Jul 14, 2020

Manitoba Opera Posts Small Surplus on 2019/20 Season Despite Impact of COVID-19

Manitoba Opera (MO) announced this evening at its 2019/20 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held via Zoom, that the company posted a small surplus on the year, which ended May 31, 2020, despite the cancellation of half the season due to COVID-19.

Manitoba Opera posted an operating surplus of $1,370 on a budget of $1,972,497.  As a result of the pandemic, the company experienced a significant drop in box office revenue resulting from the cancellation of the spring production of Carmen.  Box office revenues decreased to $182,030 from $555,283 in 2018/19.

The company also had to postpone, until the spring of 2021, a gala reception at which Mrs. Tannis Richardson was to receive The Gail Asper Award.  In 2018/19, this event at which The Gail Asper Award honored the award’s namesake, netted more than $173,000.

Contributing to Manitoba Opera’s strong year end position were increases in individual giving throughout the year and in a year-end matching campaign; supplemental grants including $70,967 from the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy; and approximately $150,000 donated back in gift-in-kind ticket donations and special event admissions resulting from the cancellation of Carmen.

“The generosity and support of the community this past season from all levels: patrons, donors, sponsors, and funders has been both heartwarming and critical to enable the company to end the fiscal year in a position of financial stability,” commented Elba Haid, Chair, Manitoba Opera Board of Trustees. “We are very thankful for this support and encouragement as we continue to explore the role Manitoba Opera will play in our community in the coming months.”

Manitoba Opera’s 47^th season opened in the fall with the critically acclaimed and artistically successful company premiere of Susannah, by American composer Carlisle Floyd. Ten of the 12 leading performers were Manitoba born and were led by Winnipeg soprano Lara Ciekiewicz who was praised for her “tour-de-force performance” by the Winnipeg Free Press.

The perennial favourite, Carmen, was scheduled to close the season in late March and was on track to selling out when rehearsals were cut short in mid-March and the production cancelled due to the evolving nature of the pandemic.

“Manitoba Opera’s 47^th season will undoubtedly be remembered for the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and our first-ever mainstage production cancellation, but a number of major accomplishments should also be recognized as well,” said Larry Desrochers, General Director & CEO.

“Besides the artistic success of Susannah and Lara’s outstanding work and career milestone as the lead; the company also continued to provide an interesting and thought-provoking range of community engagement events around our productions; we were fortunate to work once again with the one-of-a-kind, Al Simmons , in our education programming; and in 2019, the company also embarked on a multi-year project to forge meaningful, respectful, and informed connections with Indigenous communities in Winnipeg and Manitoba.”

The 2020/21 Board of Trustees was also announced at the AGM. New trustees elected to the Board are Timothy E. Burt, Terence Douglas, and Flavia Fernandez Fabio.  Lana Maidment was elected to her first term as a trustee. (Bios follow).

Current  trustees re-elected were Judith Chambers, Dr. David Folk, Elba Haid (Chair), Keith Sinclair, Peter George, Alex Robinson, and Dr. Jeffrey Sisler. Returning trustees in mid-terms are Paul Bruch-Wiens, Charlene Ilas, Grant Suderman, Daniela Ignat, Maria Mitousis, Dustin Schneider, and Lori Yorke.

Retiring from the Board of Trustees after completing four full terms was Abbie Grieder and Luisa Matheson who served four full terms and one two-year term as part of a special resolution.

2019/20 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Once again this season, Manitoba Opera presented a wide variety of community engagement activities related to the productions including an evening of square dancing; a lively discussion on Carmen in the Era of #MeToo; and a panel discussion about sexual abuse in faith-based communities.  This year, more than 2,500 people participated in these events.

The highlight of the education programming this season was the return of Al Simmons’ one-man rendition of The Barber of Seville which toured to schools in Winnipeg and the surrounding region. More than 6,300 students at 18 schools were introduced to opera through the magic of Al’s ability to put on an opera in 45 minutes, playing 10 characters.

Opera Class introduced more than 800 students to opera through the hands-on workshops. This popular workshop led by local singers was presented 26 times at 18 Winnipeg schools this season.

2020/21 SEASON

Sweeney Todd and Tosca

The company announced, on June 29, the cancellation of the season opening production of Sweeney Todd. The Manitoba premiere of this Broadway masterpiece was scheduled to run at the Centennial Concert Hall November 7, 10, and 13. The production was cancelled owing to a number of reasons in response to the pandemic: primarily the safety of patrons and artists/crew; rehearsals not being possible with social distancing measures in place; and that the required social distancing measures for the audience would reduce the number of seats available to sell which results in large-scale productions not being economically viable to produce.

Though the fall production has been cancelled, Manitoba Opera will continue to present opera throughout the year. Plans have been developed for a variety of artistic, community engagement, and education programming.  Some events will be online, some live, and others will be a combination of both, depending on circumstances.

These plans include live-streamed concerts in November and February; garden tours; a new Digital Emerging Artists Program; for the kids, Celebrity Opera Storytime; and much more that’s currently in development.

