Vancouver Opera presents The Barber of Seville by Vancouver Opera

the barber of seville GIOACHINO ROSSINI

OUTSIDE FRONT COVER

FEBRUARY 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 23, 2020

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

the barber of seville GIOACHINO ROSSINI

CLARENCE FRAZER AS FIGARO AND SYLVIA SZADOVSZKI AS ROSINA IN THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (2016). PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID COOPER, COURTESY OF PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

the barber of seville GIOACHINO ROSSINI Tom Wright,

Interim General Director Jonathan Darlington, Music Director Emeritus

VO Administration and Ticket Centre

CONTENTS 7

The Cast

Young Audience Guide

Synopsis

Opera Allsorts

The Michael and Inna O’Brian Centre for Vancouver Opera 1945 McLean Drive Vancouver, BC V5N 3J7

Notes from the Conductor

Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

Administration: T: 604 682 2871 F: 604 682 3981

Notes from the Director

VO’s Heart Partner: Kids Up Front

VO Ticket Centre:

Opera in Context

Patron Information

VO Board, Staff & Foundation Board

(sponsored by Mission Hill Family Estate)

T: 604 683 0222 tickets@vancouveropera.ca www.vancouveropera.ca

16 Biographies 23

VO Orchestra, Chorus & Production

Vancouver Opera acknowledges that we work and perform on the unceded and traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Publication Manager: Vincent Wong Design & Layout: Annie Mack Yvonne Olivotto Cover Artwork Art Director: Illustrator:

Annie Mack Nomi Chi

Vancouver Opera is a professional company. It operates under the jurisdiction of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, Vancouver Musicians’ Association, and IATSE, and is a member of OPERA America and Opera.ca

COMING UP NEXT AT VANCOUVER OPERA

another brick in

The Wall: The Opera April 23–May 2, 2020 QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE

TICKETS

vancouveropera.ca 604 683 0222

VANCOUVER OPERA GUILD is pleased to be a performance sponsor for

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

SYLVIA SZADOVSZKI AS ROSINA IN THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (2016), PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID COOPER, COURTESY OF PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

HUSCROFT FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST is pleased to be a performance sponsor for

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (2016), PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID COOPER, COURTESY OF PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

WELCOME |

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

INTERIM GENERAL DIRECTOR TOM WRIGHT

Welcome, opera lovers and opera first-timers. Vancouver Opera is thrilled to present Gioachino Rossini’s masterpiece, The Barber of Seville, as our second production this season. You are about to experience an opera that has, over the last 200 years, endured as the most-performed opera buffa (comedic opera) in the operatic canon. We have assembled a talented cast that will bring to life the follies and triumphs of the human condition. Making his Vancouver Opera debut as Figaro is American baritone Edward Nelson, and Vancouver audience favourite Julie Boulianne returns to sing Rosina. Canadian tenor and Victoria native Isaiah Bell makes his Vancouver Opera debut as Count Almaviva. PHOTO BY REBECCA BLISSETT

We welcome White Rock native Ashlie Corcoran, Artistic Director of the Arts Club Theatre Company, to direct this masterpiece. Ashlie’s creative collaborator on this production is Canadian Maestro, Nathan Brock, making his Vancouver Opera debut. Looking ahead, we invite you to join us for the much-anticipated West Coast premiere of Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera, as part of the Vancouver Opera Festival. This opera is based on the lyrics and music of Roger Waters’ The Wall and Canadian composer Julien Bilodeau transforms the iconic album into a stunning symphonic and operatic drama. It’ll be an experience you won’t want to miss! Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Tom Wright Interim General Director

WELCOME |

BOARD CHAIR BILL MACLAGAN

Welcome to the second production of Vancouver Opera’s 59th season. We started off the season with a wonderful new production of La Traviata and now we are thrilled to present the comedic masterpiece, The Barber of Seville. This spring is the West Coast premiere of Roger Waters’ Another Brick in theCHARITABLE Wall: The Opera. THE HUSCROFT FAMILY We hope you enjoy them both.

TRUST

Thank you to our patrons, subscribers, donors, sponsors, government supporters, Opera Round Table members, Vancouver Opera Guild members, board members, and volunteers. You allow all of this to happen. Without your contributions, there would be no Vancouver Opera. And to the Vancouver Opera Foundation, thank you for being a wonderful and steadfast partner. PHOTO BY RYAN WEST

Thank you, also, to our talented cast, chorus, and musicians. You are amazing! Finally, thank you to all the great Vancouver Opera employees. Working in the arts is an absolute labour of love and our great employees show it everyday. They all deserve a standing ovation! On with the show! Enjoy!

Bill Maclagan Board Chair, Vancouver Opera VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

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the barber of seville

QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE FEBRUARY 13, 15, 20, 23M, 2020

Opera in Two Acts | In Italian with English SURTITLES™ projected above the stage

By Gioachino Rossini | Libretto by Cesare Sterbini after the play of the same name by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais

Conductor Nathan Brock

THE CAST

Director Ashlie Corcoran

(in order of vocal appearance)

Fiorello, servant to the Count Nicholas Borg*

Rosina, the doctor’s ward Julie Boulianne

Don Basilio, a singing teacher Taehyun Jun

Count Almaviva Isaiah Bell

Doctor Bartolo Thomas Goerz

Sergeant Brandon Thornhill

Figaro, a barber Edward Nelson

Berta, Rosina’s governess Gena van Oosten*

With the Vancouver Opera Chorus as soldiers, musicians, a magistrate, and a notary and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra Associate Conductor / Chorus Director Leslie Dala Principal Répétiteur / Assistant Chorus Director Kinza Tyrrell Musical Preparation Tina Chang Andrea Van Pelt*

Set Designer Ken MacDonald

Costume Designer Dana Osborne

Stage Manager Theresa Tsang

Lighting Designer Kimberley Purtell

Head of Costumes and Costume Design Consultant Parvin Mirhady

Assistant Director Amanda Testini*

Assistant Lighting Designer Sara Smith

English surtitles™ Translations

Original titles created by Teresa Turgeon

for Pacific Opera Victoria

Assistant Stage Manager Collette Berg Michelle Harrison

Makeup Designer Carmen Garcia Wig Designer Diane Holme

*Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program Production from Pacific Opera Victoria First produced at Teatro Argentina, Roma, 20 February 1816. First produced by Vancouver Opera, 20 February 1964 The performance will last approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. One 25 min intermission.

PRODUCTION PATRON

Yoshiko Karasawa

PERFORMANCES GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY:

V A N C O U V E R

OPERA

Huscroft Family Trust

VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

SYNOPSIS |

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

ACT I Seville. Count Almaviva comes in disguise to the house of Doctor Bartolo and serenades Rosina, whom Bartolo keeps confined to the house. Figaro, the barber who knows all the town’s secrets and scandals, explains to Almaviva that Rosina is Bartolo’s ward, not his daughter, and that the doctor intends to marry her. Figaro devises a plan: the count will disguise himself as a drunken soldier with orders to be quartered at Bartolo’s house so that he may gain access to Rosina. Almaviva is excited and Figaro looks forward to a nice cash pay-off. Rosina reflects on the voice that has enchanted her and resolves to use her considerable wiles to meet the man it belongs to—as Almaviva has led her to believe, a poor student named Lindoro. Bartolo appears with Rosina’s music master, Don Basilio. Basilio warns Bartolo that Count Almaviva, who has made known his admiration for Rosina, has been seen in Seville. Bartolo decides to marry Rosina immediately. Basilio suggests slander as the most effective means of getting rid of Almaviva. Figaro, who has overheard the plot, warns Rosina and promises to deliver a note from her to Lindoro. Bartolo suspects that Rosina has indeed written a letter, but she outwits him at every turn. Bartolo warns her not to trifle with him. Almaviva arrives, creating a ruckus in his disguise as a drunken soldier, and secretly passes Rosina his own note. Bartolo is infuriated by the stranger’s behaviour and noisily claims that he has an official exemption from billeting soldiers. Figaro announces that

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a crowd has gathered in the street, curious about the argument they hear coming from inside the house. The civil guard bursts in to arrest Almaviva, but when he secretly reveals his true identity to the captain he is instantly released. Everyone except Figaro is amazed by this turn of events.

