Opera Atelier Celebrates 25 Extraordinary Years

Photo: Bruce Zinger / Juri Hiraoka and Thomas Macleay / Handel's Acis and Galatea / Photographed at The Soho Metropolitan Hotel
Opera Atelier celebrates its 25th
Anniversary Season with two new productions: one pays tribute to the company’s roots, the second points
to its ambitious plans for the future.
The season opens with OA’s first fully-staged production of Handel’s pastorale Acis and Galatea. Based
on Ovid’s tale of the water nymph Galatea and her doomed love for the Arcadian shepherd Acis, it is one
of Handel’s most popular creations. Tenor Thomas Macleay, who thrilled Toronto audiences with his
performance in last season’s Iphigénie en Tauride, will sing the title role of Acis partnered with Canadian
soprano Mireille Asselin, in her company debut as Galatea. They are joined by bass João Fernandes
who appears as the giant Polyphemus and tenor Lawrence Wiliford as the spirit Damon. Acis will also
feature Artists of Atelier Ballet, and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir under the
baton of David Fallis.
This production is directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg.
Both sets and costumes will be designed by Gerard Gauci – a first for OA! The production will be lit by
Kevin Fraser. Acis and Galatea runs October 30, November 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, 2010 and is sung in
English with English SURTITLES (tm).
The spring production will be North America’s first period production of Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito.
In Mozart’s lifetime, La Clemenza di Tito was considered “his most perfect work”, enjoying enormous
success in Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Naples, St. Petersburg, Paris and London. Desperate intrigues,
unrequited love and heart stopping reversals of fortune punctuate this thrilling story taken directly from
Roman history. This is the fourth new Mozart production of Opera Atelier’s ambitious “Mozart Six” plan
which to date includes Idomeneo (2007), The Abduction from the Seraglio (2008) and The Marriage of
Figaro (which opens April 2010). Opera Atelier has re-assembled the most famous cast in the company’s
history for this exciting production. Full casting will be announced at a later date. La Clemenza di Tito
will be sung in Italian with English SURTITLESTM and runs April 22, 23, 26, 27, 30, and May 1, 2011.
The creative team for La Clemenza di Tito includes director Marshall Pynkoski, choreographer
Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, designer Gerard Gauci, and lighting designer Bonnie Beecher. David
Fallis conducts the Tafelmusik Orchestra.
Performances for Opera Atelier’s 25th Anniversary Season will take place at the Elgin Theatre (189
Yonge Street) in Toronto. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinee performances
begin at 3:00 p.m.
Subscriptions for Opera Atelier’s 2010/11 season start at $55 and are on sale now by calling 416-703-
3767 ext. 22.For more information visit www.operaatelier.com.

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