Norma: The Manga

What you surely have been waiting for...

Feast your eyes on the Norma Manga, illustrated by the brilliance that is Jerry Cai and Roy Husada.

To supersize the manga, see it on Operalive.ca.













~ Ling Chan

The Opera Ninja Army Is Growing!

Ninjagirl is off at a secret location training more ninja warriors for the upcoming season.

But don't you worry, dear readers! You'll still get all the backstage secrets with our newest member, Ninjaboy Ami, as he utilizes his skills of espionage while stealthly scaling up to the rafters and hiding in the shadows.

So follow along tomorrow night at the Norma dress rehearsal with Ninjaboy Ami on Twitter: Operaninja.

But don't get in his way or you may see of shower of shurikens coming right at you.

~ Ling Chan

Saturday We Blog!

Meet our bloggers for Blogger Night at the Opera this Saturday!


clockwise from top left: Kelsey, Gus, Emme and John.

And a special guest blogger who's flying in all the way from Ottawa to join us - Crew Mantle of Command Opera. We are most thrilled to have such a well respected authority on ALL things opera joining us for our Golden Anniversary opener!

Stop by and say hi to our bloggers on opening night in the main lobby of the QET! Or follow along the sidebar to the right here as we post their thoughts on the evening.

~ Ling Chan

Brand New Seasons, Brand New Theatre

We are just about to burst, we're so excited for everyone coming to see Norma at the newly renovated Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Last week, the staff went on a tour of the QET and were delighted by the changes, mainly to the lobby and the mezzanine.

When you're at the theatre, you'll notice:

~ the lobby ceiling has been removed completely! instead, there's now a 3 story atrium and white seashell-like chandeliers
~ there are 12 more stalls in the women's restroom (always a good thing)
~ a bar on the mezzanine and the balcony levels
~ HDTV screens throughout the lobby









Inside the house, you'll notice:

~ dark wood stepped floors in orchestra seating area (instead of the concrete decline)
~ brand new staggered seats WITH more leg room
~ 100 wide bodied seats along the aisles
~ handicapped seats and companion seats have doubled
~ fabric rolldowns sound reflectors on the ceiling
~ bamboo sound reflectors on the wall that will bounce music back to the audience

The biggest change would be that to the mezzanine seating. Patrons will have to get to the mezz seating from the mezzanine level only. No longer can you access through the lobby stairs inside the house. Not that people would mind, as sitting in the new mezzanine will make one feel like they're watching a performance in the royal box.





Of course, pictures don't do it justice. You'll just have to come down to the opera and see it for yourselves!

~ Ling Chan

Hear What The Stars Have To Say About Norma

If the stars have this to say about Norma, imagine what it'll be like to WATCH it!

I just think it’s absolutely gorgeous music. It’s something not to be missed because Bellini is not done that often and I don’t think done often enough. - Richard Margison

I think the singer who can sing this role is blessed because it’s a wonderful part-dramatically, musically, vocally. There’s everything there. - Hasmik Papian

It’s got the greatest singing minds. It’s got wonderful orchestral score. It’s got great drama. It’s something which moves people. - Maestro Richard Bonynge

Oh, the anticipation! Have you got your ticket yet?


Video by Bombshelter Productions & Mike McKinley

~ Ling Chan

Golden Anniversary Gala: The Photos

Photos by Brian Dennehy Photography

On November 6, Vancouver Opera's Golden Anniversary Gala reflected the past, present and future of opera in BC with a special concert and dinner at the Orpheum Theatre and Commodore Ballroom. Internationally renowned artists and special guests enthusiastically shared in this once in a lifetime event.

The evening highlights included performances from Sally Dibblee, Brett Polegato, Kathleet Brett, Kimberly Barber, Tracy Dahl, Benjamin Butterfield, Alain Coulombe, Yulan Zhang, John Arsenault, Barb Towell and Heather Pawsey, as well as Sawagi Taiko and Tiqilap drummers and a silk artist aerialist.

When it came down to dinner, the evening's delicious menu was created by Chef Oliver Beckert from the Four Seasons Hotel, while the wines were provided by Mission Hill Family Estate.

It was definitely a night to remember!

Vancouver Opera would like to thank everyone for coming out to celebrate the start of what will sure to be an exciting and memorable season.

A special thank you to Scotiabank Group, Martha Lou Henley, Couverdon, Goldcorp for their extraordinary support of our Golden Anniversary season.

~ Ling Chan

Operabot Winners!

The Operabot screening party was held at Rainmaker Studios this past Tuesday evening and for those of you who missed out, it was a great screening in Rainmaker's 50 seater HD theatre!



The 15 Operabot submissions came in from Vancouver, Eastern Canada and the US and can be viewed on our Youtube. Of course, nothing beats viewing the shorts on the big screen.


clockwise: Laura Charlton's The Marriage of Figaro, Kristie Nutter's Madama Butterfly, Stephanie Basque's Madama Butterfly, John Landry's The Marriage of Figaro


clockwise: Brad Lamey's Madama Butterfly, Christine Cornell's Madame Boterfly and Arron Robinson, Olaf Miller & Curt Spurging's Fragile (Madama Butterfly)

After the screening, guests got to enjoy platters of sushi and bevvies in Rainmaker's staff lounge.


huge picture windows, 2 balconys with a view of downtown and yes, that is a foosball table!

After careful deliberation between the judges, here are the winners for our first Operabot contest!

First place: Brandon Cathey, Art Institute of Colorado



Second place: Gabriela Meijia and Chris Holbrow, Vancouver



Third place: Arron Robinson, Olaf Miller and Curt Spurging, Vancouver



Public vote: Brad Lamey, NBCC Miramichi New Brunswick



Thanks to the judges, Rainmaker Studios for hosting the party and our sponsor, The Georgia Straight!



And a BIG thank you to all the talented artists who made Operabot such a success!

~ Ling Chan