Vancouver Opera February 2022 Impact Report

DONOR IMPACT REPORT Jul 1—Dec 31, 2021

CONTENTS 05

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General Director’s Message

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Orfeo ed Euridice

11 | Opera Highlights New Voices Pop-up Performances 13

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Women in Musical Leadership

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Building for the Future

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AGM and New Board of Directors

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Gala in the Garden Indie Opera Festival Summer Opera Camp

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Giving Tuesday Costume and Props Sale

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Remembering Susan Kessler

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FRONT COVER: MIREILLE LEBEL AS ORFEO IN VO’S 2021 PRODUCTION OF ORFEO ED EURIDICE. PHOTO BY TIM MATHESON. FACING PAGE: VO’S ORFEO ED EURIDICE. DANCERS (clockwise from left): AIDEN CASS, ALEXIS FLETCHER, KATE FRANKLIN, RACHEL MEYER. PHOTO BY TIM MATHESON. DETAIL OF VO’S 2021–2022 SEASON ARTWORK BY CIELE BEAU.

Dear opera lovers and Vancouver Opera supporters, Our opening production of the season, Orfeo ed Euridice, was truly a special one. Not only was it our first collaboration with Ne Sans Opera and Dance, and The Dance Centre, but it was particularly memorable bringing our artists, musicians, crew, staff and audiences together again for our first live performance in 22 months.

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make the return to live opera possible, and most importantly, safe for everyone. While these challenging times are not behind us yet, we see a bright future ahead. Our talented Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Chorus will take centre stage in February performing Cavalleria Rusticana in Concert with Jonathan Darlington at the podium.

We also look forward to seeing your smiling faces and hearing laughter when the delightful HMS Pinafore closes the season this spring.

I am honoured to share this mid-year report that showcases the performances and programs you helped make possible this season. We are grateful to be able to fulfill our mission of producing engaging and inspiring performances and educational programming for our community.

Bravo to all our ticket buyers, donors, sponsors and government agencies for your generous and ongoing support.

With deep appreciation,

Tom Wright General Director, Vancouver Opera

TOM WRIGHT, PHOTO BY REBECCA BLISSETT. | JANUARY 2022 DONOR IMPACT REPORT

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ORFEO ED EURIDICE Dec 4 + 5, 2021 | Queen Elizabeth Theatre Vancouver Opera’s premiere of Orfeo ed Euridice, created in collaboration with Ne Sans Opera and Dance, was a show-stopping stunning production and an exciting celebration of live opera.

The integration of dance throughout this production exemplifies how opera can bring all art forms together. Two sold-out performances captivated audiences with gorgeous music, extraordinary dancing, impressive singing and exquisite set and costume design. After nearly 22 months, the season opener welcomed back the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Chorus, led by Maestro Leslie Dala, and brought together an incredible homegrown cast and creative team. Idan Cohen delivered an imaginative and unforgettable contemporary take on an ancient Greek myth, in this brand new production.

Director and Choreographer: Idan Cohen

Lighting Designer: Ital Erdal

Conductor: Leslie Dala

Set Designer: Amir Ofek

Orfeo: Mireille Lebel

Costume Designer: Evan Clayton

Euridice: Krisztina Szabó

Makeup Designer: Saghar Bazargan

Amore: Mireille Asselin

“What’s most exciting about this cool, contemporary production—which could stand strong on any operatic stage in the world—is that it was created entirely by a passionate group of homegrown talent.”

- Janet Smith, Stir

FACING PAGE: VO’S ORFEO ED EURIDICE. PHOTOS (clockwise from top left): 1. DANCERS AND CHORUS MEMBERS. 2. KRISZTINA SZABÓ AND MIREILLE LEBEL. 3. DANCERS AND CHORUS MEMBERS. 4. MIREILLE LEBEL WITH DANCERS AND CHORUS MEMBERS. 5. KRISZTINA SZABÓ AND MIREILLE LEBEL. PHOTOS BY TIM MATHESON. | JANUARY 2022 DONOR IMPACT REPORT

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ORFEO ED EURIDICE Inside Vancouver Opera Podcast

In our new pre-show podcast, Inside Vancouver Opera, we uncovered the magical world of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice. Maestro Leslie Dala spoke with the principal cast: Krisztina Szabó, Mireille Asselin, and Mireille Lebel. We also checked in with opera scholar Leah Giselle Field for a little history on the opera and heard briefly from director Idan Cohen about the unique way he has blended opera and dance into this new production.

LISTEN NOW

Pre-Show Talk

One hour prior to each performance, opera singer and scholar Leah Giselle Field led complimentary multimedia talks. These deeper dives into Orfeo ed Euridice featured audio and video excerpts, and insights into the history and music of this opera. Due to overwhelming popularity, the pre-show talks for the next performance will be relocated to allow for more audience members to enjoy!

