Focus on Canadian Opera Creation
Opera.ca announces COCF Results for 08/09
Opera.ca, through its Canadian Opera Creation Fund, has awarded a total of $185,000 for the development and production of seven new Canadian operas:
• Chants Libres for Opéra Féerie and Alexandra
• Pacific Opera Victoria for Mary`s Wedding
• Queen of Puddings Music Theatre for Svadba
• Soundstreams Canada for The Children’s Crusade
• Tapestry New Opera Works for The Shadow
• Vancouver Opera for Lillian Alling
Read the full media release here
Queen of Puddings presents INÊS
The Queen of Puddings Music Theatre, in association with Harbourfront Centre, will present the world premiere of their new chamber opera INÊS on February 22, 2009 at the Enwave Theatre in Toronto. The opera was composed by James Rolfe and written by Paul Bentley with Portuguese translations from Anna Camara and Rui Mota. The opera is based on the medieval Portuguese legend of Inês de Castro and has been adapted to depict life within Toronto’s Portuguese community in the 1960’s. INÊS will have 5 performances from February 22 to March 1. For more information, please see here. INÊS was supported in part by the Canadian Opera Creation Fund.
Opera.ca Announces a New Program -
Creative Connections
Opera.ca is calling upon all Professional Company Members, currently working with, or thinking of working with a composer/librettist team on a new opera, to submit a Letter of Interest to participate in Creative Connections, a new opera creation project. (In collaboration with The Banff Centre and the Banff Opera Colloquium and made possible by funding from the George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation).
Creative Connections is an Opera.ca initiative designed to support and develop relationships between producers and creative teams to foster team-building and shared learning in the sustained development of full length Canadian operas.
Opera.ca is asking for Letters of Interest from PCMs to submit a project and creative team (composer and librettist). Four composer/librettist/producer teams will be selected to participate in the program. Creative Connections is a three stage process:
1. Round Tables and Panel discussions related to new opera creation,
2. a one week workshop process in Banff in Summer 2009,
3. a final showcase presentation in February 2010 where excerpts from the full-length works in progress will be performed with orchestra.
The deadline for submission of Letters of Intent is January 30, 2009. Full details can be found here.
Save the Dates!!
February 10, 2009 - Ontario Regional Roundtable
Opera.ca will host an Ontario Roundtable for companies throughout the province on February 10, 2009. The Roundtable is made possible through the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This event will provide opera producers with the opportunity to learn more about each others' activities, goals and challenges. We will be joined by David Parsons – Classical Music Officer, and John Brotman – Executive Director of the Ontario Arts Council who will speak about the OAC's strategic plan. To download an agenda and registration form, click here.
August 14-16, 2009 - Banff Opera Colloquium
From August 14-16, 2009, The Banff Centre and Opera.ca will bring together opera leaders and professionals from across the country for the third bi-annual Banff Opera Colloquium. A unique professional development initiative for the Canadian opera community, this Colloquium is an opportunity for artistic and general directors, board members, staff, educators, volunteers and those committed to the vibrancy and future of the field, to share information, challenges and opportunities, and to develop a richer understanding of the field. Mark your calendars and watch for further information on the Colloquium in the coming weeks.
Advocacy update
Report on Ottawa PAA
Following the inaugural meeting of the Performing Arts Alliance in Ottawa this past December, board and advocacy committee members of the CDA, Opera.ca, Orchestras Canada and PACT have continued to actively meet with MPs from across the country. The goal of these meetings is to ensure that MPs are aware of the key contributions that arts organizations make to Canadian life, both socially and economically, and to reinforce the need for the arts sector to be included in any economic stimulus package in the forthcoming budget.
Until the House of Commons resumes on January 26th, Minister of Canadian Heritage James Moore will continue to tour the country, meeting with members of the arts and culture community. We are optimistic that his openness will help to foster a stronger partnership between the federal government and the arts and culture sector going forward.
Opera.ca is working in concert with the Performing Arts Alliance, the Canadian Arts Coalition, the Canadian Conference for the Arts and Imagine Canada to ensure messages are consistent and being repeated by many stakeholders to MPs in all ridings.
Introducing Greg!
Opera.ca is happy to announce that Greg Wagland has joined us as the new Membership and Communications Coordinator. Greg is looking forward to speaking and working with you over the coming months. He can be reached at g_wagland@opera.ca or by calling our offices at 416-591-7222.
Singer Services Workshop
Opera.ca will present its third Singer Services Workshop on March 7 at the University of Western Ontario. During this day-long event, a panel of professionals working in the Canadian Operatic sector will assist emerging singers in identifying their professional goals and planning their career paths. Contact Opera.ca for more information.
Member News
The Canadian Opera Company has announced conductor Johannes Debus as the company’s new Music Director. Debus made his debut with the COC in 2008 when he conducted their production of War and Peace. Debus will begin his appointment with the 09/10 season. You can read the full release here.
The Canadian Opera Company has also announced the details of their 09/10 season which marks their 60th. Please see here for the release.
People
Peter Dominic Charbonneau has been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of CBC/Radio-Canada. For more information, please see here.
Of Note
Youth Internship Program – Feb 1 deadline
The Cultural Human Resources Council, through its Youth Internship Program, seeks proposals from cultural organizations who can offer an opportunity in Arts Practice or Administration to a post-secondary graduate under 30 years of age. To find out more about the program, please see here. For the application, see here. The Deadline to submit is February 1, 2009.
CCA Chalmers Workshop
The Canadian Conference of the Arts has announced the 2009 Chalmers Workshop. The National Cultural Strategy Workshop – a Chalmers Event and the CCA Awards Ceremony will be held in Ottawa on March 12, 2009. For more information and registration form, please see here.
Canadians Celebrating Culture – upload your video!
A new website and YouTube channel – Canadians Celebrating Culture – wants you to help celebrate the gift of culture in Canada by uploading your video of an audience applauding artists.
Deadlines
Creative Connections - A new opera creation project
Letter of interest deadline: January 30, 2009
Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Professional Performing Arts Companies
Operating Grant Application deadline: February 1, 2009