ACT II Bartolo suspects that the “soldier” was a spy planted by Almaviva. The count returns, this time disguised as Don Alonso, a music teacher and student of Don Basilio, to give Rosina her singing lesson in place of Basilio, who, he says, is ill at home. “Don Alonso” then tells Bartolo that when visiting Almaviva at his inn, he found a letter from Rosina. He offers to tell her that it was given to him by another woman, seemingly to prove that Lindoro is toying with Rosina on Almaviva’s behalf. This convinces Bartolo that “Don Alonso” is indeed a student of the scheming Basilio, and he allows him to give Rosina her lesson. With Bartolo dozing off, Almaviva and Rosina declare their love. Figaro arrives to give Bartolo his shave and manages to snatch the key that opens the doors to Rosina’s balcony. Suddenly Basilio shows up looking perfectly healthy. Almaviva, Rosina, and Figaro convince him with a quick bribe that he is in fact ill and must go home at once. While Bartolo gets his shave, Almaviva plots with Rosina to meet at her balcony that night so that they can elope. But the doctor overhears them and, realizing he has been tricked again, flies into a rage. Everyone disperses.

The maid Berta comments on the crazy household. Bartolo summons Basilio, telling him to bring a notary so Bartolo can marry Rosina that very night. Bartolo then shows Rosina her letter to Lindoro, as proof that he is in league with Almaviva. Heartbroken and convinced that she has been deceived, Rosina agrees to marry Bartolo. A thunderstorm passes. Figaro and the count climb a ladder to Rosina’s balcony and let themselves in with the key. Rosina appears and confronts Lindoro, who finally reveals his true identity as Almaviva. Basilio shows up with the notary. Bribed and threatened, he agrees to be a witness to the marriage of Rosina and Almaviva. Bartolo arrives with soldiers, but it is too late. He accepts that he has been beaten, and Figaro, Rosina, and the count celebrate their good fortune.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (2016) PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID COOPER, COURTESY OF PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

NOTES FROM THE CONDUCTOR NATHAN BROCK

In February of 1816, the opera that we recognize as the perfect archetype of the buffa genre was, very literally, booed off the stage. At only 23 years of age, Gioachino Rossini was regarded as a “maestro di cartello”—a composer whose name alone on the marquee could guarantee a public. His reputation won him a prestigious position as the director of musical activities at Teatro San Carlo in Naples, enabling him to compose regularly for a first-rate ensemble, chorus, and orchestra, with an excellent salary. While in Rome rehearsing for a Christmas premiere of another work, Rossini was asked on short notice to compose an opera for February’s carnival season. Opening night was a notorious disaster. It was hastily prepared, heavily under-rehearsed, and plagued by mishaps. The local favourite composer, Giovanni Paisiello, had already composed a popular Barber of Seville. Rossini attempted to mollify the Roman public by naming his version of the opera Almaviva. Paisiello’s supporters showed up en masse and booed, hissed, and jeered all evening. Rossini didn’t bother to show up to the second night’s performance, but this time it was a triumph and a new history of The Barber of Seville began. The opera is characterized by youthful energy and bold wit. It has a delightful plot replete with all the ingredients necessary for comedic chaos. The score is packed with musical jokes which mirror those onstage, and the music itself arises from each character and situation. Rossini is at his finest providing never-ending beautiful melody and ingenious orchestration (guitar and piccolo make special contributions), and his use of the whole orchestra in the storm scene has only one rival, in Beethoven’s 6th Symphony. His sense of structure, pacing, and timing are unrivalled—in this regard, the Act 1 finale is a masterpiece in and of itself. Rossini may have only taken 13 days to compose the opera, but there are many reasons why it has been running non-stop in sold-out houses for over 200 years. Born in Canada, conductor Nathan Brock is fluent in the style and aesthetic of the traditional European masterworks in all disciplines—opera, concert, and ballet—having trained and spent most of his career working on the continent. He has enjoyed long-term collaborations with the Montreal Symphony, the Hamburg State Opera, and the National Ballet of Canada.

VANCOUVER OPERA | #BarberVO

SYLVIA SZADOVSZKI AS ROSINA AND ANTONIO FIGUEROA AS ALMAVIVA IN THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (2016) PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID COOPER, COURTESY OF PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (2016) PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID COOPER, COURTESY OF PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

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NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR ASHLIE CORCORAN

Welcome to our production of The Barber of Seville, one of the zaniest comedies in the operatic canon—full of love, adventure, mistaken identities, playfulness, games—and of course, beautiful singing. It is hard to keep all of the plot’s details straight, but at the core of it is the whirlwind romance between Count Almaviva and Rosina. The course of true love never did run smooth and, in this story, it is Figaro (the man who can do everything) who paves the way for our mischievous and adventurous lovers to find happiness together. With more false identities, more inside jokes, and more stolen kisses than most French farces, Rossini’s opera sparkles with comic opportunities. Quite astonishingly, the music for The Barber of Seville was composed in just a few weeks one December. When I think about what I accomplished over these last holidays, I am impressed by Rossini’s stamina and focus! To be fair, Rossini was well known for recycling parts of earlier works (for example the famous overture is actually from Aureliano in Palmira and Elisabetta, regina d’Inghilterra). At a time when recordings weren’t possible, one imagines that this kind of recycling was easier to get away with! When your music is as catchy as Rossini’s is, why not find ways to celebrate it again? There are many catchy hooks in this opera and if you haven’t seen it before, you will still find moments you recognize—if not least from the famous Looney Tunes version, Rabbit of Seville. This is my second time working on The Barber of Seville. The first time—eight years ago—was also with Vancouver Opera, when I was assistant director to Dennis Garnhum. Returning to the opera, this time in the director’s seat, has been a wonderful, love-filled experience. Not only because of these magnificent tunes, but mostly because of the way the work encourages us to live our life—with a sense of adventure, humour, playfulness, and great joy. Originally from White Rock, British Columbia, Ashlie is a Dora Award–winning theatre and opera director who works across Canada and internationally at companies such as the Canadian Opera Company, the Shaw Festival, and Opera Philadelphia. Ashlie has been the Artistic Director of the Arts Club Theatre Company since 2018.

VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

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OPERA IN CONTEXT

“Comedy is much more difficult than tragedy and a much better training, I think. It’s much easier to make people cry than to make them laugh.”

