In this special episode, Jane Potter brings Verdi’s world to life through the story of Rigoletto, a work born out of controversy, courage, and the fight for artistic freedom.

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Episode Credits:

Jane Potter - Writer and Narrator

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver Opera

Mack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

Lyndon Ladeur - Voice of Giachino Rossini

Mihnea Nitu - Voice of Guiseppe Verdi

Richard Wolfe - Voice of Victor Hugo

Few artists have shaped Canadian theatre and opera as profoundly as Glynis Leyshon, who now brings her formidable imagination to Vancouver Opera’s new production of Rigoletto, re-set in Victorian London, a place where masks, privilege, and secrecy hold sway.

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Episode Credits:

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver Opera

Mack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

He's one of the city's greatest voices on stage, on air, and lately at City Hall. Today we're joined by Christopher Gaze, actor, advocate, and the visionary force behind Bard on the Beach.

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Episode Credits:

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver Opera

Mack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

Composer, producer, and traditional singer from the Lil’wat Nation, Russell Wallace speaks about the influence of his mother, the language inside his music, and why singing together gives him hope.

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Episode Credits:

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver Opera

Tim Matheson - Cover Photo

Mack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

For nearly two decades, Doug Tuck was the voice of Vancouver Opera. Not just as Director of Marketing, but as the friendly presence who greeted audiences in the lobby and guided them through curtain speeches and pre-show chats. In this episode, Doug shares stories from La Bohème to Stickboy—and why he still believes in the art form’s power.

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Episode Credits:

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver Opera

Mack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

Canadian soprano Sarah Dufresne joins host Ashley Daniel Foot to talk about her journey from Niagara Falls to the world’s great stages — and her debut as Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto at Vancouver Opera.

From childhood competitions where she sometimes sang “against herself,” to major roles at the Royal Opera House and Pacific Opera Victoria, Sarah reflects on the moments that shaped her artistry. She shares what she’s learned about trusting her voice, why Gilda resonates with her as both innocent and courageous, and how singing can feel effortless when everything aligns.

✨ A conversation about growth, resilience, and the emotional power of opera — with one of Canada’s most exciting rising voices.

Our conversation today is with Madeleine Thien, Giller Prize-winning author of the novel Do Not Say We Have Nothing, as well as librettist of the opera Chinatown. Madeleine's newest novel, The Book of Records, is a sweeping and time-bending, deeply humane work that weaves together lives across centuries.

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Episode Credits:

Madeleine Thien - Author, The Book of Records

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host

Mack McGillivray - Editor

Blending Tagalog and English, film and song, Liham gives voice to the Filipino-Canadian experience. Today we are joined by two members of the team behind Liham, producer and mezzo-soprano Renee Fajardo, and baritone Danlie Rae Acebuque.

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Liham is a digital art song cycle that explores Filipino-Canadian identity through contemporary classical music, poetry, and film. Created by and for the Filipino community, it uplifts personal stories that challenge stereotypes and celebrate cultural continuity across oceans. The project launches on June 12 at lihamproject.com as part of Philippine Heritage Month celebrations.

Episode Credits:

Renee Fajardo - Mezzo-Soprano and Producer, Liham

Danlie Rae Acebuque - Baritone, Liham

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host, Inside Vancouver Opera

Mack McGillivray - Producer, Inside Vancouver Opera

Today we're joined by two extraordinary sopranos, Karen Chia-ling Ho. and Yasko Sato⁠. Karen and Yasko are double cast in the role of Cio-Cio San in our upcoming production of Madama Butterfly, running April 26th to May 4th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

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Credits:

Karen Chia-ling Ho - Cio-Cio San April 27 & May 4

Yasko Sato - Cio-Cio San - Cio-Cio San April 26, May 1 & 3

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host

Mack McGillivray - Producer

Today we’re stepping into the world of one of opera’s most passionate, enduring, and beloved composers.

His name is synonymous with soaring arias, impossible love stories, and music that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go. This is the story of Giacomo Puccini.

Inside Vancouver Opera presents: Un bel dì, A Life Begins: The World of Puccini written and performed by Jane Potter.

So settle in, whether you're a seasoned opera lover or just Puccini-curious. This is a story of artistic fire, of human drama—and of one man’s quest to give voice to the most fragile and fierce parts of the human soul.

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Credits:

Jane Potter - Writer and Narrator

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host of Inside Vancouver Opera

Mack McGillivray - Producer

Richard Wolfe - Voice of George Bernard Shaw