Concerts & Special Events
Founded in 2006, City Opera Vancouver has begun its 16th year commissioning and presenting full productions of chamber opera, and of operatic repertoire in concert. We have produced 215 recitals, readings, special events, and MainStage productions in this period.
71 of them have been given in the DTES, including workshops of newly commissioned operas at the Carnegie Centre, Native Education College, Chinese Cultural Centre, Floata, and the CNL Auditorium. We average one such event a month, year-round.
We also give opera in concert and recital. Since COVID, the majority have been presented in our new series of PoPUpOpera mini-concerts across Vancouver.
These took place at Granville Island, Museum of Vancouver, Minoru Chapel, DTES Carnegie Centre, Oppenheimer Park, Italian Cultural Centre, Vancouver Playhouse, Italian Day on The Drive, Holt Renfrew, Chinese Cultural Centre Museum, Roedde House, Sun-Yat Sen Chinese Classical Gardens, Evelyne Saller Centre, Jacob’s Well, DTES Homeground Festival, Pigeon Park, Kay Meek Theatre, Eagle Harbour Yacht Club, Strathcona Community Centre, Shadbolt Centre, St James Anglican Church, Chinatown Night Market, Hodson Manor, Famee Furlane Cultural Centre, Lost Lagoon, DTES Heart of the City Festival, Phoenix Recovery Society of Surrey, Westminster Recovery House in New Westminster, Last Door Recovery Society in New Westminster, BC Culture Days, the DTES Fearless Festival, The Annex, Canadian Music Centre, InterUrban Gallery, John Fluevog Shoes, City of Vancouver Council Chambers, West End Car Free Day, CBC Studio 700, Britannia Seniors Centre, Trout Lake Community Centre at John Hendry Park, Beaconsfield Park, Chinatown SkyTrain Plaza, International Village Plaza, MacLean Park, Canada Line Cambie x Broadway, Canada Line King Edward Station, Canada Line Oakridge/41st Station, Canada Line Langara/49th Station, DTES CRAB Park, Broadway-Commercial SkyTrain Station, Waterfront SkyTrain Station, Burrard SkyTrain Station, Stadium/Chinatown SkyTrain Station, Grandview Park, BC Cancer Agency at VGH, 300 Block Alexander Street, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority DTES Powell Street Clinic, ACT Maple Ridge, Vancouver Coastal Health Vaccination Clinics, Jewish Community Centre, Cottage Hospice, Kits Beach, Maple Plaza x 4th Avenue, DTES Victory Square, Thornton Park, Bobolink Park, Library Square, Science World, False Creek Seawall, Vancouver Art Gallery Robson Plaza, DTES Andy Livingstone Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Dude Chilling Park, Roedde House, DTES Four Sisters Co-op, Chutzpah Festival, LaFarge Town Centre Park Coquitlam, VanDusen Gardens...
We have given ten mainstage productions, including five commissions in nine years.
