July 13, 2010
BOX OFFICE RECORD HIGHLIGHT A SENSATIONAL SEASON FOR MANITOBA OPERA
It was announced today at Manitoba Opera's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg that the year ending May 31, 2010, broke box office records for the second consecutive year, enabling the organization to post a surplus of $13,056 on an operating budget of $1,648,329. (more...)
May 19, 2010
MANITOBA OPERA PRESENTS TOSCA &THE MAGIC FLUTE IN 2010/2011 SEASON
For the 2010/11 Season, Manitoba Opera will be presenting two full productions - Puccini’s political thriller, Tosca (November 20, 23, 26) and Mozart’s comical masterpiece, The Magic Flute (April 9, 12, 15) - and will be kicking off the season with the Divas and Divos Gala Concert on Saturday, October 16. All performances will take place at the Centennial Concert Hall.
“Something magical. That’s what opera is - an awe-inspiring blend of voice, music, story, and spectacle that lifts you from your seat, puts an aria in your heart, or leaves you a little breathless,” commented Larry Desrochers, General Director & CEO. (more...)
April 5, 2010
MANITOBA OPERA PRESENTS CARMEN APRIL 17, 20, 23 2010
Manitoba Opera closes the 2009/10 season with the world’s most popular opera, Carmen, for three shows only at the Centennial Concert Hall, Saturday, April 17 (8 pm), Tuesday, April 20 (7 pm), and Friday, April 23 (8 pm).
This sensational story filled with seduction, jealousy, and deceit will be sung in French with English translations projected above the stage. The fiery fatal attraction tells the tale of the sensuous cigarette girl who tempts fate when she spurns her lover for a celebrated matador. (more...)
November 9, 2009
MANITOBA OPERA PRESENTS THE BARBER OF SEVILLE NOVEMBER 21 , 24, 27 2009
Manitoba Opera opens the 2009/10 season with the comedy classic, The Barber of Seville for three shows only at the Centennial Concert Hall, Saturday, November 21 (8 pm), Tuesday, November 24 (7 pm), and Friday, November 27 (8 pm).
It’s one close shave after another in this classic opera buffa in which Figaro, the ingenious town barber, aids his friend, Count Almaviva, in his bid for the lovely Rosina. (more...)
September 2, 2009
MANITOBA OPERA CONTINUES TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL STANDING
It was announced today at the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Winnipeg that strategic decision making enabled Manitoba Opera to improve its financial standing by approximately $47,000 in the 2008/09 season and achieve a number of milestones including breaking box office records. (more...)
September 30, 2009
“TUNES FOR ‘TOONS”
A FREE EVENT AT IMAX THEATRE,
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
Classical Music, Opera, and Hollywood Cartoons
Manitoba Opera presents “Tunes for ‘Toons” - Classical Music, Opera and Hollywood Cartoons,
Saturday, October 24 beginning at 12 noon at IMAX Theatre in Portage Place. Whether it is Bugs
playing the Barber of Seville, Elmer singing Wagner, or Tom & Jerry performing Liszt, classical music
and opera have been an essential part of the musical makeup of Hollywood cartoons back to the very
earliest days of sound in film. (more...)
September 25, 2009
MANITOBA OPERA PRESENTS “A CLOSE SHAVE” THE BARBER OF SEVILLE AL SIMMONS STYLE
Roll over Rossini. Everyone’s favourite children’s performer, Al Simmons, has translated and
condensed your opera to a 45-minute comical look at love, greed, deceit, and close shaves.
Presented by Manitoba Opera, “A Close Shave” has been created expressly for in-school
presentations and coincides with the Manitoba Opera production of the all-time comedy classic,
The Barber of Seville, November 21, 24, and 27 at the Centennial Concert Hall. (more...)
July 6, 2009
CONTRACT FOR GENERAL DIRECTOR & CEO, LARRY DESROCHERS, EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 3 YEARS Manitoba Opera today announced that the Board of Trustees has extended the contract for Larry Desrochers, General Director & CEO, for another three years, expiring June 30, 2012. Desrochers has held the senior administrative and artistic position with the company since February 2001 when he was hired to lead the organization’s rebuilding strategy. (more...)
