Now that the West Side Story production is over, is there any chance of getting one of the posters?

We may have a few left. Email us at online <at> vancouveropera.ca and we'll see what we can find for you.

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Are you offering Great Opera Under Thirty this season? If so, where can I find tickets? Thanks

We are indeed continuing the Get OUT: Opera Under Thirty program this season. Watch our Facebook page and Twitter feed for the promo code, which is usually announced about two weeks before opening night. Call our Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222 and give them the code, or use the code our our ticketing website: www.vancouveropera.ca/tickets.

Availability for each show varies, so watch Facebook and Twitter for updates.

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A review of West Side Story

Here's a review of West Side Story from Michael Cox, editor of the Coastline Journal. Included in the review are some sketches from the renowned and gifted artist Val Nelson. This is truly a new perspective on the production!

Val's drawings are unique: they're done at the dark in the theatre. Here are some notes from Val on her technique:

I wanted to see if I could do some drawings of the production. Since you can’t see what you are doing while sitting in the dark, there is little opportunity to self-edit, and no choice but to be free to make marks, constantly obliterating the actions that have just been carried out, without preciousness. The resulting drawings are records of movement through space and time.

Read more about the drawings here.

West Side Story: Timeless Classic           

by Michael Cox

When you're a Jet,
You're a Jet all the way
From your first cigarette
To your last dyin' day.

First of all, is it an opera or musical theatre? And does it matter? We’d only seen the 1961 Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise film version of on DVD; as the cast began the first number, one could imagine being in that theatre in New York in 1957, how shocking it must have been to have onstage what was happening in the gritty urban streets only blocks from the theatre. It wasn’t hard to imagine: internecine gang turf fights, now with guns instead of knives, but just as deadly, was in the news in Metro Vancouver the night we went to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. 

The set had a bold angled wall hanging downstage, upstage were movable brick walls plastered with torn posters and graffiti, and windows which were used to great effect during the balcony scenes between Tony and Maria, where mobile stairs were rotated by performers below, as each climbed toward the other, much like a camera’s circular dolly shot.

Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming, I don't know what it is,

Tony sings, and we know what’s coming, and it is good, and then it is tragic. I had remarked to my partner, as we milled with the nattering classes in the lobby, that it was a measure of the resonance this story has that audiences had not tired of it in over four centuries. Shakespeare based his play, published in various forms between 1609 and 1623, on The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Iuliet, written in 1562. Doug Tuck, in his always popular pre-show talk, noted that West Side Story had been staged in over 40,000 productions, over 300,000 performances, from school auditoriums to Broadway and London, but unlike many, if not most, of these re-mounts, Vancouver Opera's production has the original choreography, as it was first designed by Robbins. 

We knew the music, we knew the story, we knew Tony and Maria would die, but still, it brought tears (the man sitting next to me wasn’t the only one who removed his glasses to dab at his eyes), as Maria sings, to her friends gathered in her bedroom,

I feel pretty,
Oh, so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn't me tonight.

The first act is lively, funny, exciting; we were impressed by the dancing, there wasn’t a false move by any of the energetic cast; a notable standout was Scott Augustine as Riff, who got it spot-on, one of those “triple-threat” perfomers (singer, dancer, actor). 

My partner sketched the scene as the girls taunted “the craziest girl on the block,” fetchingly performed by Lucia Cesaroni, who captures the star-cross’d innocence of young Maria with a thousand-watt smile.

Val Nelson. Blind contour drawing. Pen & paper. 8.5 x 11 in.

One night, that’s all Maria will have with Tony, played with ardour by the handsome tenor Colin Ainsworth. A young man trying to break free of gang life, to go straight, make something of himself, the gang’s putative leader, Riff, reels Tony in for a rumble—“We’re gonna have us a ball,” he says, but all Tony’s mind and heart are elsewhere:

Tonight, tonight,
Won't be just any night,
Tonight there will be no morning star.
Tonight, tonight, I'll see my love tonight.
And for us, stars will stop where they are.