—Vivien Leigh

In opera, it is the dramatic works that form the core of the traditional canon. According to the website Operabase, eight of the ten most performed operas in the 2017/2018 season were dramatic tragedies. The other two are Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville—both comedies based on the work of French playwright Beaumarchais. Despite Rossini’s extensive contribution to the art form, it is The Barber of Seville that stands out as his most beloved work, even among his peers. After seeing the opera in Vienna, Beethoven reportedly told Rossini, “Above all, make lots of Barber”. Why has this opera stood the test of time to remain one of the most popular operas in the world? For contemporary audiences, the comedic structure of the opera is familiar. It is filled with character and action tropes that are a part of our general consciousness. Love at first site (Almaviva), the crafty barber who is the source of local gossip (Figaro), and keeping one’s love captive (Bartolo) are all tropes that can be found in most modern-day comedies. In the opera, familiar scenes almost tumble over each other. In the first act alone there are hidden identities, pretend inebriation, love letters, and a police raid! Another important aspect of the comedy can be found in Rossini’s score. The most well-known aria from the opera, “Largo al factotum”, is an example of what is known as the Rossini crescendo. Short, crisply articulated phrases are repeated as the music becomes louder and faster. The music is brilliant and energetic, matching the pace of comedy onstage. The opera is also structured in a way that creates space for the music to adapt to the unique skills and talents of each performer. For example, the scene with Rosina’s voice lesson gave 19th century singers an opportunity to perform one of their most famous arias with a nod and wink to the audience. At a performance in Berlin, American soprano Minnie Ahuk decided to perform “Swanee River” much to the delight of the German audience. Again, this inclusion of material well known to the audience is something that is seen in modern-day comedy in both television and film. One of the most compelling examples of this in the 20th century is Robin Williams’ iconic performance of the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin (1992) that featured his unique stream-of-consciousness comedy as central to the character. Ultimately, a successful Barber of Seville relies upon excellent musicianship, strong comedic timing, and a brave cast! When compared to modern-day musical comedies like The Book of Mormon and Kinky Boots, The Barber of Seville remains a hallmark of comedic excellence. Colleen Maybin, Director, Education and Community Engagement at Vancouver Opera

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (2016) PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID COOPER, COURTESY OF PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

BIOGRAPHIES

ISAIAH BELL COUNT ALMAVIVA Victoria, BC

COLLETTE BERG ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER West Vancouver, BC

NICHOLAS BORG FIORELLO London, ON

JULIE BOULIANNE ROSINA Dolbeau-Mistassini, QC

VO DÉBUT

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Assistant Stage Manager for Faust, 2019

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Baron Douphol in La Traviata, 2019

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Die Fledermaus, 2015

RECENT APPEARANCES: Stage Manager for American Idiot with URP Event Production; Stage Manager for Disney’s Newsies with Theatre Under the Stars; Assistant Stage Manager for The Merry Widow with Vancouver Opera; Stage Manager for Nigredo Hotel with City Opera Vancouver; Stage Manager for 42nd Street with Theatre Under the Stars; Assistant Stage Manager for Eugene Onegin with Vancouver Opera

RECENT APPEARANCES: Action in West Side Story in Concert with Windsor Symphony Orchestra; Figaro in I due Figaro with Voicebox: Opera in Concert, Toronto; Pangloss in Candide with Toronto Operetta Theatre

RECENT APPEARANCES: Siebel, Faust, Royal Opera House at Covent Garden; Robin-Luron, Le Roi Carotte with Opera de Lyon; Marguerite, Damnation de Faust, Glyndebourne Festival; Marie, L’Enfance du Christ, Halle, Proms, Royal Albert Hall; Mass in C minor, Orchestre Metropolitain, Montreal

RECENT APPEARANCES: Rufus Wainwright’s Hadrian at the Canadian Opera Company; Britten’s Curlew River with the Mark Morris Dance Group; Isaiah Bell’s The Book of My Shames with Tapestry Opera; Britten’s War Requiem with the National Arts Centre Orchestra; George Benjamin’s Written on Skin with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Paul Moravec’s A Nation of Others at Carnegie Hall; Handel’s The Resurrection with Opera Atelier www.isaiahbell.com

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Assistant Stage Manager for Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera; Stage Manager for Hello Dolly with Theatre Under the Stars

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera: White Rabbit, Caterpillar, Frog, and Chorus in The Garden of Alice with Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program, Vancouver Opera Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program www.nicholasborgbaritone.com

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Mignon, Mignon, Opern Frankfurt; Oktavian, Rosenkavalier, La Monnaie de Munt, Brussels; Durufle’s Requiem with Los Angeles Philharmonic and Violons du Roy www.julieboulianne.ca

www.urp.ca

Isaiah Bell’s appearance sponsored by Dr. Beverley Tamboline

NATHAN BROCK CONDUCTOR Toronto, ON

TINA CHANG RÉPÉTITEUR Vancouver, BC

ASHLIE CORCORAN STAGE DIRECTOR White Rock, BC

VO DÉBUT

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Répétiteur for Faust, 2019

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Assistant Director for The Barber of Seville, 2012

RECENT APPEARANCES: The Nutcracker with National Ballet of Canada; Giselle with Kungliga Operan Royal Swedish Opera House; Onegin and La Belle Helene with Hamburgische Staatsoper UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Bound with Against the Grain Theatre world premiere; L’Elisir d’Amore with Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden; Alice with National Ballet of Japan Tokyo; La Traviata with Kungliga with Operan Royal Swedish Opera House www.nathanbrock.ca

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RECENT APPEARANCES: Répétiteur for Weinberg The Passenger with UBC Opera; Pianist for Christmas with Chor Leoni: Angels Dance; Répétiteur for Vivaldi Dorilla in Tempe, and Stanford The Veiled Prophet at Wexford Festival Opera; Coach for Britten A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bizet/Brook La Tragédie de Carmen, Sondheim Company at Hawaii Performing Arts Festival UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Répétiteur for Bilodeau Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera; Recital with Elaina Moreau (former Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist)

RECENT APPEARANCES: Die Zauberflote by W.A.Mozart with Canadian Opera Company; Electric Messiah by G.F. Handel with Soundstreams Canada; The Sound of Music with the Arts Club Theatre Company UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Me and My Girl with Shaw Festival Theatre Ashlie Corcoran is the Artistic Director of the Arts Club Theatre Company www.ashliecorcoran.com

Nicholas Borg’s appearance sponsored by Pat Charles Julie Boulianne’s appearance sponsored by Shirley Barnett Nathan Brock's appearance sponsored by Dr. Heather F. Clarke Ashlie Corcoran’s appearance sponsored by a donor who prefers to remain anonymous

BIOGRAPHIES

LESLIE DALA ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR/ CHORUS DIRECTOR Toronto, ON LAST VO APPEARANCE: Chorus Director and Cover Conductor for La Traviata, 2019 RECENT APPEARANCES: The Nutcracker with Goh Ballet; Brahms Requiem, Arvo Part Berliner Messe, Handel’s Messiah with Vancouver Bach Choir; The River of Light; World premiere with Vancouver Bach Choir and Vancouver Opera Orchestra UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Rhapsody in Blue, Piano Soloist with the West Coast Symphony; Resounding Joy: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with Vancouver Bach Choir and VAMSO; Another Brick in the Wall: the Opera with Vancouver Opera Program Director for the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program www.lesliedala.com

CARMEN GARCIA MAKE-UP DESIGNER Valencia, Spain

THOMAS GOERZ DOCTOR BARTOLO Kitchener, ON

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Make-up Designer for La Traviata, 2019

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Dead Man Walking, 2017

RECENT APPEARANCES: Make-up Designer for Faust, La Bohème, and The Merry Widow for Vancouver Opera; Make-up Designer for Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte, and Silent Night for UBC Opera

RECENT APPEARANCES: Simone in Gianni Schicchi with Pacific Opera Victoria; Lord Rochefort in Anna Bolena with the Canadian Opera Company; Owen Hart in Dead Man Walking with Vancouver Opera; Lodovico in Otello with Vancouver Opera; The Orest Cover in Elektra with the Canadian Opera Company

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Make-up Designer for Another Brick in the Wall: the Opera with Vancouver Opera; Make-up for Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Pasazerka and Il viaggio a Reims with UBC Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Starek in Jenufa with Opéra de Montréal; Field Marshall Haig in OURS by Estacio at the National Arts Centre, Ottawa

