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Vancouver Opera’s 2026-2027 season features Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, with Jewish community member Idan Cohen directing the latter.
The season opens with Tosca, a co-production performed under the baton of Vancouver Opera music director Jacques Lacombe and directed by Brenna Corner, artistic director of Pacific Opera Victoria. There will be three performances: Oct. 24 and 29, and Nov. 1.
Passion, politics and betrayal collide in Tosca, which is set amid upheaval and war in 1800s Rome. The singer Floria Tosca is caught in a deadly triangle between her beloved, the revolutionary artist Mario Cavaradossi, and Baron Scarpia, the corrupt, sadistic chief of police. More than a tale of doomed love, Tosca, which premiered in 1900 in Rome, is a portrait of resistance in the face of oppression, where art and faith are tested against cruelty and injustice.
In February, The Barber of Seville will see four performances – Feb. 13, 18, 20 and 21 – conducted by Leslie Dala and directed by theatre artist Morris Panych.
The opera premiered in 1816 in Rome. In it, Figaro is something of a fixer, and not just of hair. In this adventure, the barber works to unite two young lovers, Count Almaviva and Rosina, but to do so, he must also thwart Dr. Bartolo’s plan to make Rosina his bride, thereby pocketing her considerable dowry.
The season concludes with La Traviata, with performances April 24 and 29, May 1 and 2. This new co-production with Pacific Opera Victoria will be conducted by Jacques Lacombe and directed by Cohen.
La Traviata premiered in 1853 in Venice, and has since become one of opera’s most beloved works. It is the second-most-presented opera worldwide since 2022.
La Traviata tells of Violetta, a courtesan desired, elevated and, ultimately, undone by the society that fixes its gaze on her. Alfredo sees her through the soft blur of infatuation, believing he alone can capture her truth. Alfredo’s father, however, sees Violetta as a “fallen woman” and demands that she break off her relationship with
Alfredo for the sake of his family’s reputation. Heartbroken sacrifice made, her health worsens. Alfredo rushes to her side, but is it too late to undo what’s done?
Vancouver Opera will also present several other special events during the upcoming season. More information and tickets are available through the box office online at vancouveropera.ca or by phone at 604-683-0222.
– Courtesy Vancouver Opera