Val Nelson. Blind contour drawing. Pen & paper. 8.5 x 11 in.

The second act, shorter than the first, is less successful, in part because there is no happy ending in store—no great surprise—neither the Sharks nor the Jets are going to have their way, the rumble turns deadly, Tony runs, and Anita sings to an unbelieving Maria:

A boy who kills cannot love,
A boy who kills has no heart. 

Val Nelson. Blind contour drawing. Pen & paper. 8.5 x 11 in.

Maria, holds her dead lover, who only hours before had sung with her,
“Hold my hand and I'll take you there, / Somehow…”; for her, there is no future without him.

Shakespeare wrote these lines for Romeo, but Maria must be thinking similar sad thoughts as Tony’s blood stains her wedding dress:

Eyes, look your last.

Arms, take your last embrace, and lips, O you

The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss

A dateless bargain to engrossing death

Romeo and Juliet, Act 5 Scene 3

- Michael Cox

What do audiences think of WSS?

Audience reactions from opening night!

There are only 4 performances left - tonight at 7:30pm,, tomorrow night at 7:30pm, and Saturday 1:30pm and 7:30pm. (Psst - the best seats left are on the Saturday matinee!).

The VO Ticket Centre (604-683-0222) will be open late again tonight. It's busy over here, so if you have trouble getting through on the phones you can always order online or stop by. We're right on the corner of McLean Drive and 3rd Ave, one block east of Clark.

VO's Poster Artwork

This season's artwork is by Brian Stauffer, and the response to his breathtaking poster images has been unanimous.

Follow this link to Brian's blog for some insight into a creative process that had the VO's marketing department quivering with excitement as it unfolded. 

We could probably wax on and on about the rich marriage of concept and Brian's inimitably textured execution, but really, a comment left on Brian's blog sums it up best. "That's how posters should look," it reads. We couldn't agree more.

As with the poster series we commissioned for our 2009 - 10 Season from Edel Rodriguez, Brian's work for Vancouver Opera landed us in the pages of the design and illustration industry's leading publication, Communications Arts. CA's Illustration Annual showcases the best illustration of the year and once again VO's poster images appear amongst the winners. 

Brian's work has appeared in The New York Times, TIME Magazine, The New Yorker, The Nation, The Village Voice, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, and over 300 others publications worldwide, and his work resides at The Wolfsonian, The Museum of The Society of Illustrators in New York, The American Institute of Graphics Artists, The Newseum of Washington D.C. and The Art Directors Club of New York.

- Annie Mack, Graphic Designer

Tricky question. Is WSS appropriate for an almost-twelve-year-old girl? I know there is one "rape" scene, but just wondering how it's treated.

Without giving too much away for those who don't know the story: this scene takes place in Act 2, when the story begins to get a little darker. One character is intimidated and attacked by a group of others.

In the scene, it's obvious what's happening: the scene is physically intense, there is some removal of clothing (underwear is exposed, but no actual nudity) and the character is audibly and visibly upset. The scene is interrupted before things go too far.

Some children may just see it as bullying, but others may understand that something else is happening. Only parents can judge what's appropriate for their children. Some parents feel the scene drives home the point of the story (troubled youth, the escalation of violence, etc) and may be a good jumping-off point for discussion.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to give us a call at 604-682-2871.

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What's the West Side Story running time?

West Side Story runs approximately 2 hours and 30 mins, including one intermission.

Downtown is going to be busy this week, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to find parking! Latecomers won't be seated until an appropriate break in the show.

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Scenes from WSS

Here's a teaser of what you'll see at West Side Story!

How do day-of discounted tickets work for matinees?

