MAY 11, 2022, VANCOUVER, B.C. – Vancouver Opera is excited to announce the 2022–2023 season. Returning to the Vancouver Opera stage after 28 years is The Pearl Fishers in October. A company premiere alights the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with ethereal magic in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in February. Concluding the season is the long-awaited return of a legend with Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman.
“We are thrilled to announce Vancouver Opera’s 2022–2023 season which will include three full-scale productions, all centred on the theme of love,” said Tom Wright, Vancouver Opera General Director. “The 2022–2023 season will see the return of two beloved operas for our Vancouver Opera patrons along with an incredible, fantastical company premiere which is sure to entice a new audience who loves theatrical magic.”
Opening the 2022–2023 season is The Pearl Fishers by Georges Bizet, directed by Rachel Peake with Conductor Kamna Gupta. Last seen on the Vancouver Opera stage 28 years ago, this opera focuses on the love of friendship set against lush orchestrations and melodies.
In February, join Vancouver Opera for the company premiere of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Benjamin Britten, directed by Aria Umezawa with Conductor Jacques Lacombe, based on Shakespeare’s fantastical story of love triangles and mistaken identities.
Concluding the season and last seen on the Vancouver Opera stage in 2000, The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner returns with its tragic tale of love and sacrifice. Directed by Brian Deedrick with Conductor Leslie Dala.
Adds Wright, “we have chosen these three works to celebrate and honour our audiences’ love of opera. These productions will feature world class directors and conductors working alongside our amazing orchestra, chorus and celebrated vocal talent. It is the perfect season to fall in love with opera all over again.”
Single tickets go on sale August 15, 2022. For more information about the 2022–2023 Vancouver Opera Season, and to subscribe, please visit vancouveropera.ca.
2022–2023 VANCOUVER OPERA SEASON
The Pearl Fishers
by Georges Bizet
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Sung in French with English SURTITLES™ projected above the stage
Saturday, October 22, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 27, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 30, 2:00 p.m.
Be swept away by the lush orchestration and Bizet’s trademark melodies in The Pearl Fishers when it returns to Vancouver Opera for the first time in 28 years. Directed by Vancouver favourite Rachel Peake, this dramatic opera tells the tale of two devoted friends and the woman that comes between them. The famous “friendship duet”, Au fond du temple saint, is one of the most beautiful and recognizable melodies in the opera repertoire. The Pearl Fishers will be conducted by Kamna Gupta who is making their Vancouver Opera debut.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
by Benjamin Britten
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Sung in English with English SURTITLES™ projected above the stage
Saturday, February 11, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 16, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 19, 2:00 p.m.
Come enjoy an evening of magic filled with the ethereal beauty of Britten’s atmospheric score and Shakespeare’s fantastical story. Based on the famous play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher and copyright owner), is set in a forest and follows a myriad of hilarious characters in a twisting plot of magic potions, love triangles and mistaken identities. Director Aria Umezawa will be making their Vancouver Opera debut. Vancouver audiences will be thrilled to welcome back Conductor Jacques Lacombe (last seen at Vancouver Opera conducting Turandot) in this company premiere.
The Flying Dutchman
by Richard Wagner
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Sung in German with English SURTITLES™ projected above the stage
Saturday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, 2:00 p.m.
The Flying Dutchman is based on European maritime legend and tells the haunting story of a sailor and his daughter who encounter a ghost during a storm on the sea. The Dutchman, who has been condemned to wander for eternity, is searching for a bride to finally bring him peace. This tragic tale of love and sacrifice is the composer’s first masterpiece and features magnificent orchestration of Wagnerian proportions. Brian Deedrick directs this Wagner classic with Conductor Leslie Dala. Projection Designer Sean Nieuwenhuis will showcase the Queen Elizabeth Theatre’s stunning projection capabilities and bring the turbulent sea to life.
ABOUT VANCOUVER OPERA
Vancouver Opera creates extraordinary experiences that engage, inspire and entertain through voice, music and theatre. Vancouver Opera is the second largest professional opera company in Canada and is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions, country-leading education programs and innovative community programs. Learn more at www.vancouveropera.ca.
Vancouver Opera has the continuing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Canada, the BC Arts Council and BC Provincial Government, the City of Vancouver Cultural Services and Vancouver Civic Theatres. Vancouver Opera season sponsor is BMO. Ticket Centre sponsor is Mission Hill Family Estate.
