May 29, 2025

CELEBRATING A SEASON OF FIRSTS, INCLUSION, & PARTNERSHIP

As the curtain falls on another remarkable season at Manitoba Opera, we take a moment to reflect on the powerful stories shared, the talented artists who brought them to life, and the community that continues to support and celebrate the art of opera. 

This season’s success was in part thanks to our 2024/25 Season Presenting Sponsor: BMO. Since 2017, BMO’s steadfast partnership has helped make opera accessible and vibrant in Manitoba. Their commitment allows us to dream big and deliver performances that resonate across generations and backgrounds. 

We opened the season with The Elixir of Love, a heartwarming comedic gem led by veteran Winnipeg director Ann Hodges. We were also proud to welcome Eve Legault back as assistant conductor. This production not only celebrated timeless music but also highlighted our commitment to showcasing women in artistic leadership roles within opera. 

La Bohème followed, offering a deeply moving exploration of love, friendship, and life’s fragility. Directed by Anna Theodosakis in her Manitoba Opera debut, the production marked a historic milestone: for the first time in our company’s history, both productions in the season were directed by women.   

Manitoba Opera’s commitment to equity and diversity remained a guiding force throughout the year. BIPOC artists took to the stage and led behind the scenes, allowing more members of our community to see themselves reflected in the stories we tell.  

Through our Opera Access program, hundreds of individuals facing socio-economic barriers attended performances at no cost, ensuring that Manitoba Opera  provides a space for all. 

As we look back on this season of firsts, heartfelt performances, and meaningful impact, we extend our deepest gratitude to BMO for their unwavering support of the arts and our community.  It is thanks to partners like BMO that opera in Manitoba continues to thrive. 

Feb 24, 2025

The Bohemian Life

The opera La Bohème is primarily based on a collection of short stories – Scènes de la vie de Bohème – written by French novelist and poet Henri Murger in the mid-19th century. The collection paints a vibrant picture of the lives of struggling young artists in Paris, focusing on their challenges and camaraderie amid poverty.

The characters in La Bohème are ordinary people experiencing everyday events, no kings and countesses here. And indeed, some of those events actually did occur in the lives of Henri Murger and Giacomo Puccini, the composer.

This semi-autobiographical novel about life in the Latin Quarter of Paris, relates the experiences of Murger when he was in his 20s. For example, the character of Rodolfe in Scènes is an unabashedly honest self-portrait of the writer.

Giacomo Puccini also included some of his own memories of his student days in Milan when he shared a room with Pietro Mascagni, a baker’s son who went on to compose Cavalleria Rusticana. It is said that they pooled their meagre funds to buy the score of Parsifal, cooked beans in the only pot available – their washbasin – and marked a city map with areas to be avoided, in order to not run into creditors. Like Colline in the opera, Puccini is said to have even pawned his coat at one point, although not to help a dying friend.

This initial glimpse into the lives of these characters, their relationships, and their struggles with both art and finances hints at the deeper themes of passion, ambition, and the sacrifices that come with a life dedicated to creativity.

In his preface, Murger wrote “Bohemia is a stage in artistic life.” Eventually, like Murger, most of his characters make their escape into the next stage of life – respectability. At the end of the novel, Colline inherits money and marries a rich woman; Schaunard becomes a successful writer of popular songs; Marcello secures an exhibit of his work, sells a painting to an ex-lover of Musetta and moves to better accommodations; Rodolfo’s writing career is launched when he publishes his first book; and even the fiery Musetta settles down.

Click to read – Scènes de la vie de Bohème

Feb 24, 2025

Evan Maydaniuk joins Staff Team

Evan Maydaniuk has joined the team at Manitoba Opera and will be leading the fundraising department as director of development. He started in January and is looking forward to connecting with the company’s donors.

“As director of development, I will have the privilege of helping to connect those who love Manitoba Opera with the joy of giving,” says Evan. “Donors keep the art form on the stage and are at the heart of Manitoba Opera. I am looking forward to getting to know the folks who make it possible for opera to thrive here on the Prairies.”

A proud citizen of the Red River Métis nation and a born and raised Winnipegger, Evan graduated with a business administration degree from the University of Winnipeg, where his studies focused on non-profit management. From there, he took the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ fundraising course and then launched his career in the development sector as the stewardship officer for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

He has since earned his CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive professional designation) and gives back by serving as the current president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Manitoba Chapter.

Evan has also held positions as the annual giving manager with the Inuit Art Foundation; development and marketing director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg; and most recently, was the director of development for Rainbow Resource Centre.

“Now, I’m living the dream!” says Evan of his position with Manitoba Opera. “My goal has been to work in the arts sector, and I am so happy to be able to use my fundraising and leadership abilities to help bring opera to the stage. It’s a gift to come to work every day.

I may not know that much about the art form yet, but I certainly believe in the power of the arts. The arts tell our stories, make the world a more beautiful place, and build community. And I look forward to learning more about opera from those who love it most, our donors.”

Music is a big part of Evan’s recreational life as well. He plays the great Highland bagpipe and is the Pipe Major of Glenaura Pipes & Drums, leading a community band that focuses on preserving and celebrating Scottish music. Ballet also figures into Evan’s life as well.

“Ballet is my happy place. I’m proud to sit on the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Board. I’ve danced recreationally but leave the real dance to the professionals. My favorite ballets are Don Quixote, Dracula, and The Wizard of Oz,” says Evan.

“My Roman Empire (thinks about daily) is the Eurovision Song Contest. I’m obsessed with it. It’s quirky, it’s fun, and it’s great music. But moreover, the song contest brings people together across borders to celebrate and create unity through music.”