2006
25 February ‘Why Bach Matters’, public lecture at Carnegie Centre, given by Dr Charles Barber. (80)
1 April ‘The Idea of Opera’, public lecture at Carnegie Centre, given by Charles Barber for City Opera. (90)
25 November City Opera concert, Pantages Theatre Diana Oros-Wilder, soprano; Michael Onwood, piano(145)
2007
1 July Fearless Festival, at Pigeon Park Michelle Koebke, soprano; Dominique Hogan, piano (200)
26 October Singalong Carmina Burana’, with soprano Phoebe MacRae, tenor Will George, baritone Andrew Greenwood, section soprano Lucy Smith, section tenor Mark Donnelly, section baritone Peter Alexander, pianists Jason Sherbundy and Kenneth Broadway, percussionists Sal Ferreras, Brian Nesselroad, Robin Reid and Daniel Tones, conductor Charles Barber, producer Adam Abrams. St-Andrew’s Wesley United Church. (800)
2008
27 January SFU Opera Talk, Harbour Centre, given by Dr Charles Barber (40)
16 April Official Launch Event, Pantages Theatre City Opera, co-producer. Included Elder Sam George, Dal Richards, Christopher Gaze, Joy Coghill, Dalannah Bowen, Charles Barber, Prof Abraham Rogatnick, Jim Sands, Dorothy Dittrich, Alex McLeod, Roma Hearn (230)
16 May City Opera DTES Recital Series, Michelle Koebke, soprano. Miri Lee, piano. Carnegie Centre (90)
21 May City Opera DTES Recital Series, Michelle Koebke, soprano. Miri Lee, piano. Jacob’s Well, 239 Main Street (30)
23 May City Opera DTES Recital Series, Michelle Koebke, soprano. Miri Lee, piano. Evelyne Saller Centre, 320 Alexander Street (45)
24 May City Opera DTES Recital Series, Michelle Koebke, soprano. Miri Lee, piano. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in the Hall of One Hundred Rivers (90)
24 August City Opera concert, Fearless Festival II, at InterUrban Gallery. Melanie Kreuger, soprano; Michael Onwood, piano (200)
3 November ‘Emperor of Atlantis’, presentation No. 1 of 46 across Metro. Heart of the City Festival, Carnegie Centre (50)
2009
1 February 2pm, First Performance, ‘Emperor of Atlantis’ with addresses by Hon. Steven Point, Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, and Dr Jaap Hamburger. SOLD OUT (300)
4 February 8pm, Second Performance, ‘Emperor of Atlantis’ (250)
7 February 8pm, Third Performance, ‘Emperor of Atlantis’. SOLD OUT (300) Mayor of Vancouver in attendance
9 February 8pm, Fourth Performance, ‘Emperor of Atlantis’. SOLD OUT (300)
11 February 8pm, Fifth Performance, ‘Emperor of Atlantis’. SOLD OUT (300)
20 February DTES recital, Michael and Jamie Onwood at Homeground Festival, Oppenheimer Park. 90 people attended. 3 – 3:30pm. (110)
29 May New Chamber Opera Workshop No. 1 ‘Sea Change’, by Constantine Caravassilis and Nora Kelly (25)
3 October benefit recital at Roedde House. Melanie Krueger, soprano; Greg Caisley, pianist. (30)
25 October provided all music for Abraham Rogatnick Memorial Service, Great Hall, Law Courts Building, 800 Smithe Street (600)
2010
19 February DTES Recital, Homeground Festival, Oppenheimer Park Caroline Jang, soprano; Michael Onwood, keyboard (160)
26 May Sumidagawa & Curlew River, I, 7:30pm, Frederic Wood Theatre (200)
27 May Sumidagawa & Curlew River, II, 7:30pm (150)
28 May Sumidagawa & Curlew River, III, 7:30pm (150) post-curtain talk for UBC Alumni
30 May Sumidagawa & Curlew River, IV, 2:30pm (150)
6 June Italian Day on The Drive, 2pm Mariana Valdés, soprano; Nicolas Rhind, tenor; Greg Caisley, keyboard; Tom Durrie, producer/narrator (1000)
20 June Opening Ceremonies, Italian Week at Italian Cultural Centre Mariana Valdés, soprano; Andrzej Jeziorski, tenor; Greg Caisley, keyboard; Tom Durrie, producer/narrator (60)
