VOICEBOX Opera in Concert

VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert is a Toronto-based opera company founded by Stuart Hamilton, C.M., that made its debut on October 21, 1974, with Ambroise Thomas' HAMLET at the St. Lawrence Centre's Jane Mallett Theatre. The company's signature approach is to present opera "in its purest form — stripped of sets, costumes and accoutrements," focusing on the singing voice and the expressive power of music rather than elaborate staging. It specializes in rarely seen operatic repertoire that resonates with present-day audiences and provides a platform for emerging Canadian talent. Since its founding, Opera in Concert has achieved a record of more than 200 operas, 90 of which have been Canadian premieres, ranging stylistically from Vivaldi's LA GRISELDA through Schmidt's NOTRE DAME to the modern sonorities of Harry Somers' THE FOOL. The company expanded to as many as four operas per season with a full-sized choral component under Robert Cooper, C.M., an orchestra component for each season, and an Opera Salon Series. Its performances have been broadcast by CBC and Radio Canada, including Thomas' HAMLET (1993) and MIGNON (1999). The company has promoted the careers of numerous Canadian singers, including Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ben Heppner, Aline Kutan, John Relyea, Richard Margison, Russell Braun, Frederique Vezina, Allyson McHardy, Michael Schade, Josh Hopkins, Jean Stilwell, Colin Ainsworth, John Mac Master and Rosemarie Landry. It continues its commitment to nurture and foster the advancement of young artists. VOICEBOX Opera in Concert is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert was founded by Stuart Hamilton, C.M., and made its debut on October 21, 1974, with Ambroise Thomas' HAMLET at the St. Lawrence Centre's Jane Mallett Theatre. Never before heard in Canada, Thomas' treatment of the Shakespeare play was a revelation, establishing a remarkable precedent: audiences were ready for unknown repertoire that showcased young Canadian talent presented in a format that was unadorned and direct. With a single stroke the Opera in Concert vision of rarely heard works sung by remarkable artists attained validity with opera professionals and the opera loving public. Soon enough, Opera in Concert expanded to as many as four operas per season with a full-sized choral component under Robert Cooper, C.M., an orchestra component for each season, and an Opera Salon Series. Since 1974, Opera in Concert has achieved an amazing record of more than 200 operas, 90 of which have been Canadian Premieres, stylistically ranging from Vivaldi's LA GRISELDA through Schmidt's NOTRE DAME to the modern sonorities of Harry Somers' THE FOOL. The company promoted the careers of Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ben Heppner, Aline Kutan, John Relyea, Richard Margison, Russell Braun, Frederique Vezina, Allyson McHardy, Michael Schade, Josh Hopkins, Jean Stilwell, Colin Ainsworth, John Mac Master and Rosemarie Landry, just to name a few, and to this day continues its commitment to nurture and foster the advancement of young artists. Highlights include CBC and Radio Canada broadcasts of Thomas' HAMLET (1993) with Peter Barcza, Jackalyn Short and Judith Forst, and MIGNON (1999) with Isabel Bayrakdarian and Tracy Dahl.

• 1999

  CBC and Radio Canada broadcast of MIGNON with Isabel Bayrakdarian and Tracy Dahl.

• 1993

  CBC and Radio Canada broadcast of Thomas' HAMLET with Peter Barcza, Jackalyn Short and Judith Forst.

• 1974

  Founded by Stuart Hamilton, C.M.; debut on October 21 with Ambroise Thomas' HAMLET at the St. Lawrence Centre's Jane Mallett Theatre.

Experimental, raw and one-of-a-kind opera company specializing in rarely seen repertoire, stripped of sets and costumes.

• Opera performances

  Rarely seen operatic works performed in concert format without sets or costumes.

• Opera Salon Series

  A series of salon-style opera performances.

• Choral performances

  Full-sized choral component under Robert Cooper, C.M.

• Orchestral performances

  Orchestra component for each season.

1. 1VOICEBOX | Opera In Concertoperainconcert.com
2. 2A Brief History — VOICEBOX | Opera In Concertoperainconcert.com
3. 3VOICEBOX Opera in Concert - Wikidatawikidata.org