May 22,2009
MADAMA BUTTERFLY AN ATTENDANCE CHART TOPPERManitoba Opera's 2008/09 season-closing production of Madama Butterfly was one of the highest attended shows in the company’s last decade.Total attendance for the three performances, April 25, 28, and May 1, was 95% with two of the three shows sold out. Of the possible 6,474 seats available, 6121 were filled. (more...)
April 20, 2009
MADAMA BUTTERFLY TICKETS FLYING AWAYManitoba Opera today announced that tickets for the upcoming production of Madama Butterfly which opens this Saturday, April 25 with two more performances Tuesday, April 28 and Friday, May 1 are flying out the door. (more...)
April 8, 2009
MANITOBA OPERA PRESENTS MADAMA BUTTERFLY APRIL 25, 28, MAY 1Life with Dishonour or Death with Dignity?Manitoba Opera closes the 2008/09 season with Puccini’s heart wrenching and beautifully exotic, Madama Butterfly at the Centennial Concert Hall, Saturday, April 25 (8 pm), Tuesday, April 28 (7 pm), and Friday, May 1 (8 pm). An intensely moving and haunting portrayal of the dangers of misguided love, Madama Butterfly is one of the world’s favourite operas and its soaring, melodic music includes one of the most famous arias in the operatic repertoire, “Un bel di.” The production will be sung in Italian with English surtitles projected above the stage. (more...)
April 6, 2009
MANITOBA OPERA'S TRANSIT OF VENUS TO BE FEATURED AT OPERA AMERICA CONFERENCEManitoba Opera announced today that Transit of Venus, the main-stage opera that was commissioned by the company for its 35th season celebrations and that received its world premiere in November 2007, has been selected to be featured at this year’s Opera America Conference in Houston, April 29 to May 2, 2009. (more...)
March 23, 2009
TRAVEL TO SEVILLE WITH MANITOBA OPERA09/10 SEASON FEATURES TWO "HOT" AUDIENCE FAVOURITESCan't afford a winter holiday? Then travel to Seville with Manitoba Opera (MO)! The company today announced plans to put a little heat into the 2009/10 season with two of the world’s hottest and most popular operas: the comedic gem, The Barber of Seville and the seductive Carmen. Olé! (more....)
February 12, 2009
MANITOBA OPERA PRESENTS CANDIDE IN CONCERT“All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.”Or is it?That’s what the innocent Candide and his friends are trying to discover as they optimistically set off on an incredible, but disaster-filled journey to experience the world. (more...)
November 7, 2008
Manitoba Opera’s 36th season opens with three performances of Verdi’s spectacular blood-and-thunder opera, Il Trovatore, Saturday, November 22 (8 pm), Tuesday, November 25 (7 pm), and Friday, November 28 (8 pm) at the Centennial Concert Hall. (more....)
August 27, 2008
TRANSIT OF VENUS PROPELS MANITOBA OPERA TO A STELLAR SEASONIt was announced today at the organization's Annual General Meeting (AGM) that Manitoba Opera's first commissioned work for the main stage - the world premiere of Transit of Venus composed by Victor Davies, with libretto by Maureen Hunter - succeeded in propelling the company through a stellar 35th anniversary season which culminated in a balanced budget.
May 30, 2008
MANITOBA OPERA TO PRESENT THE NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OF JASON AND HANNAAN OPERA ABOUT WAR-AFFECTED CHILDREN PERFORMED BY CHILDREN FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 20 & 21, 2008Manitoba Opera will present the North American premiere of Jason and Hanna, an opera about war-affected children, performed by children on Friday, June 20 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, June 21, at 11 am and 3 pm, at the Canwest Global Performing Arts Centre. (more...)
May 6, 2008 - MANITOBA OPERA'S 2008/09 SEASON
MANITOBA OPERA'S 2008/09 SEASON FEATURES CANADIAN GREATS: RICHARD MARGISON & TRACY DAHL & SOME OF THE GREATEST OPERAS OF ALL TIMEA Season of the Dramatic, the Frivolous & the BeautifulVerdi's spectacular blood-and-thunder opera, Il Trovatore (November 22, 25, and 28, 2008) and Puccini's heart-wrenching, Madama Butterfly (April 25, 28 and May 1, 2009) will be presented by Manitoba Opera in 2008/09, as well as a mid-season, one-night-only concert version of Leonard Bernstein's musical comedy classic, Candide (February 28, 2009). (more...)
