Voices Of The Pacific Rim

Illustration by Lloyd Pan

Vancouver Opera presents Voices of the Pacific Rim - a recital celebrating opera and honouring the Korean, Japanese and Chinese communities of Vancouver.

Featuring popular opera selections and poignant traditional songs from Korea, Japan and China.

Sunday, March 20 2011
Vancouver Playhouse
7:30 PM

Tickets: $25

For tickets and information call 604.683.0222

Leather & Lace: Part Sexy. Part Sweet.

We invite you to join us for an evening of supple sophistication. Come be a part of our seductive supper club at BC's only Five Diamond Restaurant. Enjoy classic cocktails, culinary delights by Executive Chef Dale MacKay and Chef de Cuisine Nathan Guggenheimer, and the inspired sounds of live music in an intimate setting.

Lumière and DB Bistro MOderne
Thursday, February 17 2011
2551 West Broadway

6PM Cocktails
7PM Dinner
Cigar Lounge

Tickets $500 ($350 tax receipt)
Complimentary valet parking

RSVP to Caroline Pearcey at 604.682.2871 ext. 4850 or email cpearcey@vancouveropera.ca

Proceeds from thsi special evening to benefit Vancouver Opera in Schools program

Passionata with Measha Brueggergosman

Photo credit: Alex Gardner

Passionata! featuring Measha Brueggergosman

Vancouver Opera presents a night of glittering dreams and passionate artistry.

Dine on sublime culinary creations. Be swept away by Canada’s most captivating soprano. Experience a world-class collection of contemporary art.

Join us at the Rennie Gallery at the Wing Sang Building
Thursday, April 7th, 2011
Tickets available for a limited number of passionistas!

Benefitting the Vancouver Opera in the Schools Program

For more information and tickets, please call 604.682.2871 Ext. 4850.

A Woman Under The Influence

One of the seminal films of the seventies, John Cassavetes’ wrenching dissection of a blue-collar marriage is a devastating tale of ordinary madness.

Wednesday November 24th
Doors @ 6:30pm
Introduction & Screening @ 7:15pm
Vancity Theatre, Vancouver International Film Centre
1181 Seymour Street

Regular admission: $11/$9 senior or student
(includes $2 Vancity Film Centre membership).

Click here to book your tickets in advance.

Reminder! Opera Speaks on Wed. Nov 10th

From left: Kinza Tyrrell, Gregory Dahl, Amiel Gladstone

Come and join this fascinating discussion on “Women and Madness”. Examples from opera will be explored as well as from other art forms.

Panelists include award-winning radio producer and writer Don Mowatt, Lucia di Lammermoor stage director Amiel Gladstone, UBC Professor of English Dr. Sarika Bose and VO répétiteur Kinza Tyrrell, who will compare the musical treatment of madness by Donizetti, Verdi and Richard Strauss.

Celebrated baritone Gregory Dahl will sing an excerpt from Lucia di Lammermoor.

Wednesday, November 10th, 7:00-9:00 pm
Alice MacKay Room, Vancouver Public Library
Admission is FREE.

Overture 2010: From Manhattan To The Mountaintops

A thank you to all who attended Overture 2010: From Manhattan to the Mountaintops!

It was a memorable night of dining, fundraising and a guest performance by soprano Mihoko Kinoshita, who was our Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly last season.

Special thanks to leading sponsors Westport Innovations Ltd., PwC, FDC Brands, Blakes, Cassels and Graydon LLP, Yoshiko Karasawa and Michael Audain for contributing to a wonderful event.



~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager

Overture 2010: Up For Auction

For those who will be attending Overture: From Manhattan to the Mountain Tops on Friday October 15, here's your first peek at all the glorious packages that will be up for auction.

Get those bidding paddles ready!


LOT 1 - PRIVATE CHEF FOR A NIGHT - VALUE: $4000

Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, Executive chef Oliver Beckert prepares a five course dinner for eight (8) paired with wines from Mission Hill Family Estate, served on fine china and linens, courtesy Pedersen’s Rentals. Live musical atmosphere provided by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra ensemble.


LOT 2 - AURORA BOREALIS ADVENTURE - VALUE: $5,500
NOTE: Tour starts on Saturdays and valid Nov. 20th 2010 – March 19th 2011.

