Vancouver Opera


Vancouver Opera is the second largest performing arts organization in British Columbia and the largest opera company in western Canada. Its mainstage performances occur in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, other venues in Vancouver and occasionally elsewhere in British Columbia. Vancouver Opera has one of only two professional opera orchestras in Canada. After many regular seasons with four mainstage productions a year, the company will see its first festival season in 2017. Vancouver Opera also runs a school touring and education program, and various community events.

History

Vancouver Opera was founded in 1958 by William Morton and presented its first production in 1960. From its inception until 1974, and for two seasons from 1982 to 1984, the company was headed by Artistic Director Irving Guttman.
The company has presented five world premières: The Architect, Naomi's Road, Jack Pine, Lillian Alling, and Stickboy. It produced the Canadian première of John Adams's Nixon in China and Tan Dun's Tea: A Mirror of Soul.
Conductor Richard Bonynge served as Artistic Director from 1974 to 1982, and he was the founding Music Director of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, one of only two opera orchestras in Canada, in the moment of its creation in 1977. In 1984, Brian McMaster began a five-year tenure. He was followed by Guus Mostart for three seasons, and by Robert Hallam, who in 1991 was appointed to the new position of General Director.
The company's current General Director, Tom Wright, assumed the position in November 2019 as Interim General Director, and was confirmed as General Director in April 2020. Vancouver Opera's Music Director Emeritus is Jonathan Darlington, who has led the company's musical forces since 2002.