April 1, 2008
MANITOBA OPERA PRESENTS LA TRAVIATA - THE "PERFECT ROMANTIC OPERA" & ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS OF ALL TIME One of the most popular operas of all time, La Traviata, will be presented by Manitoba Opera for three show only, Saturday, April 19 (8 pm), Tuesday, April 22 (7 pm), and Friday, April 25 (8 pm) at the Centennial Concert Hall. (more....)
Winnipeg Free Press - November 26th, 2007
Gwenda Nemerofsky Premiere lives up to high hopesSuperb cast sets bar high in original opera - 4 out of 5 starsIT'S been years in the making and finally, on Saturday night, the collective work of countless artists and staff, with unprecedented financial support from private and public funders, made history on the stage of the Centennial Concert Hall. Transit of Venus, a brand-new opera, made its long-awaited world premiere before an anticipating audience. (more...)
November 15, 2007
MANITOBA OPERA'S WORLD PREMIERE OF TRANSIT OF VENUS TO BE BROADCAST ON CBC RADIO'S
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA DECEMBER 1, 2007
The world premiere performances of Manitoba Opera's Transit of Venus will be broadcast on CBC Radio's long-running program, Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, Saturday, December 1, 2007. The program begins at 1 pm CST on 98.3 FM. (more...)
Winnipeg Free Press: September 16th, 2007
Fall signals the start of a star-studded new season of concerts, exhibits and performances...TRANSIT OF VENUS This homegrown opera about an 18th-century French astronomer, with composer Victor Davies' score based on playwright Maureen Hunter's libretto, is arguably the must-see event of the fall.With an impressive cast, including Russell Braun, Judith Forst, Jean Stilwell, Monica Huisman and Colin Ainsworth, the $1.2-million production will have its world premiere Nov. 24 at the Centennial Concert Hall.
Winnipeg Sun: September 13, 2007
SEE VENUS Manitoba Opera are letting you into their Transit of Venus at a free sneak peek Sept. 20. Excerpts from local librettist Maureen Hunter's tale of a French astronomer torn between his profession and his true love will be performed by soloists Mark Booden and Donnalynn, and members of the Opera chorus. Hunter and director Larry Desrochers will be on hand for a post-preview Q&A, followed by a reception. Showtimes is 7 p.m. at Berney Theatre at the Asper Jewish Community Campus (123 Doncaster). An RSVP is preferred, at 942-7470. Transit of Venus opens Manitoba Opera's 35th season at Centennial Concert Hall Nov. 24, 27 & 30. Tickets cost $26 - $95 and will be available at Ticketmaster soon.
Winnipeg Free Press: September 12, 2007
TRANSIT OF VENUS Opera Sneak Preview Sept. 20ANOTHER sneak preview of the new opera in the making Transit of Venus is slated for Sept. 20 at the Berney Theatre. Manitoba Opera has been developing the Victor Davies/Maureen Hunter work in advance of its Nov. 24 premiere, which will kick off the company's 35th season. During the year-long process opera-lovers have been invited to preview Transit of Venus and offer comments about the historical romance based on a real-life 18th century French astronomer. The latest public performance of excerpts sung in English is 7:30 p.m., Sept. 20, in the Asper Jewish Community Campus's theatre. The cast consists of soloists Mark Booden, Donnalynn Grills and members of the Manitoba Opera Chorus. An audience Q & A with librettist Maureen Hunter and director Larry Desrochers will follow the free performance.