Two will fly via Air North to the Yukon for five (5) days. Tour historic Whitehorse, Yukon Wildlife Preserve and Takhini Hot Springs. Take a sightseeing flight of the Yukon River and Marsh Lake. Master your mushing skills with a day long adventure dogsledding, and see the panoramic Yukon by snowmobile.


LOT 3 - VALLEY OF THE SUNS - VALUE: $ 5,000
NOTE: Choice of three pre-selected dates during the 2010-2011 NBA Season.

Just a 2 hour and 45 minute flight (return for 2) to a slam dunk mini-vacation in sunny Phoenix to cheer on BC’s own Steve Nash at a Phoenix Suns home game. Post game: meet and greet Steve and receive an autographed jersey. Layup for two (2) nights at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Arizona Biltmore and an additional two (2) nights in the old world charm of the Royal Palms Resort and Spa. Savour southwestern cuisine at Phoenix’s award winning Quiessence Restaurant.


LOT 4 - ARCTIC SAFARI - VALUE: $14,000
Note: Cruise dates August 5th - August 17th 2011. Airfare not included.

Sail in comfort in Cruise North Expedition’s state of the art cruise ship. Travel to Greenland and Baffin Island. Relax on deck while the ship glides alongside immense thousand year old icebergs, see magnificent polar bears, herds of muskox, caribou and walrus. Visit small traditional villages, ancient hunting grounds and spiritual sites. Experience cultural performances and view exquisite Inuit Art.


LOT 5 - ROMANCE ON THE RAILS - VALUE: $6,500
NOTE: One way rail only valid from Apr 26th 2010 to Oct 6th 2011 excluding May and Sept 2011

Stay for two (2) nights at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Then all aboard The Gold Leaf Rocky Mountaineer to the majestic Rocky Mountains; destination magnificent Banff. Stay two (2) nights at Fairmont Banff Springs resort. Visit the Red Earth Spa for a soothing massage. Dine at Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant. Join Kelly Robinson, stage director of Lillian Alling, for a unique tour of the Banff Centre, and two tickets to an inspiring show.


LOT 6 - A ROOM WITH A VIEW - VALUE: $8,500
NOTE: Hotel excluding Dec 18th 2010 – Jan 1st 2011 and SUV, 3 day rental.

Travel to Whistler in a luxurious Mercedes-Benz SUV. Stay 2 nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Whistler. Stay warm in a white fox cape and headband from Pappas Furs. For her Chanel goggles, toque, and scarf. For him Harry Rosen recreational clothing. Take a scenic journey via the Peak 2 Peak Gondola Alpine Experience. Tour the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Soothe aching muscles at the Scandinave Spa Whistler. Indulge in an intimate dining experience at the Bearfoot Bistro.


LOT 7 - LEGENDS START HERE - VALUE: $12,500

Spend two (2) nights at the Four Seasons Hotel New York. Take a private tour of the Tiffany& Co flagship store, receive a pair of Tiffany Circlet Drop diamond earrings. Champagne brunch aboard Manhattan by Sail. A personalized tour of Ellis Island. Dine at Restaurant Daniel. A behind the scenes tour of The Met with Carol Isaac. Round out your cultural weekend with tickets to the West End production of Billy Elliot.

Some tickets left!

Tickets $500 per person ($350 tax receipt)
$5000 for a table of 10 - Corporate tables also available

To purchase, please call 604.682.2871 ext. 4850.

Manhattan To The Mountain Tops

Vancouver Opera invites you to share in an once-in-a-lifetime evening on the eve of the world premiere of Lillian Alling. Join Canada's foremost opera-creation team: composer John Estacio and librettist John Murrell for this special evening.

Yours is a priviledge seat, on the stage of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, amidst the towering sets of Lillian Alling. Share an elegant evening as you journey from the Manhattan skyline to the picturesque mountains of British Columbia. Stop to enjoy stunning arias by international soprano Mihoko Kinoshita, star of Vancouver Opera's sold out production of Madama Butterfly.

Friday, October 15, 2010
Queen Elizabeth Theatre: On Stage

Red carpet arrival & Cocktail Reception - 7:00pm
On-stage Dinner, Arias and Adventure - 8:00pm
Celebratory Live Auction - 9:00pm

A black tie fundraiser to benefit Vancouver Opera

Event Chair - Yuri Fulmer, FDC Brands
Auction Chair - Parviz Cordwell, Urban Properties Ltd.

