Inside Vancouver Opera

Vancouver Opera honours Black History Month with a special audio documentary about BC Choral legend and music educator Jim Johnson and his wife, choral conductor and teacher Sheila Johnson. Recorded, edited and produced by Ashley Daniel Foot Music performed by The Concenti Singers and the Cowichan Valley Youth Choir

Lessons and Prizes and Rome, OH MY! Bizet takes the Paris Conservatoire by storm—culminating in an all-expense trip to sunny Italy! You probably know that French composer Georges Bizet wrote Carmen, but did you know that he was also a musical prodigy who started composing at the age of nine? Or that composers such as Liszt, Rossini, and Gounod immediately recognized his musical brilliance? Dig into the life of Bizet and meet his musical family.  Beautifully brought to life by actor Felix LeBlanc as the voice of Bizet, this seven part audio series reveals the hidden story behind one of opera’s greatest composers.  This exciting podcast is produced in celebration of Vancouver Opera’s production of The Pearl Fishers onstage from October 22-30, 2022. CREDITS Written and edited by Kris Epps Additional editing by Ashley Daniel Foot Music Supervisor and Clearances: Kris Epps and Ashley Daniel Foot Sound design by Kris Epps Associate Producer: Vincent Huynh Voice cast: Bizet:  Felix LeBlanc Narrator: Jane Potter Additional Voices:  Ashley Daniel Foot, Travis Baugh Allen, Vincent Huynh 

Parisian, prodigious, precocious, the composer George Bizet was born at the dawn of the Victorian Era. A, B, C—easy as Do, Re, Mi. The opera world will soon be changed forever. You probably know that French composer Georges Bizet wrote Carmen, but did you know that he was also a musical prodigy who started composing at the age of nine? Or that composers such as Liszt, Rossini, and Gounod immediately recognized his musical brilliance? Dig into the life of Bizet and meet his musical family.  Beautifully brought to life by actor Felix LeBlanc as the voice of Bizet, this seven part audio series reveals the hidden story behind one of opera’s greatest composers.  This exciting podcast is produced in celebration of Vancouver Opera’s production of The Pearl Fishers onstage from October 22-30, 2022. CREDITS Written and edited by Kris Epps Additional editing by Ashley Daniel Foot Music Supervisor and Clearances: Kris Epps and Ashley Daniel Foot Sound design by Kris Epps Associate Producer: Vincent Huynh Voice cast: Bizet:  Felix LeBlanc Narrator: Jane Potter Additional Voices:   Ashley Daniel Foot, Travis Baugh Allen, Vincent Huynh

You probably know that French composer Georges Bizet wrote Carmen, but did you know that he was also a musical prodigy who started composing at the age of nine? Or that composers such as Liszt, Rossini, and Gounod immediately recognized his musical brilliance?  Dig into the life of Bizet and meet his musical family.  Beautifully brought to life by actor Felix LeBlanc as the voice of Bizet, this seven part audio series reveals the hidden story behind one of opera’s greatest composers.   This exciting podcast is produced in celebration of Vancouver Opera’s production of The Pearl Fishers onstage from October 22-30, 2022. Written and edited by Kris Epps Additional editing by Ashley Daniel Foot Music Supervisor and Clearances: Kris Epps and Ashley Daniel Foot Sound design by Kris Epps Associate Producer: Vincent Huynh Bizet:  Felix LeBlanc Narrator: Jane Potter Additional Voices:  Ashley Daniel Foot, Travis Baugh Allen

We're proud to honour National Indigenous Peoples Day with an in-depth conversation with Métis composer Ian Cusson and Vancouver Opera's Ashley Daniel Foot. In a wide ranging conversation, Ian talks about the ways his Metis and French Canadian descent intersect with his music, the meanings of story, and the power of music to bring about societal change.  We also play an excerpt from his opera, Fantasma (more details here) and a selection from his Where there's a Wall song cycle.  Ian Cusson is a composer of art song, opera and orchestral work. Of Métis (Georgian Bay Métis Community) and French Canadian descent, his work explores Canadian Indigenous experience including the history of the Métis people, the hybridity of mixed-racial identity, and the intersection of Western and Indigenous cultures. You can find out more about Ian here. Read the full article here. podcast produced, hosted, and edited by Ashley Daniel Foot  MUSIC CREDITS  Music from Fantasma courtesy of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity  "Where there's a wall" Song-cycle for voice and piano Text by Joy Kogawa Krisztina Szabó, voice Rachael Kerr, piano Recorded at the Canadian Music Centre, Toronto on November 14, 2019 by John Gray.

