The Canadian Opera Company (COC) is set to receive $644,372 in grant funding provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, meant for use in the Digital Infrastructure Enhancements Project at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
The plan, developed in partnership with the National Ballet of Canada, focuses on digital upgrades to the FSC; the aim is to increase the broadcasting and recording capabilities for both the COC and the Ballet, and in the long term, achieve broader, international audience accessibility.
“The COC wants our home base at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to showcase not only the best in Canadian opera but also to serve as an accessible platform for new and diverse voices,” says Christie Darville, COC Deputy General Director. “This digital enhancement project is helping to make that goal a reality.”
There are no details yet about the timeline on this digital infrastructure enhancements project, nor are there specifics on what kind of programming might be possible with the new funding. Yet as Canadian opera fans have no doubt noticed, the COC’s presence has been underrepresented in the digital realm of the performing arts, and this funding announcement can only signal positive change. The COC’s Digital Stage initiative has been around since early 2019, and it’s likely a good bet as to where some of these new-and-improved recording and broadcast ventures may live.
Soon, we may see livestreamed concerts – even opera productions! – coming right out of the Four Seasons Centre. Readers: with a newly enhanced Four Seasons Centre, what’s on your wish-list from the Canadian Opera Company?
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.