Season Opening Concert: The Sopranos of Winnipeg, Saturday, November 7, 7:30 pm

The Sopranos of Winnipeg will feature some of North America’s most talented artists who all live right here in our Prairie town!  Sopranos confirmed to date include Tracy Dahl, Lara Ciekiewicz, Monica Huisman, Lara Secord-Haid, Lida Szkwarek, and Andrea Lett. They, along with members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, will be performing a selection of works in a 75-minute, live-streamed event from the Centennial Concert Hall, Saturday, November 7, beginning at 7:30 pm. Ticket details and program information to be announced soon.

Tosca, Puccini’s suspense-filled political thriller, is still scheduled for April 10, 13, and 16, 2021; however, the company will continue to monitor circumstances closer to the production.

For more information on programming, go to mbopera.ca or call 204-944-8824.

May 28, 2020

A Message from Larry Desrochers

This is the final edition of Libretto for the 2019/20 season.  It’s the season that will go down in the history books as the one with the asterisk beside it, like the prize fighter who changed weight classes to win a championship or the Stanley Cup-winning team in a shortened season.  A special achievement in extraordinary circumstances.

Soon the Government of Manitoba will implement Phase 2 of its re-opening plan, and we will all take cautious, careful, wobbly baby steps towards – what?  That, as Hamlet says, is the question.  Are we going back to the old normal or are we wandering down the path to some undiscovered country?  I wonder if we still think that it is familiarity that breeds contempt.  Perhaps these days, it is uncertainty.

I’m reminded of a principle in Steven Covey’s book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: we “should begin with the end in mind.”  Simply put, an architect imagines a building, then creates the blueprints, and then builds the building.  She/he begins with the imagined “end in mind” first, and then proactively takes steps to make that end a reality.

So, what is the “end in mind” for Manitoba Opera?  Where do I imagine we are six months from now, or a year, or two years?  Does Figaro still have the solutions to everyone’s problems?  Do Rodolfo and Mimi still fall in love over candlelight?  Does Papageno still find his Papagena?  Of course they do, and they always will because no matter how we do it, Manitoba Opera will always be about singing, music, and story.  The “end in mind” is for artists to share the gifts of their talents with audiences, lovingly portraying the pains and joys, the blood and soul of the human experience.

For a little while we might not sit in a darkened theatre together or I might not be able to greet you in the lobby.  But summer is upon us and the smell of lilacs is in the air.  Besides, who wants to go the opera when it’s nice outside anyway?  Unless, of course, it is outside!  In a few weeks, we will be sharing our plans for next season; some of those plans will remain the same and some will change.  What will be a constant throughout next season though is our pledge to provide quality experiences and opportunities to share opera with you that we hope inspires, entertains, and delights.

Finally, I want to thank the hundreds of patrons who’ve donated their Carmen tickets back to the company, as well as the hundreds of donors who’ve renewed their gifts or donated to our year end campaign.  The board, staff, artists, and volunteers are all very grateful for your support.  Your generosity makes the asterisk on this season a little more special.

Sincerely,

Larry Desrochers
General Director & CEO

Jan 15, 2020

MANITOBA OPERA NAMES TANNIS M. RICHARDSON AS 2020 RECIPIENT OF THE GAIL ASPER AWARD

Manitoba Opera announced today that the company will honour Winnipeg champion, philanthropist, and volunteer Tannis M. Richardson C.M., B.Sc. (H. Ec.), LL.D. with The Gail Asper Award. The Gail Asper Award was created by Manitoba Opera in 2018 to honour individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership in a field of endeavor or pursuit of a visionary goal.

Mrs. Richardson has made a significant difference in her hometown of Winnipeg and across the country through her decades of work and dedication to the arts, health care, and cultural organizations. She will receive The Gail Asper Award at a Gala Reception held in her honour Thursday, April 16, 2020, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Manitoba Club, 194 Broadway, Winnipeg.

Mrs. Richardson cares deeply about her community and giving back. She has been a dedicated supporter of numerous health, cultural, and social service organizations. She has been especially committed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada (JDRF), serving at the community and national levels, as well as with JDRF International.

In addition, she has contributed time and funds to many organizations including Manitoba Opera (for which she sat on the board from 1975 to 1978), the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Museum, United Way of Winnipeg, and the Kidney Foundation of Canada, and played an instrumental role in the development of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, as well as other organizations. In recognition of her philanthropy and community service, and among other awards, Mrs. Richardson was invested in the Order of Canada in 2003 and awarded an honorary degree by the University of Manitoba in 2012. (Bio follows)

May 22, 2019

Kelly Robinson to direct Manitoba Opera’s Susannah

Award-winning director, dramaturge and choreographer Kelly Robinson has been secured as the director of Manitoba Opera’s premiere of Susannah which opens the 2019/20 season this November. He last directed for the company in the 1990’s when he was at the helm of The Marriage of Figaro (1992), The Dialogues of the Carmelites (1993), The Pearl Fishers (1994), and The Turn of the Screw (1998).

