Jul 23, 2025

2024/25 SEASON ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING RECAP

Manitoba Opera (MO) announced at its 2024/25 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Centennial Concert Hall on Tuesday, July 8, that the year ending May 31, 2025, was a dynamic and affirming year for the company that underscored Manitoba Opera’s role as both a cultural leader and a creative force in the province. 

“With generous community support, in 2024/25, we continued to expand our impact while staying grounded in the timeless power of storytelling through music,” said Larry Desrochers, General Director & CEO. “Our programming, community engagement, and education initiatives all centered on the core themes of artistic excellence and innovation, connecting to communities, language and cultural reclamation, and civic leadership.” 

The company reported that it posted an operating surplus of $5,000 following an internal transfer of $47,082 to its board-designated Operating Reserve Fund. As of May 31, 2025, the Reserve Fund has a balance of $314,561 up from $267,479, to support activities and programs for FY2026.  

Although subscription figures were just 70% of pre-pandemic levels, this represents a 20% increase over the previous year. The 2024/25 season programming – The Elixir of Love and La Bohème – was a resounding artistic success, but single ticket revenue for both productions underperformed. The year ended with $501,344 in box office receipts. Fundraising from all operational campaigns saw a modest increase of five percent in donations, fundraising, and sponsorship. During the 2024/25 season, The A. Kerr Twaddle Robert H. Thorlakson Manitoba Opera Endowment Fund grew by $964,450, and as of May 31, 2025, has a market value of $4,227,251 ($3,262,801 – 2024).  

“We are so very thankful to the opera community and all our supporters coming together to support opera in Manitoba once again in the 2024/25 season,” commented Judith Chambers, Outgoing Chair. “Whether it’s a fully staged mainstage production, new Canadians attending an opera for the first time through our Opera Access program, or students working with a professional singer in their classroom, none of our work would be possible without the generous support we receive from our individual donors, corporate partners, funders, and investments from all three levels of government.”  

The 2024/25 season saw the Opera Access program grow significantly. This program provides free or subsidized tickets to social service organizations that distribute tickets to people who might not attend an opera otherwise. This season, over 3,700 tickets (2,527 for The Elixir of Love and 1,187 for La Bohème) were distributed to over 75 organizations.   

Other season highlights included the return of celebrated Winnipeg soprano Andriana Chuchman as Adina in The Elixir of Love and La Bohème’s powerful all-Canadian cast led by Zachary Rioux (Rodolfo) and Suzanne Taffott (Mimì); the retirement of Maestro Tyrone Paterson as the company’s music advisor & principal conductor after 21 seasons; the awarding of a transformative investment of $750,000 over three years from Prairies Economic Development Canada that will help to rebuilding audiences, strengthen finances, and modernize business practices; the Gala Reception in honour of Winnipeg philanthropist Michael Nesbitt, the third recipient of the Gail Asper Award; a continuation of the company’s equity, diversity, and inclusion work which included the creation of the Black Communities Advisory Committee; the fifth anniversary of the Digital Emerging Artist Program which saw five participants receiving a total of 445 hours of mentorship; reaching over 2,000 students through a range of programs; and multi-faceted engagement initiatives such as the art supplies drive that positioned the company as a community connector and cultural convenor.  

The 2025/26 Board of Trustees was also announced at the AGM. Members re-elected were Sandy Chahal, Charlene Ord, John Pacak, and Grant Suderman. Trustees in mid-terms are Paul Bruch-Wiens, Terence Sakohianisaks Douglas, Flavia Fernadez Fabio, Lana Maidment, Luisa Matheson, Andrea McLandress, and Dr. Bill Pope. Joining the board of trustees is Anthony Maros and Dr. Verona Wheatley. (See below for bios.) Returning to the board is Incoming Chair Lori Yorke, who previously served as a trustee and was chair of the Finance Committee. 

After completing four full terms, Judith Chambers will be retiring from the board. Also concluding their service of four full terms are Keith Sinclair and Dr. David Folk. Ray Karasevich is leaving the board after joining in 2022. Elba Haid is also leaving the board and has been named Director Emeritus. Haid joined the board in 2007, served as chair from 2015 to 2000, continued to support the company as past chair, and was the co-chair for this year’s The Gail Asper Award and co-chair of The Power of Voice Endowment Campaign.