MICHELLE HARRISON ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Vancouver, BC LAST VO APPEARANCE: Assistant Stage Manager for La Traviata, 2019 RECENT APPEARANCES: Assistant Stage Manager for It’s a Wonderful Life with Patrick Street Productions; Assistant Stage Manager for La Cenerentola and La Bohème with Vancouver Opera; Stage Manager for The Barber of Seville with Burnaby Lyric Opera UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Assistant Stage Manager for Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera

Leslie Dala’s appearance sponsored by Signe Jurcic

TAEHYUN JUN DON BASILIO South Korea, Seoul VO DÉBUT RECENT APPEARANCES: Méphistophélès, Faust, Seoul Metropolitan Opera at the Sejong Culture Center; Fasolt, Das Rheingold, Staatstheater Nürnberg at the Nürnberger Opernhaus; Gesler, Guillaume Tell, Korea National Opera at the Opera House in Seoul Arts Center UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Escamillo, Carmen, Sunny Opera Ensemble at the Woojin Culture Theater; Dulcamara, L’elisir d’amore, Opera Nunc Mission at the Kwanglim Arts Center; Kisa Choi, Red Pants (World premiere), Korea National Opera at the National Theater of Korea www.facebook.com/taehyun.jun.58

KEN MACDONALD SET DESIGNER Vancouver, BC

IRINA MEDVEDEVA UNDERSTUDY ROSINA Thunder Bay, ON, Born in Russia

LAST VO APPEARANCE: The Overcoat–A Musical Tailoring, 2018

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Annina in La Traviata, 2019

RECENT APPEARANCES: Newsies – Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.); This London Life – Grand Theatre, London, ON; A Thousand Splendid Suns ACT (San Francisco), Theatre Calgary, Arts Club, Old Globe (San Diego), Grand Theatre, Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.)

RECENT APPEARANCES: Musetta (cover) in La bohème with Brott Opera, Hamilton; Norina in Don Pasquale with Stratford Summer Music Festival; Vixen in Cunning Little Vixen with Opera Nuova, Edmonton

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Flight – Pacific Opera Victoria, A Thousand Splendid Suns – Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.); A Thousand Splendid Suns – Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre; Frankenstein Revisited – Stratford Festival Gemini Award for Outstanding Production Design, The Overcoat (CBC); four Dora Mavor Moore Awards, a Betty Mitchell Award, seventeen Jessie Richardson Awards and the San Diego Critics Award www.kenandmorris.com

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Mere (understudy) in Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera; Alice in The Garden of Alice with Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program, Vancouver Opera

Thomas Goerz’s appearance sponsored by The Mary & Gordon Christopher Family Foundation Taehyun Jun’s appearance sponsored by Gillian and Russell Smith Irina Medvedeva’s appearance sponsored by Mike & Kathy Gallagher

1st place winner—Michigan Comic Opera Guild Competition; Artist Diploma, The Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program www.irinamedvedeva.com VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

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BIOGRAPHIES

PARVIN MIRHADY HEAD OF COSTUMES & COSTUME DESIGN CONSULTANT Tehran, Iran LAST VO APPEARANCE: Costume Design Consultant for La Traviata, 2019 RECENT APPEARANCES: Costume Design Consultant for La Traviata, Faust, La Bohème, The Merry Widow, and Eugene Onegin with Vancouver Opera; Costume Design Consultant for Don Giovanni, The Passenger (Costume Designer), and Silent Night (Costume Consultant) with UBC Opera UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Costume Design Consultant for Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera; Costume Design Consultant for Pasazerka and Il viaggio a Reims with UBC Opera

EDWARD NELSON FIGARO Santa Clarita, California

GENA VAN OOSTEN BERTA, COVER ROSINA Stouffville, ON

ANDREA VAN PELT YOUNG ARTIST RÉPÉTITEUR Toronto, ON

VO DÉBUT

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Flora Bervoix, La Traviata, 2019

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Répétiteur for La Traviata, 2019

RECENT APPEARANCES: Tisbe in La Cenerentola (Rossini) with Vancouver Opera; Praskowia in The Merry Widow with Vancouver Opera; Eduige in Rodelinda with Opera in Concert, Toronto; Witch in Dido and Aeneas with Theatre of Early Music, Ottawa

RECENT APPEARANCES: Répétiteur for Silent Light with Against the Grain, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity; Répétiteur for The Magic Flute with Toronto City Opera; Répétiteur for Fidelio with Toronto City Opera

RECENT APPEARANCES: Pelléas in Pelléas et Mélisande with Norwegian National Opera; Malatesta in Don Pasquale with San Francisco Opera; Dandini in La Cenerentola with Norwegian National Opera; Don Giovanni in Don Giovanni with Palm Beach Opera UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem with Saint Louis Symphony; Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus with Opera Theatre of St. Louis www.columbia-artists.com/artists/ edward-nelson

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Vera Lynn in Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera (Bilodeau and Waters) with Vancouver Opera; Duchess, Dormouse, The Queen, and Chorus in The Garden of Alice with Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program www.genavanoosten.com

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Répétiteur for Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

Edward Nelson’s appearance sponsored by Mohammed A. Faris & Family

DAEVYD PEPPER UNDERSTUDY COUNT ALMAVIVA Bracebridge, ON LAST VO APPEARANCE: Gastone in La Traviata, 2019

KIMBERLEY PURTELL LIGHTING DESIGNER Toronto, ON VO DÉBUT

RECENT APPEARANCES: Scaramuccio in Ariadne auf Naxos with Highlands Opera Studio, Haliburton; Jupiter in Semele with Toronto Lyrics Opera Centre, Toronto; Tenor in Chamberwerx with Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

RECENT APPEARANCES: Sweat (Canadian Stage & Studio 180; Mother’s Daughter (Soulpepper); Lil Red Robin Hood (Ross Petty Productions); Newsies (Arena Stage, DC); A Streetcar Named Desire (Soulpepper); Private Lives, The Front Page, Mother’s Daughter (Stratford Festival); Cyrano (Shaw Festival)

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera; Fish, Jack, and Chorus in The Garden of Alice with Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program, Vancouver Opera

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Caroline or Change (Musical Stage Company); The Events (Necessary Angel); Frankenstein, Here’s What It Takes, Hamlet (Stratford Festival); Indecent (Mirvish & Studio 180)

Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

SARA SMITH ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER Vancouver, BC LAST VO APPEARANCE: Assistant Lighting Designer for La Cenerentola, 2019

Gena van Oosten’s appearance sponsored by Mrs. Irene McEwen Daevyd Pepper’s appearance sponsored by Ms. Jane McLennan

RECENT APPEARANCES: Lighting Director for Mambo and Other Works with Ballet Kelowna; Lighting Designer for Mamma Mia with SMUS, Victoria; Lighting Designer for Three Winters with The Cultch; Lighting Designer for Carmen with Opera Kelowna UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Lighting Designer for Consensual with Cookies and Cream Collective Member of Associated Designers of Canada www.sara.creativeclarity.net

www.daevydpepper.com

VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

BIOGRAPHIES Amanda Testini’s appearance sponsored by Dr. George Luciuk & Dr. Lidia Schuster

AMANDA TESTINI ASSISTANT STAGE DIRECTOR Vancouver, BC LAST VO APPEARANCE: Assistant Director of La Cenerentola, 2019 RECENT APPEARANCES: Lydia in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley with the Arts Club, Vancouver; Choreographer of East Van Panto: Pinocchio with Theatre Replacement, Vancouver; Choreographer of Bad Hat’s Peter Pan with Carousel Theatre, Vancouver; Justine in Love Bomb with Shameless Hussy Productions, Canadian Tours; Director of Pull 8 with Speakeasy Theatre, Vancouver UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Assistant Director of Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera Member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