Dinner and a Show

We were overjoyed to welcome 80 guests to the prelude dinner for Orfeo ed Euridice. Members of the Vancouver Opera Round Table (ORT), VO Board of Directors, and special guests enjoyed an elegant three-course meal in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre salon on opening night. The evening was punctuated by heartfelt welcomes from our General Director, Tom Wright, and Board Chair, Richard Rees. To cap off the event, Idan Cohen, director and choreographer, spoke about the production, his vision for reinterpreting this pivotal work, and love. It was a very special occasion and a wonderful opportunity to thank donors for supporting us through these times.

Learn more about becoming an Opera Round Table donor.

vancouveropera.ca/ort

Post-Show Talk Back

We were delighted to welcome Vancouver Opera’s Associate Conductor and Chorus Director, Les Dala, and Director and Choreographer, Idan Cohen, to an insightful chat with fascinated opera lovers following each performance of Orfeo ed Euridice. Idan shared how Gluck’s beautiful opera inspired him to spend nearly four years analyzing the score and reflecting on the ways contemporary dance could be united with opera; and Les passionately talked about the ways that Orfeo represented a watershed moment in the creation of opera as an art form.

FACING PAGE: KRISZTINA SZABÓ AS EURIDICE AND MIREILLE LEBEL AS ORFEO IN VO’S ORFEO ED EURIDICE. PHOTO BY TIM MATHESON. | JANUARY 2022 DONOR IMPACT REPORT

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OPERA HIGHLIGHTS NEW VOICES On October 23, Vancouver Opera continued our partnership with the West Vancouver Community Arts Council with a concert at the Kay Meek Centre in West Vancouver. This was the third collaboration between VO and WVCAC, and included a live stream for those unable to attend in-person. The afternoon concert featured the new voices of singers, Emma Parkinson, Ian Cleary and Luka Kawabata, and the trio was joined by pianist, Angus Kellett. The beautiful music brightened the rainy afternoon, and was followed by a socially distanced reception with the artists in the lobby.

Before and after the concert, we had an opportunity to enjoy the sculpture, Sit With Me, Share With Me, created by artist Marie Khouri, in honour of the late Yulanda M. Faris. Viewing the sculpture in the new Faris Family Courtyard was a fitting way to celebrate a concert featuring two artists from VO’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program.

POP-UP PERFORMANCES In August, we hosted two outdoor pop-up performances featuring soprano Madison Craig, mezzosoprano Simran Claire, and pianist Tina Chang at Harbour Green Park, Vancouver, and The Silk Purse Arts Centre, West Vancouver. The performances offered the unexpecting audiences a variety of well-known opera favourites from Rossini to Mozart, all in beautiful alfresco settings.

FREE PLAZA PERFORMANCES To celebrate the transition back to live performances, Vancouver Opera hosted a special weekend of free outdoor performances at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (formerly QET Plaza) on September 18 and 19.

The performances featured members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Chorus, UBC Opera and Astrolabe Musik Theatre, and included a solo flute concert with Anne-Elise Keefer, a series of Chopin solo pieces by pianist Evgenia Rabinovich, and more.

FACING PAGE (clockwise from top left): 1. MARIE KHOURI’S SCULPTURE, SIT WITH ME, SHARE WITH ME, AT THE KAY MEEK CENTRE’S FARIS FAMILY COURTYARD. 2. PIANIST, EVGENIA RABINOVICH AT VO’S PLAZA PERFORMANCE. 3. AUDIENCE ENJOYING THE FREE PLAZA PERFORMANCES. PHOTOS BY ESTER TÓTHOVÁ. | JANUARY 2022 DONOR IMPACT REPORT

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ADVANCING WOMEN IN MUSICAL LEADERSHIP Vancouver Opera is proud to be a participating organization in the Women in Musical Leadership (WIML) Program. The investment will welcome up to six WIML program participants to Vancouver Opera over the next five seasons. This multi-year program, led by Tapestry Opera, creates professional opportunities for female-identifying and non-binary music directors and conductors at leading opera and music organizations across Canada. Inaugural participant, WIML Conductor Jennifer Tung, joined the creative team of Orfeo ed Euridice, working with Maestro Leslie Dala as part of this innovative program.

“I am so humbled and excited to be awarded this fellowship so I can focus on learning from the fantastic mentors, as well as getting experiences on the podium that will help me hone this incredibly complex craft. I look forward to collaborating with many phenomenal musicians, to learn from them and to share my passion with them.”

- Conductor Jennifer Tung

PHOTO: JENNIFER TUNG CONDUCTING THE VO ORCHESTRA WITH MIREILLE LEBEL, DANCERS AND CHORUS MEMBERS ON STAGE AT ORFEO ED EURIDICE DRESS REHEARSAL. PHOTO BY TIM MATHESON. | JANUARY 2022 DONOR IMPACT REPORT

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BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Since launching the $1.5 million capital campaign, Building for the Future, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for this essential project. This campaign is funding new equipment, extensive building renovations, and is creating an important cultural hub in the city. This project also funds the creation of a digital soundstage and numerous upgrades to our facility in the interest of public health, accessibility, and inclusion. Thanks to these investments, Vancouver Opera and our cultural partners will enjoy improved accessibility, wider audience reach, greater resilience, and a more connected and collaborative local arts sector.

With Phase I renovations nearly concluded, we are looking forward to Phase II of our building project: renovating our production space to accommodate additional arts and culture tenants.