3 November Recital, Minoru Chapel, Richmond Mariana Valdés, soprano; Nicolas Rhind, tenor; Greg Caisley, piano; Tom Durrie, narrator 80)
9 December Roedde House, music provided at Annual Christmas Party (50)
2011
1 May COV music direction of Va, Pensiero with new SFU Woodwards / DTES Community Chorus, Audain Gallery (70)
15 May Fallujah Workshop No. 1, Part A, Canadian Music Centre (35)
16 May Fallujah Workshop No. 1, Part B, Russian Hall (25)
5 June Italian Day, Commercial Drive Richard Epp, pianist; soprano Rachel Fenlon; baritone Andrey Andreychik; Tom Durrie, producer and narrator (1000)
1 August City Opera gives three public concerts on Granville Island, BC Day, with soprano Rachel Fenlon, baritone Andrey Andreychik, pianist Richard Epp, and narrator Tom Durrie. (2000)
18 September 2pm – 10pm, Fallujah Workshop No. 2, DHUC (25)
2 October COV Outreach Concert: CACV 65th Anniversary. Museum of Vancouver. Kathleen Morrison, soprano; Andrew Greenwood, baritone; David Boothroyd, pianist; Valèry Ryvkin and Charles Barber, duo-pianists (90)
2 November Minoru Chapel outreach concerts, Richmond 2pm and 7pm Gina McLelland-Morel, soprano; Willy Miles-Grenzberg, baritone; David Boothroyd, pianist; Tom Durrie, narrator and producer (150)
13 November Fallujah Workshop No. 3, 2pm to 10pm Tom Lee Music Hall (30)
14 November ibid, 10am to 4pm Tom Lee Music Hall (20)
14 November “Fallujah Preview” at Carnegie Centre lecture-demo with Ken Lavigne, Christopher Mayell, Arianna Sovernigo, plus Tobin Stokes, Heather Raffo, David Boothroyd. DVD. Half-page feature in Globe & Mail (90)
17 December Three COV concerts at Granville Island / Public Market, Net Loft. Rachel Stewart, Erin Palm, Andrew Robb, Nickolas Meyer (600)
2012
18 March Talk to Vancouver Opera Club, at SFU Harbourcentre (50)
11 May Fallujah given, piano-vocal, at Carnegie Centre (100)
13 May Fallujah given, orchestral version, Frederic Wood Theatre. Workshop No. 4 concludes (400)
16 May City Opera presentation to Sam Sullivan Salon, Playhouse. Christopher Mayell, tenor; David Boothroyd, piano (600)
10 June Italian Day on The Drive. Chloé Hurst, soprano. Willy Miles-Grenzberg, baritone. Michael Onwood, piano. Tom Durrie, narrator (1000)
6 November Viva Verdi! Minoru Chapel, 2pm and 7pm. (200)
2013
1 March Concert at HomeGround Festival, Oppenheimer Park. Willy Miles-Grenzberg, baritone; David Boothroyd, piano (140)
9 May Annual General Meeting No. 6, at CMC with sneak preview of Pauline: Tobin Stokes, Rose-Ellen Nichols, Will George, David Boothroyd (40)
31 May Singalong Great Opera Choruses. with Christopher Gaze Carnegie Centre (120)
9 June Italian Day on The Drive. Andrew Greenwood, baritone; Diane Speirs, soprano; Richard Epp, keyboard; Tom Durrie, narrator (1000)
9 August An evening of Chinese and Western classical song William Liu, baritone; David Boothroyd, piano Chinatown Night Market (250)
24, 25 August Pauline at Lost Lagoon / Stanley Park 125 Rose-Ellen Nichols, mezzo; David Boothroyd, keyboard Janet Rogers, guest on 25 August. Covered by CBC TV (100)
21, 22 September Pauline Workshop No. 1. Tom Lee Music Hall (30)
6 October Kay Meek Concert No. 1. Michelle Koebke, soprano. Ken Lavigne, tenor. David Boothroyd, pianist (100)
10 October Viva Verdi ! Italian Cultural Centre (200)
28, 29 October Pauline Workshop No. 2 New Beginnings Baptist Church (20)
29 October Pauline Johnson: The Woman and Her Opera Heart of the City Festival, Chinese Cultural Centre Museum. Rose-Ellen Nichols, Norman Armour, Tobin Stokes. (40)
6 November Puccini ! 2pm and 7pm, Minoru Chapel, Richmond. both shows sold out (200)