This production is selling very well and quickly. We will not know until the last minute whether we will be offering ANY seats for sale on a day-of basis, and if we do, at what prices. If we make any tickets available on matinee days, the quantities will be limited. You will be taking a chance if you wait. If we do offer seats on a day-of basis, they will be on sale at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre box office starting at 9:00am on matinee days.

To ensure you get seats for your preferred date, the best thing to do is to get your tickets in advance! You can book online at www.vancouveropera.ca and the VO Ticket Centre is at 604-683-0222.

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How long is the performance of West Side story?

Another question from Formspring!

VO's West Side Story runs about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There will be one intermission. Latecomers won't be seated until intermission, so be sure to get there early, especially with all the hockey, soccer and football games and concerts happening downtown next week!

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Who will play the music for West Side Story?

Here's another question from our Formspring account!

Q. Is the Music played for West Side Story by Vancouver Symphony or played by local artists?

The music for West Side Story will be performed by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, just like all of Vancouver Opera's other productions.

The Vancouver Opera Orchestra is one of only two professional opera orchestras in Canada. It was established in 1977, replacing an orchestra made up of members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Several of the musicians have been playing with the VO Orchestra since the orchestra’s inaugural performances, in 1977, of Massenet’s Le Roi de Lahore, starring Joan Sutherland and conducted by founding Music Director Richard Bonynge.

Jonathan Darlington is currently the Music Director of Vancouver Opera, and Leslie Dala is the Associate Conductor and Chorus Director.

You can learn more about the Vancouver Opera Orchestra here.

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Interview with VO's Head of Costumes

Here's another instalment in our series of interviews! In this one, Jeff talks to VO's Head of Costumes & Costume Consultant, Parvin Mirhady.

Interview with Dani Jazzar and Cleopatra Williams

Find out more about our Bernardo and Anita in this video! VO's Jeff Sodowsky interviews Dani Jazzar and Cleopatra Williams here at the O'Brian Centre for Vancouver Opera.

Learn more about Dani and Cleopatra (and the entire cast) here.

Only 4 more sleeps until opening night! Tickets for the show are going fast, but here's a tip: there are some good seats available for the Wednesday Oct 26 and Friday October 28 performances. Check out our snazzy Select Your Own Seat ticketing site here, or call our friendly and helpful Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222.

Business for the Arts Annual Awards

Congratulations to Enbridge and Creeds Dry Cleaning of Toronto!

 

Last Thursday in Toronto at the Business for the Arts Annual Awards, Enbridge received the Most Effective Corporate Program Award, which recognizes a business that has implemented an “in-depth, long-term and comprehensive campaign to foster the arts and culture sector in Canada while meeting corporate objectives. Quoting from the awards program:

“The National Arts Centre Foundation has nominated Enbridge for helping fulfill their mandate of bringing the performing arts to Canadians across the country. Enbridqe's contribution to the past four Prairie Scene festivals has brought thousands of artists from diverse artistic disciplines across Canada to the nation's capital. Enbridge is also Presenting Sponsor of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala and has generously contributed to the NACs National Youth and Education Trust.”

Enbridge has supported many other activities in the cultural community across Canada as well; I know, for instance, it has supported Calgary Opera’s Young Artist Program.

At the same event, Creed Dry Cleaning received a Partnership Award of Distinction.  Again quoting the program book:

Nominated by The National Ballet of Canada, Creeds has provided in-kind dry-cleaning support to the ballet for over 20 years at an estimated value of $50,000 each year. Asking little in return, Creeds Dry Cleaning have quietly donated over $1 million dollars worth of services to the organization.

Enbridge and Creeds Dry Cleaning serve as examples of what businesses large and small can do to help the arts community – and our audiences.  What a difference corporate philanthropy can make!

- James Wright, General Director, Vancouver Opera

hi, I was wondering when the special tickets for ppl who younger than 30 years will be offered. (West side story). Thank you~

The Get O.U.T. tickets are now available. Check out this blog post for details. You can also get details on our Twitter/Facebook - follow/friend us to get the notifications as soon as they're released!

http://vancouveropera.blogspot.com/2011/10/interview-with-conductor-and-get-out.html

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The Ruby Awards

Congratulations to Ruby winner Nancy Hermiston!