Kenora Daily Miner & News: August 20, 2007
OPERA AT THE LAKE draws nearly 700 to HarbourfrontSongs from Manitoba Opera’s Transit of Venus attracted nearly 700 people to the Harbourfront Sunday.The crowd gathered for the premier sneak peek of the Canadian opera touted for its originality. Kenora was the first stop for this preview show, the full-length production begins Nov. 24.“I can’t tell you how excited we are,” said host and chief executive of the company, Larry Desrochers. The story is about a young woman, Celeste, who falls in love with an priest/astronomer, Le Gentil, who returns her love. He asks her to wait for him until he goes in search of the transit of Venus by boat, as this story takes place in the 18th century. This was a major astronomical event of the time and he was unable to leave the chance of an expedition.The excerpts shown at the Harbourfront took the audience into the beginning of their love which is all in act one. The second act, which there were no songs on Sunday, delves into what happens when he returns.The opera singers told the story gracefully and with a lot of emotion, even though they were working with an unfamiliar stage. Their voices rang out well and clearly allowing the whole tent full of people to clearly understand what they were expressing. The singers are Mark Boden, as Le Gentil, Naomi Forman as Celeste, Donnalynn Grills as Madame Sylvie/Margo and Frank Mutya as Demarais. On piano was Tadeusz Biernacki, who played all of the music for this show.Narration from Desrochers between songs was witty and helped the audience follow along as the whole story wasn’t being told. He explained the feelings for the characters and told the audience of what they were going through before they are separated due the transit of Venus quest.For the second half of the show, the singers performed a series of vignettes from other famous operas including Delibes’ Lakme, Verdi’s La Traviata, Puccini’s La Boheme and Mozart’s Cosl Fan Tutte.Organizer Lucia Melnick was pleased to see there were so many people attending and was also pleased with the generous donations from the community to make the show run smoothly. Desrochers complimented all involved for making a positive experience, one which may happen again if the opportunity arises.This is the first in many years Kenora has had the opportunity to attend opera locally. Kenora did, however, have an opera house to entertain at the turn of the 20th Century, when the town was booming.
Kenora Daily Miner & News: August 14, 2007
OPERA READY TO TAKE STAGEPlans are well in hand for Opera at the Lake when the Manitoba Opera Company will give Kenora an exclusive look at the new Canadian opera Transit of Venus.Organizers from the Harbourfront Concert Series are in the final stages of preparation for the show which is on Sunday, Aug. 19, at 1 p.m. Most seats for the show are at no cost with a silver collection option at the door.The organizers are selling 100 seats at the Blue Heron and Sunset Gallery to help support the costs of the show. These seats are nearly sold out, said co-ordinator Lucia Melnick.Originally the performance was going to include three soloists, and now there are four as well as pianist Tadeusz Biernacki, who has performed in Kenora before.The show is being helped by a number of people in the community including Adolph Baier, who is lending his motor home as a dressing room, many from the First Baptist Church, young Kenora musicians, others who have given donations to make it happen and more. Melnick said she’s is very appreciative of everyone’s help with this project and the many other projects they put on over the summer on the Harbourfront. The show will also have a children’s activity area. The hour-long show is down at the Harbourfront where boat and road access is easy. All are welcome to the event and it is recommended to arrive early to get a seat as it’s expected to be quite busy.
Winnipeg Free Press: July 28th, 2007
MANITOBA Opera will preview its 35th season in Kenora on Sunday, Aug. 19, with an hour-long, waterfront concert in the Tent at the Lake. Opera at the Lake will feature excerpts from the company's new work, Transit of Venus -- which makes its world premiere in November -- along with a selection of operatic favourites. Soloists include Mark Booden, Donnalyn Grills and Naomi Forman, with pianist Tadeusz Biernacki. The concert begins at 1 p.m. There is rush seating for 400 free-admission seats, and 100 reserved seats for $20 each. Tickets are available at the Blue Heron and the Sunset Gallery.
July 6, 2007
Harbourfront Concerts & Lake of the Woods Concert Group, in conjunction with Manitoba Opera, present
Opera at the Lake
Sunday, August 19, 2007Harbourfront Concerts & Lake of the Woods Concert Group today announced that in conjunction with Manitoba Opera, they will be presenting Opera at the Lake, Sunday, August 19, 2007, beginning at 1 pm under the tent at the lake. (more...)
June 14, 2007
Manitoba Opera Receives Quarter Million Dollar Gift for its New Opera, Transit of Venus,
from the Asper Foundation & FamilyManitoba Opera today announced that a contribution of $250,000 has been made by The Asper Foundation, Gail Asper & Michael Paterson, and Babs Asper towards the staging of the world premiere of the new opera, Transit of Venus, which will open the company’s 35th season in November, 2007. This is the second unprecedented $250,000 gift received by Manitoba Opera for Transit of Venus, the largest single sum from private contributions ever received by the organization. James Richardson & Sons, Limited made the first quarter million dollar contribution in January, 2007. (more...)
