Toronto City Opera (TCO) is bringing the Rossini Opera Festival (ROF) to the city as part of several innovative initiatives coming during the next year.
This collaboration establishes an exciting connection for Toronto audiences with the major Italian opera Festival dedicated to Gioachino Rossini based in his hometown of Pesaro. It will also give local audiences even more opportunities to hear works by one of opera’s most beloved composers, best known for Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) and L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers), though he composed 39 operas in total, as well as many songs, chamber music, piano pieces, and sacred music over his lifetime.
“Toronto City Opera and the Rossini Opera Festival share a common vision of the continuing power of the classical opera repertoire to inspire artists and move audiences of diverse cultures. We are thrilled to bring the magic of Rossini to Toronto audiences through this collaboration,” said Mark Wilson, TCO Board President.
Daniele Vimini, ROF President and Vice Mayor of the City of Pesaro, and Aspes SpA President Luca Pieri. Photo: Rossini Opera Festival
To launch the partnership, TCO will be hosting a gala in Fall 2021 that includes an event called “La Cucina di Gioachino Rossini – Rossini Gourmet”. Teaming up with Apes SpA, the initiative aims to promote Italian cuisine.
In March 2022, TCO is taking on hosting duties for the festival’s international audition network, bringing a Canadian division of artists to the roster for the casting selection of the “Alberto Zedda” Rossiniana Academy in Pesaro.
In Toronto, a Festival of Rossini will be taking place in August 2022 simultaneously with the Rossini Opera Festival in Italy. Productions from both collaborators are in the works for in-person and digital performances in Toronto.
“This is an important day in the history of Toronto City Opera, and an achievement for opera and the arts in Toronto, Ontario and Canada. I am pleased that after two very difficult seasons because of the global phenomenon, this result has risen from my journeys,” said Richard Paradiso, TCO General Director.
Over the next year, TCO and ROF will be working together to explore future co-production opportunities.
More information about TCO’s Rossini Opera Festival can be found here.
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