Dear Friends,
It’s been 106 days since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic and 105 days since we had to make the decision to suspend what remained of our 2019-20 season. In some ways that feels like a distant memory, now.
We have been heartened by the care and community spirit that Albertans have demonstrated during this time to protect the health of their family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours. It is truly in times like these that the importance of community cannot be overstated.
Today we are announcing that Calgary Opera has made the difficult decision to postpone our 2020-21 season productions. Calgary Opera will be moving all live events currently scheduled for our 49th season from 2020-21 to 2021-22.
Programming affected includes:
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FIDELIO
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THE MERRY WIDOW
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LA TRAVIATA
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CHRISTMAS AT THE OPERA (AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS)
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OPERA BRUNCHES
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MASTER CLASSES
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STUDENT DRESS REHEARSALS
OUR BEST EFFORTS
The health and well-being of everyone involved in producing and presenting this art form we love so dearly is at the forefront of this decision.
Over the past months we have consulted with all levels of government; our staff, artists, crews, volunteers, union partners and venues; and our donors, sponsors, subscribers and ticket buyers. We’ve also received expert advice on the risks inherent in presenting opera in the absence of a viable treatment or vaccine.
As our team has worked tirelessly over the past three months to investigate best practices and find solutions, it recently became clear to us that it is simply impossible to produce the programming we had planned and maintain the integrity of the work while also ensuring the safety of our teams, on stage and off, and for you, our audience.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Despite this news, Calgary Opera won’t simply go dark for the next year.
We know that people are longing for the opportunity to gather together and hear live music again. We are working on planning a season of special programming, both live and online, that satisfies those needs while ensuring the safety of both our performers and audience members.
INFORMATION FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Those who purchased a subscription to our 2020-21 Main Stage series will automatically have their subscription transferred to the 2021-22 season. Subscriptions to our Opera Brunch series will likewise be automatically transferred to the following season. Individual tickets to performances such as Opera Brunch or Christmas at the Opera will be credited back to your Calgary Opera account, and funds can be redirected to future Calgary Opera events.
For all Calgary Opera tickets purchased, refunds are available by request. Patrons may also choose to donate the value of their tickets for a tax receipt. Please use the following link to request a refund, donate your tickets or connect with our box office.
LOOKING AFTER OUR ARTISTS
We are offering our 2020-21 season artists the opportunity to keep their original roles in rescheduled productions or the possibility of a future casting opportunity.
While we are still unsure of what the opportunities to train and perform will look like in this new reality, we are committed to fully engaging our eight Emerging Artists in their roles as ambassadors, educators, performers, and students over the course of the 2020-21 season.
These difficult decisions have not been taken lightly. Artists are an important part of our family and their livelihoods have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic. We are doing our best to support them through this crisis while ensuring that, when it is over, they will have a vibrant and thriving producing company to return to.
COMING BACK STRONGER
This extended pause will allow our team to reflect, innovate, and create in the absence of the demands our ambitious season requires. We will also take this opportunity to improve and strengthen our organization by:
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Establishing new partnerships with other arts and cultural organizations, venues, businesses and vendors within our community.
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Working to combat racism and become a more inclusive organization by evaluating our processes and unchallenged assumptions that limit diversity in all facets of our business.
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Establishing new community consultation processes to help us better understand the needs of our different audience segments and how Calgary Opera can better meet them.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
Thank you for your continued support and patience as we all face the unknown challenges of the upcoming year.
Calgary Opera is doing everything possible to mitigate the long-term effects of this pandemic on the organization.
If you are a fan of opera or the performing arts, we encourage you to contact your city council member, MLA and MP, and urge them to maintain, if not increase, their support for the arts and artists during these difficult times.
Imagine how different life in isolation would be without books, poetry, music, movies, television, comedy or theatre. The arts unite us and bring us much needed beauty and hope. The best way to show you believe that the arts matter is to buy tickets, invite your friends, and help spread the word about the incredible live performances taking place right here in Calgary.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
We’ll be in touch with more information about the new programs we’re excited to roll out over the next year. If you have ideas about how you’d like to see us serve the community, please reach out to us at [email protected]. And of course you can contact our Box Office with questions at 403-262-7286.
Our warmest wishes to you and yours, and we look forward to the future when we can gather once again to share a love of music and celebrate the enduring power and beauty of the human voice.
With gratitude,
Bramwell Tovey, O.C. – Artistic Director
Heather Kitchen – Managing Director & CEO
