General
Music
2023–2024 Board of Directors
Chair
Secretary
Past
Directors
Distinguished
Vancouver
Vancouver
Paul
Chair (prior to June 12, 2024) Richard Rees, Chair (as of June 12, 2024)
COVER PHOTO: CLARENCE FRAZER, ROGER HONEYWELL, AND KIRSTEN MACKINNON IN VO’S 2023 PRODUCTION OF THE MAGIC FLUTE. PHOTO BY EMILY COOPER.
THIS PAGE: SARAH MESKO AND NATHAN KEOUGHAN IN VO’S 2024 PRODUCTION OF CARMEN. PHOTO BY EMILY COOPER.
Carmen—perhaps the most iconic female character in opera history. Carmen—unquestionably the highestgrossing show in Vancouver Opera history! This grand-scale experience was a fitting close to a blockbuster 2023–2024 season that hit all the right notes, from exceptional artistry and critical acclaim, to huge support and enthusiasm from audiences. In addition to the uproarious success of Carmen, we were delighted to present an enchanting and stylized production of The Magic Flute as well as Don Pasquale, a Donizetti comedic gem that absolutely sparkled in the hands of renowned creative dynamos Barbe & Doucet.
Beyond the mainstage, we continued our education and community outreach programming, bringing the joy of our artform to new audiences through our VOICES Free Concert Series, the idyllic Opera in the Park, and partnerships with the Vancouver Public Library, the Indigenous Advisory Circle, Rumble Theatre, and other arts and culture organizations. Opera Experience brought high school students backstage to learn about how our grand-scale productions come to life, while in association with Pacific Opera Victoria, our Vancouver Opera in Schools program sparked young imaginations by bringing a 45-minute, fully-staged adaptation of The Flight of the Hummingbird, accompanied by a cast question and answer period and learning materials for educators, to communities throughout the province. When we’re not connecting at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre or out in the community, our popular marketing and social media initiatives continue to expand our reach, celebrate the great traditions of opera, and introduce new folks to the wonder of opera.
We reached new box office heights in 2023–2024, but while ticket revenues have grown, costs have skyrocketed. Whether its materials, shipping, or labour costs, it’s never been more challenging to present world-class opera. Now more than ever, it’s important for us to address deficits and plan strategically to create a healthy and sustainable working environment for everyone involved in ensuring the success of Vancouver Opera.
Thank you for sharing and co-creating these exceptional opera experiences with us, and for making 2023–2024 a season to remember. We’re looking forward to a celebratory 2024–2025, as we mark 65 years of exceptional Vancouver Opera experiences with Strauss’ effervescent Die Fledermaus, Jonathan Dove’s modern classic Flight, and Puccini’s poignant, deeply emotional Madama Butterfly. See you at the theatre!
Sincerely,
Tom Wright, Susan Van der Flier, General Director Board Chair
VO’S 2024 PRODUCTION OF DON PASQUALE.
PHOTO BY EMILY COOPER.
OPERA IN THE PARK
A successful second edition of what’s becoming a signature summer tradition for VO took place July 16, 2023 in Deer Lake Park. Presented by the City of Burnaby, Opera in the Park attracted over 10,000 people, with longtime opera supporters and curious picnickers alike treated to remarkable soloists Clarence Frazer, Andrew Haji, Magdalena How, Jonelle Sills, and Emma Parkinson, all for free in an absolutely idyllic outdoor setting.
The festivities started with family-friendly activities (face painting, musical games, balloon twisting, circus performers, and more) throughout the afternoon, followed by a high energy pre-concert celebration of the human voice hosted by Squamish Nation Councillor Wilson Williams and featuring all-female Indigenous drum group M’Girl, JUNO-nominated choral ensemble musica intima, and more. As the midsummer sun began to set over the lush environs of Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park, Music Director Emeritus Jonathan Darlington led the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and world-class vocalists through timeless duets and sublime arias from the upcoming 2023–2024 season.
This bustling and joyful day also included Summer Soirée, a donor event at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, where Vancouver Opera supporters gathered to raise funds for our invaluable education and community outreach initiatives.