BRANDON THORNHILL SERGEANT Jacksonville, FL LAST VO APPEARANCE: Flora’s servant in La Traviata, 2019 RECENT APPEARANCES: Chorus in Faust with Vancouver Opera; Don Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Burnaby Lyric Opera

THERESA TSANG STAGE MANAGER Brandon, MB

Kinza Tyrrell’s appearance sponsored by The Bruendl Foundation

LAST VO APPEARANCE: Stage Manager for Faust, 2019 RECENT APPEARANCES: Stage Manager for Don Quichotte with Wexford Festival Opera, Ireland; Stage Manager for The Turn of the Screw and Vespers of 1610 with Garsington Opera,UK; Stage Manager for La Bohème with Vancouver Opera; Production Stage Manager, with Vancouver Opera Festival 2017-2019 UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Stage Manager for Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera with Vancouver Opera Festival 2020; Stage Manager for Fidelio with Garsington Opera, UK

KINZA TYRRELL PRINCIPAL RÉPÉTITEUR/ ASSISTANT CHORUS DIRECTOR Victoria, BC LAST VO APPEARANCE: Musical Dramaturge/Music Director for The Flight of the Hummingbird with Vancouver Opera in Schools RECENT APPEARANCES: Principal Répétiteur/Assistant Chorus Director for La Traviata, 2019; BC concerts with cellist Ofra Harnoy; Chorus Director & Assistant Conductor for Faust with Vancouver Opera; Guest Artist with Rochester Philharmonic; Assistant Conductor & Chorus Director for The Merry Widow with Vancouver Opera UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS: Recording Analekta CD with Tenor Steeve Michaud Dr. Tyrrell is Head Coach of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

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With immersive backdrops, ingenious choreography, exquisite costumes, and a live orchestra, Shen Yun transports you. Embark on a journey through time and space. Discover 5,000 years of wisdom, beauty, drama and humour—live onstage. “When I leave the show I feel like I’m floating out, because you just feel like all of the worries of the world have been taken off your shoulders and you feel like you are in a better place.” — Agnes Bristow, Canadian writer and film producer

A Global Sensation. Cannot Be Seen In China. Full Houses Worldwide. Secure Your Best Seats Now!

March 13–22 | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | 888-974-3698, 604-757-0355 | ShenYun.com/Van Round-trip shuttle service is available for all 6 matinee shows from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay ferry terminals. Also round-trip shuttle service available for most matinee shows from Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, Mission, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, and White Rock.

ORCHESTRA, CHORUS & PRODUCTION TEAM VANCOUVER OPERA ORCHESTRA

VANCOUVER OPERA CHORUS

Violin 1 Mark Ferris, Concertmaster Angela Cavadas, Associate Concertmaster Ken Lin Domagoj Ivanovic Evelyn Creaser Rumley Heilwig von Koenigsloew Lawrie Hill Petro Krysa Toni Stanick Ellen Farrugia

Flute/Piccolo Brenda Fedoruk, Principal Anne-Elise Keefer

Kevin Armstrong, Tenor

Christian Garcia, Tenor

Sergio Augusto, Tenor

William Grossman, Tenor

Angus Bell, Bass-Baritone

Harout Markarian, Tenor

Oboe Emma Ringrose, Acting Principal Erin Marks

DJ Calhoun, Baritone

Willy Miles-Grenzberg, Baritone

Tristan Chalcraft, Tenor

Ed Moran, Baritone

Henry Chen, Baritone

Wade Nott, Tenor

Jason Cook, Baritone

Mark Pepe, Tenor

Glenn de Verteuil, Baritone

Brandon Thornhill, Bass-Baritone

Violin 2 Andrea Siradze, Acting Principal Richard Dorfer, Acting Assistant Principal Adrianne Stride Paula Wise Yun Jung Sarah Westwick Tina Park Sandra Fiddes Viola Tawnya Popoff, Principal Isabelle Roland, Assistant Principal Marie-Claude Brunet Mila Tymoshenko Barbara Irschick Colin Miles Cello Heather Hay, Acting Principal Peggy Lee, Acting Assistant Principal Susan Round Harold Birston Rebecca Wenham Bass Les Kasprzak, Principal Michael Vaughan, Assistant Principal Meaghan Williams

Clarinet Mary Backun, Principal Michelle Anderson Bassoon Ingrid Chiang, Principal Allan Thorpe Horn Laurel Spencer, Principal Nick Anderson Trumpet Tom Shorthouse, Principal Jim Littleford Timpani Phillip Crewe, Principal Percussion Graeme Tofflemire, Principal Fortepiano Kinza Tyrrell, Principal Guitar Alec Pearson, Principal Orchestra Manager Jim Littleford Orchestra Librarian Tom Shorthouse Orchestra Stage Manager Nick Anderson

SUPERNUMERARIES Jesse Alvarez

Rei Miyamoto

Desmond Cooper

Wayne O’Brien

Johnny Fridholm

Jessica Oryall

David Johnston

Megan Sterling

VANCOUVER OPERA PRODUCTION Technical Director Autumn Coppaway

Wig Designer Dianne Holme

Building Manager /Assistant Technical Director Kevin MacLeod

Head of Make-Up Carmen Garcia Head of Properties Heidi Wilkinson

Apprentice Technical Director Madeleine Molgat Laurin

Assistant Head of Properties Chris Hall

Stage Manager Theresa Tsang Assistant Stage Manager Collette Berg Michelle Harrison Assistant Lighting Designer Sara Smith Head of Costumes and Costume Design Consultant Parvin Mirhady Assistant Head of Costume Foroozan Talei Fard Cutter & Sewer Ping Liu

Properties Builder/Buyer Carol MacDonald Production Head Carpenter Dale Baratelli Production Head Electrician Mike Bowen Head of Wardrobe Lily Yuen SURTITLES™ Operator Sarah Jane Pelzer

Sewer Xizu Truong Ping Liu

Malcolm MacLachlan In this production of The Barber of Seville, a Viennese fortepiano is being used. Built in West Vancouver in 2004 by Craig Tomlinson, it has been graciously loaned to Vancouver Opera by Eric Wyness. The instrument has a sound that is ideally suited for 19th century operatic recitatives; delicate and clear with a relatively short sustain. VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

YOUNG AUDIENCE GUIDE |

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

Is this your first opera? Here is what you need to know! The opera will be sung in Italian. If you look up from the stage, you will see the English translation so you will know what the singers are saying. The opera has four parts. 1. The Overture—an introduction to the music played by the orchestra. 2. Act One—the first half of the story. 3. Intermission—a chance to stand up, stretch your legs, and have a peek at the orchestra. 4. Act Two—the second half of the story. At the very end the entire cast will come onstage and take a big bow.

Before the opera begins A synopsis is a short version of the story. It’s a good idea to read the synopsis before the opera begins because it makes it easier to follow the story onstage.

Act One Young Count Almaviva falls in love with Rosina. He enlists the help of the barber, Figaro, to help him free her from the clutches of her mean guardian Dr. Bartolo. Almaviva wants Rosina to love him for himself and not his money, he pretends to be a penniless student. Rosina sends Almaviva a love letter. Unfortunately, Dr. Bartolo wants to marry Rosina too so he locks her in the house.

Act Two Almaviva disguises himself again as a music teacher so Figaro can sneak him into the house without Dr. Bartolo knowing. Almaviva and Rosina are able to spend some time together. Figaro arrives to shave Dr. Bartolo. He also does everything he can to help Rosina and Almaviva be together. He gets the key to Rosina’s room and the couple try to escape. In the end, Dr. Bartolo is forced to officially witness the marriage of Almaviva and Rosina.