With a career that spans theatre, opera, and film, Kelly’s work has been seen at the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, the National Arts Centre, CanStage, the Palace Theatre in New York, the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Centre, Theatre Royal in Plymouth, England, and in London’s West End. His work in opera includes the companies of Vancouver, Calgary, Portland, Dallas, Minnesota, Montreal and Québec City. Film and television credits include choreography for Columbia Pictures, CBC, NBC, and ABC Television.

Recent work as a director includes the world premiere of the dance musical, VIDA! for The Luminato Festival and Mirvish Productions at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre, The Inventor for Calgary Opera, High Society for the Shaw Festival, Guys And Dolls for the Stratford Festival, and Dead Man Walking for Calgary Opera. Kelly’s production of Evita broke the record for highest tickets sales in Vancouver Opera’s history; his West Side Story at Stratford and High Society at Shaw both set new attendance records as well.

He is a former artistic and executive director of theatre arts for The Banff Centre. Kelly holds a law degree from York University, and continues as Director of New Work Development for Toronto’s Mirvish Productions.

For more information on Kelly Robinson, go to http://kellyfrobinson.com/biography/

Mar 12, 2019

2019/20 Season to Feature the Iconic Carmen & the Company Premiere of the American Classic Susannah

Manitoba Opera will present an iconic opera and a company premiere in its 47^th season. Susannah, American composer Carlisle Floyd’s third and most well-known opera, opens the season November 23, 26, 29, 2019. This opera will be paired with the most popular of all operas, Bizet’s Carmen, March 28, 31, April 3, 2020. Both productions will be staged at the Centennial Concert Hall.

Winner of the New York Music Critic Circle Award for best new opera in 1956, Susannah is the most-performed American opera after Porgy and Bess. This “powerfully emotional piece is among the finest achievements in American opera.” (Nashville Music Scene 2015) and was chosen by the United States to represent American music at the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels.  (more…)

Jul 21, 2020

Carmen

Performances of Carmen Cancelled

Manitoba Opera announced on Monday, March 16, 2020 that the run of Carmen, scheduled for March 28, 31, and April 3, at the Centennial Concert Hall, would be cancelled following the recommendations of the Province of Manitoba’s public health authorities to limit gatherings larger than 250 in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

“I want to thank our patrons, supporters and stakeholders for their patience as we organized ourselves in preparation for this announcement,” said Larry Desrochers, General Director & CEO. “Of course, this decision is a disappointment to both patrons who were looking forward to the production and the artists who were eager to perform, but clearly necessary in this time of crisis.”

The sexy thriller that seduces the audience with every note.

Carmen can have any man she wants, and discards them as easily as she does the cigarettes she makes. When she seduces the proud young soldier Don José, only to cast him aside for the handsome bullfighter, jealousy ignites. José is pushed to the brink. Carmen’s tragic fate has been sealed.

Considered the most popular opera of all time, Carmen is brimming with very recognizable music including Carmen’s smoky Habanera, Don José’s Flower Song, and the rousing Toreador Song.

Music

Georges Bizet

Libretto

Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy

Sung in French with French dialogue; projected English translations. (Based on the story of the same name by French novelist Prosper Mérimée.)

Cast

(in order of vocal appearance)

• Moralès – Johnathon Kirby
• Micaëla – Lida Szkwarek
• Don José – David Pomeroy
• Zuniga – Giles Tomkins
• Carmen – Nora Sourouzian
• Frasquita – Lara Secord-Haid
• Mercédès – Laurelle Czaplinski
• Escamillo – Timothy Renner
• Le Dancaïre – Johnathon Kirby
• Le Remendado – Jean-Philippe Lazure
• Lilas Pastia – Don Larsen

Jul 21, 2020

Susannah

A gripping drama that could come straight from today’s headlines.

Set in a small Tennessee mountain village, Susannah tells the story of a 19-year-old girl targeted as a sinner after some elders spy her bathing in a secluded stream.
At a revival meeting, an itinerant evangelist urges Susannah to save her soul – but it is not her soul the Reverend desires. She refuses and he follows her home. Exhausted and beaten down by the townsfolk’s cruelty, she allows the Reverend into her house.

The next day, knowing she was a virgin, the Reverend pleads for her innocence, but everyone tries to drive Susannah from her home. She stands her ground, defiant against their hypocrisy.

Winner of the New York Music Critics Circle Award for Best New Opera in 1956, Floyd’s powerful score is brimming with Puccini-like melodies, hymns, ballads, and folk tunes.

Music & Libretto

Carlisle Floyd (1955)

Sung in English with English projections

Cast

(In order of vocal appearance)

• Mrs. Gleaton – Dawn Bruch-Wiens
• Mrs. Ott – Shannon Unger
• Mrs. Hayes – Naomi Forman
• Mrs. McLean – Donnalynn Grills
• Elder McLean – David Watson
• Olin Blitch – Kristopher Irmiter
• Elder Hayes – Terence Mierau
• Elder Ott – Thomas Goerz
• Elder Gleaton – Peter John Buchan
• Susannah Polk – Lara Ciekiewicz
• Little Bat McLean – James McLennan
• Sam Polk – Michael Robert Hendrick