Opera Atelier announced its 2020/2021 season in the elegant ballroom of St. Lawrence Centre on Monday, January 27.
In fall 2020, the company remounts its iconic 1991 production of W. A. Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The production is considered Opera Atelier‘s most popular. Fantastical sets by Gerard Gauci, many of which are inspired by gothic architecture and art, are a highlight of this production.
The company will offer a shortened, relaxed performance matinee that will be child-friendly, leave the house lights up, and provide audience members with information as to when they can expect sudden noises and stage effects. As part of a variety of updates to the near thirty-year-old production, a new flying machine is being built for the Queen of the Night’s grand entrance.
Tenor Colin Ainsworth sings Tamino, bass Gustav Andreassen sings Sarastro, soprano Mireille Asselin sings Pamina and soprano Holly Fack sings the Queen of the Night.
In winter 2021 Opera Atelier patrons will have another opportunity to see the company’s first commission The Angel Speaks, mounted as a double bill with their critically acclaimed 2016 production of Dido and Aeneas. The Angel Speaks features baroque-inspired ballet paired with arias by H. Purcell and new music for Baroque instruments by Edwin Huizinga.
Ainsworth and Asselein return to the stage and are joined by a number of superb talents including tenor Christopher Enns, soprano Meghan Lindsay, mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy, dancer Tyler Gledhill and composer Edwin Huizinga on the violin.
Opera Atelier also continues to bring glory to Canada in the international opera scene. Among the company’s many honours artistic directors Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg have been appointed Officers of the Order Arts and Letters by the Government of France and will be receiving their awards at the Palace of Versailles in December 2021.
The company maintains its international prominence in the 2020/2021 season. They have received a special invitation to perform with pianist Angela Hewitt at the Trasimeno Festival in Italy in June.
The Magic Flute plays from October 22 to November 1, 2020 and The Angel Speaks/Dido and Aeneas plays from February 20-27 at the historic Elgin Theatre in Toronto.
Seasons subscriptions are available by phone at 416-703-3767 x 222 or online.
Photo of Colin Ainsworth by Bruce Zinger