Manitoba opera’s upcoming season will have audiences busting a gut and bursting into tears as they present both comedic and tragic offerings.
Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love and Puccini’s La Bohème are slated to return to the Centennial Concert Hall. The operas present plenty of memorable tunes, moving characters and a dynamic cast of local, national and internationally renowned talents.
“A really good balance to the season” says Manitoba Opera General Director and CEO Larry Desrochers.
As the company emerged cautiously from the pandemic with smaller-cast shows last season, this latest announcement builds on the momentum of the current season which featured a world-premiere of Li Keur in November and an upcoming presentation of the beloved Carmen by Bizet in April.
Last staged by Manitoba Opera in 2005, Donizetti’s magical comedy follows the antics of Nemorino as he tries to capture the attention of Adina with help from a love potion crafted by Dr. Dulcamara.
Featuring renowned, home-grown soprano Andriana Chuchman, the opera gives local audiences the opportunity to see her perform the role with which she made her Metropolitan Opera debut.
“We were really trying to find something to have Andriana Chuchman back with us,” says Desrochers.
Between programming, scheduling and availability, the company managed to land in the “sweet spot” scoring her return, alongside tenor Jonah Hoskins (Nemorino), Peter McGillivray (Dr. Dulcamara) and Jorell William (Sergeant Belcore).
The Elixir of Love will be directed by veteran Winnipeg director Ann Hodges and runs October 26, 30, and November 1, 2024.
Winnipeg audiences last had the opportunity to experience the romantic Puccini masterwork La Bohème in 2014. An all-Canadian cast performs in the Anna Theodosakis led production.
“It’s just a beautiful story – and obviously it’s beautiful music,” says Desrochers.
Featuring two “romantic heroes of the opera world,” Suzanne Taffot performs the role of Mimi with Zachary Rioux singing Rodolfo.
Other cast members include Hugo Laporte (Marcello), Charlotte Siegel (Musetta), Alexander Halliday (Colline) and Clarence Frazer (Schaunard).
Puccini’s La Bohème closes out the season April 5, 9, and 11, 2025.
The Power of Voice Endowment Campaign
Manitoba Opera is looking to solidify its future by building an endowment fund managed by the Winnipeg Foundation.
Though annual giving campaigns, grants and sponsorships support individual seasons, this endowment looks to better secure Manitoba Opera’s future by establishing a strong financial footing.
“It’s like renewable energy,” explains Desrochers. “Once it’s established, it’s going to contribute to the operations in perpetuity.”
With a goal of raising at least $5 million from the private sector, donations are augmented with support from the Canadian Heritage Endowment Incentives Program
“If you give a dollar, it’s going to turn into a buck-and-a-half right away and that’s going to help the opera company.”