During intermission – Who’s who??

After the opera

There are four main characters in the opera. Connect their names to their character description. Be careful though—one character has a disguise or two.

Phew! There was a lot going on in the story! Can you put these events in the correct order?*

Dr. Bartolo

Almaviva

Rosina

Figaro

A very smart man with a curly mustache and stripy pants. He has a low voice. A poor student with very little money. An older man with a very low voice. He lives in a grand house and isn’t very kind. A young woman wearing a flowery dress. Her voice is quite high. She is a mezzo-soprano. A dashing young Count. He is a tenor. His voice is high and sounds sweet.

A. The police arrive B. Dr. Bartolo tricks Rosina into thinking Almaviva has deceived her C. Almaviva pretends to be drunk D. Rosina has a music lesson E. Dr. Bartolo hides the ladder F.

Figaro sings a song about himself

What did you think about the opera? Here are some questions you can talk about on your way home. How would you describe the costumes and sets to someone who has not seen the opera? When did you laugh out loud? What was the funniest part? Who is your favourite character? Why?

When you get home Find the cartoon called Rabbit of Seville on YouTube. It’s a famous version of the opera starring Bugs Bunny as the barber. 24 VANCOUVER OPERA

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ANSWERS: *1 F, 2 C, 3 A, 4 D, 5 E, 6 E

On the way home

Opera Allsorts

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

A mix of tidbits and tales about Rossini’s comedic masterpiece

PHILLIP ADDIS AS COUNT ALMAVIVA AND CAITLIN WOOD AS SUSANNA IN THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (2017)

GIOACCHINO ROSSINI – NADAR

A COMEDIC SERIES OF PLAYS

ROSSINI THE FOODIE

Rossini’s The Barber of Seville is based on the first of three comedic plays by French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais about the ever-resourceful Figaro. The sequels, The Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother were also adapted into operas by various composers, but the third installment is rarely performed in theatrical or operatic form.

Rossini was a well-known foodie, as well as a prolific composer. He quit composing at the age of 37 to devote himself to consuming and promoting French and Italian cuisine. A fan of coffee, he lamented that its effectiveness as a creative aide decreased over time. He reportedly said that “Coffee…is an affair of fifteen or twenty days; just the right amount of time, fortunately, to write an opera.”

THE BARBER MISTAKEN Audiences commonly mistake the famous aria Largo al factotum della città (“Figaro! Figaro! Figaro! Figarooooo…”) as being from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro when it is from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

Discover the next generation of Canadian opera talent in an exhilarating vocal competition

May 1, 2020 Queen Elizabeth Theatre 5:30PM Doors 6:30PM Competition TICKETS $65

Details and tickets

voxvo.ca

108 YEARS AS VANCOUVERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TRUSTED VOICE The Vancouver Sun and its award-winning journalists are dedicated to bringing you comprehensive, trustworthy stories that matter to you and your city. VANCOUVERSUN.COM

ces ices GALA May 1, 2020 Queen Elizabeth Theatre

TICKETS Single: $650 Table of 10: $6,500 Corporate Table of 10: $7,500

Join us for an elegant evening in support of young artists and arts education at Vancouver Opera. The evening begins with an operatic vocal competition, and is followed by a decadent dinner, dazzling performances, and a live auction.

TO BUY A TICKET OR INQUIRE FURTHER PLEASE CONTACT Lisa Westermark at events@vancouveropera.ca or 604 331 4838

SIGNATURE FUNDRAISING EVENT in support of young artists and arts education

Vancouver Opera Congratulates our longtime supporter Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP on their 30th Anniversary as a leading law firm in British Columbia

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BACK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ANDREA VAN PELT, GENA VAN OOSTEN, IRINA MEDVEDEVA FRONT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: AMANDA TESTINI, NICHOLAS BORG, DAEVYD PEPPER PHOTO BY WOLF & WAGNER PHOTOGRAPHY

VANCOUVER OPERA’S YULANDA M. FARIS

YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM Vancouver Opera’s current young artists program commenced in 2012, thanks to the generous support of Yulanda M. Faris and her family. More than 40 singers, répétiteurs, and stage directors have been trained through this program at a tempo of six artists per year. The young musicians experience professional training from the in-house music staff—specifically foreign language coaching, style and interpretation sessions, ornamentation and cadenza tutorials, and Italian recitative workshops. They also receive musical mentorship from visiting conductors and international opera singers and gain performance and stage experience through their comprimario roles and understudy assignments. As understudies (or covers), they are often called upon to sing orchestra rehearsals if a principal artist falls ill. This apprenticeship training at Vancouver Opera helps to bridge the gap between post-secondary education and full-time

freelance opera and theatre work. Once these young artists complete the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists program, they are more enlightened and prepared to assume professional gigs on a fuller scale. Each year, several generous donors sponsor individual artists in the program. This year’s generous sponsors of our Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program include: Mohammed A. Faris & Family, Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M., The Bruendl Foundation, Pat Charles, Mike & Kathy Gallagher, The Edwina and Paul Heller Memorial Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation, Dr. George Luciuk and Dr. Lidia Schuster, Mrs. Irene McEwen, and Ms. Jane McLennan. Dr. Kinza Tyrrell, Principal Coach, Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

TO SUPPORT YOUNG ARTIST TRAINING AT VANCOUVER OPERA, CONTACT CARMEN MURPHY AT CMURPHY@VANCOUVEROPERA.CA OR 604 331 4832

VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF ARTS EDUCATION!

As a Friend of Vancouver Opera, your donations help make it possible for Vancouver Opera in School’s production, The Flight of the Hummingbird, to tour over 100 schools across British Columbia. Thanks to generosity of Martha Lou Henley, a champion of arts education, all donations up to $50,000 were matched.

THE FLIGHT OF THE

HUMMINGBIRD Your support helps ensure children across BC have broad access to arts education in schools!

Donate today!

Visit the table in the lobby or vancouveropera.ca to learn more

30 VANCOUVER OPERA

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PART OF THE VANCOUVER OPERA FESTIVAL

THE FLIGHT OF THE

HUMMINGBIRD A NEW OPERA FOR ALL AGES

Sunday, May 3, 2020 Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Two performances only: 11AM – Relaxed performance | 2PM In this enchanting opera, the animals of the forest are inspired to come together by Dukdukdiya, the Hummingbird, to save their beautiful home from a raging fire.

Music by Maxime Goulet Libretto and Creative Design by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas and Barry Gilson Directed by Glynis Leyshon This performance will last approximately 45 minutes in length with no intermission.

Adult: $25 Youth 5–17: $12 Under 5: free (ticket required)

“HERE IS THE STORY OF THE GREAT FOREST THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE”

TIC KETS N OW ON SALE vancouveroper a.ca | 60 4 683 0222 Supported by

Co-produced by

Commissioning Sponsor

Vancouver Opera Thanks The Fulmer Foundation, our Commissioning Sponsor Martha Lou Henley, our Matching Campaign Champion

Dr. Heather Clarke

The Bruendl Foundation

Dr. Peter Harnetty

Vancouver Opera Guild

Mrs. Ronnie Tessler

Mr. Bill Levine, Hon. Risa Levine

The Illahie Foundation

All friends of Vancouver Opera who made gifts in support of this project

STAY CONNECTED AT STRAIGHT.COM

Proud Sponsor Vancouver Opera 2019/2020 Season Vancouver's leading arts source. Follow us @georgiastraightarts

PLANNED GIVING AT VANCOUVER OPERA You can support the future of opera

Amatori dell'Opera

— for the love of opera— If you love opera, please consider joining VO's Amatori dell'Opera. Your legacy gift to opera will sustain this precious art form for future generations of opera lovers.

