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A commitment to education
Opera is a fairly complex art form. It combines theatre and music, and melds them into something unique. In order for young performers to prepare for a professional career in opera, it is critical that they be given opportunities to study, act and sing a complete role in front of an audience. It's really the best way to learn.
OpAnon's Role Study Projects were started as a way to arrange read-throughs of more standard repertoire than our usual fare. Many artists have had an opportunity to learn and perform roles in this way. Since we arranged a read-through of Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte, early in 1994, we have continued to support young performers, through our in-concert presentations of the following works: The Marriage of Figaro (1995), The Telephone and Amelia Goes to the Ball (1996), Don Giovanni (1996), Idomeneo (1997), and The Abduction from the Seraglio (1998).
Opera Anonymous also helps young and emerging Canadian professional singers by actually hiring them to sing roles in its mainstage productions. Many promising newcomers have been given some real experience on stage in our productions, and given the chance to work with their professional colleagues, conductors and directors. We also give young singers an opportunity to participate in the OA Chorale, our opera chorus, under the direction of Peter Bishop. The Chorale has sung in our productions of Idomeneo, The Rake's Progress and in the Canadian premiere of Wuthering Heights. Several young singers from the OA Chorale have gone on to supporting or principal roles in other productions.
Opera Anonymous looks forward to expanding its educational programmes to include New Director workshops as well as workshops focusing on audition techniques and acting for singers.
Our next show is a Workshop -- come and check it out!