Opera in the Park continues to raise awareness for Vancouver Opera and foster the love of music in people of all ages, while doubling as a very fun warmup to a season of spectacular mainstage productions.
PRESENTED BY MEDIA SPONSOR
ENGAGEMENT AND CIVIC PRACTICE
In the past year, Engagement and Civic Practice at Vancouver Opera has made significant strides in connecting with our community, deepening cultural engagement, and fostering a love for opera among diverse audiences.
Outreach
Our flagship VOICES Free Concert Series, generously supported by TD, has become a cornerstone of our outreach efforts. Hosting over 12 free events per year at the Vancouver Public Library and our rehearsal hall, these concerts feature a rich mix of opera, theatre, dance, and more. A memorable moment from this series was our collaboration with Rumble Theatre on Las Pasiones de Don Pasquale, a cross-genre project that blended opera with telenovela elements and attracted a broad audience.
Education
Our educational initiatives are designed to inspire and educate the next generation of opera enthusiasts. Our Opera Experience program welcomes high school students from across the Lower Mainland to the backstage of a Vancouver Opera production, providing invaluable insights into the world of opera. Alumni like Mauricio Lopez Garcia, now heading to UBC, credit this program with shaping their future paths. Additionally, our Vancouver Opera in Schools (VOIS) program reached over 70 schools this spring with The Flight of the Hummingbird, teaching thousands of students across the province about environmental stewardship through opera.
Partnerships
Building vibrant, participatory communities is at the heart of our partnerships. We work closely with the Indigenous Advisory Circle to ensure our programming respects Indigenous cultures and histories. Collaborations with cultural organizations like Rumble Theatre, local LGBTQ+ groups, and the Vancouver Public Library enable us to reach broader audiences and offer diverse cultural experiences. Our adaptation of Don Pasquale as a telenovela engaged the Latinx community and highlighted the importance of cultural representation in our programming.
Every day at Vancouver Opera, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a culturally rich, inclusive community. We look forward to continuing this journey, making opera accessible and relevant to all.
FACING PAGE: OPERA IN THE PARK PHOTOS BY PIERRE PRODUCTION.
In the 2023–2024 season, Vancouver Opera continued its dedication to cultivate emerging talent through the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program. This season’s program included two returning artists and four new participants, all of whom excelled in principal roles in Bizet’s Carmen and Bolcom’s Lucrezia, with Leslie Dala as conductor.
The participants benefited from masterclasses led by renowned figures including Judith Forst, Jacques Lacombe, Gregory Dahl, Patrick Raftery, Krisztina Szabó, and Daniel Okulitch. Mentorship from Leslie Dala and Tina Chang played a crucial role in their development. The program emphasized enhancing dramatic skills and stage presence, with Nicholas Harrison providing specialized training in stage combat. Essential collaborative work in text and dramaturgy was also a focal point.
Indra Egan – Répétiteur (2023–2024)
Jeremy Scinocca – Tenor (2022–2024)
The young artists further benefited from Vancouver Opera staff-led workshops and seminars on essential career management topics, including Canadian Actors’ Equity Association contracts, grant writing, marketing strategies, and financial planning within the opera industry. The Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program’s holistic approach ensures that artists are thoroughly equipped to meet the multifaceted demands of a professional opera career.
Heidi Duncan – Soprano (2023–Current)
Danlie Rae Acebuque – Baritone (2023–Current)
Sawyer Craig – Director (2022–2024)
Simran Claire – Mezzo-soprano (2023–Current)
OUR SIGNATURE GALA TAKES CENTRE STAGE
On May 3 of this year, 260 guests packed the stage of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, right on the set of our monumental production of Carmen. We toasted cava, enjoyed a spectacular dinner, and were bowled over by up-close-and-personal performances by two of the world’s most in-demand opera stars. With surprise flamenco performances and touching tributes to some of our most beloved community members, it was a night to remember. Most importantly, this magnificent evening raised over $350,000 for our education and community outreach programs. Huge thanks go out to our title sponsor, Scotia Wealth Management, and to all of our donors, partners, sponsors, and attendees. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the stage on May 2, 2025, for our 65th anniversary gala on the spectacular set of Madama Butterfly
THE CIRCLE OF SUPPORT HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER
Vancouver Opera was built by a small group of individuals who believed that our great city deserved to have its own world-class opera company. The legacy of support that these families started 65 years ago continues to this day. We were so humbled this year, in particular, by the generosity of our long-time donors, many of whom have been part of the Vancouver Opera family for decades. We were also thrilled to see many new donors join our circle of supporters this year, helping us ensure that Vancouver Opera continues to serve our communities for years to come.