29 November Pauline: first public presentation Carnegie Centre, part of the Third Workshop. Q&A followed (100)
2014
6 February Homeground Festival, Oppenheimer Park Soprano Michelle Koebke, pianist David Boothroyd, and special guest trumpeter Daeyong Ra. (125)
2 March West Meets East, Chinese Cultural Centre Museum. William Liu, baritone. David Boothroyd, piano (120)
23 May PAULINE No. 1 / SOLD OUT (375) York Theatre
25 May PAULINE No. 2 / SOLD OUT (375) York Theatre
27 May PAULINE No. 3 / SOLD OUT (375) York Theatre
29 May PAULINE No. 4 / SOLD OUT (375) York Theatre
31 May PAULINE No. 5 / SOLD OUT (375) York Theatre
8 June Italian Day on The Drive Chloé Hurst, Sunny Shams, David Boothroyd, Tom Durrie (1000)
7 August AGM No. 7, at CMC Bahareh Poureslami, soprano, and pianist Sean Bayntun gave excerpts from Zaïde and L’oca del Cairo (40)
1 October 2 concerts at Holt Renfrew, with soprano Chloé Hurst, tenor. Martin Sadd, pianist Michael Onwood. La Bohème scena, Act 1. (600)
7 November The Mozart Miracle Heart of the City Festival, at Carnegie. Bahareh Poureslami, soprano; David Boothroyd, piano; Charles Barber, narrator
20 November Puccini a Piacere, at Il Centro: The Italian Cultural Centre. Sopranos Chloé Hurst and Sarah Vardy; tenor Sunny Shams; baritone Willy Miles-Grenzberg; pianist Richard Epp; narrator Tom Durrie (150)
13 December Two Christmas Concerts, at Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby. Chloé Hurst, soprano. Bran Kwangmin Lee, tenor. Eva Hodge, piano. Tom Durrie, narrator. (130)
20 December Three Christmas Concerts at Holt Renfrew. Leah Alfred, soprano. Leah Field, mezzo. Andrew Lennox, tenor. Alan Macdonald, bass (700)
2015
24 January Benefit Concert for Carnegie Centre Newsletter. St James Anglican Church. Bahareh Poureslami, soprano; Joanne Hauser, clarinet; Sean Bayntun, piano. Organized by Earle Peach (200)
5 February Homeground Festival Oppenheimer Park Michelle Koebke; Sean Bayntun, keyboard (300)
1 April City Opera at Minoru Chapel 2pm and 7pm, Richmond. Chloé Hurst, Ed Moran, Sean Bayntun, Tom Durrie (160)
12 April Furlane Cultural Centre Concert 2605 E Pender, Vancouver. Diane Speirs, Willy Miles-Grenzberg (100)
14 June Italian Day on the Drive (6th consecutive appearance) Grant Street Stage, 6pm. Shadan Saul, Sunny Shams, Sean Bayntun, Tom Durrie (1000)
16 October Pauline at Québec en toutes letters. original cast, except for Chris Mayell as The Doctor. Le Grand Thèatre du Québec, Quebec City (600)
28 October The Greatest Italian Music Ever Written Shadan Saul, Barbara Towell, Sunny Shams, Andrew Greenwood, Sean Bayntun, and Tom Durrie. Il Centro: The Italian Cultural Centre (150)
14 November Lost Operas of Mozart, Concert No. 1 Carnegie Centre, at 4pm. (85)
15 November Lost Operas of Mozart, Concert No. 2 Carnegie Centre, at 7pm (90)
2016
5 February Homeground Festival Oppenheimer Park, 4 – 5pm. Michelle Koebke, soprano; Roger Parton, piano (200)
19 March Lost Operas of Mozart, Concert No. 3 Carnegie Centre, at 4pm (95)
3 April Festa del Popul. Famee Furlane, 4 – 4:30pm. Melissa Howell, mezzo; Willy Miles-Grenzberg (160)
4 May Minoru Chapel concerts, Richmond, 2pm and 7pm. Chloé Hurst, soprano; Samuel Chan, baritone; Richard Epp, pianist; Tom Durrie, narrator (140)
2 June Festa della Repubblica, Il Centro. Cathleen Gingrich, mezzo (1000)
12 June Italian Day on the Drive (7th annual) Shadan Saul, soprano. Sunny Shams, tenor. Roger Parton, piano. Tom Durrie, narrator (1000)
22 June The Glory of Italian Opera, Il Centro Shadan Saul, Barbara Towell, Sunny Shams, Andrew Greenwood. David Boothroyd, piano. Tom Durrie, narrator (200)
