Jun 18, 2026

MANITOBA OPERA ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF GORDON GERRARD AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Manitoba Opera today announced that Gordon Gerrard, a Manitoba-born conductor, pianist, and educator, has been selected as the company’s artistic director. Gerrard brings a wealth of artistic and administrative experience to the role and is well known as a proponent of innovative and inclusionary programming that explores social change and community engagement. Gerrard begins his five-year contract with the company Tuesday, September 1.

“We are so pleased to welcome Gordon Gerrard to the Manitoba Opera team as artistic director. Gordon is a highly respected conductor, artistic leader, and musician, who many in our community already know through his work across the country,” commented Board of Trustees Chair, Lori Yorke.

“Manitoba Opera audiences are sure to remember Gordon from his impressive company debut conducting The Marriage of Figaro in April. This is a historic moment for Manitoba Opera as we look ahead to new artistic possibilities and ways that we can continue to deepen our engagement with our community, and Gordon will play a vital role in the shaping of all of this.”

The artistic director (AD) will be responsible for establishing an inspiring, aspirational artistic vision that reflects Manitoba Opera’s heritage and future ambitions. The AD will guide all programming choices, operational artistic priorities, and community interaction with this vision.

Also included in the AD responsibilities: developing and implementing a financially sustainable multi-year repertoire strategy that blends traditional and contemporary works that engage and challenge diverse audiences, from longtime enthusiasts to newcomers; hiring artists; curating productions, community engagement, and education programs that align with MO’s values, considering diversity, equity and inclusion, and Indigenous reconciliation; and mentor emerging and established artists.

The artistic director will work closely with all factions of the company: production and artistic team, marketing, public relations, and publicity, development and fundraising, education, and community engagement.

“A proud Manitoban, Gordon has built a distinguished career working with leading orchestras and opera companies across the country,” commented Executive Director Michael Blais. “He is widely recognized for his artistic excellence and collaborative leadership. We are thrilled to welcome Gordon into this leadership role, and the entire team is looking forward to working with him as we continue to build on Manitoba Opera’s strong foundation and exciting future.”

Growing up on a farm just outside of Brandon, Manitoba, Gordon Gerrard grew up with music in the house. He started piano lessons at the age of seven and left the farm at 17 for his undergrad at the University of Manitoba. He completed his master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music (New York). Gerrard believes music serves as a kind of animating life force and appreciates its potential to change people.

Besides his extensive guest engagements with orchestras for both symphonic concerts and opera repertoire, Gerrard just completed a decade-long tenure as the music director for the Regina Symphony Orchestra (which resulted in him being honoured with an appointment as Conductor Emeritus). Since 2023, he has served as the artistic director for City Opera Vancouver, a professional chamber opera company. He will continue in this position in tandem with his role with Manitoba Opera.  (See full bio for more information.)

“Coming home to join Manitoba Opera is a true full-circle moment. This is the company where I saw my first opera in the 1990s, and it’s where my fascination with this art form truly began,” explains Gerrard.

“Manitoba Opera has long been a vital leader in Winnipeg’s rich and vibrant arts scene, earning a formidable reputation across the country not only for the exceptional work on its stage, but for its deeply impactful education and community engagement initiatives. It’s a great privilege to work alongside the team and its many partners, including the wonderful musicians of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. I’m excited to help shape the future of the arts in Manitoba.”

Manitoba Opera embarked on a year-long search to fill this newly created position following General Director & CEO Larry Desrochers’ decision to not seek a renewal of his contract which expired in May 2026. Desrochers held the position of general director & CEO for over 25 years. Following a leadership transition review, the company created two roles: executive director and artistic director. Michael Blais, who was the company’s director of operations and joined the company in 2010, was promoted to executive director last August.

The search was led by Harris Leadership Strategies, an executive search, leadership coaching, strategic planning, and career transition services company based in Winnipeg.

Read Gordon Gerrard’s Bio

May 28, 2026

Tracy Dahl to Receive Order of Manitoba

Internationally renowned coloratura soprano Tracy Dahl, C.M., is one of 12 Manitobans who will be receiving an Order of Manitoba on July 16. 

The Order of Manitoba is the province’s highest honour and recognizes Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievements that enrich the social, cultural, or economic well-being of the province and its residents. It was established in 1999. 

