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Opera at Western

Opera at Western

Fall 2017 production of Carmen

Opera Program Director: Theodore Baerg
Head Coach: Simone Luti

2018-2019 Opera Season

All performances in Paul Davenport Theatre

Opera and Musical Theatre Favourite Scenes Gala
March 8 (8:00 p.m.), 9 (2:00 p.m.)

Presenting many favourites well known to all. Don’t miss the opportunity to see and hear many of Canada’s finest young musicians!

Update: Due to cast changes and rehearsal scheduling, unfortunately we are no longer able to present scenes from Victor Davies’, The Ecstasy of Rita Joe (adapted from George Ryga's play), a timely and tragic story of a Canadian Indigenous woman, which had its world premiere in Toronto in 2017.

Music Director: Simone Luti
Stage Direction: Jennifer Cyr, Prof. Baerg, Chad Louwerse

Run time: 90 minutes (including intermission)

Planned selections of opera and musical theatre favourites include:

Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss
To part is such sweet sorrow
My dear Marquis

Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss
Composer’s Aria

Le Nozze di Figaro by W.A. Mozart
Via, resti servita
Non so piu
Deh vieni

Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
La donna é mobile

La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini
Donde lieta

Les Contes d’Hoffman by Jacques Offenbach
Barcarolle

Merry Widow by Franz Lehar
Vilia
Lips Silent

Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin
Summertime
I got plenty o’ nothin’
Bess, you is my woman now

The Ecstasy of Rita Joe by Victor Davies
Rita Joe Aria

Oklahoma! by Richard Rogers
Oh, what a beautiful mornin’
People will say we’re in love
Oklahoma

Advance Tickets: $15/$10 (general admission/students and seniors).
NEW: $20/$15 (cash only) for last-minute ticket sales (if available) purchased at the door.

Purchase online or call the Grand Theatre Box Office at 519-672-8800. Cash only at the door.

Recent Productions

Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
January 25 (8:00 p.m.), 26 (2:00 p.m.) February 1 (8:00 p.m.) 2, 3 (2:00 p.m.)

The Marriage of Figaro is the most beloved and performed of all Mozart operas. The story and its resolution are timeless and very appropriate today. Music and dialogue in Italian with English Surtitles^TM.

> Read Western News article (Jan. 23, 2019)

Music Director: Tyrone Paterson
Stage Director: Theodore Baerg

The Turn of the Screw
By Benjamin Britten
November 15, 16 (8:00 p.m.) 17, 18 (2:00 p.m.)

Britten’s The Turn of the Screw is one of the most dramatically appealing of all English operas. Based on the Henry James novella of the same name, it has been performed throughout the world. Thematically the story gives a central role to a line borrowed from W. B. Yeats’ poem The Second Coming “The ceremony of innocence is drowned.” Music and dialogue in English.

> Read Western News article (Nov. 14, 2018)

> View dress rehearsal photos on Facebook (Nov. 14, 2018/Claus Andersen)

Music Director: Simone Luti
Stage Director: Michael Cavanagh

Driving or taking the LTC to campus? Effective Feb. 20, University Drive Bridge is now scheduled to re-open to motorists on Friday, March 8. The bridge has been closed to all but pedestrians and cyclists since October 18. For more details, including LTC route information, please visit: www.uwo.ca/fm/ud_bridge.html

For FAQ, parking and other useful patron information visit our useful information webpage.

> A note about parking on campus:

Talbot College lot (gated) - press button to collect ticket upon entry. Important: Exit is via credit card only! Lot is available to visitors at any time (unless otherwise posted).

Talbot College Pay & Display lot - purchase parking in advance using machine.

For those attending weekend performances, after 5 p.m. on Friday, weekend parking is free in the Medway Lot behind Elgin Hall (5 minute walk across University Bridge) - subject to change - always check Western's Parking Services website for up-to-date information.

For complete campus visitor parking information, please visit www.uwo.ca/parking

Outreach/Professional Development Opportunities

In May, the Don Wright Faculty of Music is home to the opera-intensive program Canadian Operatic Arts Academy (COAA). Visit the COAA website to learn more about how to register and/or enjoy the outstanding performances by the participants.