Aug 28, 2025

Celebrating the 2024/25 Season’s Success with Support from Power Corporation of Canada

Our heartfelt thanks to Power Corporation of Canada for their generous support as a season production sponsor in the 2024/25 Season. Their investment made it possible to present two exceptional productions—The Elixir of Love and La Bohème—bringing world-class opera to the heart of Canada and enriching the cultural life of Manitoba. 

This season stood out as a triumph of artistic and emotional storytelling. The Elixir of Love delighted audiences with its comedic charm and lyrical beauty, featuring acclaimed performances by Andriana Chuchman and Jonah Hoskins. In the spring, La Bohème offered a moving portrayal of love and loss in 19th-century Paris, with standout performances by Suzanne Taffot, Zachary Rioux, and Charlotte Siegel. Both productions were traditionally staged and delivered with the high level of artistry that audiences have come to expect from Manitoba Opera. 

Thanks to Power Corporation of Canada’s sponsorship, Manitoba Opera was able to meet the demands of rising production costs while maintaining accessibility and artistic integrity. This support was especially vital as the company continues to navigate the post-pandemic arts landscape, working to rebuild and expand our audience base.  

In addition to the success on stage, Power Corporation’s contribution enabled Manitoba Opera to continue offering a wide range of educational and community engagement programming. These initiatives connected the company with students and opera goers across the province through student workshops, digital resources, and public events that encouraged conversation and connection through opera. 

Manitoba Opera is proud to recognize Power Corporation of Canada as a key partner in delivering a meaningful 2024/25 season. Their support underscores the vital role that corporate philanthropy plays in sustaining the arts and ensuring that opera continues to inspire, educate, and engage communities across Manitoba. 

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. 

Jul 23, 2025

CANADA LIFE’S ENDURING SUPPORT HELPS MANITOBA OPERA REACH NEW AUDIENCES

For more than 50 years, Canada Life has played a pivotal role in the growth and reach of Manitoba Opera, helping to ensure that opera remains an accessible and vibrant part of Manitoba’s cultural landscape. Since the company’s inaugural performance in 1972, Canada Life has been a steadfast sponsor, motivated by a belief in the power of storytelling and cultural expression to build stronger, more connected communities. 

This commitment is visible in Canada Life’s ongoing support for Manitoba Opera’s educational and community engagement programs. As Education & Community Engagement Sponsor, Canada Life has helped bring opera directly to youth across Manitoba. The Opera Class program, in particular, has introduced over four thousand children to the art form, sparking creativity and a love of music through hands-on workshops led by professional opera singers. These efforts ensure that young people, regardless of their background, can experience the transformative power of the arts. 

Canada Life’s dedication to community giving is also reflected in the actions of its employees, who volunteered more than 36,000 hours and contributed over $2.6 million to community causes in 2024-25. This culture of generosity and engagement aligns closely with Manitoba Opera’s mission to change lives through music and storytelling. 

Without support from partners like Canada Life, Manitoba Opera’s ability to offer student programming and community outreach would be diminished, leaving a gap in opportunities for youth to explore, question, and create. Canada Life’s unwavering support ensures that opera remains a vital gateway for connection, imagination, and understanding in Manitoba. 

Manitoba Opera extends heartfelt gratitude to Canada Life for its decades-long partnership and ongoing belief in the value of the arts. Their support continues to make a meaningful difference, on stage, in classrooms, and throughout the community. Thank you Canada Life!