14 July Neopolitan Songs, Il Centro. Shadan Saul, Sunny Shams, Roger Parton, Tom Durrie (120)
4 August Opera Comedy… Il Centro, on the piazza Michelle Koebke, Michael MacKinnon, Roger Parton, Tom Durrie (140)
4 August Text-only workshops, MISSING WOMEN Native Education College (20)
5 August Text-only workshop, MISSING WOMEN DTES Carnegie Centre. Public presentation and talk-back (100)
15 September Music from Lost Operas at AGM No. 9. With Robyn Driedger-Klassen, Elaina Moreau, David Boothroyd (20)
27 September Popular Hits. Big Rock Brewery Fundraiser. Shadan Saul, David Boothroyd (100)
5 October Love and Laughter Italian Style. Il Centro. Chloé Hurst, Barbara Towell, Spencer Britten, Michael MacKinnon. David Boothroyd, Tom Durrie (70)
22 October The Lost Operas of Mozart, Sneak Preview DTES Carnegie Centre. Public presentation. Part of DTES Heart of the City Festival (100)
27 October The Lost Operas of Mozart, I. Christ Church Cathedral (200)
28 October The Lost Operas of Mozart, II. Christ Church Cathedral (250)
29 October The Lost Operas of Mozart, III. Christ Church Cathedral (300)
7 December Christmas Goes to the Opera. Minoru Chapel. Elaina Moreau, soprano. Spencer Britten, tenor. Roger Parton, piano. Tom Durrie, narrator. 2pm (45) and 7pm (65)
2017
10 February Concert at DTES HomeGround Festival Michelle Koebke, soprano. Roger Parton, pianist (140)
28 February Missing workshop, Native Education College (50)
1 March Missing workshop, Carnegie Centre (100)
2 April Concert, Famee Furlane. Michelle Koebke, Roger Parton (200)
25 April Concert, Hello & Goodbye, Il Centro (110) Shadan Saul, Charlotte Beglinger, Sunny Shams, Andrew Greenwood; David Boothroyd, Tom Durrie
11 June Italian Day on The Drive (1000) eighth appearance. Grandview Park. Michelle Koebke, Sunny Shams, Roger Parton
15 June Neapolitan Night at Il Centro (90) Italian Cultural Centre. Michelle Koebke, Sunny Shams, Roger Parton, Tom Durrie
26 July Love and Laughter, Italian Style at Il Centro (80) Italian Cultural Centre piazza. Martina Govednik, Jason Cook, Roger Parton, Tom Durrie
17 August Summer Love at Il Centro (120) Italian Cultural Centre piazza. Chloé Hurst, Sunny Shams, Roger Parton, Tom Durrie
12 September Native Mother’s Aria at 10th AGM (40) Canadian Music Centre. Rose-Ellen Nichols, David Boothroyd
3 October Opera and Beer II, fundraiser. at Tap and Barrel, Olympic Village. Martina Govednik. Jason Cook, David Boothroyd (75)
21 October Eagle Harbour Yacht Club concert (100) Michelle Koebke, Roger Parton
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 Nov MISSING performances (300 x 6) DTES Russian Hall; York Theatre
6 December Come Sing With Us! Minoru Chapel, Richmond. 2pm (40) 7pm (30) Martina Govednik, Jason Cook, Roger Parton
2018
9 February Concert at DTES HomeGround Festival Michelle Koebke, soprano. Roger Parton, pianist (120)
10 March Final MISSING Public Consultation. DTES Carnegie Centre (20)
20 April Strathcona Community Centre. Michelle Koebke, soprano. Roger Parton, pianist (20)
10 June Italian Day on The Drive ninth annual appearance. Second Avenue Stage. Chloé Hurst, Jason Cook, Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley (1000)
13 June Vancouver in Verona concert, at Il Centro Sarah Templeton, Martin Renner Wallace, Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley (140)
23 July A Tribute to Mario Lanza, Westminster House, and Last Door Recovery Society, New Westminster Sunny Shams, Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley (120)
24 July A Tribute to Mario Lanza, Phoenix Recovery Society, at Surrey City Hall Council Chambers. Sunny Shams, Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley (90)