As we continue to face challenging economic realities, we could not be more grateful for our donors, sponsors, and funders. To everyone who helped us make the 2023–2024 season a success, thank you! Your generous support matters now more than ever.
VO’S 2024 HABANERA GALA PHOTOS BY LUMINA WEDDINGS AND EVENTS.
Leadership Circle $50,000+
Michael And Inna O’Brian
Dr. Ian & Mrs. Jane Strang
Yoshiko Karasawa
Martha Lou Henley, C.M.*
Alan & Gwendoline Pyatt
Director’s Circle
$20,000+
Dr. George Luciuk & Dr. Lidia Schuster
Patricia Charles
Signe Jurcic
Inner Circle $10,000 +
Dr. Linda Siegel
Mrs. Irene McEwen
Brigitte & Henning Freybe
Jill Bodkin
Mrs. Lorna Mochinski
Gillian Smith, in memory of Russell Smith
Mohammed A. Faris & Family
Mrs. Ellen Mahon
Pascal & Isabelle Spothelfer
Horatio Kemeny & Cadence Jensen
Mike & Kathy Gallagher
Richard & Elise Rees
Ms. Regina Boxer
Patron $1,500 +
Anonymous (2)
Mark Emanuel, P. Eng.
Mr. Joshua Hutchinson
Jacques Lacombe
Mr. Kevin Mah
Catherine Morgan and Michael Jonker
Bryan and Susan Nethery
Peter Singer and Heather Gilley
Mathew and Masumi Smith
Robert E. Radke
Mrs. Carolyn Webster
Mr. Michael & Mrs. Eunice Chan
Ms. Ann McKinnon
Mr. Robert Milne
Mary Tait & Bill Sirett
Ms. Winnie Avery
Ms. Anona Thorne and Mr. Takao Tanabe
Mr. Jeffrey G. Jung
Mr. Stanis Smith
Ms. Wendy G. Baker
John & Ruth Brock
Jamie & Cindy Bruce
Ms. Gillian E. Chetty
Susan Drury & Dennis Perry
Mr. Harry Edinger
Ms. Vivian Eliopoulos
Mrs. Pamela Friedrich
Roland and Catherine Haebler
Ms. Nancy Hermiston
Dr. Lionel & Mrs. Beryl Herscovitch
Mr. Sharman King
Mr. & Mrs. Harold & Jenny Locke
Mr. Harvey Loen & Mrs. Lois Binder
Marlene Mackenzie
Dr. Paul Mitchell-Banks
Dr. Peter & Mrs. Eve Munns
Mr. & Mrs. D. Murray
Mollie Massie & Hein Poulus
David Radler
Dr. Wes Schreiber
Dr. Cecil Sigal
Dr. Paul & Mrs. Dorothy Stanwood
Dr. Sandra Vestvik
Mr. Daniel R. Worsley
Tom and Denise Wright
Dr. Edwin & Mrs. Patricia Yen
Bill & Risa Levine
Shirley Barnett
Lorna Court & John Mancini
Jens & Linda Lee Henriksen
Diana and Tom Herbst
Ms. Elaine Mah
Miriam Maisonville and David Sauder
Paul McEwen and Gwynneth Jones
Mr. Ian Michaud
Bob Sewell and Susan Van der Flier
Mr. Ross & Ms. Ursula Southam
Andrew & Yasmeen Strang
James & Veronica Weinkam
Mr. Edward & Mrs. Dorothy Chiasson
William and Emmanuelle Davis
Ms. Elisabeth Dawson
Mr. & Mrs. Allen Fowlis
Ms. Judy Garner
Arlene Gladstone & Hamish Cameron
Mrs. Elaine Godwin
Dr. Martin Hosking
Ms. Lynn Kagan
Mike & Jean Kovich
Mr. & Mrs. R. Michael LePage
Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Lindsay
Doris Luking in memory of
Hans Luking
Jane Macdonald
Genny MacLean
Marilyn & Hart Mauritz
Mr. & Mrs. David McDonald
Dr. & Mrs. David R. Neima
Micki & Michael Partridge
Ms. Lorraine Portier
Ms. Alexandra Volkoff
Andrea Wood & Peter Cavanagh
Sarah Armstrong
Dr. Heather F. Clarke
Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Mary McIlwaine
Mr. Hans Alwart
Ms. Joan Cosar
Ms. Isabel Gordon
Penelope B.M. Hedges
Ms. Krista Johanson
Pierre & Betty Lebel
Huiyuan Ma
Jana and Bill Maclagan
Gina Thorstenson & Bob Bartholomew
Public Funders
BC Arts Council
Canada Council for the Arts
City of Surrey
City of Vancouver
Department of Canadian Heritage
Metro Vancouver
