Welcome to the the latest edition of Opera Round-Up, AOC’s monthly sectoral newsletter sharing the latest from Canada’s opera community!
As summer winds down, we hope you had a chance to enjoy some of the wonderful programming offered by opera companies and artists across the country. It’s been an exciting season of performances, festivals, and creative activity, and there’s plenty more to look forward to as we head into the fall.
In this edition, we’re sharing the latest updates from AOC, along with news and developments from across the opera sector.
Happy reading!
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Monthly Newsletter
August 28, 2026
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In this month’s edition:
- AOC News
- Season Announcements
- Across the Opera Sector
- OPERA America
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Calendar of Opera
- Job Listings and Auditions
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Canadian Participants Begin the 2026 Leadership Intensive in NYC!
Canadian participants Dorian Cox, Director of the Ensemble Studio at the Canadian Opera Company, and Renée Fajardo, Education Manager at Gateway Theatre and Artistic Producer of Sound the Alarm, have officially begun the 2026 OPERA America Leadership Intensive Program at the Doris Duke Foundation in New York City!
The yearlong program supports rising leaders in opera administration through professional development, mentorship, and connection. It begins with a week of seminars and training in New York City, followed by opportunities throughout the year for participants to reconnect virtually and at OPERA America’s annual conference to assess their growth and goals with expert faculty.
Each year, the Association for Opera in Canada selects and sponsors two Canadian participants to take part in the Leadership Intensive. Dorian and Renée were selected by an independent jury from a competitive pool of 11 applicants and are joining an international cohort of 18 participants.
We wish Dorian and Renée an inspiring and rewarding week in New York City and all the best as they begin their Leadership Intensive journey!
Also, follow AOC on Instagram for highlights from Dorian and Renée’s Leadership Intensive experience in NYC.
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Tapestry Opera
Tapestry Opera’s 2026–2027 season celebrates the breadth of Canadian artistry with bold, forward-looking works that expand what opera can be. The season brings leading Canadian artists to centre stage while exploring themes of survival, freedom, and artistic innovation.
Highlights include Dog Days, Forbidden, and Raising the Baton.
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Highlighting the latest news, developments, and stories from Canada’s opera community!
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- The COC held a recent Toronto workshop previewing the score for the upcoming premiere of Empire of Wild (Ian Cusson/Cherie Dimaline), a new opera based on Dimaline’s bestselling novel. The Indigenous-led creative team features Cree costume designer Jeff Chief and Algonquin director Yvette Nolan. Read more about the workshop HERE.
- Chants Libres transforms OPER’ACTUEL into a biennial festival dedicated to contemporary opera. Following eight editions as a concert event, Montréal’s Chants Libres announced that OPER’ACTUEL will become a biennial festival, with its first edition running September 21–26. The week will combine contemporary opera performances with workshops, showcases, conferences, discussions and auditions. READ MORE
- The Canadian Opera Company will host its annual Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition & Gala on October 22 at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Themed “The Art of Opera,” the evening will support the COC’s Ensemble Studio program for emerging artists, combining a vocal competition with an onstage gala dinner. READ MORE
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OPERA America’s National Opera Center Reopens
OPERA America’s National Opera Center will reopen on September 15 following a summer of improvements, including three new studios, a new HVAC system and upgraded theatrical LED lighting in Scorca Hall. To celebrate, OPERA America will host a Reopening Week Open House from September 15–18, inviting members of the opera community to explore the newly renovated spaces and see the upgrades firsthand.
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Michael J. Bobbitt and Renée Fleming Discuss Social Prescribing
OPERA America President and CEO Michael J. Bobbitt will join renowned soprano Renée Fleming for a virtual Conversation on Social Prescribing, hosted by LA Opera on September 2 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The conversation will explore the role of the arts in health and well-being. Registration is free and open to all.
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Atelier lyrique National Auditions: September 7 Deadline
The application deadline for the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal’s 2027–2028 National Auditions is fast approaching!
Young Canadian singers and permanent residents are invited to apply for a paid full-time residency with one of Canada’s leading opera training programs. Preliminary auditions will take place in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto, with limited Zoom auditions available for eligible candidates. Finalists will be invited to Montreal in November to compete in the Talent Gala for prizes totaling more than $19,000.
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To check out the new job listings on our website, or add a job listing click here
To check most recent calls for auditions click here
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