International Opera Company of the Month: Opera Lyra Ottawa

BroadwayWorld is excited to expand its popular feature series outside the U.S. borders setting our sights on showcasing performance companies around the world! Each month we will introduce you to an intearnational theater, dance and opera company located in one of our coverage countries.

Today, we're thrilled to present you to Opera Lyra Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada!

Opera Lyra Ottawa (OLO) was founded by soprano Diana Gilchrist in 1984 to fill the void created when the National Arts Centre cancelled its annual opera festival in 1983. It has since developed a considerable reputation for its acclaimed mainstage productions, becoming one of the largest independent arts organizations in the National Capital Region.

OLO's first production, "The Impresario" by Mozart took place in February 1984 at the York Street Theatre in Ottawa's Byward Market. Produced, directed and performed by Gilchrist herself, OLO's first opera was the product of vision and teamwork. In the wake of the success of "The Impressario" Opera Lyra's first season was born. Performing no less than two performances (opera concerts or staged operas) each season, Opera Lyra began to achieve its goal of becoming Ottawa's premiere opera company.

Opera Lyra Ottawa's productions have evolved significantly from its first community-based
production. Many notable Canadian artists have performed with Opera Lyra including tenor Richard Margison in La Bohème (1988), baritone Louis Quilico in Rigoletto (1994), sopranos Maria Pelligrini in Madama Butterfly (1996) and Liping Zhang in Madama Butterfly (2004), soprano Wendy Nielsen in Don Giovanni (2007) and Russell Braun in Eugene Onegin (2008). As one of Canada's leading regional companies, many Canadian artists consider OLO as a good opportunity to perform roles for the first time. Recent examples include Gaetan Laperriere in the title role of Falstaff (2006) and Laura Whalen as Violetta in La Traviata (2008).

Related Links

Around the Broadway World: Regional Highlights for the Week of 12/10 by BWW Special Coverage - December 14, 2012

International Opera Company of the Month: Outcast Opera Company by BWW Features - December 11, 2012