“The 12 exceptional Manitobans being inducted into the Order of Manitoba this year epitomize what makes Manitoba so special,” said Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville, chancellor of the order, who will preside over the ceremony which will take place at the Legislative Building. “From world-class athletes and gifted musicians to compassionate community leaders and brilliant medical and scientific minds, their diverse achievements reflect the extraordinary breadth of talent, dedication and service across our province.” 

Tracy Dahl has established a career as one of Canada’s most renowned international operatic artists, having performed with every major Canadian orchestra and opera company, and appearing all over the world. She is also a sought-after vocal teacher, nurturing future generations of artists across the country. 

In the early 1980s, Tracy was a cast member in Manitoba Opera’s Opera in the Schools program. She made her mainstage debut with the company as Barbarina in the 1982 production of The Marriage of Figaro and has been in 14 productions since. Her most recent appearance was as Despina in the 2024 production of Così fan tutte. 

Tracy’s fellow honourees are Andrew Harris, Chantal Kreviazuk, C.M., Jocelyne Larocque, Dr. Peter MacDonald, Ash Modha, Brian Pallister, Dr. Joss Reimer, Diane Roussin, M.S.M., Elder Bille Schibler, Dr. Lotfollah Shafai, O.C., and Douglas Stephen.  

Brava Tracy! 

May 7, 2026

Larry Desrochers Wins 2026 Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction

MANITOBA ARTS COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE:

Winnipeg, MB – The Manitoba Arts Council is pleased to announce that Larry Desrochers is the winner of the 2026 Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction. This $30,000 prize is awarded annually to a professional artist or arts/cultural professional in recognition of the highest level of artistic excellence and contribution to the development of the arts in Manitoba.

Beyond his impressive 25-year tenure as general director & CEO of Manitoba Opera, Larry has also worked as a producer and administrator in theatre, festivals, film, and large-scale cultural events, often at the forefront of significant change in Canada’s arts and culture sector.

Larry was the inaugural executive director of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, which has become the second largest of its kind in North America. He was a founding board member of Manitobans for the Arts, an organization that advocates for arts, culture, and heritage in Manitoba. Larry also produced and directed the 1999 Pan American Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the largest live-broadcast outdoor stadium event in Canadian history at the time.

His accolades include receiving the University of Winnipeg’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Winnipeg Arts Council’s Making a Difference Award, the Winnipeg Film Group’s Lifetime Honorary Membership, Opera America’s Distinguished Service Award, and the Opera Canada Ruby Award.

“Thank you to the Manitoba Arts Council for this honour. It is a privilege to be included among past recipients who have contributed so significantly to Manitoba’s cultural life. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work alongside many talented artists, staff, volunteers, crew, board members, and supporters, and I accept this award in recognition of collaborative spirit and bold creativity of Manitoba’s arts community,” said Larry Desrochers.

“Larry has shown, time and again, that the arts can bring people together, spark dialogue, celebrate heritage, and create empathy; and that leadership rooted in integrity and compassion can have a transformative effect far beyond any one organization,” said Robert Vineberg, Larry’s nominator.

“Congratulations to Larry Desrochers, as this year’s recipient of the Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction,” said Manitoba’s Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy.

“Larry’s work in arts leadership has been integral in shaping the landscape of arts and culture in Manitoba, and his legacy will have a lasting impact on the people of Manitoba.”

“MAC is so pleased to honour Larry Desrochers with the 2026 Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction,” said Katarina Kupca, Chair of the Manitoba Arts Council. “Over the course of his career, Larry has defined what it means to be an arts leader in its truest form. He has demonstrated innovation, responsibility, advocacy, and most importantly, a philosophy of putting Manitoba artists first.”

The nominations for this award were reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel of peers who make their decision based on the artistic excellence of the candidate’s work and their contribution to the development of the arts in Manitoba. Previous Award of Distinction recipients include Ken Gregory (2025), Jennine Krauchi (2024), Di Brandt (2023), Daina Warren (2022), and Alan Greyeyes (2020).

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The Manitoba Arts Council is an arm’s-length agency of the Province of Manitoba, established in 1965 “to promote the study, enjoyment, production and performance of works in the arts.” MAC makes awards to professional arts organizations and individuals in all art forms including theatre, literature, dance, music, painting, sculpture, architecture or the graphic arts, and includes other similar creative or interpretative activity, including arts education.

For more information, please contact:
Elyse Saurette, Communications Coordinator
Manitoba Arts Council
esaurette@artscouncil.mb.ca
(204) 945-0646