Nancy Hermiston

I enjoyed attending the “Rubies” in Toronto last Wednesday evening. The Rubies are Opera Canada magazine’s annual awards, named for Canadian opera legend Ruby Mercer. This year the three winners were baritone Russell Braun, philanthropist Jacqueline Desmarais, and educator Nancy Hermiston – our friend who directs the opera program at UBC. 

Simone Osborne

The Emcee was renowned mezzo soprano Susan Graham.  Entertainment was provide by several singers, including Phillip Addis (in our recent Ariadne auf Naxos) and Simone Osborne, who will be our Juliette later this fall in Romeo et Juliette.

Nancy was cited for her leading role in opera education in Canada – a recognition richly deserved. Nancy has built an incredible opera program at UBC, producing excellent singers who are taking their places on important stages around the world.  

Layla Claire

Vancouver Opera is pleased to have developed a partnership with UBC Opera over the years that is mutually beneficial to the institutions and to the students; projects include using voice students in the Chorus of some of our mainstage operas and hiring students to serve as “covers” for our VOIS touring program. It is so important to VO that the UBC opera program exists – and that it is of such high quality.

The ARIAS Emerging Young Artist Award went to Layla Claire, who will sing Pamina in our Magic Flute in 2013

Previous BC recipients of Rubies include Irving Guttman, Judith Forst, Timothy Vernon, Ben Heppner and Richard Margison.

- James Wright, General Director, Vancouver Opera

How we roll in Barkerville

Our Vancouver Opera In Schools touring production of Hansel & Gretel had an interesting experience in Barkerville. On the way there, our rented tour van developed a small hole in the roof, and then it began to rain.... which made the groundcloth we use in the show a little soggy.

So, once they reached Barkerville, the VOIS crew spread the cloth out to dry. After the performances were finished, singer Wade Nott and stage manager Jennifer Swan folded up the cloth and had it transported back to the van in true Barkerville style....

Interview with the Conductor and Get OUT!

Things are ramping up for West Side Story! Want to know what's going on behind the scenes? VO's Chief Development Officer, Jeff Sodowsky, will be giving us a peek in a special series of videos.

In this instalment, Jeff catches up with conductor Leslie Dala and talks about the music of West Side Story.

And in other news...

We've released the promo codes for Get O.U.T.! If you're between the ages of 18 - 29, you can buy selected tickets to West Side Story for a mere $25!

We've doubled the number of seats for this Get O.U.T. to 200, but we expect they'll sell out just as quickly.

Here's how to get tickets:
Call the friendly folks at the VO Ticket Cetnre: 604-683-0222
Use our very cool ticketing website
You must give 'em Promo Code 3364 to get the deal!

Fine print:
Tickets can be picked up at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on the night of the performance at the VIP desk (just inside the front doors of the theatre). Each ticket holder must show ID to confirm their age!

Get O.U.T. tickets are available for these shows:
Evening performances (7:30pm start time): October 26, 28
Matinee performances (1:30pm start time): October 23, 29

Get O.U.T. is sponsored by TD. (Thanks, TD!)

Opera Speaks! Wednesday!

Don't forget! It's Opera Speaks this Wednesday!

Want to find out more about Leonard Bernstein? Come to our next Opera Speaks!

Opera Speaks @ VPL: All About Bernstein
The Life and Influence of Leonard Bernstein

Wednesday, October 5
Vancouver Public Library Central Branch
Alice MacKay Room
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Free admission • Limited seating

Explore the life, music, and wide-reaching legacy of one of the 20th century's great composers and communicators. Speakers include conductor Leslie Dala, educator and Vancouver Sun music critic David Gordon Duke, and West Side Story stage director Ken Cazan.