Our building is a valuable resource, which we will continue to leverage for the benefit of our city’s broader arts and culture community.

Special thanks to Canadian Heritage and the City of Vancouver for their support.

Please visit our website to learn more about the project and how you can contribute.

vancouveropera.ca/future

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WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS At the Annual General Meeting on October 7, 2021, Vancouver Opera announced three new appointments to the Board of Directors: Human Alghabi, Milton Carrasco, and Valerie Jerome.

These three dynamic individuals are joining the board at a pivotal time for the organization. Their expertise and individual experience will be instrumental for the organization, as Vancouver Opera recently completed a comprehensive visioning process and is poised to begin strategic planning for the next three years.

The Board of Directors provide governance, ensure the continued growth and vitality of Vancouver Opera, and are community ambassadors. We want to thank and acknowledge all of our Directors, and specifically thank outgoing Directors Alexander Bjornson and Judy Halbert for their incredible commitment and contributions to Vancouver Opera.

PHOTOS: VO’S NEWEST BOARD MEMBERS: 1. HUMAN ALGHABI, 2. MILTON CARRASCO, 3. VALERIE JEROME

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OPERA PHILANTHROPY IN A FAIRY-TALE SETTING Immersed in the private gardens of hosting sponsor Jane McLennan, guests spent a magical evening at our second annual Gala in the Garden on August 28, 2021 enjoying performances from dancers, drummers, and opera stars. Proceeds support Vancouver Opera’s building campaign, which will bring unforgettable opera experiences to wider audiences with a digital soundstage and cultural hub initiatives.

INDIE OPERA FESTIVAL Vancouver Opera was delighted to be a sponsor of re:Naissance Opera’s IndieFest 2021. IndieFest is a musical gathering that brings together artists and audiences from all walks of life to expand artistic practices, experience new works of art, and express creative voices. Vancouver Opera’s General Director, Tom Wright, was proud to host the Indie Opera hackathon—a gathering of creatives and experts from opera, theatre, digital media, and technology sectors to build capacity. We are very excited to be a part of IndieFest 2022 and to continue our partnership with re:Naissance Opera.

SUMMER OPERA CAMP Vancouver Opera was delighted to partner with Trout Lake Community Centre to run two weeks of opera camps for children ages 8-13. The program fosters creativity and encourages collaboration and inclusivity. At the end of each week, the students presented an opera that they had written, composed, and created based on the books, Rainbow Weaver by Linda Elovitz Marshall, and One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia by Miranda Paul. The students’ operas are available to watch online.

WATCH NOW FACING PAGE: GALA IN THE GARDEN. PHOTO BY SARAH HITNER.

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#GIVINGTUESDAY – GIVING AND SHARING Thanks to Vancouver Opera’s incredible community of donors, #GivingTuesday 2021 was a massive success. This year, over 75 people, like you, made gifts during the 24-hour campaign, helping VO exceed our fundraising goal, raising a total of $11,840! Thank you for sharing our message on social media—this is really important as it helps to grow our community.

These generous donations support our community programs, such as the Kettle Choir. Through your support, Vancouver Opera teaching artists can continue their transformative work, helping those suffering from mental health conditions find and raise their voices through music.

Giving Tuesday follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday and has become a significant day of giving in communities across North America. Thanks to everyone who participated.

VANCOUVER OPERA’S COSTUME AND PROPS SALE Just before Halloween, VO hosted an extensive two day costume and props sale, giving the public an opportunity to find unique vintage costumes, beautiful fabrics, and priceless treasures. Reducing, reusing, and recycling is part of the organization’s commitment to the Climate Smart Certification program. While raising over $12,000 for Vancouver Opera programming, the clearout sale had an added benefit of creating additional space to welcome new arts groups in the facility.

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REMEMBERING SUSAN KESSLER In October, we lost one of British Columbia’s most devoted supporters of classical music, Susan Kessler, at the age of 107.

Susan was a patron of Vancouver Opera since the very first production. In the 1960 production of Carmen, the concertmaster of the opera orchestra was Jack Kessler and in the audience was his wife, Susan.

Susan was an active member of the Vancouver Opera Guild since its inception and could be found at opera rehearsals helping with refreshments. Susan has attended countless musical performances of symphony, opera, chamber music and early music, and her vibrant and steadfast support and passion will be missed.

“I enjoy life, love music and support musicians.”

- Susan Kessler

PHOTO OF SUSAN KESSLER, TAKEN BY HEATHER CLARKE ON JULY 26, 2014 ON THE OCCASION OF SUSAN’S 100TH BIRTHDAY.

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vancouveropera.ca

VO’s 2021—2022 season artwork is by artist Ciele Beau.

SEASON SPONSORS

OFFICIAL WINERY

SEASON PATRONS

TICKET CENTRE SPONSOR

YULANDA M. FARIS YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM SPONSORS

Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

Yoshiko Karasawa

WITH CONTINUING SUPPORT FROM

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

Alan and Gwendoline Pyatt Foundation

Dr. George Luciuk

Patricia Charles