HISTORY | MISSION | DAVID SPEERS
- GENERAL DIRECTOR
MAESTRO DANIEL LIPTON | OPERA
ONTARIO CHORUS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
COMPANY REPERTOIRE
Message from the
General & Artistic Director
[Click here to read David's bio]
It is with the greatest pleasure that I welcome you to Opera Ontario’s website, a “home” that I hope you will utilize to keep “up to date” on news and coming events at the company.
It has been a very important season for Opera Hamilton, as we prepare ourselves for the next 25 years of activity in this community. That preparation has involved some sense of “renaissance” in the manner in which we think of our activity – from the productions on our stage, our corporate structure, to the way we relate and interact with our community.
Throughout this process, our legion of patrons, donors, artists and, indeed, the entire Canadian arts field, has stepped up without hesitation to encourage and support our efforts.
We are determined that as we move forward to secure the sustainability of our company, the artistic quality of our endeavours will not suffer. It was with great pride this season, that we presented our first production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette, featuring a marvellous ensemble cast that included Laura Whalen, Norine Burgess, American tenor John Bellemer, and bass Thomas Goerz. Our 20th Anniversary Popera, led by Maestro Lipton featured a superlative quartet of Canadian/International opera stars – Tracy Dahl, Allyson McHardy, Gordon Gietz and James Westman.
And who can forget the launch of our “Great Singers Series” and the brilliant recitals given by Canadian superstars Isabel Bayrakdarian and baritone Russell Braun – both who debuted with Opera Hamilton at the very start of their careers, and who are now in demand by virtually every major opera house in the world.
As we anticipate a tremendous finale to our season with La Traviata – we also look down the road to next year – lavish productions of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Puccini’s Tosca “book-ending” a concert production of Saint Saens Samson et Dalila, and recitals by soprano Measha Bruggergosman and tenor Michael Schade. And again, our season will proudly present Canadian and North American artists of the first flight – both artists of great experience and reputation, but as well, some of the most exciting young emerging talent this country has yet produced – continuing a very satisfying and respected tradition for this company.
I thank you for your patronage and encouragement. Our audience is the “life blood” of the organization. We owe you a great deal, and we commit to you future seasons of inspiring, creative and passionate opera!
Sincere best wishes,
David Speers
General Director
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