Inside: HMS PINAFORE  Join Vancouver Opera teaching artist Eve Daniell in conversation with director Brenna Corner about the ins and outs of creating a new vision of a classic operetta, the challenges of directing comedy, and the ongoing need for art in our culture.  Gilbert and Sullivan’s comedic tale is a delightful combination of forbidden love across class divides and the shenanigans that take place along the way. Poking fun at social hierarchies and packed with absurd characters, this wildly popular operetta delivers plenty of laughs and memorable music. This joyful production is directed by Brenna Corner and conducted by Rosemary Thomson and features the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Vancouver Opera presents HMS PINAFORE - April 30-May 8, 2022 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. For tickets and information visit VancouverOpera.ca AUDIO CREDITS Produced by Ashley Daniel Foot Interim Director of Marketing: Jennifer Lee

Inside Vancouver Opera honours Black History Month with an illuminating and candid conversation with two exemplary Black Canadian sopranos – Othalie Graham and Jonelle Sills, who recently were part of our performance of Cavalleria Rusticana In Concert.  The conversation delves into the question of race and representation in opera, and features the hard-won insights of both Othalie and Jonelle’s experience of being a Black singer in today’s world. We are also proud to amplify the following non-exhaustive list curated by Jonelle Sills of incredible Black Canadian singers working in our sector: Andrew Adrigde (https://www.instagram.com/drewadridge/) https://andrewadridge.com/andrew-adridge/Co founder of Opera Inreach (https://www.operainreach.com/home) Catherine Daniel (https://www.catherinedaniel.com/bio) Queen Hezumuryango https://www.instagram.com/queenhezumuryango/ Monika Mazanka (https://www.monikam.com) Khadija Mbowe (https://www.instagram.com/khadija.mbowe/) https://www.khadijambowe.com Katie McCullough (https://www.instagram.com/katiem.soprano/) https://lnk.bio/katiem.soprano Ineza Mugisha (https://www.instagram.com/ineza_m/) Chantale Nurse (http://www.chantalenurse.com) https://www.instagram.com/chantalenurse/ Charlotte Siegal (https://charliesiegelsings.wixsite.com/charlottesiegel) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliesiegelsop/ Suzanne Taffot (https://www.instagram.com/taffot_soprano/) http://www.suzytaffot.com Korin Thomas Smith (https://www.instagram.com/kthomassmith/)

Inside: CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA IN CONCERT Join Vancouver Opera’s Ashley Daniel Foot and discover the passionate opera that is Mascagni’s CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA  and explore the hot and glorious masterwork of everyday Sicilian life with Vancouver Opera Conductor Emeritus Jonathan Darlington and hear his thoughts on staging an opera in concert, his life during COVID, and his unique perspective on how opera needs to meet the moment and ask itself tough questions. Vancouver Opera presents CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA IN CONCERT  - Feb 12 and 13, 2022 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. For tickets and information visit VancouverOpera.ca AUDIO CREDITS Produced by Ashley Daniel Foot Director of Marketing and Communications: Sarah Hitner

Join Vancouver Opera’s Ashley Daniel Foot and discover the magical world of Gluck’s ORFEO ED EURIDICE and find out what makes the opera so unique as we talk with the stars and creative team of Vancouver Opera’s debut production of this dazzling work. Maestro Leslie Dala speaks with sopranos Krisztina Szabó and Mireille Asselin and mezzo soprano Mireille Lebel. We also check in with opera scholar Leah Giselle Field for a little history on the opera and hear briefly from director Idan Cohen about the unique way he has blended opera and dance into this new production. We also get details on the rest of Vancouver Opera’s 2021-2022 season with General Director Tom Wright. Vancouver Opera presents ORFEO ED EURIDICE - December 4 and 5, 2021 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. For tickets and information visit VancouverOpera.ca AUDIO CREDITS Produced by Ashley Daniel Foot Recorded and mixed by Randall Jason Fox FOR VANCOUVER OPERA Director of Marketing and Communications: Sarah Hitner

"Success is what music does to the human spirit. If audiences come out of a concert feeling better than when they went in, that's success." – Leila Getz.   In the season finale of Vancouver Opera Offstage, Les talks with Leila Getz, C.M., O.B.C., D.F.A., founder and Artistic Director of the Vancouver Recital Society. Leila has presented Canadian and Vancouver debut performances of some of the world’s most brilliant and respected young musicians over the past 40 years, building a diverse and loyal audience for the recital concert form that had once been labeled out-of-vogue. She is a member of the Order of Canada, the order of British Columbia, and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for her contributions to Canada's musical landscape. Check out our episode at www.vancouveropera.ca/offstage.

