Calgary Opera 20/21 has been revealed: the details of the company’s upcoming 2020-21 season, and it’s a showcase of the country’s on, and offstage talent.
The three-show season begins in November with Beethoven’s Fidelio, in a production directed by Michael Cavanagh and conducted by Calgary Opera Artistic Director Bramwell Tovey. Tracy Cantin takes on the heavy-duty singing as Leonora, opposite David Pomeroy as Florestan. Melody Courage is Marzelline, Owen McCausland is Jaquino, and Calgary favourite Gregory Dahl sings Don Pizarro. Performances run November 21-27, 2020.
Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow kicks off the new year, with Omer Ben Seadia directing and Tania Miller conducting the performances, Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, 2021. Calgary native Aviva Fortunata sings the title role of Hanna Glawari, opposite James Westman as Count Danilo. Jacqueline Woodley is Valencienne, Colin Ainsworth is Camille de Rosillon, and Richard Suart is Baron Zeta.
To close the Calgary Opera 20/21 season, Alain Gauthier’s production of La traviata will run April 17-23, 2021. The production, seen at Manitoba Opera and Edmonton Opera in 2018; Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria in 2019, will stop at l’Opéra de Montréal this fall before arriving in Calgary to be conducted by Gordon Gerrard. Talise Trevigne sings Violetta Valéry, opposite Andrew Haji as Alfredo. Giles Tomkins is slated to sing Doctor Grenvil, and additional casting details are still pending.
Subscriptions are available for purchase; if you’re considering lending your support to Calgary Opera, now is a great time to start. Full season details are found here.
Jenna is the editor and co-creator of Schmopera. She also writes for The Globe and Mail and Opera Canada. She’s a pianist and vocal coach, and working with singers is how she fell in love with opera.
