit edmontonopera.com.
42 SUMMER MAGAZINE
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