For more info contact Carmen Murphy cmurphy@vancouveropera.ca 604 331 4832

VANCOUVER OPERA’S 2019-2020 SEASON HEART PARTNER:

KIDS UP FRONT Thousands of children throughout Metro Vancouver face multiple barriers that prevent them from accessing arts, culture, sporting, and recreational events through the city. Kids Up Front (Vancouver), aims to remove these barriers to ensure that ALL children have access to enriching experiences. They partner with over 100 childserving agencies in the Lower Mainland to provide these opportunities to many different demographics, including but not limited to: at-risk youth, Indigenous populations, newcomers to Canada, those with physical or mental disabilities, and impoverished communities. Through these partnerships, Kids Up Front strives to meet the needs of all these groups.

they are impactful experiences where children and families are given the gift of respite from the challenges they face. By distributing tickets to local events, Kids Up Front helps foster feelings of inclusion and belonging by providing marginalized and at-risk children with equal access to entertaining and inspiring opportunities. This year, they have supplied tickets to nearly 25,000 kids and families. That’s 25,000 audience members that are attending local events through the support of Kids Up Front! This new partnership with Vancouver Opera is a thrilling new opportunity for Kids Up Front that will share the magic of opera with many children who otherwise would never have the opportunity.

Many kids who attend events through Kids Up Front, do so for the first time. The tickets are more than a night out;

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAMS, PLEASE CONTACT KIDS UP FRONT AT VANCOUVER@KIDSUPFRONT.COM

VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

LOT TERIES

WIN YO U R C H O I C E O F A

2019 AUDI Q3 2.0T PROGRESSIV QUAT TRO 2019 AUDI Q3 2.0T TECHNIK QUAT TRO

OR $50,000 CASH!

GRAND

PRIZE DRAW

FEB 27

AUDI LOTTERY CHANCES ARE 1 IN 5,000 TO WIN

TICKETS: 1 FOR $40 • 3 FOR $99 • 7 FOR $196 • 11 FOR $297

50/50 BONUS RAFFLE CHANCES ARE 1 IN 7,000 TO WIN TICKETS: 1 FOR $10 • 5 FOR $25

TICK E T S AVAIL ABL E I N TH E LOBBY OTHER WAYS TO BUY CALL 604 682 2871 option 2

EMAIL lotteries@vancouveropera.ca

ONLINE vancouveropera.ca

Sales cut off: By cheque is Thursday, February 20th at 5:00 PM, and cash and credit cut off is February 26th at 9:00PM Visit our website at vancouveropera.ca/support/lottery for the general rules of play.

Audi Lottery: Chances are 1 in 5,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize! BC Gaming Event Licence # 120292 50/50 Lottery: Chances are 1 in 7,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize! BC Gaming Event Licence # 117631 Problem Gambling helpline: 1-888-795-6111 www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca

Know your limit, play within it. 19+ to play!

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

MARIA LEONE Born in Italy, Maria Leone’s first exposure to opera came at a very young age, and it sparked a love of the art form that continues to today. For Maria, opera is emotional and personal, and she feels a strong connection to the passion of the music. Maria is well known to style-savvy Vancouverites as the founder of the luxury retailer LEONE. Her success comes from years of hard work and an incredible artistic vision. Her work has taken her to opera performances in cultural capitals around the world, and these experiences have increased her love of opera and deepened her belief that the passion of opera can change and inspire. Now retired, Maria is devoting her time and energy to giving back. Her love of opera makes Vancouver Opera a perfect fit and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our Board of Directors. With her keen sense of style and savvy business sense, she is also a welcome addition to our VOX Gala committee.

INVESTING IN EMERGING ARTISTS Since 2004, The David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund has been investing in emerging artists at Vancouver Opera. This assistance helps provide crucial training and performance experience that allows young artists to bridge the gap between their postsecondary education and a professional career. In January, we welcomed John Fisher, formerly Assistant General Manager of Music Administration at the Metropolitan Opera, New York for a week-long coaching session with our Young Artists. The Young Artists Coaching Intensive this year included soprano Irina Medvedeva, mezzo-soprano Gena van Oosten, baritone Nicholas Borg, tenor Daevyd Pepper, and pianist Andrea Van Pelt.

WE THANK THE DAVID SPENCER ENDOWMENT ENCOURAGEMENT FUND TRUSTEES AND EXPRESS OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THEIR ROLE IN HELPING VO BECOME A LEADER IN YOUNG ARTIST TRAINING IN CANADA.

VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

VANCOUVER OPERA ROUND TABLE A special group of community leaders whose outstanding generosity and commitment enable the company to maintain the highest level of artistic excellence. Vancouver Opera is proud to recognize their continued loyalty and dedication. LEADERSHIP CIRCLE | $50,000+ Mike & Kathy Gallagher Martha Lou Henley, C.M.*

Yoshiko Karasawa Michael and Inna O’Brian

Alan and Gwendoline Pyatt Foundation

MAESTRO'S CIRCLE | $20,000—$34,999 Patricia Charles Dr. Heather F. Clarke Mohammed A. Faris & Family Brigitte & Henning Freybe

The Edwina and Paul Heller Memorial Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation Signe Jurcic The Illahie Foundation

Dr. George Luciuk & Dr. Lidia Schuster Mrs. Irene McEwen Ms. Jane McLennan Mary Tait & Bill Sirett

DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE | $10,000—$19,999 Donors who wish to remain anonymous (1) Val & Dick Bradshaw Mrs. Alix Brown Mr. & Mrs. Gerhard & Ariane Bruendl The Mary & Gordon Christopher Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Allen Fowlis Mrs. Barbara Lowy

Jane Macdonald Paul McEwen and Gwynneth Jones Dr. Earl & Mrs. Anne Shepherd* Dr. Ian & Mrs. Jane Strang Dr. Beverley Tamboline Mr. Bruce Munro Wright

INNER CIRCLE | $5,000—$9,999 Donors who wish to remain anonymous (2) Mr. Hans Alwart Ms. Shirley Barnett Divyesh and Charu Gadhia Dr. David Hardwick* Lori Hareid in memory of Bjorn Hareid Mrs. Judith Helliwell & Dr. John Helliwell Diana and Tom Herbst Mrs. Marietta Hurst Ms. Lynn Kagan Julia and Demas Kim

Andrew Mahon Foundation Miriam Maisonville and David Sauder Mr. & Mrs. David McDonald Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. B. McGavin John & Peggy McLernon Mr. Ian Michaud Anne Miloni & Darlene Miloni Graham Mirhady Family Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation Mrs. Lorna Mochinski Ms. Bev Park & Mr. Jim Logan

George and Santi Pick Angela and John Schanck Lynn Smith & Jon Sigurdson Gillian and Russell Smith Ken Spencer & Judy Gale Pascal & Isabelle Spothelfer Wayne Wiens, in memory of Andrea Pinto Lebowitz Dr. Rosemary Vernon Wilkinson

Mrs. Aurora R. Hernandez Mrs. Marian M Hingston Dr. Martin Hosking Ms. Mary Jordan Mrs. Evelyn Kahn In Memory of Tom Blom Dr. Linda Kaser & Dr. Judy Halbert Mr. Hank & Mrs. Janice Ketcham Dr. Marla Kiess Dr. Andrei Krassioukov Robert Laing & Edward Wilson Mr. & Mrs. R. Michael LePage Bill & Risa Levine Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Lindsay* Doris Luking in memory of Hans Luking Jana and Bill Maclagan Marilyn & Hart Mauritz Mr. & Mrs. David McDonald Mr. Stuart & Mrs. Della McLaughlin Mathisen Family Foundation Dr. & Mrs. T. Warner Mrs. Anne Morley Simon & Carmen Murphy in memory of Brian Joe