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Vancouver Civic Theatres
Corporate Supporters
Anthem Properties Group
Blakes
BLG
BMO Financial Group
CIBC Wood Gundy
Deloitte
Dilawri Group of Companies
IG Wealth Management
Imperial Metals
Fasken
Mission Hill Family Estate
Scotia Wealth Management
STORMTECH Performance Apparel
TD Bank
Telus Friendly Future Foundation
Osler
Vancouver Opera Guild
Foundations
Alan and Gwendoline Pyatt Foundation
Andrew Mahon Foundation
Ann Claire Angus Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation
The Arthur Toft Foundation
Chris Spencer Foundation
The David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
Diamond Foundation
Frank and Joan Lew Charitable Trust
George W. Norgan Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation
Gift Funds Canada
The Hannah Woodnutt Smith Memorial Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation
Joan C McCarter Foundation, held at Victoria Foundation
Lagniappe Foundation
Lightburn Family Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation
Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation
McGrane-Pearson Endowment Fund, held at the Vancouver Foundation
Mirhady Family Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation
RBC Foundation
Remembering Otto and Marie Pick
Charitable Foundation
Vancouver Opera Association Endowment Fund
Vancouver Foundation
Vancouver Opera Foundation
Legacy Gifts
Estate of Lois M. Bewley
Estate of Geraldine Rita Nicolodi
Estate of Mervyn Clarice Lindsay Weir
The contributions listed reflect gifts made to VO to June 30, 2024. Every effort is made to ensure our lists are accurate at the time of printing. We sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions. *Denotes Lifetime Opera Round Table Member
VANCOUVER OPERA ASSOCIATION
Vancouver Opera Association (“VOA”) is a registered charity with a mandate to produce professional presentations of opera at a high musical and theatrical standard for a wide audience. VOA ended the season with net expenses over revenues of ($472K) and decreased its Net Assets to ($541K).
Condensed Statement of Financial Position
Condensed Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in net assets (As at June 30, in thousands) For the year ended June 30 (in thousands)
VANCOUVER OPERA FOUNDATION
Vancouver Opera Foundation (“VOF”) is a registered charity with the primary objective to solicit, hold and administer funds for the benefit of VOA. These funds are not included in the financial statements of the Vancouver Opera Association. VOF is the sole trustee of the Vancouver Opera Endowment Trust (“VOET”), which is an independent registered charity that supports VOA. The net assets, revenues and expenses of the VOET are not consolidated in the Foundation’s financial statements. Net assets of the VOET at December 31, 2023 were $12,518.
Condensed Statement of Financial Position
Condensed Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Fund Balance
As at December 31 (in thousands) For the year ended December 31 (in thousands)
Full audited financial statements are available.
Please contact William Murgatroyd, Manager of Administration & Strategic Initiatives at wmurgatroyd@vancouveropera.ca
Pyatt Foundation
