Vancouver Opera's 2012-2013 Season

In 2012-2013, Vancouver Opera will present a visually striking production of a beloved classic, two legendary performers in a hilarious masterpiece of satire, the return of one of the most distinctive productions in Canadian opera history, and an extraordinary fusion of western opera and eastern myth. Subscriptions for the 2012-2013 Season will be available in mid-February.

La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini

“THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR LOVE STORY” – The New York Times

October 20th, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 28th (Matinee), 2012
All evening performances 7:30pm • Matinee performance 1:30pm
In Italian with English SURTITLES™
Production sponsored by Mission Hill Family Estate

19th century Paris. The Latin Quarter is impoverished, yet it pulses with the energy and passion of young artists. On Christmas Eve, Mimi and Rodolfo meet and fall deeply in love. Their happiness is cut short as Mimi's worsening health drives them apart. When they are reunited in the warmth of Spring, it is too late. Mimi dies in Rodolfo’s arms, with their dear friends close by.

Glorious music, a heartbreaking love story, and the perfect combination of pathos and humour make Puccini’s peerless masterpiece irresistible. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, La bohème will remind you what it means to be alive and in love. Photo by Ken Howard.

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Christopher Gaze and Judith Forst star in

The Pirates of Penzance
Gilbert & Sullivan

LAUGH-OUT-LOUD COMEDY AND QUICK-WITTED CLEVERNESS

December 1st, 2nd (Matinee), 4th, 6th, 8th , 9th (Matinee), 2012
All evening performances 7:30pm • Matinee performances 1:30pm
In English

A tropical coastline. Frederic has turned 21 and has reached the end of his apprenticeship to a band of hopelessly inept pirates. But wait: he was born on February 29 in Leap Year, so in fact he’s only five! Bound by his principles, he must remain indentured and forfeit both his new-found love for Mabel and his plan to lead a squeamish squad of police against the pirates. It all works out, though. Frederic is freed and the pirates are revealed as noblemen and therefore suitable husbands for Mabel’s sisters.

The Pirates of Penzance is a wonderfully witty satire of cherished institutions and attitudes. Bumbling police, a pompous military and slavish devotion to duty are all skewered with rapier wit by Gilbert and Sullivan. VO brings together two legendary performers – Christopher Gaze and Judith Forst - in this uproarious, absurd, and hugely pleasing comic opera. Photo courtesy Edmonton Opera

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VO’s celebrated First Nations-inspired production, enhanced with new design elements!

The Magic Flute
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

“AN OPULENT THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE...A SHINING AND ORIGINAL MAGIC FLUTE” – Vancouver Sun

March 9th, 10th (Matinee), 12th, 14th, 16th, 17th (Matinee), 2013
All evening performances 7:30pm • Matinee performances 1:30pm
In English with SURTITLES™
Production sponsored by YVR

The timeless Coast Salish realm. On a quest for love and enlightenment, young Tamino finds himself at the centre of a battle between the forces of light and darkness. Accompanied by an absurdly lovelorn bird catcher, Papageno, and protected by his spirit-guide, Sarastro, Tamino confronts the formidable Queen of the Night, bravely endures terrifying trials, and is finally united in love with his beloved Pamina.

Set on the rocky shores and in the ancient rainforests of the Pacific Coast, VO’s highly praised 2007 production, with new design elements, artfully blends Mozart’s beguiling music with indigenous mythology and visually stunning design. The eternal story of humankind’s search for spiritual harmony will move you; the human characters, spirit-animals and supernatural creatures will delight you.

Original production conceived with the guidance of First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council and an advisory group of First Nations artists. Hwang Sin Nyung as The Queen of the Night. Photo by Tim Matheson

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Canadian Premiere!

Tea: A Mirror of Soul
Tan Dun

AN EXTRAORDINARY FUSION OF WESTERN OPERA AND EASTERN MYTH FROM THE ACADEMY AWARD®-WINNING COMPOSER OF CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

May 4th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 2013
All evening performances 7:30pm
In English with SURTITLES™
Production sponsored by BMO

Ancient Japan. Seikyo, a prince by birth, tells his fellow monks the story of how he came to the temple: Years earlier, in China, seeking to marry Princess Lan, Seikyo confronts her jealous brother, the Prince, and must answer his challenge: find The Book of Tea and reveal its secret wisdom. In the distant south, Lu, daughter of the Tea Sage, relinquishes the book on condition that Seikyo and Lan vow to spread its truth throughout the world. Before they can read it, the Prince attacks Seikyo, and Lan is killed when she intervenes. The grief-stricken Prince offers himself in sacrifice, but Seikyo declines, choosing instead to cut off his own hair and take a monk’s vow.

Combining sounds of water, paper, ceramic and stone with a traditional western orchestra, Tan Dun’s haunting score is trance-like and beautiful. Tea: A Mirror of Soul is highly theatrical, visually stunning, and charged with eroticism, ritual and poetry. This will be an extraordinary and deeply rewarding opera experience. Photo by Ken Howard

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