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Victoria’s 2015-16 opera season begins with Otello and closes with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and sandwiched between is the frothy cream of The Barber of Seville. With Verdi and Britten’s adaptations of Shakespeare and Rossini’s take on Beaumarchais, Pacific Opera Victoria celebrates theatre, reborn as dazzling opera. All productions take place at the Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC.
OTELLO Verdi October 15 to 25, 2015
Otello is an illustrious general with an adoring wife, until Iago sets out to destroy him and tear his marriage apart. With insinuation and lies, malevolence and false kindness, Iago plays on his general’s vulnerability. The tragedy unfolds inexorably, and a love born in hope spirals into violence and desolation.
Lithuanian tenor Kristian Benedikt makes his Canadian debut in the title role. Mr. Benedikt has established himself as one of the world’s most promising and exciting dramatic tenors of his generation He has received international acclaim for his performance as Otello in Munich, The Netherlands, Valencia, Modena, Cagliari, Yekaterinburg, Brisbane, and Basel.
Performances take place October 15, 17, and 23, 2015, at 8 pm, and Wednesday, October 21, at 7 pm, with a matinee Sunday, October 25, at 2:30 pm. In Italian with English surtitles. A co-production with Opéra de Montréal, OTELLO is directed by Glynis Leyshon and conducted by Timothy Vernon.
THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, Rossini, February 11 to 21, 2016
Rosina and Almaviva are determined to marry, and nothing will stop them! With a little help from Figaro, they develop an arsenal of tricks to outwit Rosina’s possessive guardian and prove that the road to true love is paved with lies, bribery…and farce.
This all-Canadian production features Antonio Figueroa as Almaviva, Sylvia Szadovszki as Rosina, and Clarence Frazer as Figaro, and is directed by Morris Panych and conducted by Timothy Vernon. Performances are February 11, 13, and 19, at 8pm, and Wednesday, Feb 17 at 7pm, with a matinée Sunday, February 21 at 2:30pm. In Italian with English surtitles.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Britten April 14 to 24, 2016
A spat between the king and queen of fairies spills into the human realm, creating an enchanting collision of worlds. Through a single magical night, moonstruck couples fall in and out of love, bumbling rustics try their hands at amateur theatrics, and fairies spread accidental chaos far and wide.
David Trudgen is Oberon with Suzanne Rigden as Tytania. Acclaimed Scottish bass baritone Brian Bannatyne-Scott returns to POV as Bottom. The production is directed by Tom Diamond and conducted by Timothy Vernon. Performances are April 14, 15, and 22, 2016 at 8pm, with a matinee Sunday, April 24 at 2:30 pm. In English with English surtitles.
Single tickets for all performances go on sale August 4, 2015, ranging in price from $25 to $135. Subscriptions for the 2015-2016 season are available now. Subscribers receive guaranteed seating, savings up to 30% and ticket exchange and replacement privileges. Call 250.385.0222 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit www.pov.bc.ca.
About Pacific Opera Victoria
Pacific Opera Victoria has earned a reputation as one of Canada‘s leading opera companies, thanks to its dynamic repertoire choices, its original productions, and its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for artists and audiences. Founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1980, POV has become one of Canada‘s most exciting arts institutions, with an audience that is, per capita, two to five times that of any other Canadian opera company.