Tickets $500 per person ($350 tax receipt)
$5000 for a table of 10 - Corporate tables also available

RSVP to 604.682.2871 ext. 4850

Culture Day With Vancouver Opera

For Culture Day, a day which highlights arts and culture across Canada, Vancouver Opera will hold an open rehearsal of Lillian Alling (World Premiere October 2010)

Join Vancouver Opera for a rare look at the creation of an opera! The VO Chorus will be rehearsing scenes from Lillian Alling, a brand-new opera commissioned by VO with music by John Estacio and libretto by John Murrell. Lillian Alling will have its World Premiere in Vancouver in October 2010.

Location:

Friday, September 24, 2010
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Holy Rosary Hall, 650 Richards Street, Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia

This activity is not wheelchair accessible.

Call the VO Ticket Centre at 604-683-0222 to reserve your spot! Limited space available!

For more information on all events, click here for Culture Day's website.

Opera Pic-Nic'ing

Last week, the office closed up shop in the afternoon and we all headed out to Locarno Beach for a staff picnic. Ah, the joys of summertime!

Food stations were set up, drinks were chilling in coolers and BBQs were fired up at our reserved picnic site. Staff, board, and artists mingled and ate up a storm. Games were played, bubbles were blown, faces were painted and watermelons were smashed 'suikawari' style (a Japanese beach tradition). Nobody parties like opera people party!

What was an added bonus was that the Celebration of Light fireworks were also taking place that very evening and we had already carved out our places.

Props to Adrianne, Charran, Nagisa, Jennifer & Melissa for all the party planning!



Photo contributors: Ling Chan, Moh Faris & Nagisa Inoue

~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager

You Can Never Have Too Many Handbags

What an event!

Lunch at DB Moderne, an auction featuring to-die-for handbags and sunglasses and a very enjoyable fashion show!

PURSEuasian Designer Bag Auction & Luncheon raised nearly $28K for Vancouver Opera in Schools' Cinderella opera, which will tour BC schools and reach 50,000 school kids.



Special shout-out to all our sponsors:

* DB Bistro Moderne

* Boboli

* Chanel

* Salvatore Ferragamo

* Hugo Boss

* Michael Kors

* Leone

* Ports 1961

* Bruce Eyewear

Also big props to emcees Fred Lee and Tamara Taggart, as well as fashion show host, Christopher Bates for presenting his Italian Riviera summer collection.

~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager

We Got Your Bag

Fashionistas knows that a girl can NEVER have too many handbags. So, on Monday, May 17, these gals are bringing "it" to Vancouver Opera's 2010 PURSEuasion Designer Bag Auction & Luncheon.

Up on the auction block are to-die-for handbags from designers such as:

* Chanel (Chanel Classic Handbag)
* Gucci (Icon Bit Bag)
* Prada (Velluto Jacquard Tote)
* Michael Kors (Hamilton Large Tote)
* Salvatore Ferragamo (Fiammetta)
* Miu Miu (Clutch)
* Max Mara (Glenda)
* Ports 1961 (Zaiwar Doctor Bag)
* Hugo Boss (Pleated Accordian Leather Bag)
* Cole Haan
* 3.1 Phillip Lim
* Boboli
* Leone

Girls can also score hand-baggy goodness from local designers such as:

* John Fluevog
* Ashley Watson
* Ora Bags
* Sienna Ray & Co.

5 pairs of awesome sunglasses from Bruce Eyewear will also be up for grabs in the silent auction and raffle.

Guests will dine on lunch created by Nathan Guggenheimer, the newly appointed Chef de Cuisine at db Bistro Moderne, while watching an elegant fashion show by Christopher Bates. It's going be a feast for the eyes and the palate!

CTV weather personality Tamara Taggart will be back, this time with Vancouver’s favourite man about town Fred Lee to MC the event.

The annual event raises funds for VO’s acclaimed education and community programs.

PURSEuasion 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
db Bistro Moderne
2551 West Broadway
11:30am – 2:00pm
Tickets for this exclusive event are $250. (tax receipt for $125)

For tickets and further information, please contact Caroline Hay at 604-682-2871 ext.4850 or chay@vancouveropera.ca.

~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager