Discover the Stars of Tomorrow at Summer Opera Lyric Theatre’s Mini-Festival of Opera – July 26th to August 4th
Toronto, 19 March 2019… Summer Opera Lyric Theatre continues its tradition as the only performance haven for Toronto’s opera lovers in late summer. Since 1986, Guillermo Silva Marin has led aspiring young artists through an intensive 8-week course of study concentrating on character development in opera through text and music. These weeks culminate in a series of performances showcasing the young artists at the Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto. The only summer course of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area, alumni include Kristina Szabo, David Pomeroy, Nora Sourouzian, Joseph Kaiser, Jacqueline Short and Joshua Hopkins, all currently enjoying national and international careers.
In 2019, the season opens with Verdi’s La Traviata on Friday, July 26 (8 pm) with further performances on Sunday, July 28 (2 pm), Wednesday, July 31 (2 pm) and Saturday, August 3 (8 pm). Performances of Canadian Team Davies and Benson’s Earnest, the Importance of Being are on Saturday, July 27 (2 pm), Tuesday, July 30 (8 pm), Thursday, August 1 (8 pm) and Sunday, August 4 (2 pm). The double bill of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi & Vaughn Williams’ Riders to the Sea takes the stage on Saturday, July 27 (8 pm), Wednesday, July 31 (8 pm), Friday, August 2 (8 pm) and Saturday, August 3 (2 pm). “This summer we concentrate on diversity and inclusion, comedy and tragedy, found in these great works for the lyric stage and the lessons we can learn about ourselves and those we love,” Silva-Marin commented recently from the rehearsal hall at the Edward Jackman Centre.
The SOLT participants for this summer have been chosen after extensive auditions and come from hometowns, conservatories and universities across Canada, including professionals already in the midst of burgeoning careers. Silva-Marin, Suzy Smith and Michael Rose comprise the Creative Team for the summer and guest lecturers will include Boris Brott, Theodore Baerg, Catherine Robbin, Diane Loeb, Kathy Domoney, Derek Bate, and Henry Ingram.
All performances take place at the Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto, 214 College St. (entrance on St. George). Subscription packages for $60 are available. Single tickets are $28, ($22 for students and seniors). The theatre is air-conditioned, completely wheelchair accessible and convenient to public parking and transit.
For subscription and single tickets call 416-366-7723 (Mondays to Fridays from 12 pm to 6 pm), at the door 2 hours prior to performances, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.
SOLT is generously supported by the Jackman Foundation and individual SUMMER PATRONS and private donors.