26 July A Tribute to Mario Lanza, Grand Ballroom, Il Centro. Sunny Shams, Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley (200)
28 July A Benefit Concert for DTES Carnegie Centre Newsletter. St James Anglican Church Hall. Lyndon Ladeur, Roger Parton (80)
30 Aug Masters of Bel Canto, Grand Ballroom, Il Centro. Emma Parkinson, Michelle Koebke, Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley (150)
13 September 11th Annual General Meeting, at Canadian Music Centre. Performance by Tyler Duncan of central aria from Nigredo Hotel. Roger Parton, pianist (30)
20 September Nigredo Hotel. Cultch Historic Theatre (169/200). Tyler Duncan, Sarah Vardy
21 September Nigredo Hotel. Cultch Historic Theatre (155/200) Tyler Duncan, Sarah Vardy
22 September Nigredo Hotel. Cultch Historic Theatre (195/200). Tyler Duncan, Sarah Vardy
28 September BC Culture Days, former QET Plaza (100) Roger Parton, piano, with citizens attending and singing their favourite opera arias
14 October Famee Furlane, 60th Anniversary Concert Martina Govednik, mezzo-soprano. Roger Parton, piano (140)
23 November Xmas Mercato, Il Centro. Lyndon Ladeur, tenor. Roger Parton, piano (400)
16 December Rosemary Cunningham Memorial Service (private) Michelle Koebke, Roger Parton (40)
16 December Britannia Seniors Community Centre Michelle Koebke, Roger Parton (90)
2019
26 January Perruqueries, at The Annex (200) Robyn Driedger-Kassen, Peter Monaghan, Tina Chang. VSO 100th anniversary
1 March A Concert for The Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts (40) Michelle Koebke, Roger Parton. InterUrban Gallery
30 March Opera and Beyond (110) Chloé Hurst, Hao Ting, Roger Parton. DTES Carnegie Centre
24 April Step Out for City Opera Fundraiser (75) Michelle Koebke, Emma Parkinson, Sunny Shams; Roger Parton. John Fluevog Shoes
5 June Our Three Tenors Salute Pavarotti (200) Turgut Akmete, Scott Rumble, Sunny Shams; Roger Parton Grand Ballroom, Il Centro
7 June City Opera at City Hall (100) Turgut Akmete, Michelle Koebke, Roger Parton. City Council Chambers
9 June Italian Day on The Drive (100,000) Chloé Hurst, Jason Cook, Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley. Second Avenue Stage, x Commercial. Our 10th annual appearance
15 June West End Car Free Day (50,000) Chloé Hurst, Jason Cook, Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley. Robson Street x Denman. Our first appearance
11 July Italy vs France: a sporting contest (350) Eve-Lyn de la Haye, Megan Latham, Martin Renner Wallace, Jason Cook, Roger Parton, and Alan Corbishley. Il Centro
8 August Bridezillas of Opera (150) Heather Molloy, Melanie Kreuger, and Michelle Koebke, Alan Corbishley, and Roger Parton. Il Centro
10 September Opera Goes to Hell (100) Elaina Moreau, Peter Monaghan, Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley. Il Centro
28 September Singalong Great Opera Choruses (50) Tamar Simon, Martina Govednik, Thomas Lamont, William Liu, Roger Parton. BC Culture Days, at CBC Studio 700
3 October On The Table (20) The Vancouver Foundation event, at the home of Ethel Whitty. Chloé Hurst, Roger Parton
4 October 42nd Anniversary Gala at Il Centro (400) Michelle Koebke, Roger Parton
26 October Berlin: a sneak preview concert (100) Carnegie Centre. Meaghan Chenosky, Daniel Doerksen, Alen Dominguez, Brent Hirose, Julia Muncs. Roger Parton, Alan Corbishley, Joanna Garfinkel
31 October CHINATOWN Creators' Panel (Heart of the City Festival 2020)
14 November DTES Carnegie Newsletter Benefit Concert St James Community Square. Chloé Hurst, Roger Parton (90)