March 12, 2007
Russell Braun Heads Roster of Internationally Renowned Artists to Star in Manitoba Opera
World Premiere of Transit of VenusManitoba Opera today announced that celebrated Canadian lyric baritone, Russell Braun, will head the all-star cast of artists who will be featured in the world premiere of Transit of Venus, an opera based on the internationally acclaimed play of the same name by Maureen Hunter which has been commissioned by Manitoba Opera for its 35th season and will run November 24, 27, and 30, 2007, at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg. (more...)
January 10, 2007
James Richardson & Sons, Limited Celebrates 150th Anniversary with $1 Million Contribution to Winnipeg’s Four Major Performing Arts GroupsHartley Richardson, President & Chief Executive Officer of James Richardson & Sons, Limited announced today that the Firm will make a $1 million contribution to be shared by the four major performing arts groups in Winnipeg. (more...)
MANITOBA OPERA HAS MOVED TO NEW OFFICE SPACE
Effective Monday, January 8, 2007, Manitoba Opera's administrative offices are now located at
Room 105, 555 Main Street, Wpg. R3B 1C3.
(Lower Level, Centennial Concert Hall)
Phone: 942-7479Manitoba Opera will stage World Premiere of New OperaBased on the Internationally Acclaimed Play, Transit of Venus in Celebration of 35th Season, 2007/08Manitoba Opera announced today that the company will stage the world premiere of a new opera based on the internationally acclaimed play Transit of Venus by Maureen Hunter in November 2007 in celebration of its 35th season, 2007/08. This full-length, three-act opera with full orchestra will be the first opera commissioned for main-stage production in the history of the company. It will be sung in English with surtitles. There are three performances at the Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall scheduled for Saturday, November 24, Tuesday, November 27 and Friday, November 30. (more...)TICKETS:
Guarantee your seat at the world premiere of Transit of Venus! Subscribing to the 2007/08 season ensures you have the best seats available at the best price. New subscription orders will be taken beginning in April and assigned seats in July following our subscription renewal campaign. Email your name and mailing address if you would like a season brochure and order form sent to you in the spring. mbopera@manitobaopera.mb.ca
December 22, 2006
MANITOBA OPERA ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF HEATHER LASER AS DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENTManitoba Opera today announced that Heather Laser has been hired for the position of Director of Development. Ms. Laser will be joining the organization Monday, January 29, 2007. She is presently the Director of Fund Development for Manitoba Theatre Centre (MTC), a position she has held since 1999. (more...)
August 30, 2006
6TH CONSECUTIVE BALANCED BUDGET FOR MANITOBA OPERA CAPS STELLAR 2005/06 SEASONFor the sixth consecutive season, Manitoba Opera has balanced its budget. Peter George, President of the Manitoba Opera (MO) Board of Directors today announced at the organization's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Winnipeg, that for the year ending June 30, 2006, a surplus of $2,829 was posted on a budget of $1,541,964. (more...)
November 21, 2005
MANITOBA OPERA HITS RECORD HIGH NUMBER OF SUBSCRIBERS FOR 2005/06 SEASONManitoba Opera today announced that it has reached a 13-year high in subscription ticket sales this season and has increased its subscription base by 28% over last year. There are currently 3,293 subscribers. The last time there were over 3,000 subscribers was the 1992/93 season which had 3,134 patrons subscribing. (more...)
September 1, 2005
MANITOBA OPERA BALANCES BUDGET FOR 5th CONSECUTIVE YEARFor the fifth consecutive year, Manitoba Opera has balanced its budget. Peter George, President of the Manitoba Opera (MO) Board of Directors announced last night at the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Winnipeg, that for the year ending June 30, 2005, a surplus of $2,201 was posted on a budget of $1,296, 641. (more...)
November 10, 2004
Manitoba Opera Appoints Tyrone Paterson as Music Advisor & Principal Conductor
Manitoba Opera today announced that Canadian opera conductor Tyrone Paterson has been appointed as Music Advisor and Principal Conductor on a three-year contract. Maestro Paterson is currently in his seventh season as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Opera Lyra Ottawa and will continue in that role, as well as maintain his guest conducting appearances all around the world. (more...)