In this special episode we delve into the intricate dynamics of Così fan tutte and its portrayal of women. We explore the role of Despina as a voice of realism amidst the comedic facade and how the opera reflects societal attitudes towards women and relationships during the Enlightenment era.Full ArticleEpisode Credits:Jane Potter - Writer and NarratorMack McGillivray - Audio EditorAshley Daniel Foot - ProducerBarry Ekko - Cover Illustration

A behind-the-scenes conversation with costume designer Donnie Tejani, who brings the world of Così fan tutte to life for Vancouver Opera. We explore how costumes shape character, how disguise functions in Mozart’s comedy, what happens inside a modern costume shop, and how designers balance artistry, budgets, and practicality in today’s opera landscape.

Tracy Dahl discusses her illustrious career as coloratura soprano, her role as Despina in Così fan tutte, and evolution of vocal techniques.Full ArticleEpisode Credits:Tracy Dahl - GuestAshley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver OperaMack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

In this episode we're joined by music journalist Kevin Ng and Vancouver Opera's Jane Potter to explore the complexities of Mozart's most dangerous comedy, Così fan tutte. Full ArticleEpisode Credits:Kevin Ng - GuestJane Potter - GuestBarry Ekko - ArtworkAshley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver OperaMack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

Mozart’s Così fan tutte is often described as light, mischievous, even trivial. But sit with it — really sit with it — and it reveals itself as one of opera’s most psychologically perceptive works.In this episode of Inside Vancouver Opera, host Ashley Daniel Foot is joined by stage director Rob Herriot and Vancouver Opera’s Associate Music Director and conductor Les Dala to explore a distinctly Canadian production of Così fan tutte, originally created at Manitoba Opera and now remounted in Vancouver.Set in the early 1930s at an elegant hotel on the edge of the Canadian wilderness, this staging features Mounties, waltzing log drivers, and a visual world inspired by Canadian film and National Film Board imagery. But beneath the wit and theatrical charm lies something deeper: Mozart’s refusal to lie. Even when his characters disguise themselves, role-play, or betray one another, the music tells the truth.Rob and Les reflect on trusting the score, the humanity of the characters, the generosity — and ambiguity — of the opera’s ending, and why Così fan tutte remains one of the most honest works Mozart ever wrote. It’s an episode about laughter, contradiction, and what it means to recognize ourselves in the mess.Why Così fan tutte may be Mozart’s most human operaHow this Canadian production originated at Manitoba OperaTrusting the music as psychological truthReframing Così beyond its controversial titleWhy the ending sounds forgiving — even when nothing is fully resolvedHow humour becomes a gateway for new audiencesHost: Ashley Daniel FootGuests: Rob Herriot, Les DalaPodcast: Inside Vancouver OperaProduced by: Vancouver OperaMusic excerpts courtesy of Vancouver OperaAudio editing by Mack McGillivrayVancouver Opera presents Così fan tutte📅 February 7, 12 & 15📍 Queen Elizabeth Theatre🎟 Tickets & info: Vancouver OperaWhat You’ll Hear in This EpisodeProduction & CreditsTickets & More

Some people shape culture from center stage, others shape it by showing up early, staying late, and standing just out of the light. Our guest today has built a life inside that second kind of work. Bruce Munro Wright is a former chair of Vancouver Opera, the Vancouver Opera Foundation, and the Vancouver Art Gallery. He is a nationally important collector of Canadian art and a recipient of the Order of British Columbia. Learn MoreEpisode Credits:Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver OperaMack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

In this conversation, Amanda Burrows, Executive Director of First United and new Board Member of Vancouver Opera, discusses her journey through the arts and social justice. She emphasizes the interconnectedness of art and advocacy, the importance of community involvement, and the resilience of the Downtown Eastside. Learn MoreEpisode Credits:Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver OperaMack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

In this special episode, Jane Potter brings Verdi’s world to life through the story of Rigoletto, a work born out of controversy, courage, and the fight for artistic freedom.Learn MoreEpisode Credits:Jane Potter - Writer and NarratorAshley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver OperaMack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver OperaLyndon Ladeur - Voice of Giachino Rossini Mihnea Nitu - Voice of Guiseppe VerdiRichard Wolfe - Voice of Victor Hugo

Few artists have shaped Canadian theatre and opera as profoundly as Glynis Leyshon, who now brings her formidable imagination to Vancouver Opera’s new production of Rigoletto, re-set in Victorian London, a place where masks, privilege, and secrecy hold sway.Learn MoreEpisode Credits:Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver OperaMack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

He's one of the city's greatest voices on stage, on air, and lately at City Hall. Today we're joined by Christopher Gaze, actor, advocate, and the visionary force behind Bard on the Beach. Learn MoreEpisode Credits:Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver OperaMack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera