Calgary Opera has announced the appointment of a new Resident Conductor and Repetiteur, Kimberley-Ann Bartczak*. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Kimberley-Ann Bartczak is a conductor, pianist and vocal coach. She is on staff at Opera on the Avalon, an alumni of Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program, and has extensive experience in choral conducting and accompaniment. Recent appearances include assistant conductor for Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking and guest conductor for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, both at Opera on the Avalon, coach at the Neil Semer Vocal Institute in Coesfeld, Germany where she coached Barbara Hannigan, and repetiteur for Puccini’s Turandot at Vancouver Opera. In addition, Ms. Bartczak will conduct Calgary Opera’s Christmas at the Opera, A Choral Extravaganza, on December 1, 2, and 3 with Calgary Opera Chorus featuring artists from the Emerging Artist Development Program.
“We are very pleased to welcome Kimberley-Ann to the Calgary Opera family,” said Taras Kulish, Interim Artistic Director, Calgary Opera. “The Resident Conductor and Repetiteur position at Calgary Opera is a very important one from an artistic standpoint. We are thrilled to welcome and to foster Kimberley-Ann’s great talents as a pianist and budding conductor.”
Ms. Bartzcak is only the third conductor to assume the position of Resident Conductor and Repetiteur at Calgary Opera, having been preceded by Topher Mokzrewski, and Gordon Gerrard.
The role of Resident Conductor and Repetiteur at Calgary Opera was established in 2009. Ms. Bartczak’s duties will include preparing each mainstage production during rehearsals, coach principals and covers; prepare each opera as assistant conductor and assist the conductor at all orchestra rehearsals. In addition, as Principal Coach of the Emerging Artists program, Ms. Bartczak will aid in the preparation for all concerts, events, auditions and act as Music Director for all Emerging Artist performances.
Special thanks to United Active Living, the sponsor of Resident Conductor and Repetiteur, making this role at Calgary Opera possible.
Angela Bell is Opera Canada’s Digital Media Specialist. She has held digital and PR roles with various businesses including the Walt Disney Company, Sullivan Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival.
