Canadian Opera Company Announces May Schedule

The Canadian Opera Company has announced their performances and events for this May. That month will see new productions, concerts and discussions on famous operas. COC has also begun registration for its summer programs for children. Here is the complete schedule:

Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss
8 performances: April 30, May 3, 12, 15, 18, 21, 27 and 29, 2011
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue)

Continuing the COC's 2010/2011 spring season is Richard Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos. This opera-within-an-opera's madcap backstage melodrama is a precursor to the onstage expressions of love, loss and spiritual transformation. Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric Opera of Chicago's music director and Conductor Laureate of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, makes his much-anticipated company debut conducting the COC Orchestra. Leading a stellar cast are internationally renowned Canadian stars, soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, singing the role of Ariadne, and tenor Richard Margison, singing the role of Bacchus. Making their COC debuts are celebrated Canadian soprano Jane Archibald as Zerbinetta, the charming comedienne of the faux opera, and renowned British mezzo-soprano Alice Coote as the Composer. Returning to the COC is multiple award-winning Australian director Neil Armfield.

Single tickets for Ariadne auf Naxos are $62 - $281 (specially-priced $22 tickets are available for people under the age of 30). Tickets are available online at coc.ca, by calling COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office, located at 145 Queen St. W., Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*New this season - Standing Room tickets for only $12. Sixty spaces are available and tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. the morning of the performance at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office. Limit of two tickets per person. Subject to availability.

TOUR THE FOUR SEASONS CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Saturdays at 12 p.m. (with some exceptions)
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue)
Tickets: $13 for adults; $7 for students and seniors; and FREE for children 12 and under

The COC invites the public to take a tour of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Public tours are an exciting opportunity to learn more about the opera house, its history, architecture and innovative acoustic design. Each hour-long tour is led by trained docents and includes background information and access to the Isadore and Rosalie Sharp City Room, the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre and R. Fraser Elliott Hall.

Tickets for tours are available in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office, located at 145 Queen St. W., Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information about tour availability at the Four Seasons Centre, visit coc.ca or call COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231.

FREE CONCERT SERIES IN THE Richard Bradshaw AMPHITHEATRE
PRESENTED BY NATIONAL BANK
May 3 - May 31, 2011
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St. W. (at University Ave.)

The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre presented by National Bank is a unique opportunity to experience diverse artistic programming in what has become one of Toronto's most exciting cultural hubs. Six inspiring series offer concerts, dance performances and engaging presentations that feature both up-and-coming young artists and established international stars. All performances are FREE to the public.


May 31, 2011
12 - 1 p.m.
Dance Series
Camille Claudel (L'importante)
Toronto-based French theatre company Théâtre la Tangente presents Camille Claudel (L'implorante), a work for two dancers and a narrator, conceived and directed by Claude Guilmain and inspired by the correspondence between the French poet and diplomat Paul Claudel and his sister, the beautiful and notorious sculptor and famous model, confidante and lover of Auguste Rodin, Camille Claudel.


REGISTRATIONS