La Bohème soars with poignancy and heartbreaking beauty

February 18, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

France Bellemare and Ji-Min Park star in Vancouver Opera’s La Bohème . Photo credit: Tim Matheson — France Bellemare and Ji-Min Park star in Vancouver Opera’s *La Bohème* . Photo credit: Tim Matheson

La Bohème is the one of the world’s most enduring love stories and operas of all time. And love is definitely in the air in Vancouver Opera’s (VO) beautiful staging. This production is a larger-than-life vintage postcard of Paris, set for the most part in the 1920’s. André Barbe’s Parisian set of cafes and shops lining a bustling city street, is complemented by his period costumes and Guy Simard’s luminous lighting, altogether painting a superb vision. And the first-rate cast performances, accompanied by VO’s exquisite orchestra under the direction of conductor Judith Yan, make this telling of La Bohème an excellent artistic work.

The Merry Widow sparkles with attitude and charm

October 23, 2018 Vince Kanasoot

The company of Vancouver Opera’s The Merry Widow. Photo credit: Tim Matheson

Vancouver Opera has outdone itself with its dazzling production of Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow. This lighthearted operetta, written by Franz Lehár, will be a delightful treat for many theatre fans. It features dynamite performances, and some of the most spectacular sets and costumes I’ve ever seen onstage. But the heart of this production is the masterful craftsmanship of director Kelly Robinson, and choreographer Joshua Beamish.

Vancouver Opera’s The Overcoat is a delightfully quirky and whimsical experience

May 7, 2018 Vince Kanasoot

Vancouver Opera's The Overcoat - A Musical Tailoring. Photo credit: Dahlia Katz

There are special times when something so captivating, imaginative and refreshing happens onstage, that you’re transported to another world. This is certainly the case with Vancouver Opera’s The Overcoat - A Musical Tailoring. This brilliant contemporary opera, co-produced with Canadian Stage and Tapestry Opera, is a whimsical interpretation of the 1942 short story by Ukrainian-born Russian author Nicolai Gogol.

Opera Review: Vancouver Opera gives The Marriage of Figaro a gorgeous makeover

May 10, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Susanna (Caitlin Wood), and Figaro (Alex Lawrence). Photo credit: Tim Matheson

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is one of the most beloved operas in the world. The delightful tale of mistaken identities, twists of fate and quests for love is a charming celebration of music and fun storytelling. Vancouver Opera (VO) offers a fresh new take on this classic opera while still maintaining its wit and charming spirit.

Opera Review: Otello: A chillingly dark operatic treat from Vancouver Opera

May 9, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

A true test of an opera company’s strength is its versatility in presenting both contemporary and classical work. Vancouver Opera’s (VO) production of Otello truly demonstrates VO’s outstanding strength in this area. After seeing VO’s emotionally compelling Dead Man Walking, a contemporary opera set in 1980s Louisiana, it was impressive to see the company switch gears to Otello, which is set in late 16th century Cyprus.

Opera Review: Vancouver Opera’s Dead Man Walking is a riveting journey driven by artistic brilliance

May 3, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Photo credit: Trudie Lee, courtesy of Calgary Opera

It’s incredible how a stage production can sometimes transport you to another time and place so convincingly that you forget you’re watching a show. Such is the case with Vancouver Opera’s (VO) Dead Man Walking, a 21st century American opera. Dead Man Walking is both a fascinating and moving look into the capital punishment debate. VO’s production is absolutely magnificent – a collaboration of incredible vocal and acting talent combined with astonishing brilliance in musical direction, staging, sets, lighting and costume design. But above all else – it tells a compelling story that will likely stay in many people’s minds long after the curtain falls.

Curtain Up: First-ever Vancouver Opera Festival opens today

April 28, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Caitlin Wood and Alex Lawrence in "The Marriage of Figaro". Photo credit: Emily Cooper Photography

Begin the overture on a history-making event in Vancouver. It’s opening night for the Vancouver Opera (VO) – not just for a new production, but for a radical and ambitious new endeavour. Instead of presenting a standard season of mainstage productions throughout the year, VO has elected to instead present the first-ever Vancouver Opera Festival. Starting today and running until May 13, three mainstage productions will be performed: Otello, Dead Man Walking and The Marriage of Figaro.