Dr. & Mrs. David R. Neima Micki & Michael Partridge* George and Santi Pick Richard and Elise Rees Donald & Dorothy Ritchie Mr. Anthony Roper Abe & Leyla Sacks Bob Sewell and Susan Van der Flier Curtis Smecher Mr. Ross & Ms. Ursula Southam Michael Stevenson and Jan Whitford Dr. Larry Stonesifer and Mr. Ronald Angress John & Judy Taylor Mrs. Neri Tischler and Dr. Aron Tischler Dr. Carol Tsuyuki & Mr. Craig Tomlinson Dr. Sandra Vestvik Dr. Eugene Wang Dr. & Mrs. T. Warner James & Veronica Weinkam Fei Wong Dr. Maurice & Mrs. Jane Wong Andrea Wood & Peter Cavanagh

PATRON | $2,500—$4,999 Donors who wish to remain anonymous (2) Joanie Anderson Mr. Russ & Mrs. Lee Anthony* Jim & Sarah Armstrong Suzanne & Brad Bailuk Ms. Meera Bawa Stephanie A. Carlson Miss Irene Caudwell Mr. Michael & Mrs. Eunice Chan Mr. Edward & Mrs. Dorothy Chiasson Nika Collison and Daniel Robertson Catherine and Paul Dangerfield William and Emmanuelle Davis Ms. Elisabeth Dawson In memory of Barbara Roy Shirley Fitterman Senator Jack Austin & Ms. Natalie V. Freeman Mr. Sven & Mrs. Juliette Freybe Ms. Judy Garner Ms. Kim Gaynor Arlene Gladstone & Hamish Cameron Mrs. Elaine Godwin Jens & Linda Lee Henriksen

36 VANCOUVER OPERA

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BENEFACTOR | $1,500—$2,499 Donors who wish to remain anonymous (4) Gordon & Minke Armstrong Barbara Armstrong Ms. Wendy G. Baker Roberta L. Beiser Ms. Lois M. Bewley Mr. Alexander Bjornson Jill Bodkin Dan and Ursula Bowditch Ms. Regina Boxer John and Veronica Braico John & Ruth Brock Vivienne and James Brosnan Jamie & Cindy Bruce Ms. Gillian E. Chetty Mr. Michael J. Chutter Dr. Peter & Jean Cooperberg Lorna Court & John Mancini Ms. Pat Dairon Dr. Joseph De Wet Susan Drury & Dennis Perry Valerie Dunsterville & Richard Dunsterville Drs. Allen and Connie Eaves Mr. Harry Edinger Ms. Vivian Eliopoulos Stephanie & Mark Emanuel Dr. Virginia Evans Tom Ferries & Lisa Pankratz Paul Forrest Frank and Joan Lew Charitable Trust Mrs. Pamela Friedrich Barrie & Ann Gillmore* Mrs. San Given

Mr. Earl Drake & Ms. Monica Gruder Drake Mr. Roland Haebler & Mrs. Catherine Haebler Judith and Poul Hansen Ms. Nancy Hermiston John Horning and Lorraine Larkin Mr. Paul Janke Reet Kana Horatio & Jackie Kemeny Mr. Sharman King Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkwood Dr. Sharon Grimes Knox Peter Ko Jon & Eva LaFollette Tom and Karen Lane Kirk LaPointe & Mary Lynn Young Pierre & Betty Lebel Maria Leone Chuck Lew in memory of Mary Helen Lew Mr. & Mrs. Harold & Jenny Locke Dr. Jan Lyons Dr. Alistair MacKay Marlene Mackenzie Mr. Charles & Mrs. Phyllis Maclean Genny MacLean Mr. & Mrs. John and Sidney Madden Ms. Elaine Mah Mrs. Rosemary Mallory Mr. Michael Mann Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Mary McIlwaine Dr. Paul Mitchell-Banks Dr. Peter & Mrs. Eve Munns Mr. & Mrs. D. Murray Mrs. Mary Orr

Joyce Pearkes Ms. Lorraine Portier Mollie Massie & Hein Poulus James & Mona Radelet David Radler Mrs. Margot & Mr. Klaus Richter Kitten Roberts Mr. John Robinson Ms. Carol U. Ross Ruth E. and Dr. William Hy Ross Foundation Dr. Wes Schreiber David & Cathy Scott Dr. Cecil Sigal Dr. Hilda Stanger Dr. Paul & Mrs. Dorothy Stanwood Dr. and Mrs. Peter Stevenson-Moore Dr. Barry & Mrs. Ronnie Tessler Mrs. Anne Tweedy Ms. Alexandra Volkoff Judy & Neil Watson Lisa Westermark Mrs. Gwyneth Westwick Mr. Paul Westwick Alexi White & Audra Fediurek Ms. Terry Wilkinson Eric and Shirley Wilson Ms. Kathleen Winton John and Mia Wong Tom and Denise Wright Mr. Joe D. Wurz & Mrs. Kathleen M. Wurz Dr. Edwin & Mrs. Patricia Yen Dr. & Mrs. Edward Yeung

The contributions listed reflect gifts made to Vancouver Opera to December 20, 2019. Every effort is made to ensure our lists are accurate at the time of printing. We sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions.*Lifetime Opera Round Table

OPERA ROUND TABLE

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Members of the Opera Round Table enjoy many exclusive benefits, including guided backstage tours, invitations to Prelude Dinners, reserved theatre parking and access to the members’ lounge at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, plus personalized subscription and ticket service. Priority in requests for tickets, subscription changes, and seat improvements increase according to overall giving at all levels of the Opera Round Table.

Carmen Murphy Director, Donor Development 604 331 4832 vancouveropera.ca/support

IN MEMORIAM In memory of the mother of Kim Gaynor Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M. In memory of Marian Gibbons Ms. Laaro Lindo In memory of Dr. Helen Macdonald Dr. Ian Macdonald

In memory of Kathleen M. Mitchell Vancouver Opera Guild In memory of Dr. Earl Shepherd Mr. Jens Henriksen and Mrs. Linda Lee Henriksen Mr. Alfred Schultz and Ms. Leona Kolla Dr. Beverley Tamboline

In memory of Dr. Roy Westwick Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M. Mr. Jens Henriksen and Mrs. Linda Lee Henriksen Mr. John May and Ms. Maureen May Ms. Katherine E. McDonald Ms. Helen Spencer Dr. Beverley Tamboline Vancouver Opera Guild VANCOUVER OPERA | THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

“Whenever I perform on a Fazioli, my heart’s song and expression flow freely as the piano sings magically and effortlessly under my fingers.”

– Libby Yu,

Acclaimed Concert Pianist

W W W . S H O W C A S E P I A N O S . C O M

ORGANIZATIONAL DONORS, PARTNERS AND SPONSORS Vancouver Opera is proud to present our organizational and institutional partners. Your support for our mainstage, training and community outreach programs, special events, and even our operational funding helps us build our community together.

2020 FESTIVAL PRESENTING SPONSOR

PARTNERS

Official Winery

Emerging Artists Sponsor

Young Artists Sponsor

Student Dress Rehearsal & Student Rush Tickets Sponsor

The McGrane-Pearson Endowment Fund Official Piano Partner

Official Accessibility Partner

Official Fitness Equipment Provider

Vancouver Opera presents The Barber of Seville

Articles inside

Patron Information

VO’s Heart Partner: Kids Up Front

Opera in Context

Biographies

Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

Young Audience Guide

Notes from the Conductor

Notes from the Director

Synopsis