Today we'll explore how composer Jonathan Dove turned an airport terminal into a mythic space of drama, humor, and humanity - transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. As Vancouver Opera prepares to take Flight from February 8th to 16th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, today we're thrilled to talk with the composer himself.

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Credits:

Jonathan Dove - Composer of Flight

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host of Inside Vancouver Opera

Mack McGillivray - Audio Producer and Editor

Jonathan Dove Illustration by @barryekko

Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams) on discovering his parent's untold pain and the legacy of resilience it left behind.

Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams) is a Vancouver Opera board member, elected Councillor and spokesperson for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (the Squamish Nation). Today we explore Wilson's journey, from his childhood influences and the legacy of his family, to his reflections on truth, reconciliation, and cultural healing in today's world.

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Credits:

Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams - Spokesperson & General Councillor for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Member of Vancouver Opera’s Board of Directors

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host of Inside Vancouver Opera

Mack McGillivray - Audio Producer and Editor

On today's episode, we're proud to welcome the Canadian mezzo-soprano, Mireille Lebel, who's known for her captivating performances across the globe in operas such as Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Barber of Seville. And currently, she's starring as Count Orlofsky in our production of Die Fledermaus on stage October 26 to November 3rd. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Full Article

Credits:

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host

Mireille Lebel - Guest

Mack McGillivray - Audio Producer

We are celebrating Vancouver Opera’s 65th anniversary with a truly fabulous season. The season opens with Johann Strauss II’s beloved operetta Die Fledermaus. This charming comedy relies almost entirely on a series of pranks, trickery and disguise as plot devices to illuminate the themes of revenge, love, friendship, and forgiveness and reconciliation. Die Fledermaus runs from October 26th to November 3rd, with a masquerade party performance on Halloween.

Full article.

Credits:

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host

A candid conversation about identity, queerness, and joy with UBC voice professor and baritone J. Patrick Raftery and his former student and tenor Spencer Britten. Patrick is about to launch his all-queer reimagining of Maurice Ravel's L'heure espagnole as A Spanish Hour? with two performances on July 27th in the Telus Theatre at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets will be available soon.

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Credits:

J. Patrick Raftery - Guest

Spencer Britten - Guest

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host

Mack McGillivray - Producer

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, we are in conversation with curator, writer, public art consultant and the newly appointed executive director of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Henry Heng Lu. Henry shares insight on art, heritage, and the power of cultural collaboration to confront racism.

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Credits:

Henry Heng Lu - Guest

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host

Mack McGillivray - Producer

We always say that Vancouver Opera is a family, but today's guests actually are family. Eve-Lyn de la Haye and Clara Griesdale are real life mother and daughter, and they're both in our upcoming production of Carmen. For tickets and more information visit VancouverOpera.ca.

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Credits:

Clara Griesdale - Guest

Eve-Lyn de la Haye - Guest

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host

Mack McGillivray - Producer

In anticipation of our upcoming production of Carmen we are rebroadcasting our 7-part series on the composer’s life as one episode. Originally aired in October of 2022 ahead of our production of The Pearl Fishers. Vancouver Opera presents Carmen at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from April 27th to May 5th. For tickets and more information visit VancouverOpera.ca.

CREDITS

Written and edited by Kris Epps
Additional editing by Ashley Daniel Foot and Mack McGillivray
Music Supervisor and Clearances: Kris Epps and Ashley Daniel Foot

Sound design by Kris Epps
Associate Producer: Vincent Huynh

Voice cast:

Bizet:  Felix LeBlanc
Narrator: Jane Potter
Additional Voices:  Ashley Daniel Foot, Travis Baugh Allen, Vincent Huynh

Canadian opera icon Judith Forst and Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Simran Claire share the experiences of being a mezzo-soprano and wearing the pants onstage.

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Credits:

Simran Claire - Guest

Judith Forst - Guest

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host

Tabitha Brasso-Ernst - Associate Producer

Mack McGillivray - Producer

In a rollicking and candid conversation, Jim Wright reflects on his storied career and his 17 years leading Vancouver Opera and spills the beans on long-held desire to be a senator from Indiana.

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Credits

Ashley Daniel Foot - Host

Jim Wright - Guest

Mack McGillivray - Producer