On April 6th, the new, emerging company, Vera Causa Opera, based in Waterloo, Ontario will premiere their third—and biggest—show of the season, The Italian Girl in Algiers. After much success with their previous productions, Don Pasquale and Little Red Riding Hood, Vera Causa Opera has established itself as an innovative new company to look out for.
Vera Causa Opera welcomes students
Founder and Artistic Director, Dylan Langan started the company three years ago to create opportunities for students in the area to become more involved with opera.
Vera Causa Opera Artistic Director, Dylan Langan
“I found there was a deficiency in opportunity for students in the [Waterloo] area who wanted to be a part of the opera. So I got a band of folks together and we made it happen.”
As the company continues to grow, Langan’s goals for the future remain the same: producing shows for the purpose of exploration and inclusiveness.
Langan gains much satisfaction from seeing each individual prosper. VCO isn’t only a place for opera singers, but for anyone interested in the arts.
“It’s an experience for others to gain great opportunity. There’s a place for everyone here.”
Langan also says that he wants to see the company get back to a place where opera balances all art forms, from singing to visual art, acting, dancing and more.
“We have an entire orchestra, so it’s a full scale opera but in a different [working] environment,” says Langan. “We have a lot to offer singers, actors, musicians, and students. We want it to be the best thing they ever experienced. We also have mentorship programs available to help train [young aspiring opera performers]. It’s a different [sort of] dynamic.”
Introducing opera to a new audience
This also applies to the audiences that VCO attracts. “We have people who’ve never watched opera before that now have a season pass, and people who have attended opera before who also keep coming back, so it’s a unique balance,” he says. “We just try to market it as something fun.”
Concertmaster Billy Bao and Alberto Iznaga-Cruz of the Vera Causa Opera Orchestra
At Vera Causa Opera, children and students enjoy free admission, and there is no need for formal dressing; jeans are welcomed.
“We measure the success [of the company] by how happy everyone is and how included they feel—the audience, actors, performers—everyone.”
For tickets or to see upcoming events at Vera Causa Opera click here.
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.
